The TCL S405 is the best-LED TV to buy and is a good entry-level 4K Roku TV released by the TCL brand. It has a low input lag due to this the viewers or the people who like to play games are most interested in this TV. The TCL S405 has decent picture quality and appears great when viewed at an angle.
Motion handling makes a little blur sometimes. The TCL S405 is replaced by the S425/423/421/ progressively. It is built with the same design other than some cosmetic differences. Depending on your region and retailer, the model accessible may differ.
TCL S Series/4 Series 4k LED TV
Available on Amazon
- Good contrast for dark room viewing
- Low input lag for gaming
- Low motion blur keeps fast content clear
- Image quality deteriorates at an angle
- Â Doesn’t get very bright
- Â Limited HDR performance
Design
The TCL S405’s design is quite simple and in motion with other TCL TVs like the 2016 US5800. It has a broad stand that needs a big table, but it promotes the tv well. While the development of the S425/423/421 designs may have some cosmetic similarities. The stand does a good job of keeping the tv balanced, but it is built of plastic. It looks cheap but supports the tv well.
Picture quality
The TCL S Series/4 Series 4k LED TV has a great picture quality than compared to the earlier model. Due to the high contrast ratio the dark color appears deeper when viewed in dark rooms and has an outstanding color uniformity. The viewing angle is also not that good and the best picture quality is only reserved for a narrow zone in front of the TV.
The grey uniformity may be better compared and there is a noticeable dirty display effect. Firstly, HDR is standard and the absence of a wide range of colors, low HDR optimum brightness, and absence of local dimming does not distinguish HDR content.
Motion Handling
Motion handling is a crucial aspect of a TV’s performance, especially for those who enjoy watching sports, action movies, or playing fast-paced video games. When it comes to the TCL S405, the TV’s motion handling performance is decent, but not perfect.
The TCL S405 has a native refresh rate of 60Hz, which means that it can display up to 60 frames per second. While this is not as high as some other high-end TVs, it is still acceptable for most users. However, during fast-paced scenes, some slight blurring or judder may occur, which can be distracting for some viewers.
One area where the TCL S405 excels in motion handling is its low input lag. Input lag refers to the delay between when a user presses a button on their controller and when the TV displays the action on the screen. The lower the input lag, the more responsive the TV is to commands and actions. The TCL S405 has a very low input lag, making it an excellent choice for gamers who demand quick reflexes and response times.
Another factor that affects motion handling is the TV’s pixel response time. This refers to how quickly the pixels on the screen can change from one color to another. A faster response time can help reduce motion blur, while a slower response time can result in more ghosting or trailing effects. The TCL S405 has an acceptable response time, but it is not as fast as some other high-end TVs.
HDR Capability
High Dynamic Range (HDR) is a feature that allows a TV to display a wider range of colors and contrast levels, resulting in more realistic and vibrant images. The TCL S405 has HDR compatibility, but its HDR performance is limited due to a few factors.
One of the main limitations of the TCL S405’s HDR capability is its lack of support for the wider color gamut. A wider color gamut allows a TV to display a greater range of colors, making the images appear more lifelike and realistic. While the TCL S405 can display some HDR content, its color range is not as wide as other high-end TVs, which limits its ability to display HDR content as it was intended.
Another limitation of the TCL S405’s HDR capability is its low peak brightness. Peak brightness refers to how bright the TV can get, and a higher peak brightness is necessary for HDR content to be displayed properly. The TCL S405 has a peak brightness of around 300 nits, which is not high enough to display HDR content at its full potential. As a result, HDR content on the TCL S405 may not look as bright or vibrant as it would on a TV with a higher peak brightness.
Lastly, the TCL S405 does not have local dimming, which is a feature that allows the TV to dim or brighten specific areas of the screen to improve contrast levels. Without local dimming, the TCL S405’s ability to display HDR content with deep blacks and bright highlights is limited.
Alternatives: Comparison
When it comes to similarly-priced, there are a few alternatives to consider in comparison to the TCL S405. Here are some options:
- Samsung TU8000: The Samsung TU8000 is another entry-level 4K TV that is priced similarly to the TCL S405. It has a higher peak brightness than the TCL S405, making it more suitable for well-lit rooms. It also has a wider viewing angle and better HDR performance, but its input lag is slightly higher than the TCL S405.
- LG UN7300: The LG UN7300 is another affordable 4K TV that competes with the TCL S405 in terms of price. It has better viewing angles and wider color gamut than the TCL S405, making it a better choice for HDR content. However, it has a lower contrast ratio and slower response time, which means it may not perform as well in dark rooms or with fast-paced content.
- Hisense H8G: The Hisense H8G is a slightly more expensive option than the TCL S405, but it offers better overall performance. It has a wider color gamut, higher peak brightness, and better HDR performance than the TCL S405. It also has a low input lag, making it a great choice for gaming. However, it may have more blooming in dark scenes due to its local dimming feature.
FAQ
Is the TCL S405 a good TV for gaming?
Yes, the TCL S405 is a great TV for gaming due to its low input lag. Input lag refers to the delay between when a user presses a button on their controller and when the TV displays the action on the screen. The lower the input lag, the more responsive the TV is to commands and actions. The TCL S405 has a very low input lag, making it an excellent choice for gamers who demand quick reflexes and response times.
Does it have a wide color gamut?
No, the TCL S405 does not have a wide color gamut. A wider color gamut allows a TV to display a greater range of colors, making the images appear more lifelike and realistic. While the TCL S405 can display some HDR content, its color range is not as wide as other high-end TVs, which limits its ability to display HDR content as it was intended.
Is the TCL S405 a good choice for bright rooms?
No, the TCL S405 is not the best choice for bright rooms or areas with a lot of natural light due to its limited peak brightness. Peak brightness refers to how bright the TV can get, and higher peak brightness is necessary for TV content to be displayed properly in bright rooms. The TCL S405 has a peak brightness of around 300 nits, which is not high enough to display HDR content at its full potential.
What is the difference between the TCL S405 and the newer TCL S425?
The TCL S425 is a newer version of the TCL S405 with some cosmetic differences, but the overall design and performance are very similar. The TCL S425 has some updated features, such as support for voice control and improved Wi-Fi connectivity. However, in terms of picture quality and performance, the TCL S405 and S425 are very similar.
Can the TCL S405 be wall-mounted?
Yes, the TCL S405 can be wall-mounted with a VESA-compatible mount. The TV has a VESA pattern of 200mm x 200mm, which is a standard size for most wall mounts. However, it’s important to ensure that the wall mount you choose can support the weight and size of the TV.
Does it have a smart TV platform?
Yes, the TCL S405 has a built-in Roku smart TV platform. Roku offers access to a wide variety of streaming apps and services, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more. The interface is easy to use, and the TV comes with a simple remote that has quick-access buttons for popular apps.
Conclusion
Its picture quality is extremely great when considered directly in front, and it manages fast motion well. However, it is a little less flexible due to its low brightness and absence of picture quality at an angle.
