Sharp GP6765 vs TCL C655 / C69B (43" - 50")

In movie mode, the Sharp GP6765 reaches a brightness of 300 nits, which is relatively average. This level of brightness is more suited to standard SDR content than to the full HDR experience. As a result, the TV struggles to deliver the depth and dynamics typically expected from a good HDR mode. Visual effects that might appear sharp and detailed on other models could seem more subdued here, and high-contrast scenes won't be as striking. However, compared to other models in this price range, this is still a decent performance. A positive feature is the TV's support for a wide DCI-P3 colour gamut, covering 92.5%, thanks to the inclusion of quantum dots (Quantum Dot/QLED). This offers a solid improvement, particularly in this price bracket, resulting in vibrant and more saturated colours, although the limited brightness still prevents a fully immersive HDR experience.

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.

The Sharp GP6765 was launched in movie mode, which offers the best settings for colour reproduction. However, despite this, the quality remains far from ideal. In SDR mode, the white balance graph shows significant increases in the red colour, making the image appear somewhat yellowish and distorting natural skin tones. This results in some scenes looking unnatural, and colours losing their authenticity. In HDR mode, the issue worsens as blue becomes the dominant colour, which negatively affects the colour balance and causes a loss of detail in cool tones. As a result, the image can appear cold and unbalanced, highlighting the TV's inability to achieve optimal colour reproduction. Tests with the Colour Checker tool confirm these shifts across several samples.

In terms of contrast, the HD mode shows a significant jump at the start of the graph, but it remains close to the reference line at 2.4. This means that in most scenes, the TV delivers a satisfactory level of contrast, enhancing details in shadows and adding depth to the image. However, in HDR mode, the EOTF curve fluctuates significantly at both ends of the graph, leading to inconsistencies in bright and dark areas of the image. In scenes with intense light, such as explosions or dynamic actions, key details may be lost, and the image may appear blurry. Similarly, in darker scenes, the lack of clear differences in shades may cause details to merge into a uniform spot, reducing overall quality. While movie mode offers the best factory settings for the GP6765, there are still significant issues with colour reproduction and contrast.

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.

After calibration, the Sharp GP6765 television shows marked improvement in film mode, particularly in SDR content. The white balance now closely aligns with the reference line, offering more natural and true-to-life colour reproduction. While not perfectly straight, the results are still satisfactory for the price range, significantly enhancing the overall visual experience and immersion in movies. The colour gamut shows some improvement, with the initial jump in the graph persisting but being less noticeable, leading to a more consistent and enjoyable image.

For HDR content, while the white balance performs somewhat worse than in SDR, it is still a notable improvement compared to pre-calibration. The calibration ensures better colour consistency, though some shortcomings remain. As for contrast, no major gains were observed. The lack of control over dynamic tone mapping prevented significant improvement in EOTF, resulting in uneven brightness reproduction.

Despite some limitations, particularly in HDR content and dynamic tone mapping, the Sharp GP6765 reveals a more polished performance after calibration. The improved white balance and colour reproduction in SDR make it more visually appealing. While further refinement is needed, it still provides a satisfying visual experience, making it a strong contender in its price category.

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.

The Sharp GP6765 television delivers solid performance with its "10-bit colour reproduction" feature, particularly in the tested scene featuring light bulbs. Setting this option to "medium" provides satisfactory results, with no issues related to grain smoothing or the blurring of important image elements. Even the "low" setting performs well, delivering a clear image without compromising detail. These transition smoothing options enhance visual quality by providing more natural colour transitions.

In terms of image scaling, the Sharp GP6765 shows strengths, such as the absence of overscan when displaying test material. This ensures viewers can enjoy the full image without losing edge details. However, some weaknesses were noted in a tested scene featuring a model. Elements such as branches or trousers appear slightly jagged, indicating a lack of effective edge-smoothing techniques. This can cause certain details to look distorted, impacting the overall viewing experience.

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.

When it comes to motion blur and movement fluidity, the Sharp GP6765 TV offers rather average performance. Equipped with a 60 Hz panel, it handles movies adequately. The TV includes a motion smoother called "Motion Enhancement," which allows users to control motion fluidity, enabling a choice between visible film frame interpolation or a smoother, more theatrical appearance. This feature should meet the needs of most users focused on movie viewing.

However, the TV's performance falls short in sports or gaming. In the tested UFO alien scene, noticeable blurriness indicates that the panel's low response time negatively impacts the sharpness of moving objects. This issue becomes particularly evident during dynamic sequences, where rapid movements are frequent. For viewers who enjoy sports or fast-paced video games, these limitations in motion handling can be off-putting, making the Sharp GP6765 less suitable for such content.

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).

The gaming functionality of the Sharp GP6765 leaves much to be desired. Although this model includes HDMI 2.1 ports, which theoretically promise modern features, the reality is far less impressive. The only feature that takes advantage of this standard is Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). Unfortunately, the absence of key functionalities such as Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and HDR Gaming Interest Group (HGIG) significantly limits its appeal to gamers. VRR is crucial for eliminating screen tearing and stuttering, particularly in dynamic games where fluidity is essential. Similarly, HGIG ensures optimal HDR mapping, enhancing visual quality and immersion. While Dolby Vision might seem like a benefit, it proves useless for gaming due to the very high input lag in this mode.

The inclusion of HDMI 2.1 ports in the Sharp GP6765 feels like a marketing ploy, potentially misleading users into believing that the standard automatically provides all its associated benefits. Gamers expecting full functionality from HDMI 2.1 are likely to be disappointed.

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.