TCL 6-Series and 5-Series with Google TV 2021: specs, price, ordering information

TCL announced updated versions of its popular 5 and 6 Series 4K TVs on Tuesday.

The biggest update is that the new models run Google TV, Google’s big-screen operating system. Google TV can be found most prominently on the search giant’s Chromecast streaming dongle, but it has also appeared on a handful of recent 4K TVs from Sony.

TCL first confirmed that it would be launching new Google TVs at CES last January.

Prior to Tuesday’s launch, the 5 and 6 Series models exclusively ran Roku OS, which mimics the experience of a Roku media player on a TV without the need for additional hardware. TCL says it will continue to sell the Roku versions of these TVs, which launched last year.

Previously, TCL offered the old Android TV software on more affordable TVs in its low-end 3 and 4 series over the years. (Google TV is more or less a famous update to Android TV, with the same codebase but a new interface.) Variants of these bundles that run Roku OS are also available. Now, this two-way strategy is making its way into TCL’s television lineup.

Below is a list of screen sizes and MSRPs for new Google TV models. TCL says every set will be up for pre-order on Tuesday, with the exception of the Series 6 75-inch Google TV, which will be available for pre-order “soon.” The Series 5 will start shipping within the next two weeks, according to the company, with the Series 6 arriving shortly thereafter.

Google TV TCL 6 series (R646)

• 55 inches: $ 999.99
• 65 inches: $ 1,299.99
• 75 inches: $ 1,799.99

Google TV TCL Series 5 (S546)

• 50 inches: $ 599.99
• 55 inches: $ 649.99
• 65 inches: $ 899.99
• 75 inches: $ 1,299.99

Best Buy currently has product pages for the new Series 5 and 6 on their store’s website, although their prices appear to be slightly above the MSRP initially quoted by TCL at the time of writing.

Familiar material

When it comes to the TVs themselves, Google’s new 5 and 6 Series TVs aren’t much different from their existing Roku TV counterparts. You can read our rundown of last year’s models to learn more about what to expect, but in short, the new sets still feature 4K resolutions, QLED panels, support for multiple HDR formats, and a full local gradation. The screen size options for both series are the same as before. They’re still aimed more at the upper middle of the TV market, with images not quite as good as those from a higher-end OLED set.

The 6 Series remains the more technically competent option, with a mini-LED backlighting system and more full-array local dimming zones (up to 240, depending on the screen size you choose, versus a maximum of 60 on the 5 Series). All of this should help the TV to continue to offer improved contrast compared to the low-end model.

The 6 Series also comes with a few more gaming-friendly features, such as the ability to stream a 4K image with a 120Hz refresh rate, which the Roku version of the TV, which peaks at 1440p / 144Hz, does not. can not do. Series 5 sets, on the other hand, cap at 60Hz, though both lines technically support Variable Refresh Rates (VRR) and Automatic Low Latency Mode (ALLM).

There are four HDMI ports on the 6-series, two of which are HDMI 2.1 and one supporting eARC, compared to three simpler HDMI ports (one that uses eARC) on the 5-series. The 6-series is also the only one to support Wi-Fi 6 networking.

Both models still support popular HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision HDR formats. The Google TV versions, however, will also work with HDR10 +, a lesser-used but relatively high-end standard that still keeps TVs going for a while. The Google TV version of the 5 series can now decode and transmit Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound as well. The Roku model, alas, cannot.

In terms of picture quality, Series 5 and 6 have been viewed by TV critics as strong values ​​in the mid-range market for several years now, which has helped both TCL and Roku OS gradually take over. of importance. Last year’s Roku models didn’t do much to change this situation in a vacuum, but it’s worth noting that the prices of both series appear to have increased significantly in recent months: the Roku Series 5 TVs. that started at $ 400 last year now have an MSRP of at least $ 600, while 6 Series models that started at $ 650 now cost at least $ 950. The new Google TVs aren’t much more expensive, but the inflated costs reduce TCL’s value proposition.

Anyway, I got to briefly experience these new Google TVs at a press conference in New York last week. I haven’t seen anything that would suggest a significant drop in display performance, although this type of setting is less than ideal for gauging display quality. TCL also hasn’t shared details regarding the TV’s internal processors or its planned Google TV update policy, so it’s also too early to say how well each TV will hold up over time.

A Chromecast in your TV

The most noticeable difference is the operating system swap, but whether you like the change it will probably depend on what you want from your TV software. Roku OS is much less complex than Google TV and has a largely static app tile grid anchoring the experience.

By comparison, Google’s software is more fluid. It has fewer app thumbnails surrounded by more specific choices for TV shows and movies you might like, all driven by an algorithm-based recommendation engine. Voice search is more robust with built-in Google Assistant technology, you can “stream” videos to the TV from your phone, there’s Stadia game streaming if you like that, and the operating system allows a TV slot more easily into a family of Google – compatible security cameras, smart lights and other smart home devices. Series 5 and 6 TVs will also include dedicated kid-friendly profiles, something Sony’s existing Google TVs are currently lacking. In general, we gave Google TV high marks when we compared the latest Chromecast to similar streamers from Roku and Amazon earlier this year, finding the operating system to be quite more complete and efficient at making the content appear. we actually liked its rival platforms.

To make Google TV’s voice features work more smoothly, TCL has built far-field microphones directly into TVs. This means that you can activate the Google Assistant through its usual “Hey, Google” command, turning the TV into something like a bigger smart screen. (Although you can still access the assistant via the included remote anyway.) The company plans to sell a webcam for $ 79 that can also plug into the TV for video calls, although it notes that d other USB webcams will also work.

Each of the new TVs has a physical switch on the back that can turn off microphones, and TCL says the TVs will support Google’s “Basic TV” mode, which effectively turns off all of the smart TV features built into the TV. operating system. But the prospect of an always-tuned mic and software that relies heavily on reading your viewing habits may put off those who are sensitive to data privacy (few TV brands are particularly strong in this. domain).

Still, the new models could be an attractive alternative for viewers who want a reputable TV and prefer Google’s platform over Roku’s. The new TVs could also be a godsend for Google, as it tries to put its living room operating system in front of more eyeballs.

Note: Ars Technica may receive compensation for sales from links in this publication through affiliate programs.

List image by Jeff Dunn