TCL has unveiled its new 2023 TCL C745 and TCL C845 4K TVs. What’s new in these 4K TVs, and how are they different from last year’s? First of all, these models should be appreciated by gamers. For them, it is important that the TV has a large number of dimming zones, Mini-LED backlighting, higher brightness, low latency and a 240Hz picture mode.
TCL C845 and C745 – first impressions
In addition to the C645 models, which TCL classifies as mid-range in terms of price and equipment, the TV maker’s portfolio has been expanded with two high-quality 4K TVs. This is a C745 with direct illumination . The TCL C745 series is available in 55″, 65″, and 75″ sizes. Up a notch is the TCL C845 series with Mini-LED backlighting .
It will also be available in 55″, 65″, 75″ and, for the first time, 85″. New 4K TVs are very strong competitors for established manufacturers such as Samsung, Sony or LG. After all, improvements over last year’s models should push the Chinese TV maker even further.
TCL C745
The new TCL 2023 TV lineup will also be accompanied by the 2022 P635, P638, P735, C735 and C935 series. All these TVs will be on sale in 2023. TCL is positioning the new C745 in the market as a gaming TV for a target group that spends most of their “free time” on Xbox, PlayStation or PC.
Immediately it should be noted that the C745 is ideal for watching TV, as well as watching movies and series on discs or streaming. However, the hardware and price of a 4K UHD TV should do a good job of reflecting the main purpose of gaming mode.
Most likely, many will suspect that the difference between the C735 and C745 is very small, since the new C745 series is the successor to the old C735. It’s not like it’s “not quite right”. It’s not like that at all”. While the 4K TV doesn’t have a mini LED backlight, it’s undergoing a major upgrade in terms of new backlighting.
In 2022, there was only so-called frame dimming (brightness adjustment extends to the entire screen) and the maximum brightness did not exceed 350 nits. In 2023, devices will feature local dimming, which controls between 140 and 220 zones depending on the inch size.
The TCL 55C745 TV has 140 dimming zones, the TCL 65C745 has 160 zones, and the TCL 75C745 TV has 220 zones. This should not only improve contrast and color reproduction, but also increase maximum brightness to a whopping 1,000 cd/m² (full white is 450 cd/m²).
This improvement is not only due to blackout zones, but also the latest AiPQ 3.0 image processor with support for 4K at 144Hz, and now 1080p at 240Hz. These extreme combinations of frame rates and resolutions can be realized with a PC via one of the two HDMI 2.1 ports. In addition, there are also two more HDMI 2.0 ports.
There are other gaming features such as VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), including the presence of HDMI VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro between 48Hz and 144Hz, and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). TCL C745 TVs provide a minimum input lag of 5ms. at 4K @ 144Hz.
All game-related settings can be found in the new Game Bar 2.0 quick menu, which appears at the bottom of the screen when you press a button. In terms of processor, TCL still uses the MediaTek MT9615 (MT5889) which can handle HDR formats such as HLG, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and Dolby Vision IQ.
The manufacturer claims that after installing AiPQ 3.0, HDR display processing has become better. When passing HD video signals, AiPQ 3.0 can increase the refresh rate to 240Hz. Here we are talking about frame interpolation or calculation between images, which is designed to give the viewer an even more smooth image experience.
TCL C845
As already noted, the flagship models of the C935 series remain in the TCL line for now. However, the new TCL C845 TV gives doubting buyers a very good reason to opt for the new TCL C845 over the 2022 TCL C835. The main reason for this advantage is that the C845 4K TV with Mini-LED backlight can be called universal.
The number of dimming zones in the TCL C845 has doubled compared to its predecessor. The 55TCL C845 now has 480 zones, the TCL 65C845 has 576 zones, the TCL 75C845 has 720 zones and the TCL 85C845 has 896 dimming zones. It should be obvious that the finer dimming grid not only improves contrast and color reproduction, but also increases peak brightness to 2000 cd/m².
Of course, all the improvements made to the C745 gaming TV apply to the C845. The 4K Mini LED TV also uses the AiPQ 3.0 image processor and supports 4K@144Hz and 1080p@240Hz, VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium Pro), ALLM, eARC , HLG, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Vision IQ , Interframe calculation 240 Hz. Game Bar 2.0 and more.
Optimized HDR display should deliver even better results with mini LED backlighting. What gives the TCL C845 an extra premium character is the upgraded audio hardware. C845 TVs of all sizes are equipped with 2.1 60W sound design.
Functions and features
TCL C745 and C845 use the Google TV 11 operating system. Direct from the factory, users have access to streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney+, Netflix and Co. Google TV also has a few handy features such as casting via Google Chromecast, Apple AirPlay 2 , Apple HomeKit and, for the first time, Matter certification.
This means that new 4K TVs can be controlled through the new connectivity standard and enjoy a smart home built on Matter. As one of the few TV manufacturers, TCL TVs not only support Dolby audio formats, including Dolby Atmos 3D audio, but also DTS-HD audio, including DTS Virtual:X upmixer.
Unfortunately, DTS:X support is missing, which is somewhat inconsistent since IMAX Enhanced is on board. However, these TVs only use IMAX Enhanced to render content optimized for IMAX. Also Calman Ready certified.
This feature will be provided later with a firmware update for C745. In addition, the TVs are equipped with the Multi View 2.0 function, with which four independent programs can be displayed on the TV screen at the same time, and support for Google Meet. The corresponding full TV package is rounded off with a new remote control from TCL.
The remote, made in a minimalist design, leaves nothing to be desired in terms of the usability of Smart TV. In addition to the usual function keys and control wheel, the remote also has a number section and six shortcut keys.
There is an assumption that the assignment of keys varies depending on the language. As for the most interesting question, the prices for TCL C845 and C745 are still unknown. During the presentation held on April 14, 2023, TCL promised that the new C845 and C745 4K TVs will hit the market “soon.”
