TCL 43S350R - TV technical review

TCL 43S350R - product price, features and specifications

It has been quite some time since we paid more attention to any cheap TV. And as I usually say, for those who regularly follow our blog you know that we like reviewing cheap TVs.

Todays offer we found on Amazon where many products by the Chinese manufacturer TCL are offered. The model is 43S350R and basically is a 43-inch Full HD TV

First of all we would like to start with the full set of specs as provided by the manufacturer:

TCL 43S350R - product specifications

Model: 43S350R
Screen Size: 43"
Viewable Display Size: 42.5"
Display: Full View Metal Bezel-Less Design
Resolution: 1080p Full HD (1920 x 1080)
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Panel Refresh: 60Hz
Backlight Type: Standard
Local Dimming Type: Dynamic Contrast
LED Type: Direct LED
Display Colors: 16.9 Million
Viewing Angle (Horizontal / Vertical): 178° / 178°

Features

Control Buttons: One Button
JPEG / MP3 for USB: Yes
Program Guide (EPG): Yes
Auto Channel Search / Channel Scanning: Yes
Languages: English, Spanish, French, Deutsch, Portugues
Channel Label Edit: No
Input Label Edit: Yes
Channel Skip: Yes
Closed Caption: Yes
Parental Control (V-Chip): USA
Clock: Yes
Easy Voice Control: Yes

Video

Adjustable Color Temperature: Warm, Normal, Cool
Picture Preset: Movie, Normal, Vivid, Low Power, Sports
Picture Size: Direct, Normal, Stretch, Zoom, Auto

Audio

Audio Power (Watts) Speakers: 8W + 8W
Audio Effect: High Treble, Speech, Normal, Music, Theater, Big Bass
Audio Passthrough: Dolby Digital+, Dolby Digital, DTS, PCM
Dolby Processing: Dolby Digital+

Connected TV

Smart TV: Roku TV
Casting: Screen Mirroring, Airplay 2
Works With: Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Wi-Fi: Dual-band 802.11

Signal Format Capability

Tuner Type: ATSC, NTSC, Clear QAM

Connections (Inputs / Outputs)

AV Input: 1
RF Input (NTSC, ATSC): 1
Ethernet: No
USB 2.0: 1
HDMI: 3 (1 x ARC)
SPDIF Digital Audio Optical: 1
Headphone Output: 1

Energy

Energy Star: No
Standby Power: < 0.5W

What's in the Box

Warranty Info: Yes (English)
Quick Start Guide (QSG): Yes (English)
Power Cord: 1
Remote Control: 1 x Standard
Remote Control Batteries: 2 x "AAA" Batteries

Product & Package Measurements

TV with Stand (WxHxD): 37.6" x 23.9" x 7.3"
TV without Stand (WxHxD): 37.6" x 21.8" x 3.5"
Stand Separation Distance: 33.8"
TV Weight: 12.6 lbs
TV Weight without Stand: 12.5 lbs
TV Package Dimensions (WxHxD): 43.2" x 25.7" x 5.0"
TV Package Weight: 17.4 lbs
VESA Wall Mount Pattern: 100mm (V) x 100mm (H)

And now it is time for all of the TV features to be explained in a simple consumer language:

TCL 43S350R - product features explained

Design and Display

The TCL 43S350R TV sports a modern and immersive design with a Full View Metal Bezel-Less frame. This 43-inch TV offers a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution on a 16:9 aspect ratio screen. With a panel refresh rate of 60Hz, it provides smooth visuals for most content. The dynamic contrast backlighting ensures deep blacks and vivid colors.

The use of Direct LED technology and support for 16.9 million display colors further contribute to picture quality. The impressive 178° viewing angle both horizontally and vertically ensures that the picture quality remains consistent even when viewed from different angles.

Features and Controls

One of the notable features of this TV is its simplicity in control with just one button. It also offers multimedia versatility, allowing the playback of JPEG and MP3 files through the USB port. The inclusion of a Program Guide (EPG) and Auto Channel Search simplifies channel management. Multiple language options, including English, Spanish, French, Deutsch, and Portuguese, cater to diverse audiences. However, it's worth noting that this TV lacks Channel Label Edit but offers Input Label Edit, Channel Skip, Closed Caption, and parental control features through the V-Chip system. It also includes a clock for time management and features easy voice control for convenience.

Video

Users have the ability to customize their viewing experience with adjustable color temperature settings (Warm, Normal, Cool) and various picture presets (Movie, Normal, Vivid, Low Power, Sports). You can also select different picture sizes (Direct, Normal, Stretch, Zoom, Auto) depending on the content and personal preference.

Audio

The TCL 43S350R TV features built-in 8W + 8W speakers, which deliver satisfactory audio quality. It offers a range of audio effects including High Treble, Speech, Normal, Music, Theater, and Big Bass, allowing users to fine-tune audio to their liking. The TV supports audio passthrough for Dolby Digital+, Dolby Digital, DTS, and PCM, ensuring compatibility with various audio formats and devices.

Connected TV Features

As a Roku Smart TV, this TCL model provides access to a multitude of streaming apps and services, giving users the freedom to stream their favorite content. It also supports screen mirroring and Airplay 2, making it a versatile choice for sharing content from different devices. Additionally, its compatibility with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant allows for voice control and integration with smart home devices. The dual-band 802.11 Wi-Fi ensures a robust and reliable internet connection.

Signal Format Capability

This TV is equipped with tuners for ATSC, NTSC, and Clear QAM, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of signal formats, making it suitable for both cable and over-the-air broadcasts.

Connections (Inputs / Outputs)

The TV offers a variety of input and output options, including 3 HDMI ports (one with ARC support), 1 AV input, 1 RF input for NTSC and ATSC, 1 USB 2.0 port, 1 SPDIF Digital Audio Optical output, and 1 headphone output. While it lacks an Ethernet port, the dual-band Wi-Fi compensates for this limitation, offering seamless connectivity options.

Energy Efficiency

It's important to note that the TCL 43S350R TV is not Energy Star certified, which might be a consideration for those looking to minimize energy consumption. However, its standby power consumption of less than 0.5W ensures that it won't significantly impact your electricity bills.

In the Box

The package includes a warranty information booklet and a Quick Start Guide in English, providing essential information for setup and usage. It comes with a power cord for convenience and a standard remote control powered by two AAA batteries.

Dimensions and Wall Mount

The TV's physical dimensions are 37.6" x 23.9" x 7.3" with the stand and 37.6" x 21.8" x 3.5" without the stand. The stand separation distance is 33.8 inches. The TV weighs 12.6 lbs with the stand and 12.5 lbs without it, making it relatively lightweight and easy to move. The TV package dimensions are 43.2" x 25.7" x 5.0". The TV supports VESA wall mounting with a 100mm x 100mm pattern, using M6 screws.

The TCL 43S350R TV offers a comprehensive set of features, including an attractive design, Full HD display, user-friendly controls, and smart TV capabilities.

While it offers excellent value for its size and price, the absence of an Ethernet port may be a drawback for some users who prefer a wired connection. Nonetheless, this TV is a solid choice for those seeking a versatile and feature-rich viewing experience.