Compare: TCL P7K / P79K vs SONY BRAVIA 3

The time has come to gather all observations. The TCL P7K / P79K is a television that cleverly juggles compromises, offering much more in its price range than we could have expected. Its undeniable asset is the VA panel, guaranteeing deep blacks and high contrast, and the surprisingly rich package for gamers (with VRR and support for 120 Hz at lower resolutions) makes it a phenomenal proposition for console owners. The whole is tied together by the functional Google TV system. Of course, the low peak brightness means that HDR content lacks spectacular bursts, and the TV's performance in sunlit rooms is limited. And although, at its relatively low price, the P7K / P79K is quite a decent option, its biggest rival turns out to be… its more refined sibling, the P8K. Often, FOR a small additional payment, we get a device of a higher class – with a native 4K 144 Hz panel, significantly better audio system, and generally higher quality of operation, which is reflected in its much higher rating on our portal. Therefore, the final verdict must be as follows: if your budget is absolutely non-negotiable, the P7K / P79K will be a good and cost-effective choice. However, if you can afford to add a small amount, the P8K model will offer significantly more and will ultimately be a more satisfying investment.

Sony Bravia 3 is a television that brings several important improvements over its predecessor, while remaining true to its core. The biggest change is the design – slim bezels and sturdy metal legs give it a modern appearance that fits much better in a living room than the X75WL. Improved colours thanks to the PFS filter and really good upscaling should also be noted. It is particularly in lower quality content, especially in classic SDR, that the Bravia 3 shows its best side – colours look pleasing, the image is clear, and thanks to the IPS panel, viewing angles are at a very good level. It is perfectly suited for the role of a “classic” television receiver, where the convenience of watching from different spots in the room and decent quality of everyday content matter. A huge advantage remains the Google TV system. During our tests, there were times when the interface did not always work as smoothly as we would have liked, and some features could freeze. However, despite these imperfections, the presence of Google TV is a significant plus – access to thousands of applications and a full streaming library compensates for minor shortcomings. Unfortunately, what was weak in the X75WL remains weak here as well. The IPS panel has very low contrast and does not offer local dimming, making watching films in a dark room quickly lose its appeal – black resembles grey and effectively detracts from the enjoyment of the viewing experience. Additionally, the option to record content to USB, which was available in its predecessor, has been dropped. It is hard not to notice this and not add it to the list of downsides.

So who is the Bravia 3 for? Primarily for those looking to enter the world of Sony televisions at a potentially low price and who also appreciate the Google TV system. However, it is not the most attractive option in its class – competitors in this budget can offer models with Mini-LED backlighting, whose images perform several times better in terms of contrast and HDR. Therefore, the Bravia 3 is worth keeping in mind, but mainly when a solid discount is available. At regular price, it will be very difficult to stand out against its more cost-effective rivals.

In the discussion about image quality, the conversation almost always begins with the issue of black depth and contrast, which are parameters that define the plasticity and realism of the observed world. Here, the TCL P7k/P79k immediately lays its strongest asset on the table – a VA panel. Its construction is what makes the native relation between the brightest and darkest parts of the image more than satisfactory, especially in the context of the price segment that this model represents. In the majority of scenes, the black achieved has a noble depth, which allows for building an engaging spectacle for the viewer. To illustrate the scale, it is worth mentioning that competing constructions based on IPS panels often offer results that are even four times, and sometimes five times, lower, which in direct comparison represents a chasm. Of course, when entering the territory of models oriented towards affordability, we must be aware of certain compromises. Therefore, we will not find an advanced local dimming system in the discussed television, which could further enhance the sense of contrast. However, the absence of this feature is fully understandable and constitutes a logical consequence of positioning the product in the market – this technology in TCL's portfolio for 2025 has been reserved for higher positioned, more prestigious series marked with the letter "C".

