TCL L40FHDP60: dirt cheap, no brainer
-Hi, I'm Ty Pendlebury from cnet.com and this is a review of the TCL L40 FHDP60.
While certainly not a household name anywhere except for China, TCL specializes in low cost LCD TVs and as a result, its TVs are very popular on online retailers.
I looked at my first TCL TV about 6 months ago and it did have some problems.
But you know what?
The newest L40 FHDP60 despite its apparent
random number generator name is both cheaper and better than the first one.
It's also a little slimmer as well, and the solid glass stand is a nice touch for a cheap TV.
At its current price at $309 online you can't expect any features.
Though it does have a USB port for playing back media.
But what really matters is how well it can playback pictures and in this case it's surprisingly good.
The original TCL was a matter of fun for a while-
-but its reputation was saved by some truly terrible Panasonic and LG TVs.
But the new model is better than some TVs that sold for a grand.
Black levels are excellent at the price and its shadow detail is much improved on the old model, though images can still look crushed at times.
But its color fidelity where the TV comes a bit undone with bluish skin tones and there are some backlight clouding issues which leaves black scenes looking splotchy.
If you have $300 right now though and can't
budge on the price, then the TCL L40 FHDP60 is a mouthful and excellent value.
This has been Ty Pendlebury for cnet.com.
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