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We’ve purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
it’ll be interesting to see whether or not this is just a Q5/Q550G with Fire TV. it probably isn’t.
it’ll be interesting to see whether or not this is just a Q5/Q550G with Fire TV. it probably isn’t.
I think it would be, but curious to see. I got the 50" for a friend through the Best Buy app on the Drops section when it was $199.99. He was impressed with that price for a bedroom TV, but then I came across a “too good to pass up” deal on an open box Samsung 55" S95C, so while I didn’t need another OLED for bedroom, instead sold him my old 55" LG B8 OLED and plopped a Google TV stick into it for the same cost the Q550F would have been and cancelled. Basically upgraded my bedroom OLED for about $320. Win win, help a friend and myself.
The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
wasn’t this in testing?
Our testers have started testing this product; is there anything specific you’re looking to see? Let us know in this thread.
I recently bought a s5-s551g model from TCL at $249 https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/tcl/s5-s551g To my surprise Best Buy has this other QLED model (55Q550F) at the same exact price as a Black Friday deal, obviously I immediately think is the better option due to the QLED display, right. But I dunno, Id like to know what do you guys see remarkable regarding performance and the overall experience, specially for gaming. Is it worth it using Fire OS instead of Google TV OS because of the QLED Display? I guess so, thanks in advance, I really appreciate the help.
I recently bought a s5-s551g model from TCL at $249 https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/tcl/s5-s551g To my surprise Best Buy has this other QLED model (55Q550F) at the same exact price as a Black Friday deal, obviously I immediately think is the better option due to the QLED display, right. But I dunno, Id like to know what do you guys see remarkable regarding performance and the overall experience, specially for gaming. Is it worth it using Fire OS instead of Google TV OS because of the QLED Display? I guess so, thanks in advance, I really appreciate the help
I was shock that the TCL q5 2024 came out late. There’s nothing about this at all on the internet except user reviews on BB which aren’t no help. I just wish the review on it was out now considering its BF and I’m about to get a tv and don’t know if should bite on this or the s5. Anyway as for the OS its best to turn either one off and just buy a fire stick or Android device whatever one you want. Constantly using the os will cause the tv slow down as well as maybe kill the memory chip inside the tv lowering the tv life span as I heard somewhere.
I recently bought a s5-s551g model from TCL at $249 https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/tcl/s5-s551g To my surprise Best Buy has this other QLED model (55Q550F) at the same exact price as a Black Friday deal, obviously I immediately think is the better option due to the QLED display, right. But I dunno, Id like to know what do you guys see remarkable regarding performance and the overall experience, specially for gaming. Is it worth it using Fire OS instead of Google TV OS because of the QLED Display? I guess so, thanks in advance, I really appreciate the help.
Our review should be up in a few days, still before Black Friday, so we’ll be better able to answer your questions then!
The main thing I would want to know in the new review is if this panel is more or less the same as the one contained in the Q550g, as that would same alot of time; we could refer to that review for the important takeaways. Like other readers, I am looking at the Q550f as it is currently on sale for BF. Other than that, a perfunctory review of FireOS would be the other point of interest. I appreciate your work!
The main thing I would want to know in the new review is if this panel is more or less the same as the one contained in the Q550g, as that would same alot of time; we could refer to that review for the important takeaways. Like other readers, I am looking at the Q550f as it is currently on sale for BF. Other than that, a perfunctory review of FireOS would be the other point of interest. I appreciate your work!
The panels are different, but the impact on performance is minor. I can say that there are differences between them, but nothing significant and nothing shocking.
Does Game accelerator vrr function the same on pc?
Early access to our full test results is now available for Insiders! Become an insider to check it out here.
Can someone with early access can at least tell me its better or worse then last year model, dont got much time to wait a week.
The full review has been posted here. Let us know what you think!
why is there no value for price beaten by text?
I’m disappointed considering I order it yesterday. Makes no sense for a newer version to be worse then the last model.
Edit: Looking more at it it’s not that worse. Still worried about the flicker free part and judder considering I watch through a android box and play a lot of video games.
Out of curiosity, if this is essentially the same TV as the Q550G, why did one get a 7.2 and the Fire version a 6.9?
