Hisense E7Q / E79Q vs TCL C7L

Direct comparison

E7Q / E79Q

Info

Available screen sizes: 43”50”55”58”65”75”85”

Available screen sizes: 55”65”75”85”98”

Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: VIDAA

Model year: 2025

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Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2026

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Overall rating

6.1

7.8

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    6.2

    7.2

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    5.9

    6.8

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    5.1

    6.7

  • Gaming on console

    7.1

    8.8

  • TV as a computer monitor

    3.0

    8.4

  • Watching in bright light

    5.2

    8.8

  • Utility functions

    8.7

    7.8

  • Apps

    7.7

    9.6

  • Sound quality

    6.3

    7.7

Advantages

  • Good black and contrast

  • QLED (PFS LED) – vibrant and saturated colours, coverage of the DCI-P3 palette around 92%

  • Many features for gamers: ALLM, VRR, Low input lag, Game Bar

  • 120Hz support at 1080p!

  • VIDAA system – easy to use, with AirPlay, Screen Mirroring, and voice search

  • Recording to USB from built-in tuners

  • 3.5 mm jack output and component inputs for older devices

  • Support for many audio formats including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X

  • Attractive price

  • Very high brightness

  • Good blacks and contrast (VA panel + mini-LED)

  • Excellent colour gamut coverage thanks to the new "Super QLED" filter

  • Full support for HDR formats including Dolby Vision and HDR10+

  • Top parameters for gamers (HDMI 2.1, low input lag)

  • High motion fluidity with low blur (up to 288Hz)

  • Google TV operating system (lots of apps, Gemini voice assistant)

Disadvantages

No like
  • Dolby Vision adds little (which is a shame)

  • Poor digital image processing: lack of image enhancement features, average upscaling

  • Strong dithering when connecting to a PC (coloured fonts)

  • The build quality of our unit was very average

  • Poor digital image processing due to the use of the older MediaTek Pentonic 700 processor

  • Only two HDMI 2.1 ports, one of which is shared with the eARC channel for audio, e.g. soundbar

  • Sound losing dynamics above 40-50% volume

Our verdict

The Hisense E7Q / E79Q is a type of television that does not promise miracles – and maybe that’s why it can pleasantly surprise. It doesn’t try to pretend to be high-end equipment, it just does its job. If you are looking for a cheap screen for everything, that can handle Netflix, a console, and early morning YouTube with coffee, then this model makes a lot of sense. The VIDAA system has been maturing for several years, and it shows that the manufacturer is drawing conclusions. We have AirPlay, screen mirroring, voice search in Polish – everything works, maybe not at lightning speed, but smoothly enough not to be irritating. You won’t find thousands of apps like in Google TV, but the most important ones are at hand. It’s a system meant to be simple and practical, rather than overloaded with unnecessary gimmicks – and in that sense, it really holds up. There’s something interesting for gamers too. The E7Q / E79Q offers low input lag, an automatic low latency mode (ALLM), support for VRR up to 60 Hz, and even a 120 Hz mode in 1080p resolution. This is not a screen for hardcore e-sports enthusiasts, but if you simply enjoy firing up the console in the evening and playing a few rounds, this television will do its job without complaint. And how about the picture quality? We won’t deceive you – it’s not spectacular, but there are also no reasons to complain. A brightness level of around 350 nits won’t impress, however, the contrast thanks to the VA panel can really surprise positively. The black is quite deep, and the colours have a pleasant intensity, especially in SDR mode. It’s a bit of a shame that Dolby Vision adds little – because if it worked as it should, we would have a television that could confidently be recommended for HDR viewing as well. On the other hand, it’s hard to expect that in this price range. It’s simply a fair, well-priced screen that doesn’t try to be a star, but is capable of delivering solid picture quality and surprisingly good features. And although it’s not perfect, after a few days of use, it’s hard not to think: “Wow, this cheap Hisense really does deliver.”

