TV's: Samsung vs. TCL or something else?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › TV's: Samsung vs. TCL or something else?

teedub

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#225437 18-Nov-2017 19:49

Hi guys,

I'm looking at buying a new TV (65" if possible) and am having trouble deciding between a Samsung MU7000 and the new TCL X2. My budget is $4k absolute max (which is why I'm deciding between a 4k tv and a QLED one - they're roughly the same price).

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tv-home-entertainment/hd-televisions/samsung/samsung-mu7000-65-premium-uhd-hdr-led-lcd-tv/333230/

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tv-home-entertainment/hd-televisions/tcl/tcl-x2-65-inch-4k-qled-android-tv/338911/

Having read several of the threads on this forum about TV recommendations, no-one seems to like Samsungs. Having no experience with their TV's, can someone explain why this is? I love how they look in the shop; the overall picture quality looks way better than the other brands to me. I know many people seem to prefer Sony, but I hate how they look in the shop as they seem really dim to me. I currently have an older Panasonic, which I hate as every time there's a dark scene the screen dims even further, so I end up having to keep a menu bar open to keep the picture from going too dark. Hence not a fan of Panasonic! I've never used or owned anything LG before, but again when looking at them in-store the Samsungs look better plus they look a bit basic with the apps they offer, but if anyone wants to convince me otherwise go ahead :)

The TCL X2's look good in-store, but still not quite as good as the Samsungs (even the 4k ones, although I'm not an expert on exactly what to look for while watching). My question is: even though this is QLED, would this beat out the MU7000 as it is (to quote the sales guy) a 'cheaper brand'?

Another consideration is with the Samsung I would have to also buy a soundbar and potentially an nvidia Shield TV box, whereas the TCL has a good soundbar built-in, according to reviews, and it has Android TV also built-in. I don't currently use many streaming services but would like to get into using Kodi etc... With those add-ons, it stretches up just past my budget, although that might come down with black Friday and Boxing Day coming up. Only other option there is to drop down to a 55" 4k and given the TV will be about 5m from the couch, I think that might end up being a bit small, although do-able if it's worth sacrificing the size for quality.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1903817 18-Nov-2017 20:03

Each to their own.. so if you like a Samsung in store there is probably no point in reading my comments!

I can't stand most Samsung TV's and find their processing horrible. I can instantly spot a Samsung in a store and the picture puts me off wanting to own one of their TV's. Does it make them all bad? No, they do have some good TV's.

The MU7000 is an edge lit panel so you need to weight up the cons of that vs a backlit (there are better panels and TV's from both Sony and LG that are cheaper and IMHO better). The Sony KD-65X9000E is a brilliant TV and has been down to $3500 pretty often recently and if I was looking in your price range it's certainly what I would opt for.

I'll be buying a new TV at some point soon but IMHO there is no point in buying anything but an OLED right now as they're so superior. You won't get something in your price range though without dropping down to 55"

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Dunnersfella

4063 posts

Uber Geek

#1903873 18-Nov-2017 21:58

If a TV looks dim in a store, it's probably just not cranked up to the horrible, eye shattering brightness that TV companies use to trick people into buying TV's.

Put the set in a normal living room and the 'demo mode' will make everything look beyond real in an overly bright, blown out sort of way.

Remember, grass should look like grass and not radioactive waste!

Dingbatt

6416 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1903874 18-Nov-2017 22:00

Be sure to compare apples with apples when you are looking instore. Is one TV in demo mode while another isn't? Does one have the contrast down to hide light bleed? Dig into the menus and have a good look. An appliance store, with its open format and florescent lighting is probably one of the worst places to audition a TV for your home.
QLED is just marketing hype to fool people into thinking they are getting something akin to OLED. The processing is top notch but probably no better than other's quantum dot type technology.
I prefer the smarts in TVs from LG and Sony, but that's a preference thing from someone who has 2 Panasonic and 1 Samsung TV.
I think the media available still lags what 4k TVs are capable of and any set will probably look great initially compared to FHD.

Personally I'm hoping my plasmas hold out until OLEDs are a reasonable price and there is no hint of burn-in being a problem.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996