TCL C655 / C69B (43" - 50")

C655 / C69B

Info

Available screen sizes: 43”50”

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Panel technology: LCD VA Brand: TCL Resolution: 3840x2160 Operating system: Google TV Model year: 2024

Our verdict

6.0

Overall rating

TCL C69B or C655 in its smallest sizes (43 and 50") is a model that stands out primarily due to its Google TV system. The interface is simple and intuitive, and accessing favorite applications is problem-free. Personalized recommendations make it easy to choose what to watch, and voice search in Polish works quickly and efficiently. Regarding picture quality, C69B / C655 performs well, especially for its price. With quantum dot coating technology (PFS), colors are vivid, and Dolby Vision support makes HDR movies look quite decent. The contrast is sufficient for everyday viewing, but the brightness of 350 nits can be a problem in very sunny rooms. However, in less demanding conditions, the TV performs quite well – details are well visible, and the black level is decent, though not perfect. For gamers, it is rather an option for casual gaming. The 60 Hz panel does not provide the same smoothness as more expensive models, but the low input lag ensures good responsiveness. The Game Bar feature allows quick adjustments without leaving the game. This is not equipment for avid gamers, but at this price, it is hard to expect more. However, there are some limitations. The screen brightness and the lack of recording function may be bothersome, especially if we are used to more advanced solutions. Picture-in-picture (PiP) is another feature missing here – this can be an issue for multitasking enthusiasts. In HDR content, it is also noticeable that the TV does not perform as well as more expensive models, especially in brighter scenes. In summary: C69B / C655 is a TV that will perform best in everyday use. Google TV makes life easier, and the picture quality will satisfy most people, especially if we do not expect perfection. It is equipment for watching TV, movies, and occasional gaming that won’t strain the budget but still offers solid basics to fit where larger TV sizes simply won’t fit.

Advantages

  • Google TV

  • Low input lag

  • High native contrast

  • Support for all HDR formats

  • Good for "casual" gamers - support for VRR, ALLM, Game bar

Disadvantages

No like

  • Average brightness

  • No recording function and PiP

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    5.5

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    5.6

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    5.1

  • Gaming on console

    6.9

  • TV as a computer monitor

    5.0

  • Watching in bright light

    4.7

  • Utility functions

    7.7

  • Apps

    10.0

  • Sound quality

    6.3

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TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1 Other inputs: RCA (Chinch) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

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Contrast and black detail

5.8/10

Funkcja lokalnego wygaszania: No

Result

6,350:1

Result

5,750:1

Result

4,700:1

Result

4,950:1

Result

4,650:1

The C69B / C655 TCL TV is equipped with a VA panel, which differs from IPS panels, particularly in terms of contrast and black reproduction. VA panels are characterized by significantly higher contrast, meaning better black quality, especially in night scenes or in poorly lit rooms. Unlike IPS panels, where blacks often look more like shades of gray, VA better reproduces deep, dark colors. Unfortunately, the C69B is not equipped with local dimming technology (common in this price range), which affects the black quality in demanding scenes. During test sequences, such as a fragment from the movie "Sicario 2", it can be noticed that instead of absolute black, some elements of the image have a blue tint. Generally, the black is decent, but one has to reckon with the limitations of the television.

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

HDR effect quality

4.6/10

Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 91.3%, Bt.2020: 71.6%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Result

283 nit

Result

322 nit

Result

346 nit

Result

322 nit

Result

355 nit

The quality of the HDR effect in the TCL C69B / C655 television is quite average. A brightness level of 350 nits, while not the worst, still does not allow for fully enjoying HDR effects, which require higher luminance to show their strength. Additionally, despite the use of a quantum dot coating (QLED), the television offers average coverage of the wide DCI-P3 color gamut at 91%, which may limit its richness of colors in HDR content.

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

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

The device positively surprises in our HDR tests, especially after calibration. Although the scene from the movie "Pan" suffers at times from highlight clipping due to limited brightness, the tonality remains at a good level. Meanwhile, the segment from the movie "Billy Lynn" also demonstrates solid image quality, without issues reproducing details in bright areas. Despite the lack of sufficient brightness preventing a full appreciation of HDR effects, the television effectively conveys details and colors. The 'HDR Tone Mapping' function plays a significant role here, responsible for adapting the image. It works quite well; however, due to the low brightness of the panel and average coverage of a wide color gamut, certain limitations are visible.