The Bravia 3 in most variants, including the 65-inch model we tested, uses an IPS panel and unfortunately, this is not the best news for those who value depth of image and true velvety blacks. This technology has its advantages, as it offers decent viewing angles, but these come at the cost of very low contrast, which is particularly noticeable during evening viewings when we expect the screen to go dark where it should. However, this is not the end of the list of problems. Our unit also exhibited noticeable unevenness in blacks, which exacerbates the effect of their shallowness. For example, in a scene with a helicopter, the blooming in the corners of the screen and pronounced vignetting are clearly visible.

It's hard not to think that even a simple local dimming system could have salvaged the situation and added a touch of drama to the image, which is lacking here. Unfortunately, Sony has decided against such a solution, and as a result, we have a repeat of last year's issues. The Bravia 3 is therefore not a television that will charm you with cinema-like black depth. At night, instead of intense blacks, we are likely to see a grey pretending to be darkness, which may disappoint more demanding viewers.

When turning to the assessment of HDR performance, we must be clear and without marketing embellishments: the P7K/P79K is not, and was never intended to be, a master in this field. The maximum peak brightness that this panel can generate hovers around a mere 300 nits. This represents a threshold, a kind of thin red line between what can be considered a barely satisfactory HDR signal and what is, in fact, not much different from standard dynamic range (SDR), unfortunately leaning towards the latter. Synthetic tests found brutal confirmation in reality – our measurements taken during movie screenings showed that luminance in key bright portions of the scenes rarely exceeded the ceiling of 200-250 nits. Thus, this is not a television that would allow content realised in a wide tonal range to spread its wings, and this must be openly admitted.

Unfortunately, the issue of colour reproduction is presented with equal restraint. Although the manufacturer positions this model within the "QLED" family, thanks to the use of a PFS LED filter, the results do not match the heightened expectations. The coverage of the wide DCI-P3 colour gamut reaches only 86%. In the context of the market, this is at best an average result, as most devices that employ additional layers to expand the colour spectrum easily achieve values at a minimum level of 90-92%.

Bravia 3 does not hide the fact that it belongs to the group of televisions that are rather modest in terms of brightness. Our measurements showed around 370 nits, which is a value teetering on the edge of where one can still speak of any HDR effect. For some, this is an acceptable level, while for others it is rather typical for SDR content, where spectacular highlights or vivid contrasts are not expected. The impression is that this is not a television for those focused on the highest image quality in demanding cinematic content. However, this does not mean that we cannot find any advantages here. Compared to its predecessor, the X75WL, Bravia 3 has gained an additional PFS filter, which works similarly to solutions known from QLED technology. Thanks to this, the DCI-P3 colour palette has been significantly widened and reaches over 91 percent, which in practice results in more saturated colours and a more pleasing image texture. As a result, even everyday content looks somewhat livelier, and films and series can surprise with vibrant visuals, despite limitations in brightness itself.

Every accurate assessment of image quality must begin with selection of the most optimal factory mode. In the case of the tested model P7K/P79K, the choice was made without hesitation for the "Film" mode. It is this mode that presents an image closest to the intentions of the creators, avoiding both the exaggerated brightness of the dynamic mode and the excessive dimming known from eco settings. And it must be admitted that, for a device in this price range, the factory calibration is surprisingly decent, although it has not escaped a few missteps. The most noticeable flaw turned out to be the not completely correctly set white balance. A slight dominance of the blue component gives the image a subtly cool, cold character, thus deviating from the exemplary neutrality that the director wanted to show us. The television performs much better in reproducing the greyscale in the standard dynamic range – the gamma curve is nearly exemplary. The only minor reservation could be made regarding the darkest parts of the image, where a slight deviation from the norm causes a loss of some detail in the shadows. The most serious challenge for the TCL software, however, was interpreting the HDR signal, as illustrated by the course of the EOTF curve. The television follows its own, quite free path here – the darkest details are disproportionately brightened, after which there is a noticeable slowdown in the increase of brightness for midtones. Fortunately, most of these imperfections are software-related issues that can be eliminated. With this thought in mind, we began the process of professional calibration.

