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TCL FS3800 TV Review

Tested using Methodology v1.0
Review updated Mar 01, 2017 at 06:31 am
TCL FS3800 Picture
6.7
Mixed Usage
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
6.1
Movies
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
6.7
TV Shows
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.1
Sports
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.6
Video Games
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
5.3
HDR Movies
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
4.7
HDR Gaming
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
5.0
PC Monitor
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
This TV was replaced by the TCL S Series/S305 2018

The TCL FS3800 Series 1080p LED is a basic TV with an average picture quality. It cannot get very bright, has average screen uniformity and the motion could be better. When viewed from the side, its picture also degrades quickly. The Roku smart features are great though.

Our Verdict

6.7 Mixed Usage

Average TV for mixed usage. Picture quality is okay, but degrades quickly when viewed at an angle. No HDR support. Can't get very bright to deal with ambient light.

Pros
  • Great Roku smart interface
Cons
  • Cannot get very bright
  • Picture deteriorates when viewed from a small angle
  • Worse sound than most TVs
6.1 Movies

Average TV for movies. Picture quality is average and performs okay in a dark room. Lacks high end features such as 3D and local dimming. Plays movies over blu-rays or built in apps smoothly.

6.7 TV Shows

Average TV for watching in a bright living room. Can't get bright to overcome reflections. Upscaling of low quality content is good. Built in smart OS is great for casual viewing. Unfortunately picture quality degrades significant when viewed at an angle.

7.1 Sports

Average sports performance. Average picture quality. Handles motion quite well. Average gray uniformity results in some dirty screen effect. No motion interpolation features.

7.6 Video Games

Good TV for gamers. Handles motion well with little blur. Low input lag is good for responsiveness. Picture quality is decent.

5.3 HDR Movies

Poor HDR performance. Average picture quality. Doesn't support HDR format. Highlights can't get bright. Limited color support.

5.0 PC Monitor

Below average PC monitor. Limited resolution support. Average picture quality. Doesn't support chroma for sharp text. Good motion handling and input lag.

  • 6.7 Mixed Usage
  • 6.1 Movies
  • 6.7 TV Shows
  • 7.1 Sports
  • 7.6 Video Games
  • 5.3 HDR Movies
  • 4.7 HDR Gaming
  • 5.0 PC Monitor
  1. Updated Mar 01, 2017: Review published.
  2. Updated Jun 08, 2016: Our testers have started testing this product.
  3. Updated Jun 06, 2016: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

We tested the 40" (40FS3800). For the most part, we expect our review to be valid for the 50" (50FS3800). The 32 inch version (32S3800) has a 720p resolution.

If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their TCL FS3800 doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review.

Size Model Resolution
32" 32S3800 720p
40" 40FS3800 1080p
50" 50FS3800 1080p

Compared To Other TVs

Comparison picture

Top left: Sony W650D (KDL-40W650D). Bottom left: Vizio D 1080p 2016 (D50-D1). Middle: TCL FS3800 (40FS3800). Top right: Vizio E 1080p 2016 (E48-D0). Bottom right: TCL FS3750 (48FS3750).  Unlike our other photographs, this picture wasn't taken under a controlled environment, so do not draw conclusions from it.

The TCL FS3800 is an average 1080p TV in a crowded market. Some other TVs offer better picture quality either in other sizes or slightly higher prices. The TCL FS3800 is then hard to recommend.

Test Results

Design
6.0
Design
Style
Curved No

The TCL FS3800 has a bland design. Its lines are a little sharper than on other TCL Roku TVs but its thickness is still a little exaggerated around the back. All of the parts are plastic.

Design
Stand

The TCL FS3800 has the same plastic feet that come with most TCL Roku TVs. The stand does a good job of holding the TV steady.

Footprint of the 40" TV stand: 33.1" x 7.9"

Design
Back
Wall Mount VESA 100x150

The back isn't flat and the TV might look weird if wall mounted. Connections are well laid out and won't be in the way if the TV is hung on a wall.

Design
Borders
Borders 0.67" (1.7 cm)

Border's thickness is average. Pixels don't start at the edges of the screen.

Design
Thickness

Fairly thick TV. Its multiple levels of thickness might look strange if wall-mounted.

Picture Quality
8.2
Picture Quality
Contrast
Native Contrast
3,589 : 1

The native contrast ratio provides good performance in dark scenes.

