Hisense U7KQ

Available screen sizes: 100”

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Panel type: LCD VA Brand: HISENSE Resolution: 3840x2160 System: VIDAA Model year: 2023

Our verdict

7.6

Overall rating

Hisense U7KQ with a size of 100" is clearly a better television compared to the smaller variants. The proprietary VIDAA system has a similar interface to other TVs (e.g., with Google TV onboard). It operates quickly and smoothly. It doesn't freeze or contain errors. The built-in media player sometimes had difficulties functioning, though. It's worth looking at the app test, as not all of them were available at the time of writing this review. The TV's features are quite extensive, and nearly everything we tested was successful. During day use, the high brightness of the panel is commendable, handling even brightly lit rooms well. When watching in cinematic conditions, we can count on good blacks, thanks to the VA panel supported by multiple dimming zones. The screen handles low-quality content (e.g., SD channels or DVDs) reasonably well, but a downside is the lack of a function to reduce posterisation (which involves clearly defined tonal transitions). It looks much better with 4K HDR movies as we have a wide colour palette and strong light effects. Support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos is another advantage, although the speakers built into the screen are rather average. Sports enthusiasts will be pleased with the 120Hz panel featuring motion smoothing. When connected to a console, gaming on the television is very good due to the low input lag. Motion blur is moderate, meaning that very rarely can slight "trails" be noticed when there is dynamic movement against a dark background. The lack of HGiG mode diminishes the visual quality of games in HDR format, while the absence of local dimming in VRR mode renders the latter feature useless. Overall, the picture quality can be described as good and appropriate for its price. There aren't any obvious flaws or unexpected advantages here, but the large size is a significant factor.

Advantages

  • Very good black

  • High brightness of the panel

  • Stable and fast-operating system

  • Very good price-to-quality ratio in the 100" variant

Disadvantages

No like

  • No music apps (Spotify, Tidal)

  • Poor HDR performance in dark scenes with small light sources

  • Average viewing angles

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    7.5

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    7.3

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    6.6

  • Gaming on console

    8.2

  • TV as a computer monitor

    8.0

  • Watching in bright light

    7.8

  • Utility functions

    8.2

  • Apps

    8.6

  • Sound quality

    6.9

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TCL C855 98”

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TCL MQLED85 / C765 98”

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Hisense E7NQ PRO 100”

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TCL C655 / C69B 98' 98”

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TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) Other inputs: RCA (Chinch) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

Review Hisense U7KQ Appearance of the TV Review Hisense U7KQ Appearance of the TV Review Hisense U7KQ Appearance of the TV Review Hisense U7KQ Appearance of the TV Review Hisense U7KQ Appearance of the TV Review Hisense U7KQ Appearance of the TV Review Hisense U7KQ Appearance of the TV Review Hisense U7KQ Appearance of the TV

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Contrast and black detail

8/10

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 1620 (30 x 54)

Review Hisense U7KQ Contrast and black detail

Result

124,650:1

Review Hisense U7KQ Contrast and black detail

Result

56,350:1

Review Hisense U7KQ Contrast and black detail

Result

24,550:1

Review Hisense U7KQ Contrast and black detail

Result

15,600:1

Review Hisense U7KQ Contrast and black detail

Result

12,600:1

Visibility of details in the lights:

Review Hisense U7KQ Visibility of details in the lights

The television is equipped with a VA panel, which has high contrast even without the support of local dimming technology. With the additional support of Mini-LED technology, the television is able to offer really good blacks, both in subdued, dark scenes and in mixed scenes where black is interspersed with bright elements. Suffice it to say that even in the most challenging test sequences, it achieved a result above 10,000:1. In a fully darkened room, zone dimming can sometimes be visible, appearing as a slight halo effect around text or bright areas lightening up when a bright object moves quickly across the screen. However, this is a normal phenomenon that isn't bothersome. The television, like most LCD screens with local dimming, has a moderate tendency to darken the image, particularly small light sources in dark scenes.

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

HDR effect quality

6.1/10

Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 96.0%, Bt.2020: 76.0%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Hisense U7KQ Brightness measurement

Result

985 nit

Review Hisense U7KQ Brightness measurement

Result

343 nit

Review Hisense U7KQ Brightness measurement

Result

737 nit

Review Hisense U7KQ Brightness measurement

Result

298 nit

Review Hisense U7KQ Brightness measurement

Result

1170 nit

Describing the HDR effect in the hundred-inch model Hisense U7KQ is not straightforward and requires a broader context. As can be seen, the results are highly variable, depending on the type of scene and the intensity of the bright effects that the television has to reproduce. In bright scenes, the device achieves over a thousand nits of brightness, translating to vivid and realistic images – these are exactly the effects we expect from equipment of this class. Unfortunately, the situation worsens in darker scenes. In mixed shots, such as those in the film "Gemini Man," the television still offers good brightness at around 700 nits, allowing for high-quality viewing. However, problems arise in very dark scenes where small light sources play a major role. The television does not fully utilise its capabilities here to avoid degrading the black levels in adjacent areas. As a result, there is no spectacular "WOW" effect, and such shots often do not give the impression of being realised in HDR technology.

