TCL's New C-Series and P-Series Televisions Offer Dolby Vision and Wide Color at a Serious Discount

TCL's New C-Series and P-Series Televisions Offer Dolby Vision and Wide Color at a Serious Discount

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(TCL)(May 14, 2017) As the 4K television market matures and new technologies become less expensive to integrate and manufacture, consumers will gradually gain access to larger displays with premium or near-premium performance enhancements at significantly lower costs. The China-based manufacturer TCL is one company known for making incredibly inexpensive televisions, and it recently announced pricing and availability of two new series offering 4K and High Dynamic Range (HDR) performance. Originally shown at this year’s 2017 Consumer Electronics Show, these TVs offer Dolby Vision and HDR10 HDR performance in addition to the Smart TV platform Roku OS.

“With more Dolby Vision as well as generic HDR content now available through the streaming content providers, TCL is delivering premium products with leading technology like Dolby Vision and the Roku® OS at the perfect time,” said Chris Larson, Senior VP, TCL. “Consumers are hungry for bigger screens with best-in-class picture quality and TCL is meeting both of those needs by leveraging Dolby’s deep expertise in bringing advanced technologies from the cinema to the home in our newest TV models. The 4K HDR TCL Roku TVs are the perfect addition to elevate our portfolio and continue driving TCL’s success in the U.S.”

Dubbed the “C” and “P” Series, TCL is offering a total of six new models across both lines. Both will carry the latest version of the Roku OS, which gives owners access to more than 4,000 streaming channels and 450,000 movies and television episodes. In addition, Roku OS offers discrete listening via headphones attached to a properly networked handheld device, an Audio Guide feature for the hearing impaired, screen mirroring with select Android and Windows mobile devices, the ability to pause live TV (requires a 16GB external flash card), and more.

The P-Series offers a grand total of 72 active dimming zones (direct lit) to drive better black levels and contrast performance (this is the only TCL television with 72 active zones). It also features Wide Color performance, covering nearly all of the DCI-P3 color standard. TCL is offering the P-Series in 50” (50P607), 55” (55P607), and 65” (65P607) screen sizes with the 55” model available for a special introductory price of $599 via pre-order on Amazon (May 26th). Pricing for other models will be released soon.

The C-Series also offers Wide Color performance with “premium audio.” Unlike the P-Series, this model class offers edge lit backlighting without local dimming. Pricing starts under $700 for the 55” model (55C807, $699), with the 65” (65C807, $1099) and 75” (75C807, $1999) landing above $1000 each. TCL has not released ship dates for these models; more than likely they will be available on Amazon in June.

Both TV series carry 120Hz refresh rates, three HDMI 2.0 ports (one with audio return channel), and a single USB 2.0 port. They also offer a headphone jack located on the side of the physical remote for private listening.

For more information about TCL’s televisions, click here.

 

[Sonnie]

Those are crazy good prices. Wish they had a 70" that I could consider.

 

[Tonto]

Are you 100% sure that a 65" is a "no go."

$1100 for the 65CP807
$? for the 65P607

How much is the 70" Vizio you are considering?

 

[Sonnie]

We have a 65" now... and it has 3" of black surround that makes it look bigger than it really is. The new ones don't have this surround... and Angie was already mad that I went from a 67" to a 65"... I have no choice but to go to a 70" so their is not a large opening all around the set.

If this one is replaced, it will be with a 70" or larger... 75" is slightly too large, but about an inch horizontally.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Best to wait and read reviews on these before buying... 70-ish local dimming zones is still nearly half of the Vizio P-Series.

 

[Sonnie]

I think the new M Series is only 32... Vizio is doing something else as an alternative (I think I read that somewhere).

 

[Todd Anderson]

My big concern would be off-axis viewing... but, I'd be happy to be wrong. This kind of pricing competition is going to be great for consumers.

 

[Tonto]

This is about as fast as I've seen prices come down. I agree that we should wait on some reviews, but then you are the one doing the reviewing!

I guess that means Sonnie is waiting on you!

 

[Sonnie]

I am sticking with the 70" Vizio unless something slaps me up side the head between now and about June 10th or so... when supposedly there will be some larger Vizio rebates.

