TCL 50FS5600 Full HD LED TV via Amazon
TCL 50FS5600 is a 2014 model low cost 50 inch Full HD LED edge-lit TV with 1080p resolution,120Hz refresh rate and a 5,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. TCL is not a very well known brand in US but the company is China based and happens to be the third largest TV manufacturer in the world with more than 30 years of history.
TCL 50FS5600 weighs 47.3 pounds and measures 44.6 x 1.9 x 27.1 inches without stand. Being one of the cheapest FHD 50 inch HDTVs it doesn’t really look cheap- has a simple minimalistic design with its large display, hexagonal glass base (not a black plastic you see on most other TVs), slim frame and thin dark grey bezel but is not particularly packed with features and is not a Smart TV but you have a couple of good options to make it more like a smart TV, one of them is Google Chromecast which should allow you to use lots of apps or try Roku’s streaming stick for thousands of movies and channels. It has an L-shaped indent at the rear that accommodates 3 HDMI ports, 1 x USB, 1 x Composite, 1 x Component, an Optical digital audio, a Headphone jack, MHL- Mobile High Definition Link input for streaming content while charging your mobile device and a regular simple remote yet functional for what this TV is- with 2 AAA batteries required and included.
The manufacturer claims this TV has an 120Hz refresh rate but going through different reviews online, some motion blur seems to be experienced during fast moving action stuff and sports but not too bad. It uses the TCL True Colour technology for better contrast and colour spectrum to offer more natural picture with vibrant colours, but.. Image quality is adequate overall with decent detail levels but somewhat sharp edged and digital looking, OK colours- nothing spectacular but vivid enough, better black levels but not great- flat appearing shadow details, not super bright- a little dull and not the best side viewing as this is not an IPS display. Sound is better than an average LED TV with front firing speakers and offers clear dialogues and better sound range.
TCL 50FS5600 is a very low priced budget 50 inch TV so although it is Full HD the picture quality is OK and the native refresh rate does not feel like 120Hz- with some motion blur, no Smart TV features and you wouldn’t expect it to have them anyway at this price but good number of useful connectivity ports are included and it is a nice TV to look at- doesn’t look cheap. Being an edge-lit LED backlit TV with backlights located directly behind the display, it is an Energy Star qualified set with an estimated annual energy cost of less than 14 dollars based on 5 hours of use per day and comes with a 12 month standard limited parts and labor warranty. But if you want better value for money we’d recommend the Vizio E480i B2, TCL LE40FHDE3010 or Sony KDL40W600B– all with better picture quality and less motion blur if you don’t mind smaller screens.
Click here for a closer look on Amazon