The TCL C7L is an incredibly successful Mini-LED television and a fully deserved successor to the hit model C7K. The list of advantages of this device is truly extensive. At the top is the extremely high brightness of the panel. Thanks to this, the television handles brightly lit living rooms without any problems, offering a fantastic and dynamic image in HDR format. Huge applause is also due for the use of the new Super QLED coating – after professional calibration, the colours can be not only natural but also incredibly saturated. The best part is that the screen achieves this regardless of the scene displayed, which is often not the case with all TVs featuring RGB backlighting. The C7L is also a brilliant piece of equipment for gamers; it could even be said that it is a true "multimedia powerhouse." We get full support for consoles and PCs, refresh rates of up to 288 Hz, G-Sync, and low input lag, which doesn’t increase even when activating the demanding Dolby Vision Gaming mode. Everything is tied together by a well-optimised Google TV system, which in this generation of TCL devices operates noticeably smoother and more efficiently (at least that's the impression we got during our testing). Of course, the C7L is not a perfect device, and the manufacturer had to make certain compromises in this model. The biggest drawback of the C7L is the use of a less powerful image processor. Unfortunately, this translates to rather average digital processing and other design limitations, such as only two HDMI 2.1 ports. A more powerful chip has been reserved this year for the higher series, such as the C8L. From a business point of view, this is entirely understandable. Why? Because if TCL had included a better processor here, most people would probably not see any point in paying extra for a higher model. So even if certain compromises exist, the C7L series is once again shaping up to be one of the most cost-effective Mini-LED televisions this year. If you are looking for a versatile, extremely bright screen for movies, series, television, or gaming – literally for everything – and at the same time do not want to overpay for top series, then yes... the C7L is a brilliant choice that we can definitely recommend to you.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
Other inputs
Component (YPbPr)
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality
BuildQuality-Budget
Good
Stand type
Legs
Central
Bezel color
Graphite
Graphite
Stand
Fixed
Height adjustment
Accessories
Stand
Stand

Contrast and black detail

5.7/10

7.7/10

Local dimming function: No

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 1152 (24 x 48)

Contrast:

Review Hisense E7Q / E79Q Contrast and black detail

Result

5,400:1

Review Hisense E7Q / E79Q Contrast and black detail

Result

5,450:1

Review Hisense E7Q / E79Q Contrast and black detail

Result

3,800:1

Review Hisense E7Q / E79Q Contrast and black detail

Result

5,000:1

Review Hisense E7Q / E79Q Contrast and black detail

Result

4,350:1

Review TCL C7L Contrast and black detail

Result

174,100:1

Review TCL C7L Contrast and black detail

Result

25,700:1

Review TCL C7L Contrast and black detail

Result

13,950:1

Review TCL C7L Contrast and black detail

Result

10,900:1

Review TCL C7L Contrast and black detail

Result

9,900:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

Check the visibility of bright lights on a dark background. Mini-LEDs often struggle with this. The photo does not compare black levels – that’s what the video below is for.

The video accurately shows differences in contrast and black levels between TVs, as well as potential issues: halo around bright objects or Mini-LED zone operation visible as brightness jumps.

The Hisense E7Q / E79Q in our test variant of 58 inches is equipped with a VA-type panel, which has a huge impact on the perception of contrast and black levels in films and series. Thanks to such a panel, one can expect decent contrast and a stable visual effect, which works really well in most scenes. In our measurements, we achieved values approaching around 6000:1, which should be considered a solid result in this price range. However, it is important to remember that this is not a design with local dimming, so one cannot expect the deep, "pitch-black" blacks known from more expensive models. In some shots, the black can have a slightly navy hue, which is completely natural with this technology and price. This, however, is a compromise that does not detract from everyday viewing – especially if we watch in the evening with slightly dimmed light.

TCL C7L is a Mini LED television, which in the 65-inch variant we tested, is equipped with over 1000 local dimming zones. This, combined with the proprietary VA panel (referred to by TCL CSOT as HVA 2.0), yields truly decent results in terms of blacks and contrast. In most of the scenes we measured, the black levels and contrast looked really good, and in the easiest shots, the black was deep enough to almost resemble that seen on OLED screens. Of course, we are talking about the least demanding shots with a lot of black on the screen. However, when a greater number of bright elements appear on the screen and black no longer dominates as strongly, it is apparent that the TCL C7L – like most Mini LED televisions – has its issues with managing local dimming zones.

This is particularly evident in the black bars in films recorded in the 2.35:1 widescreen format. At that point, a distinct halo effect, or bright light glow, can appear on the black bars or around small, bright objects. The contrast then drastically dropped – from laboratory values of around 200,000:1 to about 10,000:1, which is quite noticeable in a completely dark room. It is worth remembering that this should not be treated as a flaw of the television, but rather as a characteristic of mini-LED technology. Of course, this effect becomes significantly less bothersome when we turn on at least some soft, diffused light in the room... which I definitely recommend doing during screenings on any LCD television.

