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TCL 5 Series S555 QLED

TCL
4K Resolution
Gaming
QLED Display
2582 words

The TCL 5 Series/S555 2022 QLED is a budget 4k TV that was released in 2022 and runs on the Roku OS smart interface. It is positioned below the more advanced TCL 6 Series/R655 2022 QLED and replaces the TCL 5 Series/S535 2020 QLED. This TV is available in various sizes ranging from 50 inches to 75 inches, catering to different needs. In terms of design, the TCL 5 Series has a premium look with thin side and top bezels, blending well into any environment. The back is plain but features clips on the feet for basic cable management. The thickness of the TV prevents it from sitting flush against the wall when wall-mounted.

The build quality of this TV is decent overall, with a stable stand and minimal flex in the back panel. However, there are some spots on the display that may be factory defects and can be visible when displaying uniform images. One of the standout features of the TCL 5 Series is its superb contrast ratio, which results in deep blacks and good performance in dark rooms. It has a native contrast ratio of 9,591:1, which is further enhanced by its full array local dimming feature. However, since this TV only has a limited number of dimming zones, there may be some blooming around bright objects in dark scenes. When it comes to brightness in HDR (high dynamic range), the TCL 5 Series performs adequately but does not excel. Some bright highlights stand out well, but very bright scenes do not reach optimal brightness levels.

The TCL 5 Series Roku TV, released in [insert release date], offers a range of features that make it a solid choice for consumers. It comes with a 4K Ultra HD display, providing stunning picture quality with vibrant colors and sharp details. The TV supports HDR playback, enhancing the viewing experience by delivering more realistic and lifelike images.

The TV offers a wide range of streaming apps through the Roku app store, giving users access to a great selection of content. It also supports HDR playback not only on streaming apps but also on USB drives, allowing users to enjoy HDR content from various sources. Despite its impressive features, the TCL 5 Series Roku TV does have some limitations. It lacks HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, which may limit gaming capabilities for some users. Additionally, it does not support ATSC 3.0 for over-the-air broadcasts.

In conclusion, the TCL 5 Series Roku TV is a solid choice for consumers looking for a high-quality and user-friendly television. With its 4K Ultra HD display, HDR support, and wide range of streaming apps, it offers an immersive and enjoyable viewing experience. However, its lack of HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and ATSC 3.0 support may be a drawback for some users.

Preview
Preview of the official model TCL 5 Series S555 QLED

A comprehensive look at the technical specifications of this model

Technical Specifications
Model TCL 5 Series/S555 2022 QLED
Release Year 2022
Smart Interface Roku OS
Sizes Available 50", 55", 65", 75"
Design Thin bezels, plain back with cable management clips, not flush with wall when wall-mounted
Build Quality Decent overall, stable stand, minimal flex in back panel
Display Defects Some factory defects visible on display
Contrast Ratio Native: 9,591:1
Local Dimming Yes, limited zones
Brightness (HDR) Adequate, but not optimal for very bright scenes
Performance in Dark Rooms Excellent contrast and black uniformity
Performance in Bright Rooms High peak brightness, decent reflection handling
Viewing Angles Narrow, image appears dull from sides
TV Shows Good choice for bright rooms, high peak brightness, decent reflection handling
Sports Performs well in bright rooms, low blurring, but some uniformity issues
Gaming Low input lag, fast response time, variable refresh rate support, limited by 60Hz refresh rate and lack of HDMI 2.1
HDR Movies Great contrast ratio, black uniformity, wide color gamut, lacks optimal peak brightness
HDR Gaming Great contrast ratio, local dimming, low input lag, limited peak brightness
PC Monitor Good performance, chroma 4:4:4 support, low input lag, narrow viewing angle
Price Budget-friendly
Picture Quality Impressive features and performance
HDR Brightness in Game Mode 1950 cd/m²
PQ EOTF Tracking Preserves shadow details, struggles with lower peak brightness content
SDR Brightness High peak brightness, suitable for bright rooms
Color Gamut Wide coverage of DCI-P3, limited coverage of Rec. 2020
Color Volume Decent performance, accurate representation of dark saturated colors
Calibration Accuracy Excellent after calibration, minor issues before calibration
Gray Uniformity Decent, slightly darker sides, dirty screen effect in center, noticeable spots
Black Uniformity Fantastic, minimal visible dark spots or backlight bleed
Viewing Angle Sub-par, colors appear washed out and faded off-center
Reflections Semi-gloss finish reduces direct reflections, causes smearing
Native Gradient Performance Minimal banding, slight issue with red transitions
Upscaling Struggles with maintaining fine details and sharpness
Subpixel Layout BGR layout, may reduce text clarity when used as PC monitor
Motion Handling Very good overall, minimal black smearing, some motion blur
Flicker-Free No, uses PWM for dimming backlight
Stutter Slight stutter in movies and low-frame-rate content
Judder Removal Limited capabilities, native 24p content without judder
HDMI Support 4 HDMI ports, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG support, HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwidth, HDCP 2.2
Other Connectivity 1 USB port, digital optical audio out, 3.5mm analog audio out, lacks USB 3.0 and DisplayPort
Sound Quality Disappointing frequency response, little bass, clear dialogue, minimal distortion, not very loud

