I was looking for a 55" TV, at a reasonable price not realizing that most of the decent TV's in this range were gone, and I was lucky to be looking at Amazon the day these TV's dropped and quickly purchased one on the 11th. OK, I received my TV today (8/13/2020) replacing an older TLC series 4. Nothing wrong with my old TV, with the exception that even through I have 1 gig internet, my download speeds would never go over 20 mb/s. I have found it really hard to get a straight answer whether this was good/bad, or something else and I would swear that initially when I first hooked the TV up download speed were much faster before dropping to 20 and staying there.Since that TV didn't have an Ethernet jack, I could not plug it in.
So the first burning question was checking internet download speed with an Ethernet cable. My download speed is now 90mb/s, much better, but not outstanding. I can get a 1000 or more on my PC plugged in.
I than checked wireless and it was the same at around 90. So I believe that I am running into a speed limitation of the device. I would be interested in hearing what people are actually getting for download speeds. What speed is your service and what is your download speed on WIFI and Ethernet?
Otherwise, so far the new 2020 series 6 is re-markedly similar to my old series 4. The controls and layout are virtually the same. The picture looks great certainly an upgrade. Overall I am pleased with the new TV, it was very easy to set-up and as I said so functionally similar to the old TV that I see very little difference other than improved picture quality.
UPDATE: 8/18/2020
Now that I have had this TV for almost a week, I have to give it up for the picture quality. Watching older sitcoms, the picture is so much better that it is almost equivalent to the difference when HD first came out and I saw it for the first time. Watching shows made in 4K was at first off putting as the enhanced definition highlights the acting and gave the picture almost a surreal another dimension quality. Because of the brightness and clarity the picture on this TV looks way bigger than my series 4, 55". My wife was so sure that it was bigger that I had to measure it and show her that it wasn't.
The TV speakers are also way better than previous generations, I can now actually hear dialog and use them for normal TV viewing. Really feels like $650 well spent.
Update: 8/21/2020
I believe that it is shame that so many many reviews are negatively focusing on this TV's inability to game 4K at 120 HZ, when this is an outlying spec for gaming that won't be standard at a reasonable price for a very long time. I would ask reviewers that if they can find a TV at this price range that can handle higher gaming resolutions they should buy it and review that TV. This is a reasonably priced 4K TV with outstanding performance for the price point.
As I mentioned, the native speakers are much better than my older TV, and are usable. However I decided to try a soundbar rather than hook-up my Bose 16 series (which I will do later for music), and I purchased a TLC 7.1 soundbar. For the price the soundbar works well and it's base is not overwhelming which is a plus for me. The soundbar installed with no issues, and I noticed no delay with audio, or when switching between apps. In my limited experience much of the sync issues with sound I have had in the past were do to internet connection glitches rather than hardware.
Update 9/3/2020
So I have had this TV for three weeks and I am very happy with it. I am a little skeptical of the reviews that talk about blooming and black crush. Seems to be the buzz words these days but I am not sure that I am buying most of it. I have not seen an issue with the 4K test videos available, and I suspect that your image may depend more on where you are getting your input from than the set. No doubt that there are TV's that do black and other things better, but not at this price point and the fact the reviewers are even comparing these "flaws" with TVs that cost a lot more should tell you something. I suspect that the vast majority of people will be happy with this purchase. I still believe that it was $650 well spent.
My only complaint and it is not really a complaint is that this TV is so bright that even sitting 8 feet away it feels like a way bigger TV than my last 55 inch. I ended up turning the brightness down from normal to dark . I am kind of glad I didn't wait for the 65 inch which may have been to big to watch comfortably, but obliviously you may feel differently.
10/11/2021:
Notes: This TV is still going strong. no problems. I paid $650 (plus tax) last year and now it is close to $800. I figured that it would get less expensive which has not happened, welcome to inflation. Notes on 4K: Actual 4K content looks great but it is still fairly rare, as most content is not being broadcast in true 4K even if they say it is. This TV does a fine job in upgrading older content which is what you will likely be seeing more than anything else, and it can handle actual 4K (at 60HZ), which is just fine.
I believe that it will be awhile before the capability of this TV is stretched, in spite of all the hype about 4K and now 8K.
| Brand Name | TCL |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 43.7 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 13.7 x 48.3 x 31.1 inches |
| Item model number | 55R635 |
| Batteries | 3 AAA batteries required. (included) |
| Color Name | Black |
| Special Features | Superior 4K HDR Picture Quality; Wide Color Powered by QLED Technology; Contrast Control Zone Technology, AiPQ Engine with Smart HDR, Smart 4K Upscaling, and Smart Contrast; THX Certified Game Mode; Auto Game Mode; Easy Voice Control works with Alexa and Google Assistant |
| Item Weight | 43.7 Pounds |
| Standing screen display size | 50 Inches |