HDR effect quality

5.1/10

6.6/10

Supported formats
HDR10, Dolby Vision
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 91.4%, Bt.2020: 73.2%
DCI P3: 97.3%, Bt.2020: 90.5%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Hisense E7Q / E79Q Brightness measurement

Result

300 nit

Review Hisense E7Q / E79Q Brightness measurement

Result

329 nit

Review Hisense E7Q / E79Q Brightness measurement

Result

379 nit

Review Hisense E7Q / E79Q Brightness measurement

Result

389 nit

Review Hisense E7Q / E79Q Brightness measurement

Result

397 nit

Review TCL C7L Brightness measurement

Result

1236 nit

Review TCL C7L Brightness measurement

Result

401 nit

Review TCL C7L Brightness measurement

Result

831 nit

Review TCL C7L Brightness measurement

Result

352 nit

Review TCL C7L Brightness measurement

Result

1204 nit

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

The photos show two HDR10 movies. 'Pan' is one of the brightest productions ever made, while 'Billy Lynn' (soldier) has brightness typical of streaming (Netflix, Prime, HBO MAX). Notice the intensity of effects and detail in whites.

Static HDR10

The photos present the visibility of white details in various HDR formats. They do not show brightness differences between TVs (these can be compared in the previous gallery).

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

The photos present the visibility of white details in various HDR formats. They do not show brightness differences between TVs (these can be compared in the previous gallery).

HDR luminance chart:

TCL C7L

Hisense E7Q / E79Q

The Hisense E7Q / E79Q is a television with average brightness, with a peak luminance level of around 350-380 nits. This is an absolute minimum that allows for HDR content to be viewed in a way that is close to the creators' intentions, although without a distinct "wow" effect. Synthetic test results on white screens have been confirmed in practice – in film scenes, the bright parts of the image are stable and quite uniform, but it's hard to speak of a true "light punch." In everyday use, for example, when watching Netflix or YouTube, the HDR effect is acceptable and is perfectly sufficient for most users. However, it must be stated clearly – this is not the level of top-end screens, and one should not expect that in this price range. Fortunately, the Hisense E7Q / E79Q has an advantage that allows it to gain quite a few points: it features a PFS LED QLED panel, utilising an additional phosphor layer that improves colour reproduction. The measured range of the DCI-P3 colour gamut is about 92%, which means that colours in most scenes are vibrant, well-saturated, and pleasant to the eye, particularly for this price bracket.

TCL C7L is undoubtedly an extremely bright television. In synthetic tests on static images, it can achieve peak brightness of around 2800 nits. This is an exceptionally phenomenal result, considering the price range it occupies. Unfortunately, tests of real film scenes are not quite as spectacular as measurements of white squares. Brightness in actual HDR shots drops to around 1200 nits in the C7L model. This is still a very good result, as this is the value to which the vast majority of contemporary films are mastered. However, when small, point-like elements appear on the screen, the brightness of these details drastically decreases – even down to around 400 nits – which diminishes the HDR effect somewhat. The television does this deliberately to maintain a better level of black and to avoid a giant light bloom. This is somewhat explainable, but it also shows that Mini LED technology is not entirely uncompromising in this regard. As for the HDR effect itself – alongside brightness, colours are of course key here. And those, thanks to the use of new "super" quantum dots, are simply outstanding and among the best on the market. The television can achieve about 90% coverage of the ultra-wide BT.2020 colour gamut and 99% of the DCI-P3 gamut, easily matching the best RGB MINI-LED screens. Best of all, the C7L can maintain such a high saturation of colours regardless of the scene being displayed, which often poses a challenge for competing RGB Mini-LED televisions.

Factory color reproduction

5.2/10

5.6/10

This gallery shows how colors change after professional TV calibration. If you notice the difference, we recommend ordering this service at SkalibrujTV.com.

Factory Mode

After calibration

This gallery shows how colors change after professional TV calibration. If you notice the difference, we recommend ordering this service at SkalibrujTV.com.

Factory Mode

After calibration

In Filmmaker mode, the Hisense E7Q / E79Q television was truly impressive. After the first measurements, it became clear that the white balance was quite well tuned, with the only minor deviation being a slight tendency towards a purple tone, which we mentioned earlier. However, this did not significantly impact the overall character of the image – it remained coherent and pleasant to view. A much larger issue turned out to be the brightness characteristics (gamma) in SDR content and the EOTF curve in HDR films. The television noticeably brightened the image, flattening the contrast and diminishing its depth. Gamma values could drop from the reference 2.4 to around 1.9, making the image look as if it were covered with a thin, milky layer. Fortunately, this is a problem that can be relatively easily corrected through calibration.

