The best TV to buy under $500 is the TCL 6 Series R617. It has an outstanding overall performance of picture quality with deep black levels, good brightness, strong contrast, and exact color. And can be very bright in both SDR and HDR. This has a wide range of colors and is impressively performing in HDR as it displays saturated colors and highlights the pop. The TV covers products of high dynamic range from both HDR10 and Dolby Vision.
For a wide range of uses, the TCL 6 Series (R617/R615) is a perfect 4k TV. Because of the full-array local dimming and strong indigenous comparison, it has excellent dark scene quality so that blacks look strong even in a dark room. It’s good for HDR as well, as it has an excellent brightness. While it can produce a wider range of colors than Rec. 709 It’s not as wide as other great HDR televisions.
It also has an outstanding low input lag for gamers and, unlike the TCL P607 of last year, it can flash backlight to free up quick movement and interpolate high image frequency material.
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[wpsm_column size=”one-half”][wpsm_pros title=”PROS:”]- Very bright in HDR and SDR
- Excellent low input lag for gaming
- Good local dimming and native contrast produce deep blacks
[/wpsm_pros][/wpsm_column][wpsm_column size=”one-half” position=”last”][wpsm_cons title=”CONS:”] - Picture quality degrades at an angle
- Uniformity could be better
[/wpsm_cons][/wpsm_column]
Specifications:
| Model:55R617 |
| Screen Size: 55″ |
| Viewable Display Size: 54.6″ |
| Description: Powerful Performance HDR 4K TV |
| Wi-Fi: 802.11ac 2×2 Dual Band (support 2.4GHz & 5GHz) |
| Processor Type:Â CPU: Dual-core / GPU: Dual-core |
Features:
| Advanced PQ Setting with Mobile App: Yes |
| Control Buttons: Power/Menu, <,> |
| Multilingual On-Screen-Display: English, Spanish, French |
| Closed Caption: Yes |
| Parental Control (V-Chip): 802.11ac 2×2 Dual Band (support 2.4GHz & 5GHz) |
| Accessible Menu System (CVAA): Yes |
| Sleep Timer: Yes |
Picture Quality
The image quality of the TCL 6 Series is very good. The native contrast is outstanding and has a good local dimming functionality that can increase color reproduction further.
Although blacks are not as profound as the P607, this is still an amazing TV for watching the darkroom. The television is much clearer than the P607 of last year, this is particularly noticeable in HDR.
Gray uniformity is decent, and with much worse uniformity, we have got reports from many individuals. The viewing angle is poor like the P607. Colors have excellent precision out of the package, and calibration with the TCL device is simple and quick.
Performance of the TCL 6 Series R617 in HDR
The performance of the TCL 6 Series R617 in HDR (High Dynamic Range) is very good. This TV supports both HDR10 and Dolby Vision, which are two of the most popular HDR formats. It can display a wide range of colors and highlights, which makes HDR content look more lifelike and vibrant.
The TV has a great brightness level, essential for HDR content. It can get very bright, which allows it to display HDR highlights with great accuracy. Additionally, the local dimming feature is very effective in dark scenes, which can enhance the contrast and make details more visible.
The TCL 6 Series R617 has a good HDR color gamut, but it’s not as wide as some of the other high-end HDR TVs. The color gamut is wider than Rec. 709, which is the standard color gamut for SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) content. However, it’s not as wide as the color gamut of some of the other HDR TVs in its class.
The gaming performance of the TCL 6 Series R617
The gaming performance of the TCL 6 Series R617 is very good. It has an outstanding low input lag that is ideal for gaming, which means that the TV can respond quickly to input from a gaming controller. This low input lag makes the TCL 6 Series R617 an excellent choice for gaming, particularly for fast-paced games.
Additionally, the TV has a feature called “Game Mode,” which optimizes the TV’s settings for gaming. This feature reduces input lag even further and can enhance the overall gaming experience. The “Game Mode” can be turned on easily through the TV’s settings, making it simple to switch back and forth between regular viewing and gaming.
The TCL 6 Series R617 also has a feature called “Clear Motion Index,” which can reduce motion blur when watching fast-moving content, such as action movies or sports. This feature can make gaming more immersive and enjoyable, particularly for games with fast-paced action sequences.
Design and features of the TCL 6 Series R617
The TCL 6 Series R617 has a modern and sleek design with a premium feel. It has thin bezels around the screen that give it a clean and minimalist look. The TV is supported by a sturdy and curved metal stand that looks good and provides excellent stability.
The TV also has some basic cable management at the back of the stand, which can help to keep cables organized and tidy. The inputs are easily accessible when the TV is placed near a wall, which makes it easy to connect external devices like game consoles, soundbars, and streaming devices.
One of the standout features of the TCL 6 Series R617 is its built-in Roku smart TV platform. Roku is one of the best and most user-friendly smart TV platforms, and it offers access to a wide range of streaming apps and services, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
The TV also supports voice control through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, which allows users to control the TV with their voice. This feature can be particularly useful for controlling the TV when you’re busy doing other things or when you’re too far away from the remote.
Other features of the TCL 6 Series R617 include HDR support, Dolby Vision support, full-array local dimming, and a wide color gamut. These features enhance the TV’s picture quality and make it a great choice for watching movies, TV shows, and sports.
FAQ
Does the TCL 6 Series R617 support Dolby Vision?
Yes, the TCL 6 Series R617 supports Dolby Vision, which is a high dynamic range (HDR) format that provides more accurate colors and better contrast than standard HDR.
Can I mount it on the wall?
Yes, the TCL 6 Series R617 can be mounted on the wall using a VESA-compatible wall mount. However, it’s important to ensure that the wall mount is strong enough to support the TV’s weight.
How is the sound quality on the TCL 6 Series R617?
The sound quality on the TCL 6 Series R617 is average for a TV. While it has built-in speakers that provide decent volume, the TV doesn’t have the same audio performance as a dedicated sound system.
What is the warranty?
The TCL 6 Series R617 comes with a limited one-year warranty from the date of purchase. The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship, but it doesn’t cover accidental damage or damage caused by improper use.
Can I connect my headphones to the TCL 6 Series R617?
Yes, the TCL 6 Series R617 has a 3.5mm headphone jack that allows you to connect your headphones directly to the TV. Additionally, you can use Bluetooth headphones with the TV by pairing them using the TV’s Bluetooth settings.
How do I update the software on my TCL 6 Series R617?
To update the software on your TCL 6 Series R617, go to the “Settings” menu on the TV and select “System”. From there, select “System Update” and choose “Check Now”. If there is a software update available, you will be prompted to download and install it.
Conclusion
Because of the stained display impact, there are some grey uniformity problems that make it a less excellent option for sports, and the picture rapidly degrades when regarded at an angle that is terrible for those with wide seating.
