‌I only paid $1500 for this HUGE TV

Linus Tech Tips
17 Sept 202415:01

TLDRIn this video, the host shares their experience purchasing an open-box 98-inch TCL S550 for just $1500, a steal considering its size. They discuss the TV's features, including 4K resolution, HDR support, and high refresh rate gaming, while speculating on the compromises made for such an affordable price. The unboxing reveals four HDMI ports, a peculiar 144 Hz input despite a 120 Hz panel, and a unique Vasa bolt pattern. The review covers picture quality, gaming performance, and the TV's suitability for various environments, concluding that it's an impressive value for a huge TV on a budget.

Takeaways

  • 😀 The video discusses the purchase of a large, open-box TV for $1500, which seems like an unbeatable deal.
  • 🏠 The TV had to be picked up personally as it was not available for delivery due to its size.
  • 🔍 Upon inspection, the TV has some surprising features like 4K resolution and HDR support, raising questions about what compromises were made for the low price.
  • 🤔 The video speculates on the possible lack of high refresh rate gaming support and other high-end features due to the TV's low cost.
  • 🔗 The script includes a promotional mention of an all-in-one business management Suite by a sponsor.
  • 📦 The unboxing process reveals that the TV comes with legs, unlike a previous 150-inch model that did not.
  • 🔌 The TV has a unique I/O setup with four HDMI ports, including one that supports 4K at 144 Hz, which contradicts the box's claim of 120 Hz.
  • 🏗️ The TV's VESA mount pattern is non-standard, and the video suggests a method for safely mounting the heavy TV due to its weight.
  • 📺 The TV's picture quality is discussed, noting that while it's not OLED, it still provides a satisfactory viewing experience for the price.
  • 🎮 The gaming experience on the TV is tested and found to be responsive, with the potential for the TV to support 144 Hz through some settings adjustments.
  • 💸 The video concludes by comparing the TV's value to other options on the market, suggesting it's a good deal for a large TV on a budget.

Q & A

  • What was the price of the huge TV mentioned in the script?

    -The huge TV was priced at $1500.

  • What was the size of the TV that the narrator found in the open box section?

    -The size of the TV was nearly 100 inches.

  • What was the first complication mentioned after purchasing the TV?

    -The first complication was getting the TV home since it wasn't available for delivery and had to be picked up.

  • What was the unusual feature mentioned about the TV's packaging?

    -The unusual feature was that despite the TV being 100 inches, it was packaged relatively normally, unlike a 115-inch TV which required a crate.

  • How many HDMI ports does the TV have and what is unique about one of them?

    -The TV has four HDMI ports, with the top one being unique for supporting 4K at 144 Hertz.

  • What is the recommended way to mount the TV due to its weight?

    -It is recommended to mount the TV by screwing a flat piece of plywood into the wall studs and then attaching the TV mount to that.

  • What is the maximum brightness level of the TV?

    -The maximum brightness level of the TV is 500 nits.

  • What is the gaming experience like on this TV?

    -The gaming experience feels responsive and is considered fine for the TV's size and price, with no noticeable latency issues.

  • What is the issue with the black uniformity on the TV?

    -The black uniformity is disappointing, with visible patches of whiteness and a noticeable hot spot on the left side.

  • How does the TV perform in terms of local dimming?

    -The TV has only one local dimming zone, which contributes to the lack of contrast and depth in the image.

  • What is the TV's performance in terms of motion smoothing?

    -The TV has a motion smoothing feature that is initially set to a high level, which can be turned off for a better viewing experience.

Outlines

00:00

📺 Unboxing a Massive Open-Box TV Deal

The script begins with a narrative of finding a huge 100-inch TV at an unbelievable price of $1,500. The excitement is palpable, but it quickly turns into curiosity about the compromises made to achieve such an affordable price. The TV, an open-box model, comes from TCL and is discussed in terms of its potential features and capabilities, such as 4K resolution, HDR support, and high refresh rate gaming. The script humorously transitions into a sponsorship plug for an all-in-one business management suite, suggesting a comparison between the complexity of managing a business with multiple apps and the simplicity of a unified system. The unboxing process is described with a touch of humor, highlighting the challenges of handling such a large TV and the peculiarities of its packaging and design, like the unusual I/O port arrangement and the lack of a protective screen cover.

05:01

🛋️ Evaluating the TV's Size and Picture Quality

The second paragraph delves into the practicality of having such a large TV in a home setting, comparing it to a 65-inch model and discussing optimal viewing distances. The script mentions Google TV as a standard feature on TCL TVs, which is praised for its ease of use, particularly in disabling motion smoothing. The TV's picture quality is evaluated, noting its peak brightness, overall appearance, and color accuracy. The discussion also touches on the TV's contrast and local dimming capabilities, or lack thereof, and how these affect the viewing experience. The script humorously points out the TV's black uniformity issues, like visible patches of whiteness, which are particularly noticeable in certain scenes. The overall impression is that while the TV has some shortcomings, it still provides a satisfying viewing experience for its size and price.