When it comes to colours straight out of the box, a new feature in TCL televisions – including the C7L model – is the presence of a new picture mode called Filmmaker Mode. This is significant news, as such a mode was not available from this manufacturer before. By design, as indicated by the name itself, the image in this setting is meant to be presented with the full intention of the film's creator. After our tests, we can confirm that it is undoubtedly the best built-in mode on this television if you care about faithful colour reproduction straight out of the box. However, we certainly wouldn't say it is perfect. Like most devices on the market, this C7L also had its factory flaws. The white balance in Filmmaker Mode tended to shift towards a slightly greenish-yellow hue, primarily caused by an excess of green and a clear deficiency of blue. Of course, for the average viewer, this won't be a drastic flaw, but if you care about perfect whites, natural skin tones, and unlocking the full potential of those new "super" quantum dots, then the television is crying out for professional calibration.

Color reproduction after calibration

7.4/10

7.5/10

The photos show how movies look on the TV. Pay attention to black detail visibility, colors, and shadow tint.

The photos show how movies look on the TV. Pay attention to black detail visibility, colors, and shadow tint.

The biggest beneficiary of calibration in the case of the Hisense E7Q / E79Q was undoubtedly the SDR mode. It managed to achieve an almost perfect image – most errors in the Color Checker test dropped below a value of 3, and often even 2, which is an outstanding result for this class of equipment. The greatest improvement came from equalising the brightness characteristic (gamma), which meant the image no longer appeared washed out and regained its natural depth. In HDR content, it was also possible to improve colours and eliminate the purple tint mentioned earlier, but errors in the Color Checker measurements were still noticeable. This is due to the fact that – as is often the case with Hisense televisions – the screen manipulates brightness quite heavily, overemphasising some colours. This was also indicated by the EOTF curve, which was slightly above the reference values, suggesting these minor issues with excessive brightness. Despite this drawback and the design limitations that emerge with HDR content, the Hisense E7Q / E79Q gained quite a lot after calibration. In everyday use, the television presents a consistent, natural, and pleasant image, and the difference compared to the factory settings is enormous.

After conducting a professional calibration, we were able to significantly improve the situation in the factory mode Filmmaker Mode. Following our adjustments, errors in the ColorChecker test and across the entire wide colour gamut fell below the threshold of human perception – that is, below a value of 3, which is truly an excellent result. The TCL C7L definitely benefits from such an operation in terms of colour fidelity, and this is difficult to dispute. However, the management of brightness in HDR content post-calibration does not look as good. As I described earlier – even though we set up this model appropriately, when we turn on real film scenes on the television, it manages its brightness in quite a peculiar way. It often highlights certain elements on the screen contrary to the creator's intention, which can be clearly seen in the EOTF graphs measured in specific films. Despite this defect – or rather the specific trait of this television – one cannot deny that after calibration, the C7L was able to reproduce colours completely accurately.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

8.5/10

8.6/10

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

For such a budget television, the Hisense E7Q / E79Q performs really well with such a challenging element as the fluidity of tonal transitions. In most scenes, the colours blend together naturally, without noticeable jumps or artificial edges. Brighter parts of the image stand out particularly well – the transitions are smooth and pleasing to the eye. Minor issues only occur with very dark shades of grey, where slight banding can be noticed. However, this is a detail that does not affect the overall reception of the image. For a television in this range, the result is more than decent.

Another element worth discussing is the fluidity of tonal transitions. Here, one must honestly admit that the TCL C7L simply looks good. In most scenes – especially in the brighter shots – absolutely no problems with gradients can be seen. In native 4K HDR content, the picture is clear, and the transitions between shades are very smooth. It looks equally good in Dolby Vision mode, where during testing, we did not notice any digital defects or unsightly colour banding. One could nitpick about very dark shots, where a heavily compressed signal is displayed on the screen. In such conditions, the C7L can occasionally reveal minor imperfections; however, in this model, it is not something that stands out significantly, especially during everyday film screenings.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

5/10

5.5/10

Image without overscan on the SD signal
OK
OK
Smooth transition function
No
OK

Smooth transition function

The match photo shows how the TV smooths weak tonal transitions in low-quality video.

Image scaling SD (576i)

The model photo shows how it handles upscaling of SD material.

In the case of the Hisense E7Q / E79Q, upscaling and digital image processing are not the strongest aspects of this television. It is evident that the manufacturer has opted more for simplicity rather than advanced image processing algorithms. The television does not offer any features to smooth tonal transitions or systems to improve image clarity, resulting in lower resolution materials looking simply very raw. On the screen, you can notice subtle compression edges that better processors in other models can effectively hide.