HDR luminance chart:

TCL C69B / C655 supports a wide range of HDR formats, including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG, providing broad compatibility with various content sources. The image quality in these formats varies due to different metadata. In the case of HDR10, which is based on static metadata, during the test scene with horses, the TV had difficulty maintaining details in bright areas. Portions of the image were heavily illuminated, resulting in a loss of detail and a deterioration in overall quality. In contrast, in formats utilizing dynamic metadata, such as Dolby Vision, the image is significantly better balanced – the horses are clearer, and the entire scene looks more natural. Dolby Vision effectively manages brightness and contrast, allowing for better detail reproduction and an enhancement of visual experiences.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Factory color reproduction

6/10

The television TCL C69B / C655 tested in movie mode unfortunately does not meet expectations regarding color accuracy. Although movie mode suggests better reproduction, it has little in common with film. There are quite a few errors visible, especially in white balance – both for HD and 4K HDR content – where the dominance of the blue color is very apparent. For the viewer, this means that the image becomes unnaturally cool, affecting the overall perception of colors and the visual impression. The color checker confirms these errors, showing that colors shift to cooler shades.

As for brightness characteristics and the associated contrast, gamma is very unstable for material, which can make the image slightly darker. The EOTF curve for 4K material shows some errors, with significant deviations at the end of the chart, negatively affecting the perception of darker areas of the image.

Factory Mode

After calibration

Order professional TV calibration

Color reproduction after calibration

8/10

After calibration, the movie mode on the TCL C69B / C655 television improves in quality. The most significant improvement can be seen in tonal quality, and the white balance is much better – without major errors. We will no longer see an excessive dominance of cool tones. Gamma has also been improved, which translates to a more stable representation of brightness and contrast. However, due to the limitations of the television's average color palette, Colour Checker tests for 4K materials did not achieve remarkable results. Despite these technological limitations, the image has become more authentic, positively influencing the reception of film content.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

4.5/10

Transitional tones are really fine and would deserve a score of 9; however, the rating has been clearly lowered for another reason - the image is artificially sharpened despite the "sharpness" setting being at 0. And the overall view is unpleasant.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

5/10

OK Smooth transition function

No Image without overscan on the SD signal

The "Gradual Smoothing" function works very well on the TCL C69B television and, surprisingly, does not remove desired effects like film grain – unlike some solutions from other manufacturers. Unfortunately, the image scaling looks poor. The TV artificially sharpens the image, causing the edges of objects to be heavily jagged. This state of affairs may appeal to some users who prefer a more "hard" look of the image, but it is not an ideal solution for those who value naturalness and the smoothness of details.

Blur and motion smoothness

4.4/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 60Hz

Film motion smoothing option: Yes

Blur reduction option: No

BFI function 60Hz: No

BFI function 120Hz: No

Brightness drop with BFI: 0%

The TV TCL C69B / C655 in its smallest variants offers decent, although not perfect, results in terms of motion fluidity. In the case of movies, the TV has a "Flicker Reduction" function that allows for motion fluidity adjustment on a scale from 1 to 10. With this option, we can adjust the appearance of the image to cinematic or more theatrical preferences (with lower or higher speed).

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

In the case of sports and games, the TV performs worse. The 60 Hz refresh rate limits its capabilities in motion reproduction with more dynamic content. In tests with fast-moving materials, such as the UFO image, blurring is noticeable, which is typical for such frequency. Nevertheless, the TV behind our UFO creature does not show significant trailing, as the response time of the panel is decent for a device in this price range.

Console compatibility and gaming features

5.3/10

  • Yes ALLM: Yes
  • Yes VRR: Yes
  • Yes VRR range: 48 - 60Hz
  • Yes Dolby Vision Game Mode: Yes
  • No Correct implementation of HGIG: No
  • No 1080p@120Hz: No
  • No 1440p@120Hz: No
  • No 4K@120Hz: No
  • Yes Game bar: Yes

The TCL C69B / C655 television in its smallest variants offers a range of features dedicated to gamers, such as ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), Dolby Vision for gamers, and Game Bar. ALLM automatically switches the television to low latency mode, improving responsiveness and minimizing delays in control. VRR allows for synchronization of the screen refresh rate with the number of frames generated by the console, eliminating tearing, resulting in smoother gameplay. Dolby Vision for gamers ensures better color and contrast representation in games that support this format, resulting in better image quality. Meanwhile, Game Bar provides quick access to game settings and allows monitoring of key parameters, such as input lag.