Sony Bravia 3 was primarily tested in film mode, which immediately proved to be the best choice among the factory settings. It is not a perfect picture, but compared to the eco mode that the television offers right out of the box, the difference is clear and positive. In film mode, one can notice a certain problem: the image appears too warm, which results from a lack of blue colour in the white balance. Despite this, in SDR content, the final effect can still be considered quite decent and satisfactory for everyday viewing. Much more serious errors occur in HDR materials. The Color Checker analysis showed considerable deviations, and poor brightness management, combined with limited colour gamut coverage, further exposes the shortcomings of the image in this mode. All of this makes HDR on the Bravia 3 appear unconvincing and can spoil the impression left by the quite decent SDR content setting. Fortunately, this is not an insurmountable situation. Various errors can be somewhat mitigated, and some can even be fully corrected through professional calibration. Therefore, we decided to check how the television would perform after such adjustments.

The calibration process turned out to be spot on, particularly in the context of standard dynamic range (SDR) content. We successfully mitigated the television's tendency to emphasize cool tones, restoring the whiteness to its natural neutrality. Moreover, precise adjustments allowed us to correct a slight error in the gamma curve, ensuring that the darkest parts of the image regained their proper depth, without any trace of unnatural brightness. The effects are measurable and impressive – in the ColorChecker test, the overwhelming majority of colour reproduction errors fell below the perceptual threshold, achieving a deltaE value of under 2. This is a result that pricier models would not be ashamed of. Unfortunately, when it comes to HDR content, we encounter a barrier in the form of the inherent limitations of the panel itself. And although we managed to bring the colours into line, the software's characteristics mean that the television still adapts brightness in its own way, as evidenced by the persistent, non-standard EOTF curve. In summary, calibration adds immense value, but one must be aware that it cannot overcome certain physical barriers. The slightly elevated black level, due to the lack of local dimming, along with limited peak brightness, means that HDR content may not always be able to showcase its full potential. This is simply not the primary task of this display; its true strength, especially after professional tuning, lies in the viewing of SDR material.

The calibration allowed us to extract significantly more from the Bravia 3 than we could have expected at the beginning. Firstly, it managed to compensate for the deficiency of blue, which had previously caused a noticeable warming of the image. After a slight adjustment to the white balance, most of the errors in the Color Checker measurements for SDR content virtually disappeared. The white tones became more natural, and the brightness management in gamma stabilised to an almost ideal level, not exceeding the threshold of human perception. Thus, it can be confidently stated that in SDR content, after a few adjustments to the settings, the Bravia 3 performs remarkably well. Significantly worse, although still definitely better than before calibration, are HDR contents. The white balance was brought into order, however, the limitations of the IPS panel are insurmountable. The lack of local dimming means that even the smallest elements can be overexposed, which immediately stands out. Colour-wise, the effect is also improved, though far from perfect – many errors still exceed the threshold of four or even five delta E units, meaning they remain visible to the human eye. It was already clear earlier that the Bravia 3 is not a television designed to impress with HDR quality. Nevertheless, it is gratifying that in SDR content, after calibration, the image can look truly excellent, and in this category, the television pleasantly surprised us.

The issue of the fluidity of tonal transitions, or popular grading, is another area where the P7K / P79K evokes mixed feelings and surprises with its dual nature. If we were to evaluate solely its ability to render smooth colour gradients, we would undoubtedly give it a solid score of 8/10. Unfortunately, this positive image is marred by the use of very aggressive and unpleasant dithering. This artefact is particularly noticeable on demanding test patterns – such as the one depicting an actor submerged in red water – where rough, unnatural texture appears on uniform colour surfaces, betraying the digital nature of the image. This is all the more disappointing, as it is not a new issue. It seems to be a sort of inheritance from previous generations of budget TCL models, which is a pity, as it represents a flaw on what is fundamentally a quite competent image and is a mistake that could have been avoided.

In terms of the fluidity of tonal transitions, the Bravia 3 performs really well. In brighter scenes, we did not notice any significant errors – the screen handles the blending of colours almost flawlessly and does not create artificial contours that can spoil the viewing experience. Similarly, in darker segments, there are no major issues with colour gradation, although another problem arises here. Strong brightening and uneven backlighting of the panel in dark scenes make it difficult to assess the gradation itself clearly, as the effect is spoiled by the unevenness of the image. However, when we focus solely on the blending of colours, the result should be considered very good.