During the HD material tests, we noticed that the E7Q tries to artificially enhance detail, which sometimes works, and at other times has the opposite effect – the image becomes soft, slightly blurred, at times even “watery.” There is no aggressive sharpening that ruins naturalness, but there is also no finesse in the detail integration that better image converters offer.

This point could be called, in a sense, the Achilles' heel of the C7L model. Unfortunately, this television uses an older chipset from MediaTek – the Pentonic 700 – which has never been known for outstanding digital picture processing. This is clearly visible in the performance of the smoothing function, which is responsible for reducing jagged edges and removing digital noise. It simply works very poorly – when set to a low level, its effectiveness is practically nonexistent. A small credit should perhaps be given here for the fact that the algorithm does not additionally ruin the picture or blur details forcibly. The upscaling, which is the scaling of the image from lower resolutions to 4K, fares a bit better. It is simply adequate and does not stand out in any particular way against the competition. However, it cannot be denied that the C7L would greatly benefit in this aspect if the manufacturer decided to use the newer Pentonic 800 processor, which is now found in an increasing number of competing models.

Blur and motion smoothness

4.8/10

7.8/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
60Hz
144Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
OK
Blur reduction option
No
OK
BFI function 60Hz
No
Yes, 120Hz (double contours)
BFI function 120Hz
No
Yes, 240Hz (double contours)
Brightness drop with BFI
-%
52%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Blur (1080p@120Hz):

Blur (4K@144Hz):

Hisense E7Q / E79Q is a television with a 60 Hz screen, so fans of 4K sports may feel a slight disappointment – we simply won’t see such smooth images here as in more expensive models with higher refresh rates. Fortunately, the situation is much better for films. Cinematic materials recorded at 24 frames per second can be displayed here using a motion smoothing feature, allowing the user to tailor the picture to their own preferences – either more cinematic with visible frames or smoother, in a theatrical style.

TCL C7L features a native 4K panel with a refresh rate of 144 Hz, which at lower resolutions – when using a PC – can even ramp up to 288 Hz. These are, of course, very high values and commendable on paper, but in everyday life, it is worth remembering that almost all dynamic content you display on this television will still rotate around a maximum of 120 Hz. To tame this dynamism, the television's menu includes a motion smoothing system called "Motion Clarity." It offers several predefined modes, including a user mode, which we definitely recommend setting manually using our tried-and-tested guides on our YouTube channel. There, we have two key sliders at our disposal. The first one, "Motion Blur Reduction," is responsible for reducing blurring and improving sharpness in dynamic 60-frame materials, such as sports broadcasts. Meanwhile, the second slider, "Flicker Reduction," allows for the addition of artificial frames in films and series recorded at cinematic 24 or 30 frames per second. This certainly eliminates the irritating stutter in images during camera movement shots.

Console compatibility and gaming features

6.3/10

9.8/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR range
    48 - 60Hz
    48 - 288Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    No
    Yes
  • 1080p@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1440p@120Hz
    No
    Yes
  • 4K@120Hz
    No
    Yes
  • Game bar
    Yes
    Yes

Hisense E7Q / E79Q is truly a successful television for gamers, even though it does not support 4K signal at 120 Hz. The manufacturer, however, has ensured a set of features that until recently could only be found in more expensive models. There is ALLM, meaning automatic switching to low latency mode, allowing the television to activate game mode with very low input lag by itself. We also have VRR, functioning up to 60 Hz – while this may not look impressive on paper, in practice it is fully sufficient, as most games on consoles do not exceed this limit. All these settings can be quickly found in the Game Bar panel, a convenient menu created specifically for gamers. From this interface, one can change picture modes, enable a frame counter, or even... an on-screen reticle – humorously named "target point" in the Vidaa system, which is a result of awkward translation from the Chinese manufacturer.

Special praise should be given to the ability to play in 1080p at 120 Hz, which significantly improves the fluidity and responsiveness of the image. Therefore, if someone wants to play a few titles at a higher refresh rate, they can simply lower the resolution and enjoy much smoother motion. Despite the lack of 4K@120Hz, the Hisense E7Q / E79Q performs really well as a gaming television – especially for those who are not looking for perfection but rather a solid and fast screen for everyday gaming.

When it comes to gaming, the TCL C7L is simply an outstanding television for gamers. With the presence of two full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports at 48 Gbps, it provides access to all the key features that console and high-end PC owners require. It has a well-functioning ALLM mode with very low input lag and VRR frame synchronization that operates in an impressive range from 48 up to 288 Hz. Importantly, unlike some competitors, TCL has ensured a proper implementation of the console HDR10 HGIG profile and support for Dolby Vision in games. This is complemented by a very well-designed player panel, known as the Game Bar, which even allows you to customise its appearance and change the theme to perfectly match the style of your console.