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Review Hisense U7KQ Scene from movie PAN

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

Review Hisense U7KQ Scene from movie Billy Lynn

As we can observe in the above images, this television handles very bright scenes, such as those from the film "Mr", without excessive merging of tonal transitions into one. Although the sun is not perfectly visible as a single point, it also does not become one large blotch, which is indicative of high-quality image reproduction. Even very demanding scenes that may exceed the technical capabilities of televisions look good on the Hisense 100U7KQ.

HDR luminance chart:

As we can see in the above images, in standard content HDR10 tone mapping is not the best, and very, very bright details can blend into flat patches. This doesn't happen often because the television has relatively high brightness, which means most of the details from our test scene are preserved anyway. However, the support for Dolby Vision comes to the rescue, making bright scenes full of detail look fantastic!

Static HDR10

Review Hisense U7KQ Static HDR 10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Review Hisense U7KQ Dynamic HDR 10+

Factory color reproduction

5.5/10

The best factory mode we measured was “Filmmaker”. Despite this, its characteristics left a lot to be desired. Let’s take a look at the gamma chart, which is responsible for the depth and contrast of the image. First, we'll note the orange line running through the middle of the graph, starting at point 2.4. This is the reference value of the REC.709 standard. Now let’s look at the measured value, marked by a white, connected multi-point. Such a clear drop in gamma to a value of 2.0 meant a significant reduction in contrast, resulting in the image lacking appropriate depth, and the so-called “milk” effect was noticeable. The next thing we tested was the white balance. Though seemingly minor, if poorly adjusted, it can change the entire characteristic of the image. While the beginning of the chart looked quite promising, as we progressed further, the chart began to be dominated by two colours: red and blue. Due to the current state of affairs, all the materials we used for testing had an unpleasant tint in those colours. However, thanks to rich calibration tools, such as an advanced colour management system (CMS) and 2- and 20-point grey scale adjustments, we were able to significantly improve the display's performance in SDR materials, as confirmed by low deltaE errors and very well-modeled gamma and white balance.

Factory Mode

After calibration

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Color reproduction after calibration

7.8/10

In SDR mode, after calibration, the Hisense 100U7KQ television performs excellently. There is nothing to fault in terms of colour reproduction - both pastel and deeply saturated hues are displayed according to the Rec. 709 standard. This ensures that the image looks natural and in line with the director's vision. As a result, viewers can enjoy an authentic visual experience, with colours and tonal subtleties faithfully represented.

In HDR mode, however, there is a noticeable boost in bright tones. The television tries to enhance the image, which can lead to artificial brightening. This phenomenon becomes even more apparent in real scenes, where bright parts of the image can be excessively amplified. Although colours in HDR are generally good, they are intentionally boosted too much by the manufacturer, which may affect their naturalness.

This manufacturer's approach to displaying images in HDR mode may not be to everyone's taste, especially those who value authenticity and fidelity to original colours. However, for those who prefer more dynamic and vivid images, this bright tone enhancement can be an appealing solution, adding extra sparkle and impact to scenes.

Review Hisense U7KQ Color reproduction before calibration
Review Hisense U7KQ Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

10/10

Tonal transitions on the tested television can be described in one word: perfect. Throughout the testing sequence, where we played back very dark gradients from the most challenging scenes we know, there was not a hint of discontinuity or layers distinguishing themselves from each other. These impressive results testify to the high quality of the panel and advanced image processing algorithms. Of course, the ideal experience is maintained as long as we watch the television straight on – at an angle, dark shades can become quite pronounced, which is discussed in detail in the dedicated paragraph. It’s also worth noting that such a problem can be observed with lower quality materials, but this is not the television’s fault; rather, it's the lower quality of the source itself.