0
Picture Quality
Local Dimming
Local Dimming
No
Backlight
Direct
6.7
Picture Quality
SDR Peak Brightness
SDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
200 cd/m²
SDR Peak 2% Window
238 cd/m²
SDR Peak 10% Window
235 cd/m²
SDR Peak 25% Window
232 cd/m²
SDR Peak 50% Window
234 cd/m²
SDR Peak 100% Window
235 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 2% Window
238 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 10% Window
235 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 25% Window
232 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 50% Window
234 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 100% Window
235 cd/m²

The peak brightness is not good. The TV should not be used in a bright room such as a living room. The lack of local dimming results in a consistent brightness at all window sizes.

not tested
Picture Quality
HDR Peak Brightness
HDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
N/A
HDR Peak 2% Window
N/A
HDR Peak 10% Window
N/A
HDR Peak 25% Window
N/A
HDR Peak 50% Window
N/A
HDR Peak 100% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 2% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 10% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 25% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 50% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 100% Window
N/A

This TV does not support HDR.

7.2
Picture Quality
Gray Uniformity
50% Std. Dev.
4.562%
50% DSE
0.172%

The gray uniformity is about average, however the edges of the screen are noticeably darker with some faint banding present. The dirty screen effect will be slightly visible when panning across a sports field.

4.1
Picture Quality
Viewing Angle
LCD Type
VA
Color Shift
20°
Brightness
30°
Black Level
9°

The viewing angle is extremely limited, and only suitable for viewing from directly in front.

Update: We have changed the methodology of testing. Since this is an old TV which we don't have anymore, we extrapolated the results.

9.4
Picture Quality
Black Uniformity
Native Std. Dev.
0.718%

The black uniformity is very good, with almost no visible flashlighting or clouding.

9.0
Picture Quality
Gradient
Color Depth
10 Bit

The gradient displayed on the FS3800 is very good, and 8 bit gradations cannot be seen. There are slight tints visible in the gray band but this should not be a problem for watching content.

8.3
Picture Quality
Pre Calibration
White Balance dE
3.54
Color dE
2.598
Gamma
2.21

Out of the box, the white balance dE is high and the colors are off, this shouldn't be a problem for most people as you will most likely not notice the issues. Thankfully, the gamma doesn't have too many issues.

8.3
Picture Quality
Post Calibration
White Balance dE
3.56
Color dE
2.6043
Gamma
2.21

Just like the TCL FS3750, it doesn't have any calibration settings to play with. You can't adjust them at all with the handheld Roku application unlike the TCL US5800. For this reason, the pre-calibration is identical to the post-calibration.

8.0
Picture Quality
480p Input

The TCL FS3800 will deliver a sharp picture with a lot of detail in any resolution that it supports. DVD and other 480p content will look great

8.0
Picture Quality
720p Input

720p content and cable TV also looks great when upscaled.

10
Picture Quality
1080p Input

This TV also does a good job for higher resolution sources such as a Blu-ray player. Picture also looks very good and sharp.
Note: The 32 inch (32S3800) is 720p, contrary to the bigger sizes.

0
Picture Quality
4k Input
6.6
Picture Quality
Color Gamut
Wide Color Gamut
No
DCI P3 xy
73.23%
DCI P3 uv
80.22%
Rec 2020 xy
52.54%
Rec 2020 uv
58.47%

The TCL FS3800 doesn't have a wide range of colors and as such will only be enough for Rec. 709 content.

5.3
Picture Quality
Color Volume
Normalized DCI P3 Coverage
58.296%
10,000 cd/m² DCI P3 Coverage
32.715%
Normalized Rec 2020 Coverage
42.491%
10,000 cd/m² Rec 2020 Coverage
23.883%

The color volume is poor. This TV can't produce very saturated colors regardless of the brightness level.

10
Picture Quality
Image Retention
IR after 0 min recovery
0%
IR after 2 min recovery
0%
IR after 4 min recovery
0%
IR after 6 min recovery
0%
IR after 8 min recovery
0%
IR after 10 min recovery
0%
7.5
Picture Quality
Reflections
Reflection
2%
Screen Finish
Semi-gloss

The screen can produce reflections that appear large and diffused. It is still possible to see through some of the reflections if they aren't too bright.

0
Picture Quality
3D
3D
No
3D Type
No
2D to 3D
No
Picture Quality
Pixels
Type LED

Like the Sony W650D, the panel inside the TCL FS3800 has an horizontal pixel substructure which results in a very narrow horizontal viewing angle but slightly better vertical angle.