Why you should be excited about TCL 5 Series S555 QLED

The most important key feature of the TCL 5 Series/S555 2022 QLED TV is its superb contrast ratio, which results in deep blacks and good performance in dark rooms.

Other advantages and benefits of purchasing this TV include:

  1. Wide range of sizes: The TCL 5 Series is available in various sizes ranging from 50 inches to 75 inches, allowing you to choose the perfect size for your needs.

  2. Roku OS smart interface: The TV runs on the Roku OS, providing a user-friendly and intuitive smart interface. It offers a wide selection of streaming apps, making it easy to access your favorite content.

  3. Good performance in bright rooms: The TV has high peak brightness and decent reflection handling, making it suitable for watching TV shows and sports in bright rooms.

  4. Low input lag and fast response time: The TCL 5 Series is a great option for gaming, thanks to its low input lag and fast response time. It also supports variable refresh rate to reduce tearing in games.

  5. Great HDR performance: The TV delivers a great viewing experience for HDR movies and gaming, with its superb contrast ratio and black uniformity. It displays dark scenes well and has a wide color gamut for vivid and lifelike HDR content. The most important key feature of the TCL 5 Series Roku TV is its support for HDR playback in popular streaming apps and USB drives.

Other potential advantages or benefits of purchasing this TV are:

  1. Wide range of streaming apps: The TV offers a great selection of apps through the Roku app store, providing access to a variety of content and entertainment options.

  2. User-friendly interface: The TV runs on the Roku TV smart interface, which is simple and easy to use with fast performance. Navigating through menus and accessing features is a breeze.

  3. Fast performance: The Roku TV smart interface version 11.5.0 ensures smooth and responsive performance, allowing for quick app launches and smooth navigation.

  4. Support for HDR playback: The TV supports HDR playback not only in streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube but also on USB drives. This allows for a more immersive and vibrant viewing experience with enhanced color and contrast.

  5. CEC menu control: The included remote has CEC menu control, enabling easy control of other CEC-compatible devices connected to the TV. This simplifies the overall entertainment setup and enhances convenience.

Overall, the TCL 5 Series Roku TV offers a wide range of streaming apps, a user-friendly interface, fast performance, HDR playback support, and convenient CEC menu control.

A quick summary of the disadvantages of this model

The main downside of purchasing the TCL 5 Series/S555 2022 QLED TV is its limitations in terms of refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth. This can impact the overall performance and compatibility with gaming and high-resolution content.

Potential downsides of purchasing this TV include:

  1. Limited refresh rate: The TCL 5 Series only has a 60Hz refresh rate, which may not be ideal for gamers or those seeking smoother motion in fast-paced content. It lacks the higher refresh rates found in more advanced models.