The only thing that can – and indeed should – be critiqued here is the fact that the television offers only two full HDMI 2.1 ports, while the other two are older HDMI 2.0. This creates quite a significant logistical problem. Why? Because one of those fast ports also supports the eARC audio return channel. In practice, this means that if you connect a soundbar or home cinema system to the television, you will only have one free HDMI 2.1 port left. If you have two consoles or a console and a powerful computer at home, unfortunately, you'll have to give something up or frequently juggle cables at the back of the unit while maintaining convenient control over your audio system.

Input lag

10/10

10/10

SDR

1080p60
13 ms
11 ms
1080p120
8 ms
7 ms
2160p60
12 ms
11 ms
2160p120
7 ms

HDR

2160p60
12 ms
11 ms
2160p120
7 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
12 ms
11 ms
2160p120 DV
7 ms

In games, the easiest thing to notice is how fast (or slow) the television is – and the Hisense E7Q / E79Q passes this test without a hitch. After just a few minutes of playing, you can feel that the response to the controller movements is instantaneous, without that characteristic delay that can ruin even the best match in FIFA or a crucial exchange in a fighting game. In game mode, the E7Q / E79Q operates with a delay of less than 15 ms, which means there is virtually no gap between pressing the button and the response on the screen. This is a level that more expensive models would be proud of. And it is precisely for this responsiveness – perhaps even more than for the picture or features – that this television truly deserves to be praised.

It is worth taking a look at the dry numbers here, as in terms of input lag, the TCL C7L is absolute market leader. Our measurements showed that the input lag is extremely low, and for a 60 Hz signal, it is just around 10 ms. When we step up a level and launch a game at 120 Hz, the lag drops to an imperceptible 6 to 7 ms. However, even more importantly, these values are maintained by the television even after activating the Dolby Vision format in games.

Compatibility with PC

3/10

8.4/10

Chroma 444 (max. resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Good
Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Poor
Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, max. refresh rate)
13ms
6ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
BGR
RGB
Max refresh rate
60Hz
144Hz
G-Sync
Yes
Yes

The photo shows the legibility of small fonts. Ideally, lines should be the same thickness on both light and dark text, with minimal pixel gaps.

When it comes to working with a PC, the Hisense E7Q / E79Q unfortunately does not impress. Yes, the television supports full 4:4:4 chroma sampling, so text and fonts are quite readable, but that is where the list of advantages pretty much ends. The screen has a significant issue with dithering, which in practice looks very unpleasant – as if the surface of the image subtly shimmered with colours. This is best seen with dark letters on a grey background – instead of neutral shades of fonts, there are delicate flashes of blue, green, and red, reminiscent of a rainbow effect. After extended use with a computer, this can strain the eyes and reduce comfort. On the plus side, one can note the presence of frame synchronization and the ability to operate at 120 Hz at a lower resolution, which may be a small consolation for gamers. However, as a typical monitor for PC use, the E7Q / E79Q performs rather mediocrely.

When it comes to gaming on PC, as I mentioned earlier, it is truly seamless. The television effortlessly supports high refresh rates: full 4K at 144 Hz, and in Full HD resolution, it can even ramp up to 288 Hz. Additionally, both G-Sync and FreeSync synchronization systems work here without any issues. For PC gamers, the C7L can thus serve as an excellent, massive monitor.

On the other hand, typical office work with text is somewhat less impressive, largely due to the rather oddly behaving panel in these conditions. When the highest refresh modes, 144 Hz and 288 Hz, are enabled, the readability and sharpness of dark text on a light background are fairly average – the fonts become slightly blurred and jagged. Fortunately, this can be easily fixed by changing the screen refresh rate in the graphics card settings to a stable 120 Hz. Then the text becomes perfectly sharp again, which is definitely worth remembering if you plan to use the C7L as a work screen.

Viewing angles

3.2/10

3.7/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
73%
78%

The Hisense E7Q / E79Q has typical VA panel weak viewing angles. Straight on, the image looks very good - the blacks are deep and the contrast is high. However, it only takes sitting slightly off to the side for the situation to change rapidly. At an angle of about 45 degrees, brightness drops by around 73%, and colours clearly lose saturation. This is the typical compromise we will have to accept for choosing a television with this type of panel instead of an IPS panel. With IPS, the viewing angles are much better, but the blacks are considerably worse.

