TCL 55C635 review: a great gaming TV around 430 dollars

TCL C635 televisions use an LCD panel with a Direct LED backlight. This series is available in 43, 50, 55, 65, and 75-inch screen sizes. They use interoperability with the HDR10 + and Dolby Vision codecs to adjust to the content of various streaming services.

Furthermore, we may rely on specific abilities for video games, owing to the support of various optimization technologies, a low input latency, and a maximum frequency of 120 Hz. We wanted to discover how the picture quality of the C635 series was, if the colors were true, and if all of the promises were kept. So here is our whole exam.

TECHNICAL SHEET

Design: Two Positions For The Feet

The TCL C635 series TVs are comparable to the C735 series (just above in the range).

The screen is highlighted by a 1.5 cm high bar that spans the whole width of the device and has the Onkyo inscription at its right end to signify the presence of the audio system’s partner. The framing is really serious. Because it is an LCD television, it is not as slim as an OLED television. Expect a thickness of 8 cm at the thinnest point and 4.5 cm at the thickest point in the back.

Unlike the C835 and C935 series, which have a central foot, the screen is supported by two little legs in the shape of a reverse Y. There are two alternatives. The first provides for a 65 cm distance between the two feet, while the second allows for a 115 cm separation. The second option allows for the installation of a sound bar between the two feet, knowing that the screen’s elevation is 5.5 cm to remain exactly below the display surface.

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The speakers are built into the slab’s thickness and are pointed toward the ground. The picture takes up a considerable portion of the facade. The screen features a black-edged frame 6 mm wide, to which a metal frame 3 mm thick must be attached to complete the slab. As with the other TCL TV series examined this year, we saw extremely high manufacturing quality with no major flaws.

Passing behind, the only way to organize the wires is to utilize the little plastic attachment that allows them to be concentrated in a central location so that they go towards the back of the furniture that houses the television. Still behind, a much thicker portion than the other that houses all of the electronics and connectics.

If you wish to hang the television, it may be easily attached to a wall support with a VESA300x300 model.

Connections

Connecters are usually separated into two poles on this sort of gadget. As with the TCL C835 series, power is located on the right side of the rear TV, while the others are located on the left. These are all side-facing, making hookups easier. The connectics are less sophisticated as compared to the higher-end models. There are two USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 ports, an Ethernet port, a TNT input, a satellite input, an optical audio output, and an analog Audio / Video input. There is also a helmet with a 3.5 mm jack.

The three HDMI ports provided enable Ultra HD transmissions up to 60 Hz. The HDMI 3 connector is used to return sound to a sound bar using the ARC capability, avoiding interference with the HDMI 1 or 2 inputs. The PCMCIA slot is also available, and compatibility with Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 ac) and Bluetooth 5.0 is expected for extremely high flow rates.

The TV, like the others in the brand’s lineup, is powered by the Google TV system. As a result, it has Chromecast technology as well as AirPlay 2 enabling wireless multimedia content transmission from mobile devices, for example. Of course, the Google Assistant is incorporated and accessible via the microphones located on the facade just beneath the screen. They are deactivated by pressing a physical button located beneath them. Alexa, like the other TCL models, requires a linked enclosure.

A Contrasting But Very Bright Image

The TCL C635 series has a VA (Vertical Alignment) LCD slab with an LED lighting system and a Quantum Dots color display. As a result, it is a QLED model capable of showing an Ultra HD resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels.

Several backlight zones are employed to help with black control. In this regard, the operation is slightly less exact than on the C735 series. We observed a native contrast ratio of 4944: 1, which is rather high but somewhat lower than the C735 series.

Black individuals in the photograph are not as attractive, yet they still manage to convey a sense of depth. The details are not overly obscured, which is a positive thing, especially during night sequences in the Netflix series Earth, Night. Some moments in the series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power sure Prime Video are more sensitive, with some details lost.

The colors are not as vibrant as on the TCL 65C835. This is evident while watching the film Gemini Man, for example, during the pursuit with the young Will Smith around the city.

The image generated by the TV TCL 55C635 is typically stunning, with excellent image processing. Scaling is also enjoyable. Also, the movement compensation is somewhat weaker than on the C735 series, but you have to compare the two to notice. On the C635 series, this is fairly accurate; nevertheless, very small dropouts can be noticed on contours of objects moving rapidly quickly.