Also if anyone can touch on this - the Google variant recommends setting the contrast on SDR to 100, while this one is kept at default/50?
I purchased this TV and have it setup with my Apple TV 4K and PS5 and have no qualms to report.
Out of curiosity, if this is essentially the same TV as the Q550G, why did one get a 7.2 and the Fire version a 6.9? Also if anyone can touch on this - the Google variant recommends setting the contrast on SDR to 100, while this one is kept at default/50? I purchased this TV and have it setup with my Apple TV 4K and PS5 and have no qualms to report.
Considering you have it, do you like it so far. Any real problems with judder or flickers
Considering you have it, do you like it so far. Any real problems with judder or flickers
No issue with flicker that I’ve noticed. As for judder - the only device I’m watching video with is the ATV, and when set to “Match Frame Rate” it outputs video in their intended fps correctly so I can’t speak on how any other device handles. Overall I’m enjoying the TV and the picture looks great. Have the 55 inch in an apartment for two people watching and it’s totally fine. However I’m not a connoisseur lol, and upgraded from an old Vizio so do with that what you will.
No issue with flicker that I’ve noticed. As for judder - the only device I’m watching video with is the ATV, and when set to “Match Frame Rate” it outputs video in their intended fps correctly so I can’t speak on how any other device handles. Overall I’m enjoying the TV and the picture looks great. Have the 55 inch in an apartment for two people watching and it’s totally fine. However I’m not a connoisseur lol, and upgraded from an old Vizio so do with that what you will.
Ok thanks for your input, it should be fine with me then considering I use shield tv and ps5
Ok thanks for your input, it should be fine with me then considering I use shield tv and ps5
No prob. PS5 gameplay is fine if you don’t care about 4k@120 - 1440p at 120 seems to be doable but I’m casual enough to where 60/4k is more important. Not familiar with the Shield’s options, but if it has a similar ‘’match frame rate” setting, judder won’t be a prob. Given the price of the TV it’s hard to expect a lot, but I’m very pleasantly surprised with the quality.
why is there no value for price beaten by text?
There appears to be a bug with this feature at the moment, our developers are looking into it.
Out of curiosity, if this is essentially the same TV as the Q550G, why did one get a 7.2 and the Fire version a 6.9? Also if anyone can touch on this - the Google variant recommends setting the contrast on SDR to 100, while this one is kept at default/50? I purchased this TV and have it setup with my Apple TV 4K and PS5 and have no qualms to report.
I think they key takeaway here is that it’s not essentially the same TV as the Q550G. Although they seem to target similar specs, they use completely different panels, and the smart OS itself makes a significant difference. For example, the contrast setting at 100 is the default for that TV, as Google TV and Fire TV have completely different settings.
I think they key takeaway here is that it’s not essentially the same TV as the Q550G. Although they seem to target similar specs, they use completely different panels, and the smart OS itself makes a significant difference. For example, the contrast setting at 100 is the default for that TV, as Google TV and Fire TV have completely different settings.
Thanks for the reply. Makes sense!
No prob. PS5 gameplay is fine if you don’t care about 4k@120 - 1440p at 120 seems to be doable but I’m casual enough to where 60/4k is more important. Not familiar with the Shield’s options, but if it has a similar ‘’match frame rate” setting, judder won’t be a prob. Given the price of the TV it’s hard to expect a lot, but I’m very pleasantly surprised with the quality.
I have it now, it looks good so far got some whiteness on the sides but I think its common. It’s also for some reason bigger then my Sony 50" its wider then it even though both are 50". Any way may I ask whats your settings this place aint saying much unless I’m looking at the wrong place
I think they key takeaway here is that it’s not essentially the same TV as the Q550G. Although they seem to target similar specs, they use completely different panels, and the smart OS itself makes a significant difference. For example, the contrast setting at 100 is the default for that TV, as Google TV and Fire TV have completely different settings.
Thanks for the review, RTINGS staff! Seems we can’t just assume the obvious– TCL chose to use the same name as another model, but one is direct lit, the other edge lit, which from my reading of your longevity test, is about a 70% failure rate on Edge lit panels, and around 15% on direct lit. Definitely would steer clear from it and would rather say for the price range, go for the Hisense QD5. Hoping to get a review of that one soon! First impressions of that one were great for the price. The processor can handle USB HDR/Dolby Vision playback of 80GB files no problems. Was stunned to get that for $199 at a 50" for bedroom TV!
