Review the TCL A1: Hal9000 Lookalike at reasonable prices, but defective

The main television companies sometimes flow into the projection market, and while Sony achieved good results with its high -end models, they can get other brands limited success. Tcl, a company that is famous for Large TVsIt also manufactures a small display device, A1, which is … a little strange. They do some things differently from most display devices, and although I am all to try new things, the results in this case are definitely mixed.

Keep in mind that the list price is only $ 500 (which is currently $ 400 in AmazonIts performance is very moderate. Certain aspects of its image are decent, while others are not. Perhaps the most surprising thing is that there is no upward throw, which I will explain more from below, but this means that you are basically required to use Keystone correction. This is something that usually recommends avoiding it because it leads to poor quality of the image. Meanwhile, it is also packed in Google TV Streaming, the design of the handle/smart holder, and a somewhat attractive appearance. But this is only partial compensation for shortcomings.

Specifications and such

• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
• Compatible with HDR: Yes
• 4K compatible: Yes
• 3D compatible: No
• Remarks specifications: 360
• Zoom: No
• The lens transformation: No
• Life of the lamp (normal position): not included, but it is LED lights, so some time

It is always great to see 1080 pixels in a low -cost latitude like this. The 360 ​​LUMEN classification is somewhat low for its size and price view, but it is surprising that it is actually less than measured. I can’t remember the last time it happened. I got approximately 433 candles, which are still not large but appropriate to the budget display and brighter than ANKER MARS 3 AIR (252 Lumin). The variation rate of 2,522: 1 is more likely, probably due to the simple lens of the display, the highest that you measured in a sub -model of $ 1,000. However, the unification of brightness (how bright it is evenly through the entire image) was very bad.

One of the aspects that you may not take from the pictures is that the pregnancy handle continues through the body of the display. Push it down and become a position to support the front part of the show. It is a smart design, but it represents a different problem.

There is no transformation or enlargement of the lens, although this is not unusual for this category of PJ. What is unusual is his lack of bullish throwing. Almost each display device displays its image up from the lens. This lower part of the image is usually produced on the screen/wall at or slightly higher than the height of the display. This allows the placement of the coffee table, for example, with the image at a reasonable height. Or flip it (literally), and the display escalates near the ceiling while width the image down to the middle of the wall.

The A1 lack of bullish throwing means that it must be mainly placed in a dead center on the screen. Only superior Vimo P10 It was so in any display device without the transformation of the lens you reviewed in modern memory. This show, interesting, share many design aspects with the A1, not the least of which is its design in the tractor.

The TCL decision means that the A1 work is mainly in this way that you need to deal with a semi -perverted image, or always use Keystone correction, because the A1 position on the ground requires you to angle the introduction up on the wall. This is, unless you want to see half of the image on your carpet. Keystone correction reduces accuracy and is usually recommended to avoid this, which is difficult to do in this case. Are these deals for an inexpensive display device that is not intended for the image? I don’t think. It is just … strange.

Communications

• HDMI inputs: 1
• USB port: 1
• Sound: headphone output, Bluetooth input
• Internet: wi-fi
• About a dimension: not with background lighting

From the inside it is Google TV, so you can reach almost anything Broadcast service Want. All the two regular, such as Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, etc. The insertion of one HDMI allows you to connect the game control unit.

The 8W amplifiers are filled inside the A1. This sound is amazingly good. There is more brightness, the trilogy is more smooth and easier to listen more than most of the displays, even those much larger. The sound plays very loud, although in higher sizes, it explodes a little and the brightness decreases, but this is somewhat typical for devices like this. You can absolutely use it as slightly large portraits. If you want more, there is a 3.5 mm headphone socket so that you can contact something.

Photo quality comparisons

Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air is one of my favorite favorites Portable display devices. It is a little smaller than A1, a little more expensive, but it is quite capable. Epson EF21 seems to be aimed at a similar place in the market, with a small size and a built -in flow. However, the price of the Epson menu is very high at $ 900, although regularly $ 650, which is more logical for what you get. I connected each one of them to 1 x 4 distribution and watch it along with a 102 -inch screen and 1.0 gains.

Epson is more brighter than other displays, even in its most accurate position. Put it in its dynamic position and take a slight success in the image quality, but then it becomes brighter. However, its variation rate is very bad, so the darkest part of its image is brighter than the darkest parts of TCL and ANKER. It looks flat compared to them as well. Black bars in films with a very gray speech. TCL is largely looking for the most contradictory. Usually, this will be like a fall in a face -to -face competition, but other aspects of the image let it.

Perhaps the color is all of which looks more different. Epson looks quite normal, creating a more satisfactory and more accurate image. That is why, as I mentioned in her review, seems better than her numbers that she refers to. Clearly deny the color. Nothing looks strange publicly, but it lacks Epson’s accuracy.

Tcl is not great. Its colors, alongside here, are less vital than others. REDS and GRENS are noticeably not noticeably saturated. For example, during the vibrant colors of the “Welcome to Sakaar” scene in Thor: Ragnarok, REDS TCL was more rosy than others. Is it enough to see it and think “Is there something wrong?” No, but it makes a picture less impressive. Color in general is not the same as the importance of brightness and contrast, but it has been done properly, as evident from Epson, can help a lot.

Although ANKER contrast is better than Epson, it also crushes the details of the shade, which makes his image appear more artificial. It is like editing an image until the bags under the eyes of someone are more clear. TCL is impressive in TCL with a heavy lifting here. However, the uniformity of brightness leads to an exotic image. Image corners are much darker than the center, so they are similar to watching everything through Short article candidate.

So, despite the much worse contrast percentage, Epson ends up to be the most firm than the three. However, there is a great warning here, before you click on this review, keep in mind that I judge these three based on the idea that you can get Epson for $ 650, as it was the price until this writing. If Epson is the original $ 900, and it is highly high for its performance, TCL will be the easy choice. However, the gap ranging from 150 to $ 250 is not something, and the best amplifiers in TCL are “adding” solid value.

Is he … looking at me?

On the one hand, I love this new strain (-ISH) of inexpensive display devices but it cannot be able. Google TV has been a real change in the category. I like the idea of ​​a small device that you can pull on the shelf and get an improvised movie night with one cable and less bust. Although you can get much larger, which means that for display devices, a larger, brighter and better look, for more money, everything is “a little more than money”, why not provide little to get a comfortable distraction?

With this in mind, you still have not fully sold on the A1. It is a little strange. I am not a stranger. I strange. The handle/pregnant woman is a smart design. Excellent speakers for the display device. The size is correct. The colors of the image are not correct, but I saw worse. Its brightness is fine and its difference is great. For me, though, I will find it difficult to live with him. I hate to correct Keystone because it means you are losing the decision.

For people who do not care about this, or only plan to use this for informal (or children), it is larger than Epson or ANKER, and ranges between 100 to 250 dollars. Therefore, the A1 is generally good due to its price and intended use. It is better than Samsung FreestyleI will give him that.