However, the television has certain limitations that may affect gaming comfort. The 60 Hz panel does not allow for displaying signals with a higher refresh rate, which may impact image smoothness in dynamic games. The lack of support for G-Sync technology for PCs may also be noticeable when gaming on a computer, especially with demanding, fast-paced titles.

Input lag

10/10

TCL C69B / C655 offers exceptionally low input lag, which is a huge advantage for gamers. Regardless of the mode – whether it's SDR, HDR, or Dolby Vision – the television achieves impressive results. In every resolution, the input lag is only a few milliseconds, deserving great recognition. As a result, the C69B provides amazing responsiveness and excellent gaming experiences, with no noticeable delays, which translates to smoother and more satisfying gameplay.

SDR HDR Dolby Vision
1080p60: 12 ms 2160p60: 12 ms 2160p60 DV: 13 ms
2160p60: 12 ms

Compatibility with PC

5/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes

Font clarity: Very Good

Readability of dark text and shapes: Average

Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 12ms

Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR

Max refresh rate: 60.001Hz

G-Sync: No

The TCL C69B / C655 TV performs fairly well when used with a computer. Thanks to support for chroma 4:4:4, the readability of fonts is fine, significantly improving work comfort, especially when using the TV as a monitor. However, there is a certain note regarding font readability – the TV has issues displaying black and gray fonts, which sometimes have gaps in the vertical lines, which can affect user comfort in some situations. Low input lag ensures responsive performance, which is important both when using office applications and gaming. However, the 60 Hz panel and lack of G-Sync do not meet the demands of gamers using a computer, resulting in a lower rating for gaming.

Viewing angles

2.9/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 77%

The viewing angles on the C69B TCL television leave much to be desired. The VA panel used provides excellent contrast and deep blacks, but this comes at the cost of wide viewing angles. Compared to IPS panels, which offer better visibility from different angles, the C69B loses image quality when viewed from the side. Colors become washed out, and contrast deteriorates significantly. This is a typical compromise for VA panels – a trade-off. If you prioritize great contrast and deep blacks, a VA panel will be a good choice, but you must consider the limitations regarding viewing angles.

TV efficiency during daytime

4.7/10

Matrix coating: Satin

Reflection suppression: Average

Black levels during daytime: Good

The television TCL C69B / C655 features a satin finish panel that moderately suppresses light reflections. In bright rooms, this can cause undesirable glare on the screen, negatively affecting viewing comfort. Additionally, a brightness level of 350 nits is not high enough to ensure full image readability on a sunny day, making the use of the television in well-lit conditions potentially less satisfying.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

TCL C655 / C69B (43" - 50"): 346 cd/m2

Details about the matrix

Backlight Type: PFS LED

TV features

7.7/10

  • System operacyjny: Google TV

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

  • No Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): No
  • No Recording programming: No
  • 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
  • Yes Audio only mode: Yes
  • Yes RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): RF
  • No Backlit remote control: No
  • Yes Teletext: Yes

The TCL C69B / C655 television operates on the Google TV system, offering a rich set of features that enhance user comfort. Google TV is an extension of Android TV that provides personalized content recommendations based on user preferences and viewing history. This allows for easy access to popular streaming apps such as Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video, as well as to the Google Play Store, where additional apps can be found. This system works well with other Google devices, allowing control of the television via Google Assistant and integration with the smart home system. Voice search is also available in Polish, which increases convenience in operation.

In terms of connectivity, the television supports screen mirroring via Windows Miracast and AirPlay, enabling easy sharing of images from other devices. There is also the option to connect a keyboard, mouse, and Bluetooth headphones, as well as simultaneously use headphones and the built-in speaker, with separate volume control for both audio sources. The TV remote operates on RF technology, which means it does not need to be aimed at the screen, significantly improving user convenience. Unfortunately, there is no picture-in-picture (PiP) function or recording feature from the built-in tuners.