Do you know whats inside the firmware update? I have a problem, my HDMI keep blinking out and only way to get picture back is to in and out of the software input. My HDMI cords arent the problems cause they worked fine until this tv. Was wondering if the firmware would fix it.
I bought this TV a week ago after reading your review. It’s a great TV for the price. However, it turns off (or goes into sleep mode, I don’t know) after about 5-6 minutes of pausing any type of application, regardless of whether screen save is activated or not. There is no power safe, power mode or anything like that. It’s bad because sometimes I’m watching something, I pause it, it turns off and when I turn it on, it doesn’t return to the point I was watching. Disappointed.
I bought this TV a week ago after reading your review. It’s a great TV for the price. However, it turns off (or goes into sleep mode, I don’t know) after about 5-6 minutes of pausing any type of application, regardless of whether screen save is activated or not. There is no power safe, power mode or anything like that. It’s bad because sometimes I’m watching something, I pause it, it turns off and when I turn it on, it doesn’t return to the point I was watching. Disappointed.
It sounds like you might have a faulty unit, as we didn’t encounter this in our testing.
This review says the TV backlight is edge lit, but on best buy’s site it says the panel is direct lit. I’m confused about this and if so, Is Best Buy selling this TV under false pretenses? Or is that a Typo on your part? It appears the nits are similar, so it being direct lit seems to make sense?
This review says the TV backlight is edge lit, but on best buy’s site it says the panel is direct lit. I’m confused about this and if so, Is Best Buy selling this TV under false pretenses? Or is that a Typo on your part? It appears the nits are similar, so it being direct lit seems to make sense?
Hi! The 50” model we tested came with an edge-lit backlight, and we suspect this is specific to the 50” size. The larger models are likely using a direct-lit backlight, which is probably why Best Buy lists the TV as direct-lit. While we can’t confirm this for certain, we believe the larger sizes are using a direct-lit backlight. I hope that clears things up, and thank you for reaching out!
I’m really curious… how can this TV have 24P judder from 24P sources? This tv supports 24hz at 4k, per the user manual (but not 24hz at lower resolutions). I’m assuming if you run it at lower than 4k you’d see judder, but at 4k 24hz there should be no judder.
With this tv, I get better picture quality with a stick than the fireOS. More settings and customization on stick compared to the fireOS. That being said to disable the fireOS system does this require a factory reset or is there another way? *not a very tech person and don’t want to ruin the tv.
I’m really curious… how can this TV have 24P judder from 24P sources? This tv supports 24hz at 4k, per the user manual (but not 24hz at lower resolutions). I’m assuming if you run it at lower than 4k you’d see judder, but at 4k 24hz there should be no judder.
The TV supports the format, but doesn’t display it with the proper cadence. It’s definitely unusual for a TV to fail this test, but it’s not unheard of. No TV can actually run at 24Hz, so when displaying movies from an external source, they usually secretly adjust their refresh rate to some multiple of 24, usually 48Hz but sometimes 72Hz. By doing so, they can simple display each frame for either 2 or 3 refresh cycles, resulting in a clean, judder-free experience. This TV, for whatever reason, isn’t able to do that with external sources, only with the native apps. This is most likely a software bug, but we don’t know if TCL is planning to fix it or not.
We’ve just released a new video featuring the TCL Q5/Q550F QLED here.
About the HDR10+ format support.
I have found something strange with this TV - I cannot get my Apple TV 4k version 3 (which does support HDR10+) to recognize HDR10+ as an option on this TV. However, I have been able to play HDR10+ content on this TV, but only through the native apps on the TV.
I have contacted TCL about this, and sent them videos demonstrating this. They are looking into this issue, and have been able to replicate it at their end. They are going to try and get their software team to update the TV’s firmware, as it does support HDR10+. It just needs an update so connected devices can access it.
I will be hearing back from the TCL team and will update here as soon as I find out more.
They have been tremendously helpful, and even purchased the most current Apple TV 4k (which supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+) so they could verify my findings.
I am hopeful they will get this fixed. It is a great budget TV otherwise.