The 55C635 television set, like the C835 series, has various visual modes: Dynamics, Standard, HDR Improvement, Sports, Film, and Games. In terms of calibration, the Film mode continues to deliver the greatest results. With SDR material, we obtained an average Delta E of 3.06, which is somewhat higher than the 3 threshold beyond which the human eye can no longer distinguish between the required color and that presented on the screen. The average color temperature was 6865 K, which is somewhat lower than the desired value of 6500 K. The average gamma value was increased to 2.45. On the scale of gray values, the curve is highly steady. It’s nearly the inverse of what we witnessed with the C735 series, as the screen offers a somewhat darker image than it should across the full gray range.

When it comes to HDR material, keep in mind that the TV supports the codecs HLG, HDR10, as well as the dynamic modes HDR10 + and Dolby Vision. HDR handling is significantly weaker in this domain than on C735 with sequences that may seem slightly obstructed on the darkest sections right adjacent to those that are more clear. In terms of measurements, the Film mode still produces the greatest results in HDR. We detected an average Delta E of 1.96, which is significantly below 3, indicating that the television is adequately calibrated at the cardboard output.

However, in terms of brightness, we are far from the brightness peaks indicated by the higher-end models. We recorded a brightness peak of 377 cd / m 2 in Film mode. It is modest, and substantially lower than the C835 to 1251 cd / m 2 series’ peak brightness. It is also significantly lower than the brightness given by OLED TVs, the finest of which have a maximum brightness of over 1000 cd / m2.

Finally, in terms of color space coverage, we found values of 97.9% for the rec709, 94.5% for the DCI-P3, and 72.3% for the BT2020, which corresponds to the most difficult color space. These are excellent outcomes.

You can expect to see an anti-reflective filter. It is identical to that of the C735 and offers a more matte and diffuse depiction than the C835 series. It dilutes minor sources of light and attempts to spread the bay window in the middle of the afternoon without quite succeeding.

Serious Gaming Skills

TCL, like the previous generation, wants to entice players with its televisions. The 55C635 television allowed us to measure a delay time on display of 9.3 ms, which is extremely minimal and even one of the lowest on the market. Remember that the C835 has an input latency of 13.2 ms. This is better, equivalent to less than an image of delay between when the player hits the controller button and when the action occurs on the screen, which is fantastic. Last ranges of OLED LG TV may get down to 9.5 ms, as can the Samsung QN95B, which has an input lag of 9.8 ms.

The television supports video game optimization technologies such as VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). It should be noted that the VRR option in the parameters is deactivated by default. To discover the option, navigate to Canals and Entries, then Inputs. The television accepts Ultra HD broadcasts at 60 Hz and Dolby Vision signals up to 60 Hz. The 120 Hz transmissions are supported up to a 1440p quality.

While Game mode on the upper C835 series is exceptionally well calibrated, this is not the case here. The colors aren’t fully accurate: we measured an average Delta E of 3.18.

The C635 series, like many other brands and the C835 series, includes a game bar display. To display it in the settings, engage the Game Master mode and long press the key of the remote control holding a symbol with two squares on top of each other (Quick Panel). Then, in the lower part of the image, we can see a game bar that allows us to adjust certain parameters such as activating HGiG mode for HDR management, displaying a status bar indicating the time and number of images per second (FPS), and obtaining a target aid that can be managed in the shape, color, and size of the viewfinder.

Audio: A Lack Of Relief

In the corner of the bar that highlights the screen, the audio partner Onkyo is mentioned. As a result, we may anticipate the appearance of two 10 watt speakers. They are incorporated at the screen’s base, in the slab’s thickness, and aimed towards the ground. This series does not include any woofers. The TV supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS audio formats, which is unusual for a television ( for the latter ). Listening, the overall effect is flat, with incredibly clear conversation. Even with virtual effects, there is very little spatialization, and it is difficult to deliver significant sounds at the lowest midrange without a woofer. The acoustic environment may be adequate for watching some TNT programming, but it is insufficient for enjoying the large show material, which needs much better.