After a series of harsh evaluations, fortunately, the time comes for praise, and this is due to the TCL AiPQ image processor for its work in the field of digital processing and content scaling. It should be noted right away that we are not talking about the level known from flagship designs; however, in the price segment represented by the P7K/P79K, the results achieved are more than solid. The feature for smoothing tonal transitions performs particularly well, effectively eliminating posterisation, which are the characteristic bands often visible in highly compressed materials, for example, from the ChooseTV service. The algorithm adeptly removes unwanted gradients, which ultimately looks really good. The television also handles upscaling competently, which is the task of elevating low-resolution materials to 4K standard. The resulting image, although it may initially seem a bit too sharp, fortunately, is not a problem. The software allows for free adjustment of this parameter using a sharpness slider, making it easy to customise the final appearance to personal preferences.

Bravia 3 brings something more to the Sony TV family than just a shared name. It stands out primarily for its ability to enhance the quality of weaker materials thanks to the processor used. Of course, we won’t find the advanced XR chip known from more expensive models here, but even so, it must be admitted that the image in lower resolutions looked surprisingly good. The scaling worked effectively, and most parts of the screen were free from the typical excessive edge tearing found in budget constructions.

Attention should also be paid to the function that improves the smoothness of tonal transitions. In the high setting, it works really well, effectively masking gradation imperfections without significant detail loss. It does happen, however, that the algorithm overly smooths elements that should remain sharp – for example, faces – but overall, the effect is beneficial. The best results were achieved precisely at the highest setting, and this option could be recommended to those watching lower quality content.

The issue of fluidity and sharpness of the image in motion is inextricably linked to a fundamental parameter of the matrix, and in the case of the TCL P7K/P79K, we are dealing with a panel with a native refresh rate of 60 Hz. This specification defines its capabilities from the outset and makes it difficult to unequivocally recommend it to enthusiasts of dynamic sports broadcasts. During fast camera movements, the image loses sharpness, and the panel also shows a slight tendency to smearing, which may be noticeable to more sensitive viewers. Fortunately, not everything in this aspect has been left to chance. The manufacturer has implemented a simple motion smoothing system, which is primarily used in film material recorded at 24 or 30 frames per second. Thanks to a dedicated slider, users can decide for themselves the final character of the motion – from maintaining a fully cinematic, slightly juddery image to achieving a very smooth, almost theatrical effect. It is a simple but effective tool that allows users to tailor the viewing experience to their own preferences.

The fluidity of motion has never been a strong point of televisions equipped with 60 Hz panels, and the Bravia 3 is no exception. Nevertheless, Sony has added something that may appeal to those more sensitive to the way images are displayed. We are talking about the proprietary motion smoother, Motion Flow, which offers users a considerable range of adjustment options. Thanks to it, one can make the image smoother, even theatrical, or stick to a more cinematic style with the characteristic judder that many simply associate with the filmic atmosphere. These functions work with content at lower frame rates, such as films and series recorded at 24 or 30 frames per second, which are the materials we encounter on a daily basis. It is here that the motion smoother proves to be one of the most important features in everyday use of the television, and this is where the Bravia 3 performs quite well.

Although on paper the native 4K@60Hz panel might suggest that the TCL P7K/P79K is not a television tailored for gamers, the reality is surprisingly different. On the contrary, the manufacturer has ensured a rich package of features that make it a very friendly companion for next-generation consoles. Onboard, we find key technologies such as ALLM, which provides automatic switching to low latency mode, and VRR, or variable refresh rate, which eliminates screen tearing. The list is complemented by support for Dolby Vision Gaming and a simple yet functional Game Bar. However, the real and extremely pleasant surprise is something else. It turns out that the television easily supports a high refresh rate signal of 120 Hz but at lower resolutions – 1080p and 1440p. This is fantastic news for console owners, who know well how rarely games run in native 4K at a full 120 frames per second. The ability to choose between higher resolution and doubled smoothness is therefore an extremely sensible compromise.