10:02

🎮 Gaming and Long-Term Quality Considerations

The final paragraph shifts the focus to gaming on the large TV, discussing the responsiveness and latency of the display. There's a humorous exchange about the TV's advertised features, such as 'game accelerator' and '240 Hz' capabilities, which are questioned for their accuracy. The script then compares the TV to a QD OLED model, noting the differences in color richness and depth. The gaming experience is described as satisfactory, with the TV performing well for its price range. The discussion wraps up with considerations about the TV's target audience, suggesting it might be suitable for communal spaces like bars or fraternity houses. The script concludes with a tease about an even larger and cheaper TV option, hinting at future content. Lastly, there's a return to the sponsorship plug, emphasizing the efficiency and integration of the business management software in comparison to the large TV's value for its size and cost.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Open Box

An 'open box' product is one that has been removed from its original packaging, typically due to being a return or a display model. In the context of the video, the term is used to describe the TV that was purchased at a significantly lower price than its retail value. The video discusses the potential benefits and concerns of buying such items, like the possibility of hidden defects or the lack of a warranty.

💡4K

4K, or Ultra HD, refers to a display resolution that has approximately 4,000 pixels horizontally and is typically used to describe televisions and monitors with high resolution. In the video, the discussion about whether the TV is 4K or not is part of evaluating its value for the price paid. High resolution like 4K is desirable for crisp and detailed images.

💡HDR

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range and is a technology that enhances the contrast and color range of an image. In the video, the presenter wonders if the TV supports HDR, which would provide a better viewing experience with more vivid colors and deeper blacks. HDR is an important feature for modern TVs, especially for those watching high-quality content.

💡High Refresh Rate

A high refresh rate refers to the number of times a display updates the image per second, measured in Hertz (Hz). A higher refresh rate can provide smoother motion in videos and games. The script mentions the possibility of the TV supporting high refresh rate gaming, which would be a desirable feature for gamers looking for a responsive experience.

💡Google TV

Google TV is an智能电视平台 that provides access to various streaming apps and services. In the video, it's mentioned that Google TV comes standard on TCL TVs, which is important for users who want a seamless smart TV experience without needing additional devices.

💡Local Dimming

Local dimming is a feature in some TVs that allows different areas of the backlight to be controlled independently, improving contrast ratios and black levels. The video discusses the lack of local dimming as a potential downside of the TV, which could affect the picture quality, especially in dark scenes.

💡Ambient Light Rejection

Ambient light rejection refers to a display's ability to maintain visibility and color accuracy under various lighting conditions. The script mentions this in relation to the TV's performance in a room with studio lights, which is a challenging environment for any TV's light rejection capabilities.

💡Gaming

The term 'gaming' in the context of the video refers to using the TV for playing video games. The presenter evaluates the TV's suitability for gaming based on its refresh rate, input lag, and overall picture quality. A good gaming TV should provide a smooth and responsive experience.

💡Motion Smoothing

Motion smoothing, also known as the 'soap opera effect,' is a feature that artificially increases the frame rate of content to reduce motion blur. The video discusses turning off motion smoothing for a better picture quality, as it can sometimes introduce unwanted artifacts.

💡Color Accuracy

Color accuracy refers to how closely a display's colors match the colors in the original source material. The script mentions measuring the color accuracy of the TV, which is crucial for viewers who want true-to-life images, especially when watching movies or professional content.

💡Value for Money

Value for money is a concept that assesses whether the price of a product is justified by its quality and features. The video's central theme revolves around determining if the TV, purchased at a discounted price, offers good value for money based on its performance and specifications.

Highlights

Discovered a huge 100-inch TV for just $1500 in the open box section.

The TV is unexpectedly affordable, raising questions about its features and quality.

The TV supports 4K and HDR, which are surprising features for its price.

High refresh rate gaming is supported, adding to the TV's value.

The TV comes with a unique square pattern on the back, possibly for improved ventilation.

The TV is much lighter than expected for its size, making it easier to handle.

The TV has four HDMI ports, including one that supports 4K at 144 Hertz.

A composite input is included on the TV, a rare feature in modern TVs.

The TV's VESA mount pattern is unusual, being 500mm x 600mm and not square.

The TV's stand setup is straightforward, but care must be taken due to the TV's size.

The TV fits well in a living room setting, despite its large size.

Google TV is standard on TCL TVs, but this model does not have it.

The TV's motion smoothing can be easily turned off, improving picture quality.

The TV's peak brightness is 500 nits, which is decent for its size and price.

The TV's color accuracy is good, with a Delta E of about 4.5 in movie mode.

The TV's black uniformity is not perfect, with visible patches of whiteness.

The TV's local dimming is minimal, with only one zone counted.

Gaming on the TV feels responsive, with good latency.

The TV is recommended for those looking for a large, affordable display.

A newer model of the TV is available for $2000, offering potential improvements.

The TV is compared to a QD OLED TV, showing differences in color richness and contrast.

The TV's long-term quality is uncertain but it's a good value for the price.