 

[Tonto]

Ahhh grasshopper, you have leaned the lesson of " happy wife/happy life!"

 

[Sonnie]

happy wife/happy life!

I heard several folks say "AMEN!"

 

[Jeff S]

I was going to ask if any of you have any experience with the TCL lines? I just bought a 55" Samsung 4k and am super happy with it. However, the bedroom TV is getting a little old and, for these prices, I wouldn't mind just putting in a 4k instead of the standard 1080p. Just not sure about the quality vs. other brand 1080p. Any input would be appreciated. Want to keep the bedroom tv budget as low as possible but still would like a good quality.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Jeff - what kind of TV are you replacing and what kind of source will you predominantly be watching?

Todd

 

[Jeff S]

I currently have an older 39" Insignia 1080p tv in my bedroom. Originally I bought it because it was cheap with a decent picture. However, I am watching more stuff there on different inputs. Primarily Netflix and Amazon Prime mixed with some Blu-ray content. A 1080p TV would be fine, however, with 4k prices continuing to fall, a better TV isn't out of the question. Just want to make sure what I buy will last and be decent. I have no experience with TCL and I was not crazy about the Insignia as it had significant light bleed at the edges which are even more noticeable in a darker room.

 

[Todd Anderson]

(sorry about the auto correct... I meant to say "what kind of TV" and "what kind of source"...) Auto Correct!

I can't speak intelligently about these new TCL sets because I have no hands on experience with them. My sense is, however, that they'll definitely give you size, but after that, it's hard to know if they can deliver the on the picture characteristics that are going to make the biggest difference in your overall experience (contrast being one of those).

Right now, cheaper sets claiming HDR are (in many cases) capable of processing an HDR signal, but lack the overall peak brightness output capabilities needed to properly show HDR. And, depending on how far you sit from your set, the added pixels afforded by 4K might not be discernible. I do like the fact that the "P" Series has over 70 active dimming zones (that should definitely help with blacks). I'd probably avoid the edge lit "C" series.

If you have some budget wiggle room, definitely give Vizio some attention. They seem to have quite a few products that have received praise (and I believe their 2016 models are on sale, if you're okay sacrificing a few tech tweaks that are available on 2017 sets). Truthfully, if you aren't trying to feed your sets 4K UHD Blu-ray or stream UHD/HDR (and you're happy streaming 1080p and watching standard Blu-ray), then I see no issue with going with one of last year's better models that now have slashed prices.

 

[Jeff S]

Todd, thank you for your insight and the information. Sometime I get caught up in the "new tech hype" and forget to sit back and think logically. I mean, who doesn't like the newest, coolest gadgets. I am thinking to keep a moderately priced TV in the bedroom, and I think your idea of a 2016 model is spot on. I don't have any experience with Vizio so thank you for the heads up.
Sadly, when I moved out of the A/V industry I stopped updating my equipment. Luckily, I am slowly wading back into the waters and re-acquainting myself with everything new.

 

[Todd Anderson]

It's very - VERY - easy to get caught up in hype and tech terms. But, you have to always have to compare price and tech and think logically. In the case of these TCL TVs, is it a "too good to be true scenario?"

Possibly... we won't know until experts with calibration/measurement gear get their hands on them.

Generally, I'd give the top-priced TV models the benefit of the doubt, and I'd be rather suspicious of the bargain budget sets. I don't think that mentality is necessarily applicable to items such as AVRs or speakers... but when it comes to TVs, I do. Again, it's a rule of thumb that always has exceptions. TCL might be onto a good thing!

At the end of the day, if you're just looking to watch some TV, stream some Netflix, and watch standard Blu-rays, then there's no reason not to look at 2016 Vizio models. Will you miss out on some of the current new tech standards (and perhaps slightly better HDR performance)? Potentially. But, you have to consider that 4K/HDR is a rapidly evolving landscape. What comes out this year might be trumped by something better next year. And once manufacturers start shipping TVs with HDMI 2.1, then these HDMI 2.0x sets are going to "appear" to be outdated.