TCL S450R Review: TCL’s 2023 Basic 4K LED TV with Roku TV

We need to mention TCL S450R as one of our alternative choices if we are looking for basic 4K LED TV in 2023. TCL S450R is introduced as part of TCL S4 from TCL’s 2023 TV lineup. TCL S450R is closely related to TCL S450G. TCL S450R is only offered with two screen size options: 50-Inch (50S450R) and 43-Inch (43S450R). Is TCL S450R the basic 4K LED TV that you should choose? I’m sure that it’s a good idea to talk more about TCL S450R before we can decide whether TCL S450R is the one that we should choose.

TCL S450R Short Review

TCL S450R
TCL S450R

TCL S450R is an entry-level 4K LED TV that comes with upscaling technology that can bring excellent picture clarity from both original 4K content sources and non 4K contents that upscaled into near 4K picture quality. Although it doesn’t come with local dimming, TCL S450R is already completed with Dynamic Contrast to bring better contrast vibrancy across its Direct LED screen.

TCL S450R already supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG so that we can enjoy enhanced details and expanded contrast from wide range of HDR content sources. The motion technology of TCL S450R is Motion Rate 120 based on 60Hz native refresh rate. It’s able to deliver smooth motion images for our favorite action movies and sports. It’s indeed less excellent when it comes to gaming input lag than 120Hz native refresh rate, but we can still enjoy good gaming experience with its Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).

The operating system integrated with TCL S450R is Roku TV. Roku TV is able to deliver wide range of premium entertainment from our favorite content providers with 802.11ac wireless provides easy connection to our home network. We can control TCL S450R conveniently with its included voice remote control as well as Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant that already supported.

TCL S450R comes with quite basic 2CH 20W speaker system that already supports Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital+. Although it’s quite basic, we can still enjoy good sound quality. But it’s surely a good idea to setup more advanced AV system with eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) of this TV to enjoy higher quality audio formats.

TCL S450R Prices
50-Inch (50S450R) Check Today’s Price…
43-Inch (43S450R) Check Today’s Price…

Specs & Features Table of TCL S450R

The key specs and features of TCL S450R can be summarized with the specs and features table below.

Key Features
Brand TCL
Series Name S450R
Screen Size Options
  • 50-Inch (50S450R)
  • 43-Inch (43S450R)
Resolution 4K UHD
Display Technology LED
Display Type VA Panel
Backlight Type Direct LED
Upscaling Technology YES
Contrast Technology Dynamic Contrast
HDR Support
  • HDR10
  • Dolby Vision
  • HLG
Motion Technology Motion Rate 120 (60Hz Native)
Gaming Technology Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
Parental Control YES
Sleep timer YES
Smart TV
Operating System Roku TV
Casting Screen Mirroring, Airplay 2
Compatibility
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Amazon Alexa
  • Google Assistant
Remote Control Voice Remote
JPEG / MP3 for USB YES
Control Buttons One Button
Connections
HDMI/USB
  • 4 HDMI
  • 1 USB
HDMI Type HDMI 2.0
USB Type USB 2.0
eARC Yes
Built-in Wi-Fi 802.11ac (WiFi 5)
SPDIF Digital Audio Optical 1
Ethernet (LAN) NO
RF Input (NTSC, ATSC) 1
Headphone Output 1
AV Input Composite Video + L&R Audio in (Mini 3.5mm Connector)
Audio
Speaker Type 2CH
Sound Output (RMS) 10W + 10W
Audio Effect High Treble, Speech, Normal, Music, Theater, Big Bass
Audio Passthrough Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital+, Dolby Digital, DTS, PCM
Audio Return Channel eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
Dimensions
TV Size Without Stand (W x H x D)
  • 50-Inch (50S450R): 43.8″ x 25.4″ x 3.2″
  • 43-Inch (43S450R): 37.7″ x 22″ x 3.1″
TV Size with Stand (W x H x D)
  • 50-Inch (50S450R): 43.8″ x 27.1″ x 10.1″
  • 43-Inch (43S450R): 37.7″ x 23.7″ x 7.3″
TV Package Dimension (W x H x D)
  • 50-Inch (50S450R): 49.8″ x 30.5″ x 5.3″
  • 43-Inch (43S450R): 43.3″ x 25.4″ x 5.4″
Weight
TV Weight Without Stand
  • 50-Inch (50S450R): 18.3 lbs
  • 43-Inch (43S450R): 13.7 lbs
TV Weight With Stand
  • 50-Inch (50S450R): 18.5 lbs
  • 43-Inch (43S450R): 13.9 lbs
TV Package Weight
  • 50-Inch (50S450R): 27.6 lbs
  • 43-Inch (43S450R): 21.4 lbs
Power
Power Supply (V) AC110-120V 50/60Hz
Power Consumption
  • 50-Inch (50S450R): 95 W
  • 43-Inch (43S450R): 75 W
Standby Power Consumption 0.5 W
Price
50-Inch (50S450R) Check Today’s Price…
43-Inch (43S450R) Check Today’s Price…

Pros & Cons of TCL S450R

There are few pros and cons of TCL S450R. Let’s talk more about the pros and cons of this TV series together.

Pros

1. Good Contrast Ratio

Although it comes as an entry level 4K LED TV, TCL S450R is already able to deliver good contrast ratio with its VA panel. The peak brightness of TCL S450R is quite high. The contrast is also enhanced by its Dynamic Contrast.

2. Wide Range HDR Support

TCL S450R already supports HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG. With HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG support, we can enjoy enhanced details and expanded contrast from wide range of HDR content sources.

3. Low Price

TCL S450R comes with a lower price. It’s one of the most affordable entry level 4K LED TV in the market that already support Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG.

Cons

1. No Local Dimming

TCL S450R doesn’t come with local dimming. Without local dimming, we can only enjoy less excellent contrast vibrancy and less realistic textures and contrast details.

2. Limited Color Volume

The color volume of TCL S450R is quite limited. It can’t deliver Wide Color Gamut. So, we can only enjoy less color accuracy and details on the screen of this TV.

3. Less Excellent Gaming

TCL S450R already comes with Motion Rate 120 completed with Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) that basically still can deliver good motion images. But when it comes to action gaming experience, it’s less excellent as it’s indeed only based on 60Hz native refresh rate.

We can summarize the pros and cons of TCL S450R with the table below.

TCL S450R Pros & Cons
Pros Cons
  • Good Contrast Ratio
  • Wide HDR Support
  • Lower Price
  • No Local Dimming
  • Limited Color Volume
  • Less Excellent Gaming

Conclusion

If you are looking for an entry level 4K LED TV that already supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG while your budget is quite limited, then TCL S450R is the one that you should choose. TCL S450R is already able to deliver good contrast ratio with its VA panel while also can bring enhanced details and expanded contrast from wide range of Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG content sources. But we indeed have to admit that it doesn’t come with advanced local dimming, wide color gamut and excellent input lag. So, if your budget is more limited for your 4K HDR LED TV and you don’t mind with less excellent contrast, color and input lag then TCL S450R is the one that you can consider.

TCL S450R Prices
50-Inch (50S450R) Check Today’s Price…
43-Inch (43S450R) Check Today’s Price…

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