Another TV thread

[Mat_C]

Good evening all,

So the title says it all. I've decided to buy a new TV and the rabbit hole feels like it has no end. I don't have much of a budget and my knowledge of TV spec is surface level at best.

I'm looking at spending under 12k. I currently have a Hisense U6G and am looking for something for gaming and just better all round viewing.

There's a great deal on the Hisense U8H on Takealot for R9999 though I have read that it is not the US version. How does this stack up against the TCL C745, though that is R11k currently? And is there something else I should be looking at?

I'd appreciate any feedback. Have a lekker weekend, up the Proteas.

 

[Word1995]

Don't mind me posting, just adding comment because i also want this answered!

 

[goldfritter]

There's a great deal on the Hisense U8H on Takealot for R9999 though I have read that it is not the US version. How does this stack up against the TCL C745, though that is R11k currently? And is there something else I should be looking at?

I've been looking at TVs of late, with around the same budget, and I concluded that the U8H was the best value for a 55" 4K - and that was when it was R 13k. So at R 10k it looks like an awesome deal. But the C745 was a strong contender too, it was just usually more expensive. They're the only ones I could find in that price range that have 100+ local dimming zones, which is apparently around the minimum you need for HDR to work properly.

The C745 might just edge it on value actually. The specs are pretty much identical, but it has Google TV which is good, VIDAA is apparently not great. But if you use something else for streaming then it doesn't matter.

I'd recommend going to see both in person though, if possible. Image quality can be subjective, seeing them both is the only way to know for sure which you'd like more.

 

[Gravedancer]

Hisense U7H 120Hz - Any opinions on this one?

Seems well priced and 120Hz , 4K etc

 

[Mat_C]

Don't mind me posting, just adding comment because i also want this answered!

I'm not TV expert but perhaps someone could help us further. I've gathered some information that may help:

- I think it worth mentioning that the U8H uses mini-led technology whereas the C745 does not. I see also that the U8H was supposed to rival the C835 as opposed to the then C735.

- the U8H is 8bit + FRC whereas the TCL C745 is native 8bit. Unless you are really going into it, I don't think there is much between the two.

- U8H has 112 dimming zones. The TCL has 120 dimming zones.

- TCL has a contrast of 6000:1 with the U8H at 1200:1.

- The TCL uses a VA Panel and the U8H uses an ADS panel. I don't know which is better.

- both have bloom issues. Both deal with Hisense.

- The TCL does have Google with the Hisense using VIDAA. VIDAA is poor however most people get around this by using another source such as Apple TV or a gaming console.

- The sound on the U8H is decent. According to users, I could not find much on the TCL.

- Both have 120Hz 2.1 and VRR, the TCL supports up to 144Hz. Would this be noticeable with next gen consoles? I don't know.

Keeping in mind overall that this U8H is not the US model, and it is very difficult to actually find the TCL C745 on display. Like I say, I'm not a pro, so maybe someone could help us navigate this. Is it worth the extra R1000 for the TCL?

 

[Mat_C]

Hisense U7H 120Hz - Any opinions on this one?

Seems well priced and 120Hz , 4K etc

Going by user feedback, I think it best to avoid the U7H. Outside observation, the A8H OLED has been on sale at R11k, so maybe worth waiting for that?

 

[goldfritter]

Hisense U7H 120Hz - Any opinions on this one?

Seems well priced and 120Hz , 4K etc

Yeah that one has only 32 local dimming zones, so HDR probably won't look great on it.

But if you don't care about HDR then it looks like a good deal - I actually saw that one in person at Hirsch's and the image quality was really good, to my untrained eye - it didn't look worse than the U8H they had there.

 

[Scrooloose]

Today, I learned that Dimming Zones is a thing.

I rate we should have a ranking system.

1. Good for watching soap operas and the news.
2. Good for MotoGP and such
3. Good enough for most people
4. Good for movies with action scenes
5. Good for gaming

What do we get? So many nits, HDR, one trillion peta-pixels per square dick measure, 300 inch subwoofer built-in, blah blah.

It's all a bit of a minefield, isn't it.

 

[Mat_C]

Today, I learned that Dimming Zones is a thing.

I rate we should have a ranking system.

1. Good for watching soap operas and the news.
2. Good for MotoGP and such
3. Good enough for most people
4. Good for movies with action scenes
5. Good for gaming

What do we get? So many nits, HDR, one trillion peta-pixels per square dick measure, 300 inch subwoofer built-in, blah blah.

It's all a bit of a minefield, isn't it.

It's worth mentioning that the U8H has more nits than the C745. It is a minefield and I've come to hate it tbh.

 

[Harbinger2000]

Honestly, i would recommend you just go to Game / Makro and similar stores to check the TV demo models they have setup. Find the one which looks the best and then go researching from there for the best price etc.

If the image looks good in the store when you are standing a meter away from it, then it will look just as good across the room in your house.

 

[Mat_C]

Honestly, i would recommend you just go to Game / Makro and similar stores to check the TV demo models they have setup. Find the one which looks the best and then go researching from there for the best price etc.

If the image looks good in the store when you are standing a meter away from it, then it will look just as good across the room in your house.

This and the purpose of your viewing is probably the best way forward. The issue that makes this discussion difficult though is that there's little to no feedback on the TCL so we don't know if the specs on the website are accurate. Also, I can't find one on display anywhere so we can't even do the eye test. Frustrating.

I currently have a U6G, so I think going with the U8H will be a great step up, regardless of the EU version.

 

[adonimac]

What was the consensus on this? I see the U8H is on sale on takealot for 10k, as well as the U7H for 8k

Using Serval I saw that the 55" TCL C745 has gone as low as 8K in the last month which makes it even cheaper than the U7H for what youre getting. Honestly just want a TV that will be bright and vibrant for movies, and will be great for some single player games on the PS5 and my PC.

 

[Mat_C]

The U8H is the best bet between the two Hisenses. Went to view one the other day: very bright, colours pop nicely however there is blooming evident in dark backgrounds. It uses mini led technology.

Difficult to find a TCL on display. Looks good on paper though, but that low price was an unboxed deal. R10999 is the sale price. If you don't like blooming go for the C745 as it has more dimming zones.

 

[adonimac]

The U8H is the best bet between the two Hisenses. Went to view one the other day: very bright, colours pop nicely however there is blooming evident in dark backgrounds. It uses mini led technology.

Difficult to find a TCL on display. Looks good on paper though, but that low price was an unboxed deal. R10999 is the sale price. If you don't like blooming go for the C745 as it has more dimming zones.

I see - thank you!