The premium television market is no longer exclusively led by established names such as Samsung and LG. TCL has emerged as a significant player in the home entertainment industry. The TCL 55T8B TV is designed to captivate gaming fans, boasting a rapid 144Hz refresh rate, an input lag of under 4 milliseconds, and a variety of gaming-oriented features.
Its high-resolution QLED Pro display ensures vibrant colors and a lifelike viewing experience. The TCL T8B series includes five models with varying screen sizes. How does this budget-friendly TV perform in daily use? Are there any drawbacks? Is investing in the TCL T8B a wise choice? In our review of the TCL 55T8B QLED 4K HDR, we will address these questions and more.
Design
The TCL 55T8B offers a significantly lower price point compared to similar QLED models from Samsung and LG. It boasts a rapid 4K 144Hz QLED display, making it competitive with the pricier Samsung Q80D. In terms of design, the TCL does not appear to be a budget option; its slim metal bezel enhances its premium aesthetic. However, it is worth noting that the TCL is not as sleek as the Samsung Q80D, measuring 73mm in depth at its thickest point, while the Samsung features a more streamlined 2.7 cm profile.
Aside from this, the TCL 55T8B performs well in other aspects. The included feet can be positioned according to preference, either closer to the center or nearer to the edges of the screen. Additionally, a VESA 300 x 300 mm wall mount can be used, although it is not included in the package and must be acquired separately.
Google TV
The operating system utilized is Google TV, which is built on the Android platform and operates seamlessly on the TCL device. Applications launch quickly, with no significant delays. The user interface is user-friendly and resembles that of most television operating systems.
The top panel grants access to TV programming, applications, media libraries, and external playback devices, along with a search function. Recommendations for TV series and new movie releases are prominently displayed in the center. Users can pin their frequently used favorite applications to the bottom panel. There is a wide variety of streaming services available.
Popular applications such as Disney+, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video come pre-installed. Additional apps can be downloaded from the Google App Store. Music streaming platforms like Spotify and Amazon Prime Music are also included. Furthermore, television programming can be accessed through both internet streaming and cable connections.
It is understandable that the constraints of the TV tuner concept in this price category must be acknowledged. TCL provides only a single TV tuner, which, while not inherently problematic, does restrict the convenience of recording. Specifically, this means that switching between recordings is not an option.
To facilitate recording, a compatible USB stick or USB hard drive is necessary. Regarding channel switching, the tuner is capable of changing stations in approximately 2 seconds. In addition to the standard reception methods—cable, satellite, and DVB-T2—TCL also offers the capability for TV reception through the Internet.
Gaming mode
When a gaming console is connected to your TV, the TCL automatically switches to Game Mode, functioning as a dedicated gaming monitor. Input lag is minimized to an almost imperceptible 4 milliseconds. By using the settings button, you can access the Game Bar, which presents all essential picture settings.
This interface also provides details on the current frames per second (FPS), the status of HDR, and whether VRR is active. Additionally, you have the option to capture screenshots during gameplay and enhance contrast in darker scenes. Owners of the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X can enjoy gaming in full 4K resolution at rates of up to 120 fps. For gaming PCs equipped with FreeSync Premium, frame rates can reach as high as 144 fps.
Sound
The TCL 55T8B TV delivers impressive audio quality, thanks to its collaboration with the esteemed Japanese audio expert ONKYO in designing the built-in sound system. It features a 2.1 sound configuration with a total output of 45 W. The integrated subwoofer enhances the bass response and adds overall depth to the sound experience. Additionally, the TV is compatible with the Dolby Atmos 3D format when paired with an appropriate soundbar.
Image quality
The TCL 55T8B is compatible with all major HDR formats, including Dolby Vision IQ. The manufacturer claims that the new QLED Pro display not only features longer-lasting LEDs but also delivers an even more lifelike color representation. However, it is advisable to temper expectations regarding peak brightness within this price range.
The maximum brightness reaches approximately 500 nits in dynamic HDR mode, while in standard mode, it measures around 370 nits with a 50 percent white window. Despite this, the performance is sufficient to produce quite impressive HDR visuals. The ANSI contrast ratio stands at 2640:1, and the white tones are rendered at a nearly perfect temperature.