  2. Lack of HDMI 2.1 bandwidth: Despite TCL's advertising claims, this TV does not support HDMI 2.1 bandwidth. It only has 18Gbps of bandwidth, limiting it to 4k @ 60Hz gaming and potentially restricting its compatibility with future high-resolution content.

  3. Narrow viewing angles: The TCL 5 Series has a sub-par viewing angle, with colors appearing washed out and faded when viewed off-center. This can make it less suitable for wide seating arrangements or situations where viewers frequently move around.

  4. Limited peak brightness in HDR: While the TCL 5 Series performs adequately in terms of brightness in HDR, it does not excel in delivering optimal peak brightness levels for bright scenes. This can result in a slightly dimmer image compared to other TVs with higher peak brightness capabilities.

  5. Limited audio connectivity options: The TV lacks advanced connectivity options like a USB 3.0 port and DisplayPort. This can limit the potential for connecting external devices or accessories, such as high-speed storage or additional display options.

Overall, while the TCL 5 Series/S555 2022 QLED TV offers impressive features and picture quality at a budget-friendly price, it has some notable downsides in terms of refresh rate, HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, viewing angles, peak brightness in HDR, and audio connectivity options. The main problem with purchasing the TCL 5 Series Roku TV is that it lacks certain features and has some limitations. Here are the potential downsides:

  1. Limited gaming capabilities: The TV's lack of HDMI 2.1 bandwidth means it may not be suitable for gamers who require high-speed connections for smooth gameplay and reduced input lag.

  2. No support for ATSC 3.0: If you rely on over-the-air broadcasts, this TV does not support the latest ATSC 3.0 standard, which may limit your access to certain channels or features.

  3. Average sound quality: The TV's sound quality is not exceptional and may not provide the immersive audio experience that some users desire. External speakers or a soundbar may be necessary for a better audio performance.

  4. Ads on the home screen: While the Roku TV interface is user-friendly, it does have ads on the home screen that cannot be disabled. This can be a nuisance for those who prefer an ad-free viewing experience.

  5. No built-in voice control: The included remote lacks built-in voice control, requiring users to rely on the Roku companion app for voice commands. This can be inconvenient for those who prefer using voice control directly from the remote.

Overall, while the TCL 5 Series Roku TV offers some impressive features, it falls short in terms of gaming capabilities, ATSC 3.0 support, sound quality, and the presence of ads on the home screen. Additionally, the lack of built-in voice control may be a drawback for some users.

Final thoughts

The TCL 5 Series/S555 2022 QLED is a budget-friendly option that offers some impressive features and picture quality. It performs well for movies and TV shows in both dark and bright rooms, and gaming on this TV is enjoyable with low input lag and fast response time. However, its 60Hz refresh rate and lack of HDMI 2.1 bandwidth limit its performance compared to other models. The TCL 5 Series is not the best choice for wide seating arrangements or those looking for optimal peak brightness levels in HDR content. Overall, it is a decent TV for its price range, but if you're looking for a more advanced and future-proof option, you may want to consider other models.

The TCL 5 Series Roku TV offers some impressive features like HDR support and a wide range of streaming apps. However, it falls short in certain areas. The lack of HDMI 2.1 bandwidth limits gaming capabilities, and it doesn't support ATSC 3.0 for over-the-air broadcasts. The sound quality is average, and there are ads on the home screen that cannot be removed. Despite these drawbacks, the TV has a user-friendly interface and supports HDR playback in popular streaming apps. If you prioritize streaming capabilities and HDR playback, this TV could be a good option. However, if you are a gamer or rely on over-the-air broadcasts, you may want to consider other models.

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Rating: 7.8
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Tom Baker

Tom Baker is a technology writer with a wealth of experience in the field, having worked as a software engineer for many years. He has written dozens of articles on the latest technology trends, and his expertise has been sought out by major publications and tech companies.