Interface: Google Tv On Board And Some TCL Menus

The Google TV technology powers the TCL 55C635 television. We are entitled to the same interface as that suggested in the brand’s C735, C835 and C935 series. In full screen mode, the home page suggests shows to watch based on previous viewings. Several headbands are then offered for viewing media. We enjoy, for example, the many viewing options provided for particular films. A section is devoted to applications that may be installed on televisions. The arrangement of the vignettes illustrating the apps can be changed. Simply press the remote control selection button for three seconds to bring up a menu that allows you to relocate the object in question.

We are entitled to a search engine at the top of the primary interface, as well as material organized by theme: Films, series, Applications, and Library, with the latter displaying a list of content acquired on the platform.

Beyond the home page, the button with a notched wheel on the remote control, located in the top right corner, allows you to access a menu. It is thus possible to create an account (Google), but also to access the parameters, view the time, choose one of the television entries, or enter the settings of the image modes. If required, notifications can also be found there. We like how picture modes can be accessed quickly, making it simple to move from one to the other without having to navigate menus and submenus as on other platforms.

The interface is normally pretty responsive, however it is occasionally required to wait a few seconds before having the desired material presented. The ability to install a huge number of programs is one of Android’s greatest strengths.

There are various parameters. They allow you to precisely adjust the TV, which is always a nice thing, without presenting complicated and difficult-to-understand setups. The option for adaptable content is accessible here. It automatically adapts the picture mode based on the type of material presented. However, unlike previous series, it cannot automatically change the brightness level due to a lack of an adequate sensor. There is also no option for adaptive volume, which is available on the C835 series. However, the Adaptive Content option is suggested, which allows the system to identify the type of audio entering and automatically modify the sound setting.

These are the same options as in the other menus. It should be noted that, unlike the C835 series, it does not use the Multiview capability to display several items from separate sources on the screen. We must nonetheless emphasize that we discovered settings that were not necessarily in the correct menus. For example, the VRR option may be found under the Canals and Entries menu. In the System menu, we can discover the Sport image mode, but also the Game Master mode, which we feel has no place there and would be better suited in image settings or Entries at worst.

The Enter key on the remote control displays a headband at the bottom of the screen, allowing you to choose an entry ( AirPlay, TV, HDMI inputs, media player or Arte and Google Play Films ). Some more apps are also available: TCL Channel, an Internet browser, a health application, MyCanal, PlutoTV, Plex, and two of the most current ones are among the most recent open. There are other parameters, a search module, and the TCL Home interface. The latter displays a menu in the top right corner from which you may access the image gallery stored in the TV memory, the media player, and the Safety Guard security software. If relevant, you may also locate the control interface for linked items saved in the TCL Home program here.

The end of the television is imminent. The music, however, fades out a second after the sight. When the television is in standby mode, it takes around four seconds to acquire a picture of a TNT channel.

• Two Ergonomic Remote Controls, But Not Backlit

The 55C635 television set, like the C835, comes with two remote controllers. The most appealing is one with rounded forms on the edges, which provides great handling. It has a microphone for voice instructions. A button is devoted to the Google Assistant, and additional keys are accessible to immediately access various platforms such as Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, TCL Channel, as well as the media player and the Safety Guard interface.

The button layout is fairly well thought out and ergonomic. Despite this, we lament that it is not backlit. The second remote is bigger than the first. It lacks a microphone but does feature digital keys for direct access to TNT channels. It has fewer streaming platform shortcuts (just Netflix and Prime Video) and is not illuminated.

Consumption

For power consumption, we tested what the television used during a 4-hour broadcast of the Netflix series “100” (HD 5.1) with the sound and visual specifications set to Film mode. The TCL 55C735 utilized 88 Wh under these settings, which were replicated for all television tests. This usage is critical when we consider that we were able to boost the LG OLED65G2’s average consumption to 54 Wh.

We found an average usage of 106 Wh for the HDR (Dolby Dark vision) series The Black Mirror on Netflix. Unless the network mode is engaged in the settings and the television set is ready to accept your voice commands, the standby consumption is 0.5 Watt.

Price And Date Of Exit

The C635 series is offered in 43, 50, 55, 65, and 75-inch sizes for 429, 449, 549, 699, and 999 dollars, respectively.