TCL C845 Review - A huge 65-inch gaming and 2000 nits HDR screen for £1000! What's the CATCH?

TCL C845K Mini LED TV Review

Overview of the TCL C845K Features

• The TCL C845K boasts a peak brightness of 2000 nits in an accurate picture mode, featuring two full bandwidth HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 4K at both 120Hz and 144Hz gaming.

• Available in four sizes (55", 65", 75", and 85"), the pricing starts at £849 for the smallest model, with the largest priced at £1999.

• This model is positioned as a budget-friendly option with advanced features like full HDR support and an Onkyo sound system.

Display Technology and Performance

• The TV utilizes a 4K 10-bit LCD VA panel with quantum dot technology, enhanced by mini LED backlighting with 576 dimming zones for improved contrast.

• It supports all current HDR formats including HDR10, Dolby Vision, and IMAX Enhanced, making it suitable for high-quality video content.

Gaming Capabilities

• Equipped with two HDMI 2.1 ports capable of handling up to 4K at 144Hz, it also includes AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support for smoother gameplay.

• Input lag measures at approximately 12.9 milliseconds for standard settings but can be reduced to as low as 5 milliseconds in performance mode.

Smart Features and User Experience

• Runs on Google TV OS; however, lacks certain UK catch-up services directly integrated into its interface. A free Roku stick is provided to access these services.

• Detailed picture quality measurements are available on AV forums, highlighting out-of-the-box settings versus calibrated results.

Picture Quality Insights

• In movie mode, peak brightness measured around 2093 nits on a standard window test; however, over-brightening issues were noted in HDR images leading to washed-out visuals.

• Color accuracy was affected by blue push within white areas; color volume remains strong due to quantum dot technology despite some calibration challenges.

Uniformity and Motion Handling

• Screen uniformity showed patchy brightness levels across different areas which could affect viewing experiences during sports or fast-moving scenes.

TCL C845 Review: Brightness vs. Accuracy

HDR Performance and Dynamic Range

• The TCL C845 excels in peak brightness for HDR10 and HDR10+ content, but suffers from disappointing contrast and dynamic range, leading to a milky appearance in dark scenes.

• Calibration issues arise when viewing full-screen content; the image appears inaccurate and washed out, similar to Hisense U7 and U8K models, which also struggle with brightness levels.

• In Dolby Vision dark mode, the image looks darker than intended due to dynamic metadata mapping; shadows are clipped, resulting in a loss of depth that may not satisfy movie purists.

Image Processing Concerns

• The Dolby Vision IQ mode lacks essential picture adjustments and applies high interpolation settings, creating an undesirable soap opera effect that deviates from the creator's intent.

• Side-by-side comparison shots are not fully representative due to camera limitations; they serve only as illustrative examples of performance differences between TCL C845 and competitors.

Comparison with Hisense Models

• The TCL C845 is nearly identical to the Hisense U7K in features but offers superior peak brightness capabilities at a lower price point (£500 cheaper).

• Out-of-the-box comparisons show that the TCL performs better in tone mapping for HDR10 content, preserving more highlight detail compared to the Hisense model.

Limitations of Hisense TVs

• Even with higher-end models like the 65-inch Hisense U8K, results remain consistent; highlight details are still clipped above 600 nits while visible on the TCL.

• Throughout comparisons, TCL consistently resolves HDR peak details more effectively than Hisense TVs, which often miss critical highlight information.

Overall Assessment of TCL C845

• While not perfect—especially for image purists—the TCL C845 provides better overall performance for HDR10 viewing compared to its competitors.

• It is an affordable option with bright images but can appear washed out in dark environments due to local dimming algorithms affecting contrast negatively.

Gaming Features and Value Proposition

• Despite its drawbacks for movie enthusiasts regarding accuracy, it remains excellent value for money with strong gaming features including two HDMI 2.1 ports and eARC support.