Motion
8.2
Motion
Motion Blur
Refresh Rate 60 Hz
Response Time
13.9 ms
Overshoot
5.7 ms

There are a few issues with the response time of this TV. The transition from 0% to 100% takes about 65 ms, and there is overshoot present in all transitions. Thankfully, the trail behind the motion blur logo isn't too long and is faint. The backlight of the TV is flicker free.

4.0
Motion
Image Flicker
PWM Dimming Frequency
0 Hz
BFI
No
BFI Frequency
0 Hz
BFI In Game Mode
No
7.1
Motion
24p Playback
Judder-free 24p
Yes
Judder-free 24p via 60p
No
Judder-free 24p via 60i
No

There are no options to reduce or remove judder for 24p content. 24hz signals are displayed without judder but it is still visible for 24p content sent over 60p and 60i.

0
Motion
Motion Interpolation
Motion Interpolation (30 fps)
No
Motion Interpolation (60 fps)
No

There are no motion interpolation features on the FS3800.

Inputs
8.6
Inputs
Input Lag
1080p @ 60Hz
27.2 ms
1080p With Interpolation
N/A
1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
27.2 ms
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
N/A
4k @ 60Hz
N/A
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
N/A
4k @ 60Hz + HDR
N/A
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 + 8 bit HDR
N/A

There is low input lag, which should not be noticeable to most people. The game mode setting did not affect the measured input lag with the Leo Bodnar tool.

0
Inputs
Supported Resolutions
Resolution 1080p (except 32")
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
No
1080p @ 120Hz
No
4k @ 30Hz @ 4:4:4
No
4k @ 60Hz
No
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
No

The TCL FS3800 does not support signals at more than 60Hz, or with Chroma 4:4:4. It is not recommended as a PC monitor as text is not well defined.

Inputs
Side Inputs
Inputs
Rear Inputs
Inputs
Total Inputs
HDMI 3
USB 1
Digital Optical Audio Out 1
Analog Audio Out 3.5mm 1
Analog Audio Out RCA 0
Component In 0
Composite In 1
Tuner (Cable/Ant) 1
Ethernet 0
DisplayPort 0
IR In 0
SD/SDHC 0
Inputs
Inputs Specifications
HDR10
No
5.1 Passthrough ARC Dolby Digital
Yes
Dolby Vision
No
5.1 Passthrough ARC DTS
Yes
5.1 Passthrough Optical Dolby Digital
Yes
5.1 Passthrough Optical DTS
Yes
HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwidth No
ARC Yes (HDMI 3)
USB 3 Yes (1)
HDCP 2.2 No
CEC Yes
MHL No
Variable Analog Audio Out Yes
Sound Quality
5.4
Sound Quality
Frequency Response
Std. Dev. @ 70
6.82 dB SPL
Std. Dev. @ 80
6.55 dB SPL
Std. Dev. @ Max
7.27 dB SPL
Max
89.9 dB SPL
Low-end Cutoff
151.02 Hz

Poor performance overall. Low-end cutoff, maximum volume and frequency response are all poor. There may also be pumping and compression present under heavy load.

3.0
Sound Quality
Total Harmonic Distortion
Distortion @ 70
0.044
Distortion @ 80
0.732
Distortion @ Max
4.227

Poor distortion performance. The overall amount of harmonic distortion is decent at low listening volumes, however, there is a noticeable rise in distortion at moderate and especially loud listening volumes.

Smart Features
Smart Features
Apps

There is an endless supply of applications on the Roku smart interface. Since Roku is so highly supported you can expect more applications to come to the interface as well as frequent updates that will fix bugs and performance tuning.

9.0
Smart Features
Interface
Smart OS Roku

The TCL FS3800 offers a genuine smart interface. It's integration with Roku will allow the user to have access to an endless supply of applications, and to a very reliable smart platform that will be frequently updated. The interface was also quick and responsive. In terms of inputs, the TV offers a reasonable amount of ports, which will be great to plug all your devices in, it also offers USB 3.0 that will have faster transfer speeds for those who plan on plugging a hard drive to the TV. 

10
Smart Features
Ads
Ad-free
Yes
Opt-out
N/A
Smart Features
TV Controls

Controls on the TV are hidden behind the television near the left stand. They can be hard to access if the TV is wall mounted.

Smart Features
Remote
Remote Basic

The remote for the television feels comfortable in the hand. It is easy to navigate through menus with the remote and it has four quick access buttons dedicated to 'Netflix', 'Amazon', 'Radio' and 'Vudu'.

Smart Features
In The Box

  • Manual
  • Remote
  • Batteries

Smart Features
Misc
Power Consumption 33 W
Power Consumption (Max) 65 W
Firmware 7.1.0