In summary, although the P7K/P79K may not be the target screen for the most passionate tournament players, for the casual or occasional console user, it offers a package of options that is hard to find among many competitors at this price.

Bravia 3 is not equipment for e-sports enthusiasts or fans of night marathons with a controller in hand. The lack of 120 Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 ports closes the topic before it even has a chance to develop. This is a television for casual gamers who will play FIFA or racing games after work, not for someone who measures every frame in a spreadsheet. Nevertheless, Sony has added a few nice extras to ensure it’s not too sparse. ALLM works as it should, automatically switching the television to game mode (low latency). There’s even a simple Game Bar, which is clear. However, the biggest novelty here is the PlayStation Portal app. Thanks to it, you can launch PS5 games wirelessly and view them immediately on the television screen. It sounds great, but just a few minutes is enough to feel significant lag. In our opinion, it’s more of a showcase of capabilities than something that can be used every day. If someone really wants to play, it’s better to connect the console via HDMI cable and forget about wireless issues.

Complementing this rich package for gamers is a parameter that has a direct impact on comfort and performance in gameplay – input lag. Already in native 60 Hz mode, the television boasts an excellent result of just 15 ms. However, the real magic happens when switching to 120 Hz mode, where the lag drops nearly by half, reaching values below 10 ms. Such responsiveness ensures that every command from the controller is translated to the screen in the blink of an eye, which will be appreciated not only by professionals but by anyone who values smooth and direct interaction with the game.

Here, the Bravia 3 shows its best side. Latencies drop below 12 milliseconds in almost every resolution and mode, so the response to controller movements is instantaneous and there is no feeling of delay. It feels as though the console and the television are speaking the same language, without unnecessary pauses or hesitations. The Dolby Vision Gaming mode is particularly noteworthy. In its predecessor, the X75WL model, using this feature was simply a pain – input lag could exceed 100 milliseconds, which effectively spoiled the enjoyment of gaming. In the Bravia 3, this issue has been completely eliminated.

We finally come to an area that can undoubtedly be described as the biggest Achilles' heel of the TCL P7K/P79K – its compatibility with PC. It is paradoxical in that, on paper, everything looks promising. The presence of G-Sync and support for high refresh rates at lower resolutions might suggest that it would also be a great monitor. Unfortunately, practice brutally verifies these assumptions. The key issue is the lack of support for full 4:4:4 chroma sampling. In everyday use, this translates to terrible font rendering quality – these, especially the coloured ones, become jagged, surrounded by artefacts, and simply poorly legible. This is not the end of the story, as in PC mode, the problem of aggressive dithering also becomes evident, giving the entire image an artificial, overly digital appearance. The only consolation in this situation is the fact that in games we can take advantage of the additional hertz and G-Sync technology, but these are not advantages that could compensate for the fundamental deficiencies in displaying a static interface. The verdict is therefore clear: while as a screen solely for gaming on PC it might still hold its own, as a monitor for work or browsing the internet, the P7K/P79K simply performs poorly.

The applied IPS matrix, combined with properly functioning support for chroma 4:4:4, ensures that the readability of fonts is at an excellent level. Letters appear sharp, regardless of the background colour or the content itself, so working with documents or browsing websites does not strain the eyes. In this role, the television easily deserves a very good, if not outstanding, rating, as there are not many models in this budget that perform as well. Of course, if we look at the Bravia 3 from a PC gamer’s perspective, the picture is not quite so rosy. We won't find G-SYNC or Free Sync frame synchronization with graphics cards, nor high refresh rates, so the television is not the best choice for fast-paced computer games. However, it performs excellently as a monitor for work, whether in a home office or a student room, and in this respect, it is truly hard to criticise.

