What Tvs Are Compatible With Roku – TCL 4-Series (2021) Roku TV Review TCL’s 4-Series Roku TV is a great way to switch to 4K on a budget
If you’re looking for a great TV and don’t want to spend thousands of dollars, you’re in luck: these days there are more viable options than ever. Enter the TCL 4-Series (2021) (available at Amazon), a very affordable but compactly equipped 4K Roku TV that, while far from perfect, beats the price and offers a great user experience.
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Starting at just $349 for the 43-inch model, the 4-Series is as affordable as it is flexible: The series covers a range of screen sizes from 43 to 85 inches, and even comes with Roku software options (the version we tested )., Google and Android Smart platforms are available depending on vendor and region. But no matter what you buy, you’ll get 4K resolution, HDR compatibility, and overall picture quality.
There are several reasons you might want to spend a little more. It’s an entry-level 4K TV, and while it’s HDR compatible, it’s not bright or colorful enough for good HDR performance. Its imaging fundamentals are solid, but it’s not equipped to be a premium choice for current game consoles, and its backlight isn’t strong enough for particularly bright rooms. But if you just want to fill a movie night in 4K resolution and don’t want to spend a bundle, the 4-series won’t let you down.
TCL has been releasing the 4-series for the past few years. When we got our hands on the 2019 version, we were so impressed with its value that we gave it an Editor’s Choice award.
We tested the Roku TV version and this review covers the experience. However, we expect the design and picture quality metrics discussed below to apply to any version of the TV. Whether you’re getting Roku Smarts, Google TV, or Android TV, the screen sizes and prices are the same:
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The 4-series TVs are by no means the cheapest TVs on the block, but they’re more affordable than the average 4K/HDR TVs from brands like Sony, LG and Samsung (the 43-inch Samsung AU8000 is $100 more expensive).
Regardless of which size you buy or which software version you prefer, the main features of the series are the same:
One of the reasons the 4-series is so affordable is that it doesn’t include many premium features like Dolby Vision, eARC, and Variable Refresh Rate. Additionally, the 60Hz refresh rate has less smooth motion than the 120Hz displays you’ll see on high-end models.
Our review model was a 43-inch TCL 4-Series Roku TV purchased from Amazon. In the box you get the TV and stand components, Roku TV remote and batteries, power cord and quick start guide.
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Before testing, we allow each TV to run for 12-24 hours (depending on panel type) to ensure that the factory calibration is set correctly. To test the TCL 43S435, we measured its contrast and color performance using the Calibrite ColorChecker Display with DisplayCal 3 software, and measured aspects of its HDR performance using the Windows DisplayTest HDR program.
For the SDR results below, we measured the Series 4 in its “Movie” picture mode with the backlight set to “Normal,” which TCL recommends for “most viewing environments.” For HDR results, we measured the Series 4 in “Standard HDR” picture mode.
The 4-Series TVs offer enough connectivity to power a range of modern and legacy source devices, but like the simple feature set, it’s a basic package. Since you don’t get an HDMI 2.1 input in any form, it’s not the best choice for gamers hoping to get the most out of the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5, although it’s no different from competitors in this price range.
Assembling the 4-series is an easy process: using four screws, you just screw the two V-shaped legs to the bottom of the panel and you’re ready in minutes. The end result isn’t the prettiest TV I’ve ever seen, but it doesn’t look bad by any means. Narrow, black bezels around the screen put image content front and center, and the 43-inch version is light enough to move around on your own (though I’d ask for help with larger sizes).
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Because it uses a direct LED (full array) backlight, the 4-Series’ profile isn’t too slim, but you can mount it on a wall if you want. Most people will probably put it on a TV stand, and I’m happy to report that it’s very sturdy and has minimal wobbling when tipped over.
On the back, you’ll find connectivity options positioned vertically to the right of the central protrusion (when viewed from the front). A detachable power cord is attached on the left side. Although HDMI 2.1 isn’t there to support high-end gaming features, the three HDMI inputs should be enough for most living rooms.
Series 4 also has a composite input (via splitter cable) for older devices, an RF (coaxial) input for antenna/satellite and the necessary ports for audio output: HDMI ARC and digital optical output. There is also an Ethernet (LAN) input, which depending on your Wi-Fi speed may be necessary when streaming 4K/HDR content.
As far as clicks go, you get a standard Roku TV remote (meaning it doesn’t include the headphone jack or voice controls you get with the Roku Ultra remote). As always, it’s relatively easy to use, with large navigation buttons, dedicated buttons for popular apps (Netflix, Disney+, Hulu and Sling) and side-mounted volume/mute switches.
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In the end, the only thing I don’t like about the design of the 4-series is that it is kind of bulky and the plastic used for the chassis is very cheap. But that’s the trade-off you make in this price range.
We’ll talk about the prospects for HDR content below, but I’m happy to say (and not surprised) that the 4-Series is a good choice for general viewing. Only with a 3-series, the 4-series resolution is especially achievable, and it’s great to get a “modern” resolution in this price range. The first thing I did was watch a 4K video of animals and parrots on YouTube and the level of detail was excellent.
Although brighter than the 3-series, the TCL 4-series isn’t the brightest TV around. But it makes up for the shortcomings there with surprisingly good black levels for a TV that lacks native backlighting. The 4-series uses what’s called a direct LED backlight, meaning the diodes are evenly spaced behind the screen. To this end, although it does not make you bright, the overall composition of the image is very healthy and is able to create a good black level for a movie night.
By the same token, the 4-Series isn’t the most colorful TV around: like most LED/LCD TVs, it can only produce so much color on its own without adding enhancements like quantum dots. A TV’s colorimetry, that is, how well it renders individual colors as it moves from darker to lighter shades, is robust, and it can have rich, vibrant colors beyond normal dynamic range expectations.
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All of this suggests that the 4-series checks all the key boxes and does so while offering a 4K resolution (compared to more affordable TCL TVs). As we’ll discuss further below, however, it’s really only halfway there as far as HDR is concerned, and it has a few other minor flaws that interested buyers should be aware of.
If you have a choice, we recommend getting a Series 4 with Roku TV software. It is easy to use.
Because the 4-Series comes with a variety of smart TVs (Roku, Android TV, and Google TV), your experience here may differ from ours. However, we tested a version of the Roku TV (our top of the range) and can confirm that it remains a great choice for most users.
Unless you’re into Google or Android TV, the simplicity of Roku’s software is sure to appeal to most users. Setup requires connecting the 4-Series to your Roku account (or creating a new one) and choosing which streaming apps you want to install. From there, it’s almost as simple as point and click.
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Within minutes of watching a short TV video walking me through the software, I was watching 4K/HDR footage on YouTube. And without having to log into your accounts, logging into a show on Netflix or Disney+ is just as simple.
One small thing that I found a little annoying is that one of the “channels” (Roku’s term for apps) was not working: something called Screen Dreams Fireplace, which I had installed on my Roku TV years ago, migrated to another place , but not supported. Other than that it made me wonder how carefully the Roku people treat the thousands of channels available in the Roku Store.
Another small nitpick I have is how the TV hides its more advanced picture adjustment options in the Roku mobile app, which isn’t new, but could be
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