Playing files from USB

8.3/10

Maximum photo resolution:Supported photo formats:
Yes 4 Mpix
Yes JPEG
Yes 6 Mpix
No HEIC
Yes 8 Mpix
No PNG
No 10 Mpix
No GIF
No 12 Mpix
No WebP
Yes 16 Mpix
No TIFF
No 20 Mpix
Yes BMP
No 24 Mpix
No SVG
No 28 Mpix
Yes 32 Mpix

The television will play most files and video codecs, and when subtitles are uploaded to the movie, the font size can be changed. The biggest downside here is the lack of support for less popular image formats. However, on televisions with Google TV, this problem can often be easily circumvented by installing a different media player.

Apps

10/10

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
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
MAX
OK
Kodi

Sound

6.3/10

6.3/10

Subjective sound quality

0/10

Jakość basu

0dB

Maximum volume

Yes Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

No Dolby True HD 7.1

Yes Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)

No Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD

Yes DTS:X in DTS-HD MA

Yes DTS-HD Master Audio

The sound in the C69B / C655 television is quite average, which shouldn't be surprising given the 2x10W speaker power. Additionally, we won't find a branded subwoofer here as in larger sizes 55+ from the company Onkyo. However, we cannot forget about the support for audio formats such as DTS, which is definitely a plus.

  • QLED 4K UHD Screen: Thanks to Quantum Dot technology, the television offers vibrant and realistic colors in a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels.

  • Google TV Operating System: Allows access to a wide range of applications and content tailored to user preferences.

  • HDR Support (Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG): Ensures better contrast and more accurate color reproduction, resulting in a more realistic image.

  • Dolby Atmos sound technology with ONKYO 2.1 audio system: Offers immersive surround sound, enhancing the viewing experience.

  • HDMI 2.1 Ports: Allow connection of modern devices, offering fast data transfer and support for advanced features.

  • Wi-Fi, DLNA, and Bluetooth Connectivity: Enables wireless connection to the internet and other devices, increasing the television's functionality.

  • 60 Hz Refresh Rate: Ensures smooth image during the viewing of dynamic scenes.

TCL C69B – a solid choice at an affordable price

TCL C69B is a television that performs excellently in everyday use. Thanks to the Google TV system, the device's operation is particularly intuitive, and personalized recommendations make content selection easier. In the TCL C69B test, we appreciated the fast and precise operation of voice search in Polish. This model offers versatility and convenience, especially in versions like TCL 43C69B tested in smaller spaces or larger models like TCL 50C69B.

Vibrant colors and solid image quality

Thanks to PFS (Quantum Dot technology), C69B provides vibrant and natural colors, distinguishing this model in its price category. Dolby Vision support allows enjoyment of HDR content, although the brightness level of 350 nits means the device performs best in less sunlit rooms. When we tested the TCL 55C69B, we noticed that the contrast and detail of the image are sufficient for everyday viewing, and the blacks present themselves at a decent level. It’s a great choice for those looking for a solid television at a reasonable price.

Gaming features in an affordable package

During the tests of TCL C69B, we appreciated the low input lag and the Game Bar feature, which allows quick adjustments during gameplay. The 60 Hz panel is not aimed at avid gamers, but for occasional players, this model performed quite well. We tested TCL 50C69B and noted that the television offers sufficient smoothness and responsiveness, providing an enjoyable gaming experience.

Google TV and practical solutions

TCL C69B stands out thanks to the Google TV system, which provides easy access to applications and a wide range of smart features. When we tested TCL 43C69B, we particularly highlighted the intuitive operation and the ability to customize recommendations. Although the television does not have recording features or picture-in-picture (PiP), its versatility in everyday use makes it a solid choice for most users.

TCL C69B – a television for every occasion

In summary, TCL 55C69B is a model that combines user-friendliness, good image quality, and smart features at an attractive price. Conducting the TCL C69B test, we confirmed that this television is an ideal solution for watching TV, movies, and occasional gaming. With available versions like the TCL 43C69B tested for smaller spaces, it's easy to find a size that fits your needs. Our review of C69B is a well-considered choice among other TV tests, providing a solid foundation without straining your budget.