When it comes to viewing angles, we enter the territory where VA panel technology dictates unavoidable conditions. As expected, this is the weak point of this model. It is enough to move away from the screen axis to observe a gradual degradation of the image: colours begin to fade, contrast noticeably drops, and black loses its depth. In direct comparison with IPS panels, which are renowned for their generosity in this aspect, the VA panel must concede superiority to its competitor. Is there any upside to this? Paradoxically, yes. Poor viewing angles are, after all, the price we consciously pay for the fundamental advantage of this technology – a significantly higher native contrast and deeper blacks when viewed head-on. Thus, it can be said that this is a television that favours viewers sitting in the 'ideal' spot, offering them a maximally vibrant image at the cost of versatility.

Thanks to the use of an IPS matrix, colours do not lose intensity as quickly as in the case of screens based on VA panels. Even when watching television with a larger group, when some people sit at an angle, the image remains clear and does not appear washed out. Of course, it is not at the level offered by organic OLED matrices, where the image looks identical from almost any position, but for an LCD television, the viewing angles in the Bravia 3 are among the better ones. This provides a sense of comfort and freedom, especially in larger living rooms or during family viewings, where it is difficult for everyone to find a spot directly in front of the screen.

The final practical test for any television is its daily performance in daytime conditions when it has to compete with ambient light. In this competition, the TCL P7K / P79K starts with a certain advantage in the form of a satin finish on the screen. Its structure handles direct reflections quite decently, diffusing them and protecting the image from excessive fading of colours or lightening of blacks. However, the passive struggle against reflections is one side of the coin. The other is the active ability to 'break through' bright surroundings, and here one of the model's key limitations comes to light. The previously mentioned peak brightness of around 300 nits is simply too low to ensure a fully comfortable and dynamic viewing experience in a brightly lit living room. In such conditions, the image may lack punch, and scenes with lower brightness can lose their clarity.

Bravia 3 performs quite decently in the face of daylight. The satin coating on the panel effectively reduces reflections, and the colours do not lose their intensity when stronger external light hits the screen. As a result, in typical home conditions, with blinds open or in a living room with a larger window, the image maintains its clarity. However, it must be remembered that this is not a high-brightness television. Bravia 3 has no chance of competing with brighter models, so in very sunny rooms, there are moments when the screen simply does not stand out against intense light. In normal conditions, it will cope without problems, but in more challenging scenarios, one should not expect miracles.

Smart Features – the Power of Google TV

The heart and operating brain of the TCL P7K / P79K is the Google TV system, which is a significant advantage in itself. This platform opens access to an almost limitless library of applications from the Play Store, ensuring that we won't miss any key streaming service. Integration with other devices is exemplary – Apple users will appreciate the seamless collaboration thanks to AirPlay, and Windows and Android users can easily utilise screen mirroring features. One should also highlight Google Assistant, which performs exceptionally well with voice search in Polish, remaining one of the most effective and convenient solutions of its kind on the market. The system’s performance on the tested model can be described as "above average." The interface is mostly smooth, but during tests, there were occasional slowdowns and even sporadic "freezes" that required a moment of patience. Minor glitches can also be seen in the translation of some system messages, which can be clumsy – however, these are minor oversights on TCL's part that do not affect overall functionality.

Classic Features

In the era of smart systems, traditional television functions often take a back seat, and this is also the case here. A significant advantage is the inclusion of a classic remote control with a numeric keypad, which does not require precise aiming at the screen for communication, significantly enhancing user comfort. The presence of Bluetooth technology for connecting external devices, such as headphones or speakers, should also be regarded positively. However, this is essentially where the list of conveniences ends. It is evident that TCL has almost put everything on the Google TV card, treating classic functions as an absolute minimum. Therefore, we will not find options to record programmes from built-in tuners to a USB drive or the once-popular PiP (Picture-in-Picture) feature. This is, therefore, a basic package that simply works but does not offer anything beyond what is essential.

Smart TV Features

The biggest advantage of the Bravia 3 in everyday use is the presence of the Google TV system. Thanks to it, we have access to one of the largest libraries of apps and streaming services, so regardless of whether someone mainly uses Netflix, Disney+ or smaller platforms, everything is within reach. The Google voice assistant also worked very well, managing to respond to our commands quite "cleverly". In theory, the Google TV system should operate very smoothly, as Sony has been implementing it better than many cheaper competitors for years. Unfortunately, in the case of the Bravia 3, it is not as great as we might have hoped. During testing, we noticed slight stutters in the interface, and some functions, such as screen mirroring, simply refused to work. One might get the impression that the processor in this model sometimes struggles to handle the demanding system, and not everything works as smoothly as we would expect.