Review Hisense U7KQ Smoothness of tonal transitions Review Hisense U7KQ Smoothness of tonal transitions Review Hisense U7KQ Smoothness of tonal transitions Review Hisense U7KQ Smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Hisense U7KQ Smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Hisense U7KQ Smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Hisense U7KQ Smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Hisense U7KQ Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

6/10

No Smooth transition function

Review Hisense U7KQ Smooth transition function

OK Image without overscan on the SD signal

Review Hisense U7KQ Image without overscan on the SD signal

Despite the television being equipped with a function to reduce posterisation called "Smooth Gradation", we did not notice a significant effect of its operation. Materials subjected to heavy compression, such as YouTube videos, still showed choppy, abrupt tonal transitions, which did not look particularly appealing. While this is due to the material itself and not the television, it would be good if there was a function to mask these issues, similar to those found in competing brands.

Image scaling, which is crucial when playing lower resolution content, we rate as average. Details are not overly blurry, and the image is not "smudged", however, there is noticeable jaggedness on the edges of objects, such as branches, and a halo effect around characters and text. While the television performs quite well, there is still room for improvement, especially in the context of displaying lower quality materials.

Blur and motion smoothness

7/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 240Hz

Film motion smoothing option: Yes

Blur reduction option: Yes

BFI function 60Hz: No

BFI function 120Hz: No

Review Hisense U7KQ Blur and motion smoothness

The TV correctly receives a 4K signal up to 144 Hz, allowing for very smooth images in high resolution. When limited to Full HD resolution, the TV can handle even 240 Hz, but such a signal can only be obtained from a PC. Unfortunately, the use of this feature is limited by several factors.

Firstly, Full HD resolution on a large TV screen may seem insufficient, affecting image quality. Furthermore, the response time of the panel in this model is not short enough to fully utilise the refresh rate of 240 Hz. As a result, at such a high refresh rate, there is significant overdrive, which causes noticeable smearing and so-called "ghosting" behind moving objects.

It is also worth noting the motion smoothing feature in the TV, which operates up to 120 Hz. This is particularly useful when watching sports and movies, where motion smoothness is crucial. The TV offers stable operation of this feature, minimising the amount of generated artefacts. Motion smoothness can be adjusted using two sliders – one for smoothness in movies and the other for reducing smearing in sports content.

In summary, although the TV Hisense U7KQ offers impressive capabilities in image refresh rates, limitations related to the response time of the panel and appropriate resolution may affect the actual benefits of these features. Nevertheless, the motion smoothing function works very well, enhancing the experience of watching dynamic content.

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Review Hisense U7KQ Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate)
Review Hisense U7KQ Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate)
Review Hisense U7KQ Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate)

Console compatibility and gaming features

8.5/10

  • Yes ALLM: Yes
  • Yes VRR: Yes
  • Yes VRR range: 48 - 144Hz
  • Yes Dolby Vision Game Mode: Yes
  • No Correct implementation of HGIG: No
  • Yes 1080p@120Hz: Yes
  • Yes 1440p@120Hz: Yes
  • Yes 4K@120Hz: Yes
  • Yes Game bar: Yes
Review Hisense U7KQ Console compatibility and gaming features
Review Hisense U7KQ Console compatibility and gaming features

The Hisense U7KQ TV supports all the key features for gamers that users of Xbox or PlayStation consoles might expect. These features include support for high refresh rates, low input lag, and a game bar. Generally speaking, most of these features work well, providing a satisfying gaming experience.

However, the VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology does not function optimally. When VRR is activated, the TV disables local dimming, which significantly reduces image quality. In VRR mode, there is a lack of good contrast and high brightness in HDR mode, resulting in unsatisfactory image quality. In practice, this means that the VRR mode may be rarely used by gamers due to these limitations.

Additionally, the TV does not support the HGIG (HDR Gaming Interest Group) mode, which is designed to optimise HDR image quality in games. The absence of this mode leads to issues with double tone mapping—once in the TV and again in the console. As a result, the quality of HDR gaming is lower, which can affect the overall gaming experience.

In summary, while the Hisense U7KQ offers many features for gamers, certain key aspects, such as optimal VRR performance and support for HGIG, may not meet the expectations of more demanding users. Nevertheless, the TV still provides good support for most standard gaming features, making it a suitable choice for a wide range of gamers.

Review Hisense U7KQ Console compatibility and gaming features
Review Hisense U7KQ Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

9.8/10

The Hisense U7KQ TV features very low input lag across all picture modes, which is crucial for gamers who require quick screen response. Regardless of the signal type – whether it's 4K, Full HD, 60 Hz, or 120 Hz – the lag remains below 20 ms. This result is excellent and ensures that even the most demanding gamers will not experience any delays while playing. As a result, this TV deserves the highest rating for gaming performance.

