Jiří Filip Let's start with a straight key question, what does the TCL C835 series television offer to Apple fans? It supports Dolby Vision, which is important not only for content from Apple TV, but also for Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+ and also movies in mkv format. Dolby Atmos support is also a matter of course. There is an Apple TV app within the Google TV system. TCL TVs officially support AirPlay 2 and HomeKit (models C935, C835 and select C735 sizes). Let's take a closer look at the 835-inch TCL C65 TV…
I still meet people who don't know about the TCL brand and that its products are widely offered and sold in our market. It might be a good idea to read the manufacturer's information on his website. But I understand them: Who cares that the company was founded 39 years ago and over time has become one of the world's largest manufacturers of consumer electronics? However, a potential person interested in a television could already pay attention when he learns that TCL Electronics is now in second place worldwide in terms of the volume of televisions produced. And it would really blow his mind to find out that the TCL 65C835 model received an award from the EISA association for the year 2022/2023, while it is certainly not the first and only TCL product to be highlighted. Since the testers' opinions do not always have to agree, I took the liberty of subjecting the just-mentioned model to my own examination.
The TCL 65C835 uses 288-zone lighting control, which consists of mini LEDs. The glossier panel oscillates at a frequency of 144 Hz. Standard connector equipment includes everything you need, plus advanced functionality for gamers with HDMI ports: Game Master Pro, ALLM, AMD Freesync and TCL Gamebar. All for a smoother and more intense gaming experience, without restrictions. You can arrange the reception of the TV signal through DVB-T2, DVB-C and DVB-S2 tuners. So nothing is missing. The TV boasts a truly timeless design with a touch of luxury and you can unpack it from the box including a heavy support with a similar face. In addition to two controllers, last year's model also included a webcam. Missing this year, two controllers remain. They are comfortable and their pressure is clear with a response to the information LED TV. Anyone who gets in the way will turn it off. However, the remote controls lack a little better design. Their plastic expression does not provoke, but it does not dazzle either.
Since the TV uses the Google TV 11 operating system, you get a powerful tool ready to install all kinds of applications and games. When testing, I focused on the stability and speed of the environment. I didn't find any flaws. TCL does not supply a major OS build. This decision will suit customers because the environment is not overpaid. It looks more comprehensible, simpler. Everything on the test LCD worked according to assumptions and operator requirements. From lightning-fast startup from standby to menu navigation to live channel switching. By default, i.e. as with this operating system and competitors, Google does not add an icon with a click to Google Play to the menus. In the same way, voice search of applications and voice control are limited for Czech customers. Why? Ask Google. But you won't need a mobile phone to install programs and games. All you have to do is find Play in the system applications and launch it from there. As if by magic, everything pops up and you search, select and install.
Non-conflicting and intuitive, the owner pairs "apple electronics" with TCL and plays videos and photos on the big screen. The operating system implemented not only support for AirPlay and HomeKit, but also includes a separate application for Apple TV.
Gallery
In the 65C835 model, TCL managed to perfectly combine the image and sound components. They complement each other very well. The sound was provided by none other than the very famous Onkyo. Everything went perfectly. The sound is complete, detailed, dense, but detailed, providing a huge space, without any shortcomings that are normally found in this category. In fact, its quality significantly exceeds the category of integrated TV speakers. For total audiophiles who need to have everything uncompromising, it is worth considering the purchase of the company's Ray-Danz soundbar with a subwoofer. But even such a sound-demanding person will be pleasantly surprised by the features of the installed audio solution.
And what about the picture? The visual splendor pushes itself to the limit of currently achievable perfection. An experienced calibrator can evaluate and adjust the color scale for you. There are tools for him in the TV. But you won't come without it either. You can look forward to expressive, but subjectively seen unprovocative colors with convincing black. Here, TCL uses an increase in the number of zones, of which 825 have been added in this year's C835 compared to last year's C128, and installed a full-fledged 10-bit panel. Of course, such reinforcement brings better options and more precise control. The title can be projected on a black background without significant light overlaps, without activating other parts of the panel. A similar feature will be appreciated by "movie buffs". The division of zones is almost perfect, only here and there another space could go out. OLED is still playing a premium, but at eight hundred and thirty-five it already has a capable pursuer that will overwhelm the LCD competition.
Mini LED, however, convincingly wins over OLED in terms of luminosity. If you like watching movies in HDR and Dolby Vision (all these available formats are supported), you will definitely find something to suit you. Movement is often discussed. TCL engineers present a pair of ten-step switches to the operator, which you can step up with another switch to activate an even more perfect movement. It must be added - with darkening of the image and increased flickering. Personally, I got by with the mentioned pair of adjustments during testing. Those who do not overdo the aggressiveness will get naturally smooth movement, without jerking. From another point of view, without the soap opera effect. I don't understand a bit the default setting of MPEG noise reduction in the Film profile - to the middle. It would probably be worth considering to make a minimalistic adjustment in this direction, so that the image is presented "cleaner" even without turning on the function. Upscaling accurately processes lower resolutions.
In short, the TCL 65C835 succeeded. I assume worldwide success. Even now, when it is more or less just starting to be sold in our country, it is mentioned in praise, more often directly in superlatives. The conclusion is clear: Great picture, excellent sound, stable system and fast running environment, or one of the best current offers, especially for those who are not fans of OLED.
You can find out more about the TV here
What about electricity consumption? How is the 75 inch version?