Classic Features

Even in the cheapest series, Sony can remind us of its experience with various users. The set includes two remote controls. The first is modern and minimalist, with a small number of buttons, which works excellently for using apps and Google TV functions. The second is a classic remote with a richer set of keys and a numeric keypad, which will be especially appreciated by older people accustomed to traditional solutions. This is a nice nod towards different user groups, and it must be acknowledged that Sony has solved this very practically. It's a pity, however, that the ability to record content from TV tuners to USB memory has disappeared compared to the X75WL model. The manufacturer has completely eliminated this function, so if someone was attached to it, they will unfortunately not find it in the Bravia 3.

The built-in media player in the P7k/P79k model is quite a puzzling case, placing us in a rather unusual situation. On one hand, its engine manages to decode most popular video formats, which is obviously good news. On the other hand, we encountered a surprising and frustrating flaw – the default app has a fundamental issue with correctly displaying Polish diacritical characters in subtitle files. Instead of letters like "ą," "ę," or "ż," empty squares or random, unreadable symbols appeared on the screen. Fortunately, thanks to the flexibility of the Google TV system, this issue can be easily circumvented. Installing an alternative, advanced player, such as the tried and tested VLC or KODI, fully resolves this inconvenience. The situation is particularly odd since we didn't encounter such a flaw in other TCL models we tested previously. We are therefore dealing with an obvious software oversight, which we hope will be fixed in a future update.

Here Sony has really done a great job. The built-in player works quickly and doesn’t “complain” when launching various formats. We didn’t have to reach for external applications like VLC, as the television handled even files that can cause quite a few problems on other models – such as HEIC photos from Apple devices. It's a small detail, but one that shows the manufacturer wanted the user to have a complete sense of convenience. By plugging a film onto a USB drive or holiday photos onto an external hard drive, you can simply connect them and start watching on the big screen right away. No fuss, no installing additional software, no searching for workarounds. This is truly a rarity in televisions, and it must be admitted that in this aspect, the Bravia 3 really pleasantly surprised us.

In terms of the built-in audio system, the TCL P7k/P79k presents a level that can be described as functional and correct, but lacking audiophile ambitions. The speakers play quite loudly, and the dialogues in films and television programmes are delivered clearly and without distortion, which is crucial in everyday use. However, the soundstage definitely lacks a foundation in the form of low tones. This is a direct consequence of the absence of a dedicated subwoofer – an element that in the higher P8K series, represented by a large Onkyo subwoofer at the back of the cabinet, constituted the strength of its sound. Here, that element is simply missing, which makes the sound seem flatter and devoid of the depth that creates a cinematic atmosphere. We also noticed a peculiar aspect in the software – when attempting to set the maximum volume, the television automatically reduces it. It is difficult to determine definitively whether this is a form of protection against distortion or a minor software glitch; nonetheless, it’s a shame because the power reserves seem to be slightly greater.

Bravia 3 plays in a rather flat manner, but makes up for it with loudness. It is perfectly suited for watching classic television, as the dialogues are clear and the mid tones are easily heard. This type of characteristic will be particularly appreciated by older users who primarily value speech intelligibility. However, if someone expects something more from the sound, like stronger bass or a wider soundstage, it is still worth reaching for a soundbar. The television supports modern codecs, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, so an external sound system can easily take advantage of their potential. This assures that with a relatively modest expense, one can achieve a much fuller and more engaging sound.

TCL P7K / P79K vs SONY BRAVIA 3

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

TV appearance

Where to buy

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

Daytime performance

Panel details

TV features

Classic features:

Smart features:

Smart Features – the Power of Google TV

Classic Features

Smart TV Features

Classic Features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound

Sound Quality Test

Acoustic Measurements