These specifications are commendable for this price category. The TCL 55T8B excels particularly when displaying high-resolution 4K HDR content. Viewing movies on a 4K Blu-Ray disc in HDR format reveals exceptional picture quality on the 55-inch screen, with a richness of detail and depth that creates an almost three-dimensional and highly realistic experience.
With a rapid 120Hz panel, fast-moving sequences are rendered with precision and clarity. Notably, the natural image reproduction features nearly flawless colors, and there are no significant color inaccuracies in either HDR or SDR modes, eliminating the need for manual adjustments.
The television provides exceptionally clear visuals, whether you’re viewing 4K high-definition content from streaming platforms or standard DVDs. TV broadcasts also appear quite realistic, assuming the signal is of HD quality. However, when it comes to standard definition programming, the image can seem somewhat dull and lacking in vibrancy.
The TCL 55T8B features a display that is nearly uniformly backlit across its entire area, with only a minor brightness reduction noticeable at the edges. This slight washout is only detectable upon close inspection. There are no significant blemishes or backlight clouding present in this model. Nevertheless, it does struggle with reproducing the deepest blacks, which tend to appear more like a dark gray. This is typical for televisions in this price bracket. For those seeking superior black levels, opting for a more expensive OLED model would be necessary. Overall, the TCL 55T8B delivers remarkable picture quality for its price point.
Connections
The switch panel is equipped with sufficient inputs for various playback devices, including Blu-Ray players, gaming consoles, and set-top boxes. All four HDMI ports are compliant with version 2.1, enabling 4K resolution at up to 144 fps, as well as supporting eARC, Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).
One notable feature is the analog AV input, which facilitates the connection of older gaming consoles. Additionally, the connection options comprise a USB 3.0 port, a LAN port, a CI+ slot for subscription television, and antenna connectors. For wireless connectivity, both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are available.
Conclusion
TCL T8B delivers an unexpectedly robust picture quality, featuring precise colors and remarkable depth of field. Rapid image transitions are handled effortlessly due to the high-speed panel, which supports a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz.
Visual clarity is exceptional; however, it is important to note that the deepest black tones may not always be fully visible to the viewer. The television is equipped with modern features such as Google TV, voice control, and a TV tuner that includes PVR and TimeShift capabilities. A key highlight is the outstanding value it offers in terms of image quality relative to its price.
TCL T8B Specifications:
| Brand | TCL |
| Series | TCL T8B |
| Line/variants | TCL 55T8B, TCL 65T8B, TCL 75T8B, TCL 85T8B, TCL 96T8B |
| Image | |
| Standard | Ultra HD (UHD) / 4K / 2160p |
| Matrix type | VA QLED |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 |
| Matrix bit depth | 10 bit (8 bit + FRC) |
| Backlight | Edge LED |
| Brightness | 510 nits (max) |
| Contrast | 4500 : 1 |
| Refresh rate | 100Hz / 120Hz (up to 240Hz) |
| Delay / input lag | 4ms (minimum), 13.5ms at 4K@120Hz |
| HDR standards | HDR10, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG, HDR10+ |
| 3D/Up-Scaling | No / Yes |
| Video | |
| Standard TV tuner (analog) | NTSC, PAL, SECAM |
| Standard TV tuner (digital) | DVB-T/T2/C |
| Video codecs | AVI, WMV, MP4, H.265.H.264, VP9, AV1, MPG, TS, MKV, WebM, VP9 |
| Connections | |
| HDMI | 4 x HDMI 2.1 |
| USB | 1 x USB 3.0 |
| Reception of TV signals | 1 x RF (over-the-air antenna) |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n |
| Audio output | Optical digital (audio) |
| Internet | Ethernet RJ-45 / LAN |
| Additionally | Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, AV composite (mini RCA) |
| Sound | |
| Power | 45 W |
| System | 2.1 CH |
| Support | Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual-X, Dolby AC4, Dolby TrueHD |
| Smart TV | |
| OS | Google TV (Android 12) |
| CPU | AiPQ Pro |
| CPU/GPU | 2x ARM Cortex-A73, 1390 MHz, SoC: MediaTek Pentonic 700 |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant |
| Memory | 4GB/16GB (eMMC 5.0) |
| Remote controller | Voice remote control RC833 |
| Additionally | Internet Browser, AMD FreeSync Premium |
| Other | |
| VESA 300 x 300 mm (for 55″ diagonal) |