Unfortunately, the powerful native contrast of the HVA 2.0 panel comes at a price. It concerns the viewing angles, which in the C7L model are simply poor. This is obviously due to the use of the aforementioned VA-type panel. It is a completely natural characteristic of this technology and something to consider when making a purchase. If you sit directly in front of the screen, the image will impress you with its depth, but it only takes a slight shift of several degrees sideways on the sofa for the colours to start fading immediately. By choosing this model, you are opting for a classic market compromise: you get brilliant black and fantastic contrast, but you lose out on viewing angles.

Daytime performance

5.2/10

8.8/10

Panel finish
Satin
Glare
Reflection suppression
Decent
Poor
Black levels during daytime
Good
Very Good

Panel brightness

TCL C7L: 1327 cd/m2

Hisense E7Q / E79Q: 371 cd/m2

The Hisense E7Q / E79Q performs best in moderately bright living rooms. Its brightness ranges from 350 to 380 nits, so in typical home conditions, the picture looks good, but in very sunlit rooms, it begins to lose clarity. This is simply not a screen for interiors with large windows or strong daylight. On the plus side, it is worth mentioning the satin coating of the panel, which quite effectively suppresses reflections – both from lamps and from windows. Thanks to this, even if the room is not in dim lighting, the image still remains fairly readable.

It's also worth mentioning how the TCL C7L performs during everyday viewing in a sunlit living room. As we've established, it is an extremely bright television, and it is precisely due to such a powerful supply of luminance (up to 2400 nits in SDR!) that it excels in very bright rooms – the picture easily gets through the incoming light. The only thing to watch out for is direct reflections on the screen. The coating used this year on the panel is definitely glossier than the one we saw in last year's C7K model. The screen significantly worse at suppressing point light reflections, which in unfavourable conditions – for example, when the window is positioned directly opposite the television – can be quite annoying for some users. Nevertheless, in terms of sheer brightness, the C7L is simply a demon for bright living rooms.

Panel details

Backlight Type
PFS LED
Mini-LED QLED
Software version during testing
v8-0012T01-LF1V626.003089
Image processor
MT5896 2,5GB RAM

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:

Review Hisense E7Q / E79Q TV Panel details
Review TCL C7L TV Panel details
Review Hisense E7Q / E79Q TV Panel details
Review TCL C7L TV Panel details

Hisense E7Q / E79Q

TCL C7L

TV features

8.7/10

7.8/10

  • System
    VIDAA
    Google TV
  • System performance
    Decent
    Very good
  • HDMI inputs
    3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
    2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
  • Other inputs
    Component (YPbPr)
  • Outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
  • Network Interfaces
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
  • TV reception
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C

Classic features:

  • Recording to USB (terrestrial TV)
    Yes
    No
  • Recording programming
    Yes
    No
  • Picture in Picture (PiP)
    No
    No
  • RF remote control (no need to aim)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Backlit remote control
    No
    No
  • Teletext
    Yes
    Yes
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • Bluetooth headphones support
    Yes
    Yes
  • Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio
    Yes
    Yes

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    Yes
    Yes
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search in native language
    Yes
    Yes
  • Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse
    Yes
    Yes
Review Hisense E7Q / E79Q TV features
Review Hisense E7Q / E79Q TV features
Review Hisense E7Q / E79Q TV features
Review Hisense E7Q / E79Q TV features
Review TCL C7L TV features
Review TCL C7L TV features
Review TCL C7L TV features
Review TCL C7L TV features

Sound connection options

  • HDMI audio
    eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
    eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
  • Other audio outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
    Toslink (Optical audio)
  • Wireless audio
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth

Supported audio formats (external HDMI eARC audio):

  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
    Yes
    Yes
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
    Yes
    Yes
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
    Yes
    Yes

Senior accessibility

  • Numeric keyboard on TV
    Yes
    Yes
  • Font size adjustment
    No
    Yes
  • Audio description
    Yes
    Yes

SmartTV Features: Vidaa

When it comes to Smart TV features, the Hisense E7Q / E79Q runs on the VIDAA system, which has been developed by the Chinese manufacturer for several years. It is evident that the software is maturing – it includes AirPlay, Screen Mirroring, and voice search in many languages, including Polish. Unfortunately, in our unit, it operated quite slowly, which surprised us somewhat, as in other Hisense models this system reacted much faster. A downside is the limited application library. Of course, the most important apps are available – Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube – but it's worth checking before purchase if you will find everything you use on a daily basis there.