SDR HDR Dolby Vision
1080p60: 16 ms 2160p60: 16 ms 2160p60 DV: 16 ms
1080p120: 8 ms 2160p120: 8 ms 2160p120 DV: 8 ms
2160p60: 16 ms
2160p120: 7 ms

Compatibility with PC

8/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes

Font clarity: Good

Readability of dark text and shapes: Good

Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 16ms

Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR

Max refresh rate: 240Hz

G-Sync: Yes

Review Hisense U7KQ Compatibility with PC

The Hisense U7KQ television works excellently with a PC, thanks to several key features. First and foremost, it supports chroma 4:4:4, which is essential for displaying text and graphics in the highest quality without losing details. This ensures that images and texts are clear and sharp, which is particularly important for users who use the television as a monitor for work or gaming.

Additionally, the Hisense U7KQ features very low input lag in PC mode, meaning minimal delays between actions taken on the computer and the displayed image. This is crucial for gamers who need quick screen response to gain an edge in dynamic games. The low input lag ensures that every action is immediately reflected on the screen, enhancing the overall user experience.

Despite using a BGR pixel arrangement instead of the more traditional RGB layout, the readability of fonts on the screen is at a good level. BGR (Blue-Green-Red) is a configuration where the subpixels are arranged in a different order than in standard RGB. This can sometimes affect text quality, depending on the operating system settings.

In summary, the Hisense U7KQ is a good choice for PC users, offering support for chroma 4:4:4, low input lag, and good text readability, making it a versatile device for both work and entertainment.

Viewing angles

4/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 71%

The screen uses a VA panel, which unfortunately has its limitations in terms of viewing angles. Unlike some competing models, Hisense U7KQ does not have any coatings to improve this aspect, which means that image quality significantly decreases when viewed at an angle.

With even a slight deviation from the central axis, one can notice that the contrast of the image begins to deteriorate. Details in the dark areas of the image become overly pronounced, and colour saturation diminishes. These effects are typical of VA panels, and in practice, this means that the best viewing experience can only be obtained when sitting directly in front of the screen.

For users who plan to watch the television from different spots in the room, this can be a significant limitation. Reduced image quality at an angle may affect overall satisfaction with the product, especially when watching movies or shows with a larger group.

TV efficiency during daytime

7.8/10

Review Hisense U7KQ TV efficiency during daytime
Review Hisense U7KQ TV efficiency during daytime

Matrix coating: Matte

Reflection suppression: Average

Black levels during daytime: Good

Hisense U7KQ does not have the best reflection handling properties, as its panel is equipped with a satin finish, which is not as effective in reducing glare as the matte finishes used in some other TVs, nor does it maintain as deep a black as glossy panels. It is somewhere in between these two effects. Light reflections may be visible, especially in brightly lit rooms, which can affect viewing comfort.

However, the high peak brightness values that this model achieves effectively compensate for these limitations. Thanks to this brightness, the image remains clearly visible even in sunny rooms. This means the TV performs quite well in challenging lighting conditions where other models may struggle to provide adequate picture quality.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Hisense U7KQ: 966 cd/m2

Details about the matrix

Software version during testing: V0000.07.50T.N1222

Subpixel Structure:

Review Hisense U7KQ TV details about the matrix

Backlight Type: PFS LED

TV features

8.2/10

  • System operacyjny: VIDAA

  • TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C

  • Yes Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): Yes
  • Yes Recording programming: Yes
  • No Picture in Picture (PiP): No
  • Yes Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
  • Yes AirPlay: Yes
  • Yes Voice search in native language: Yes
  • Yes Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes
  • Yes Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV: Yes
  • Yes Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker: Yes
  • No Audio only mode: No
  • Yes RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): RF
  • No Backlit remote control: No
  • No Teletext: No
Review Hisense U7KQ TV features
Review Hisense U7KQ TV features
Review Hisense U7KQ TV features Review Hisense U7KQ TV features

Hisense uses the VIDAA operating system, which is a proprietary solution from this brand. Although it doesn't offer as much expansion and as many apps as the popular Android TV, it has its advantages. The VIDAA system runs quickly and stably, meaning that users don’t have to worry about freezes or long loading times for apps.

However, VIDAA does have some limitations. There are quite a few apps available, but unfortunately, it lacks music apps like Spotify or Tidal. Nevertheless, VIDAA supports most standard features that might be needed, such as screen mirroring, voice search in Polish, the ability to connect a keyboard and mouse, and Bluetooth headphones.

The television also supports many other features that are important to users, such as the ability to record programs to USB and schedule recordings. However, it lacks some specific functions like teletext or the "Audio Only" mode, which allows listening to audio with the screen off.

