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TCL Backlit Scanning 4K TV, 49-Inch

Last updated: June 2, 2022


TCL Backlit Scanning 4K TV, 49-Inch
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We looked at the top 4K TVs and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best 4K TV you should buy.

TCL 49' Class 4-Series 4K UHD HDR Roku 2017 Smart TV - 49S405

TCL 49' Class 4-Series 4K UHD HDR Roku 2017 Smart TV - 49S405
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Product Details

In our analysis of 80 expert reviews, the TCL Backlit Scanning 4K TV, 49-Inch placed 13th when we looked at the top 17 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

TCL, one of the world’s largest TV manufacturers in the world and America’s fastest growing TV brand, bring the latest in 4K technology and design. The S-Series 4K TCL Roku TV delivers stunning Ultra HD picture quality with four times the resolution of Full HD for enhanced clarity and detail, as well as the most streaming channels of any 4K TV. We’ve simplified the 4k Ultra HD TV so you can instantly enjoy endless entertainment. With HRD compatibility, choose from more than 4,000 streaming channels that feature 450,000 movies and TV episodes plus live sports, news, music, kids and family, food, science and tech, fitness, foreign language and so much more. HDMI Ports: 3 HDMI 2.0 w/HDCP 2.2 (1 ARC); Resolution: 3840 x 2160; USB Ports: 1 USB2.0

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Our Expert Consultant

Patrick Ward 
Editor-in-chief of High Speed Experts

Patrick Ward is the editor-in-chief of High Speed Experts, a broadband connectivity-, search engine- and IT-industry education blog that empowers consumers by open-sourcing information about tech services. He earned his bachelor’s degree in commerce with an emphasis on communications at the University of Sydney. His expertise spans the digital, emerging tech and telecommunications fields.

Expert Reviews


What reviewers liked

A superb user interface delivers thousands of apps and the most 4K video of any system.
-
The TCL Roku 49S405 does come with its own stand, consisting of a pair of triangular plastic feet. They attach easily with a screwdriver, and when attached, they make the total depth of the set 8.5 inches.
- Tom's Guide
It has very good 4K (UHD) performance.
- Consumer Reports
The included remote is a standard Roku TV part, a 5.5-inch rounded black wand with a prominent, plus-shaped, purple navigation pad. The pad is easy to find under the thumb, and dedicated service buttons offer direct access to Amazon, HBO NOW, Netflix, and Sling TV.
- PC Magazine
Roku TV is simple to use and features lots of channels and apps.
- TV Review Land
It has low input lag and little motion blur, making it a great pick for video games.
- RTINGS.com
In Roku OS, IPTV is available with multiple channels like Netflix, Amazon Video, and Sling TV. The user can sort channels and create own playlists.
- Help To Choose
This TV from TCL features 4K Ultra HD picture clarity with excellent contrast and color. This works well for watching movies, sporting events, and for playing video games. The TV has a 120Hz refresh rate which works to prevent lagging and blurring during fast action scenes.
- The Consumer Guide
It comes with a mobile app that expands the television service to your smartphone.
- Much Needed
It has smart functionality via a pre-installed Roku TV, which will let you install more than 4,000 streaming channels, including Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, HBO Now and Vudu. For ports, it has three HDMI 2.0, one USB, RF, composite, headphone jack, optical audio out and Ethernet.
- Lifewire
It's pretty hard to buy a new TV and not get smart features with it—built in apps, web browsers, and so on. One reason we love when companies bundle in the Roku platform is because you're basically getting a standalone Roku streaming box included with your TV.We really like the Roku platform for its simple, easy-to-navigate UI and robust selection of apps, which Roku calls "channels."
- Reviewed
Some of the key features that you can look forward to is 4K Ultra HD picture quality and with Roku TV you will have access to loads of streaming channels. It is made with direct-lit LED with a refresh rate of 120Hz along with HDMI, USB and HDCP inputs.
- Tech Gear Source
Great contrast ratio when you think of the price.
- Top Rated TVs

What reviewers didn't like

4K resolution and HDR don't deliver a substantial improvement in image quality.
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The backlighting has unwanted shadows. The edge-lit panel had some trouble with backlight consistency.When I viewed a single-color test screen, it was easy to see that the corners were darker than the rest of the picture, though the difference was subtle.
- Tom's Guide
Slight backlight non-uniformity.
- Consumer Reports
Roku TV remote doesn't have enhanced features.
- PC Magazine
Remote is too basic and does not offer private listening or voice search capabilities.
- TV Review Land
Unfortunately, though, its viewing angle is quite narrow, and it doesn't get very bright, making it less suitable for well-lit environments.
- RTINGS.com
The UHD resolution and HDR don’t provide a significant improvement in image quality.
- Help To Choose
Colors can be a little dull.
- Much Needed
Keep in mind this unit is one of the most budget-friendly 4K TVs on the market and as such, it won’t offer the highest-quality picture.
- Lifewire
The TV is clearly geared for HDR playback out of the box: its reference brightness even in non-HDR modes is about the same as in HDR modes, and—nerd alert—the "blue push" present in the picture quality during SDR playback is a vestige of the TV being calibrated for higher brightness and the HDR electro-optical transfer function... adjusts glasses.
- Reviewed

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6. Samsung Flat 65″ QLED 4K UHD 6 Series
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TCL Backlit Scanning 4K TV, 49-Inch

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VIZIO D-Series Flat 4K TV, 40-Inch

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View our 4K TV buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.

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