Classic Features

In terms of traditional television functions, the E7Q performs significantly better. It has practically everything one could expect from a classic television: recording from built-in tuners to USB, a headphone jack output, and even a component input for older audio equipment. Additionally, it offers full audio support via eARC, so you can be assured that regardless of the situation, the soundbar will always "play as it should." The remote is also fairly traditional, well-designed with a large number of buttons (including numerical ones), which may appeal to those who still watch regular television on their TV. 😉

Google TV and Smart TV

The multimedia heart of the TCL C7L is of course the Google TV operating system, which provides access to a gigantic library of applications and all the most popular streaming platforms on the market. The Smart TV in this model works seamlessly, offering full support for useful network features such as Apple AirPlay or Chromecast. However, a huge and very pleasant surprise is the very performance of the software. We noticed that Google's system on the new C7L operates significantly more efficiently, smoothly, and quickly than on last year's TCL models. Much of this is due to better optimisation for the launch. Unnecessary pauses and minor interface stutters, known from older models, seem to have become a thing of the past.

Television Features

In terms of traditional aerial or cable television, the TCL C7L does not offer many additional advanced features. It is simply a straightforward receiver. The manufacturer did not strive for any revolutionary solutions here, so aside from the traditional programme guide, you won't find anything particularly special. A large nod towards traditional viewers is the classic remote control, which, contrary to the prevailing trend for minimalism, still features a full numeric keypad, making it much easier to switch channels quickly.

Apps

7.7/10

9.6/10

OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
No
Spotify
No
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
No
Kodi
No
Apple_music
No
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
No
GeForce NOW
No
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
No
Steam Link
OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
OK
Kodi
No
Apple_music
OK
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce NOW
No
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
OK
Steam Link

Playing files from USB

8.2/10

9.4/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
No
Yes
PNG
Yes
Yes
GIF
Yes
Yes
WebP
Yes
Yes
TIFF
Yes
No
BMP
Yes
Yes
SVG
No
No

Maximum photo resolution:

4 Mpix
Yes
Yes
6 Mpix
Yes
Yes
8 Mpix
Yes
Yes
10 Mpix
No
Yes
12 Mpix
No
Yes
16 Mpix
Yes
Yes
20 Mpix
No
Yes
24 Mpix
No
Yes
28 Mpix
No
Yes
32 Mpix
Yes
Yes

The media player in the Hisense E7Q / E79Q works properly, but it can be finicky. The biggest problem concerns photo support – the television only handles selected formats, and some files simply do not open. This is quite surprising, as even cheaper models from other manufacturers usually do not have this issue. Videos and music play without major problems; however, one must take into account that the E7Q is not a master of versatility when it comes to files from a pendrive. It is rather a basic player that works – as long as we don't try to 'surprise' it with something.

At the very end of the multimedia section, it is worth mentioning the playback of files from external USB drives. During our tests, we did not notice any unpleasant surprises here – the factory player handles all popular video and audio formats exactly as it should. Interestingly, the TCL C7L also played photos saved in Apple's native format, namely HEIC, without any problems. This is an extremely rare feature in the factory applications of TV manufacturers. And although the Google TV system obviously gives you unlimited possibilities to install external media playback programs, in the case of the C7L, the built-in tool is refined enough that installing additional software will probably not be necessary for anyone.

Sound

6.3/10

7.7/10

  • Maximum volume
    83dB
    77dB
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1
    Yes
    No
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
    Yes
    No
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
    Yes
    Yes
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
    Yes
    Yes

The sound in the Hisense E7Q / E79Q is exactly as one might expect from a television in this price range – rather flat, but quite loud. During measurements, the maximum volume reached about 83 dB, so it is more than sufficient for everyday viewing. The dialogues are clearly audible, which somewhat compensates for the lack of pronounced bass and depth. There are no revelations here: it is simply a solid minimum that can be accepted. However, a plus point is the wide support for audio formats. The television handles Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, and even the increasingly rare DTS:X. That is quite a nice bonus, as at least we can be sure that regardless of the source – everything will sound as it should. (Definitely when we connect it to an external audio source such as a soundbar).

The TCL C7L performs quite well and correctly. When it comes to sound quality, there has been practically no change compared to last year's model, the C7K. The manufacturer continues to use a speaker system branded Bang & Olufsen in a 2.2 configuration. The only thing that can be quite irritating during viewing sessions is the fact that after increasing the volume to higher levels – around above 50% on the scale – the volume no longer corresponds with the scale visible on the screen. The B&O audio system works great for daily viewing of current affairs or series at moderate volume, but if you are looking for good sound quality, it is worth purchasing at least a basic soundbar for the C7L.

Sound Quality Test

Acoustic Measurements

83dBC (Max)

75dBC

77dBC (Max)

75dBC