In summary, while the VIDAA system is lesser-known and has certain limitations compared to Android TV, it offers stable and fast performance and supports most features that users might need. It is a solid solution for those looking for a simple and effective operating system in a television.

Playing files from USB

8.1/10

Review Hisense U7KQ Playing files from USB
Maximum photo resolution:Supported photo formats:
No 4 Mpix
Yes JPEG
No 6 Mpix
No HEIC
Yes 8 Mpix
Yes PNG
No 10 Mpix
Yes GIF
No 12 Mpix
No WebP
Yes 16 Mpix
No TIFF
No 20 Mpix
Yes BMP
No 24 Mpix
No SVG
No 28 Mpix
No 32 Mpix

The built-in media player on the Hisense U7KQ television handles most popular video formats well; however, there may occasionally be issues with loading subtitles, which can be frustrating for users who prefer watching films with text.

It is worth noting certain limitations regarding the support for less popular codecs, such as AV1 and H266. While these codecs are not yet widely used, their lack of support could pose a problem in the future when they become more common. Currently, however, most users will not feel their absence.

Strange behaviour has been observed when playing photos – some files in specific resolutions may not load correctly. This can be problematic for those wanting to browse their photographs directly from a USB stick. For this reason, viewing photos on this television may be limited, as some files may not load at all.

In summary, although the built-in media player on the Hisense U7KQ performs well with most standard video formats, users may encounter certain limitations related to loading subtitles and photos in specific resolutions. Issues with the support of less popular codecs are currently minimal but could become more significant in the future.

Apps

8.6/10

OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Viaplay
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
No
Spotify
No
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
MAX
No
Kodi

Sound

6.9/10

6.9/10

Subjective sound quality

83dB

Maximum volume

Yes Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

Yes Dolby True HD 7.1

Yes Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)

Yes Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD

Yes DTS:X in DTS-HD MA

Yes DTS-HD Master Audio

The Hisense U7KQ TV offers satisfactory sound quality, which is sufficient for most everyday uses. The sound system of this model features good volume and clarity, making dialogues and sound effects clear. However, the TV may not deliver the full audio experience that can be obtained from dedicated audio systems or soundbars. One of the main audio advantages of the U7KQ is its ability to reproduce sound with minimal distortion at higher volume levels reaching up to 83dB and support for Dolby Atmos and DTS.

  • Mini LED Technology: Hundreds of miniature diodes provide precise backlighting of the screen, offering deep blacks, better contrast control, and higher brightness.

  • Game Mode Pro with 144 Hz refresh rate: A gaming mode offering a 144 Hz refresh rate, automatic low latency mode (ALLM), variable refresh rate (VRR), and support for AMD FreeSync Premium, resulting in smooth and responsive gameplay.

  • Hi-View Engine Processor with AI: An advanced processor using artificial intelligence to analyse and optimise the image in real-time, enhancing colours and upscaling content to 4K.

  • Full HDR support: Support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG formats, ensuring a wide tonal range, fantastic contrast, and rich details.

  • Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision IQ: Technologies providing cinema-quality surround sound and dynamically adapting HDR image, offering immersive audiovisual experiences.

  • VIDAA U7 operating system: One of the fastest Smart TV systems, providing quick access to popular VOD applications such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube.

  • Total Ambient Adaptive: Technology adjusting screen brightness and colour temperature based on ambient light, guaranteeing optimal picture quality in any conditions.

  • Full connectivity and compatibility: A wide range of connection options with other devices, both wired (HDMI 2.1) and wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), ensuring versatility in use.

Hisense 100U7KQ test – advanced features for gamers

As the test shows, Hisense 100U7KQ offers a range of features dedicated to gamers, significantly enhancing gameplay comfort. This model is equipped with a 120Hz panel, providing smooth motion during dynamic scenes. The Hisense 100U7KQ test also shows that the Hisense U7KQ 100 supports technologies such as VRR, although the lack of local dimming in this mode may affect image quality. To see a complete comparison of this model with others, it is worth checking out the remaining TV tests.

100U7KQ test – image and sound quality

Hisense 100U7KQ test shows that this television stands out with good image quality, especially in bright rooms, thanks to the high brightness of the panel. The VA panel supported by local dimming provides deep blacks, which is important when watching movies in darker conditions. However, viewing angles are average, which may affect image quality when watching from the side. In the 100U7KQ test, average sound quality was noted; despite support for Dolby Atmos, the built-in speakers do not offer exceptional audio experiences.