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 colors, DCI-P3 color gamut coverage approx. 92%

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

  • 120Hz support in 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 multiple audio formats including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X

  • Attractive price

  • Very high brightness

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

  • Excellent color 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 (colorful fonts)

  • The build quality of our unit was very average

  • Poor digital image processing due to the use of an 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 doesn't promise miracles – and maybe that's why it can pleasantly surprise. It doesn't try to pretend to be high-end equipment; it simply does its job. If you're looking for a cheap screen for everything that can handle Netflix, a console, and morning YouTube while having coffee, this model makes a lot of sense. The VIDAA system has matured over the past few years, and you can see that the manufacturer is learning from experience. It has AirPlay, screen mirroring, and 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 readily available. It's a system meant to be simple and practical, not overloaded with unnecessary gimmicks – and in this sense, it really holds up. There’s also something interesting for gamers. 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. It's not a screen for hardcore e-sports enthusiasts, but if you simply enjoy turning on your console in the evening to play a few rounds, this television will get the job done without complaints. And what about picture quality? We won’t deceive you – it’s not exceptional, but there are also no reasons to complain. A brightness of around 350 nits won’t impress anyone, but the contrast thanks to the VA panel can really surprise positively. The black levels are quite deep, and the colors have a pleasant intensity, especially in SDR mode. It's a bit of a shame that Dolby Vision doesn't add much – 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 can deliver solid picture quality and surprisingly good features. And while it’s not perfect, after a few days of use, it's hard not to think: "wow, this cheap Hisense really does the job."

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 long. At the top is the extremely high brightness of the panel. Thanks to this, the television effortlessly handles brightly lit living rooms, offering an exceptional and dynamic picture in HDR format. Huge praise is also due for the use of the new Super QLED coating – after professional calibration, the colors can be not only natural but also incredibly saturated. The best part is that the screen does this regardless of what scene is being displayed, which is often not the case with all TVs that have RGB backlighting. The C7L is also a great piece of equipment for gamers; you could say it’s a true "media powerhouse." We get full support for consoles and PCs, a refresh rate of up to 288 Hz, G-Sync, and low input lag that doesn’t increase even when the very demanding mode of Dolby Vision Gaming is activated. The whole thing is tied together by a well-optimized 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 tests). Of course, the C7L is not a perfect device, and the manufacturer had to make certain compromises with this model. The biggest drawback of the C7L is the use of a less powerful image processor. Unfortunately, this translates to quite average digital processing and other design limitations in the form of only two HDMI 2.1 ports. A more powerful chip has been reserved this year for higher series, such as the C8L. From a business perspective, this is fully understandable. Why? Because if TCL had put a better processor here, most people would probably see no point in paying extra for the higher model. So even if certain compromises exist, the C7L series once again promises 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 games – literally for everything – and at the same time do not want to overpay for the 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 panel, which has a significant impact on the perception of contrast and black levels in movies or series. With such a panel, one can expect decent contrast and a stable visual effect that performs really well in most scenes. In our measurements, we obtained values reaching around 6000:1, which is considered a solid result in this price range. However, it should be noted that this is not a local dimming design, so one shouldn’t expect deep, “pitch-black” blacks known from more expensive models. In some scenes, the black may have a slightly bluish hue, which is completely natural for this technology and price. However, this is a compromise that does not interfere with everyday viewing – especially when watching in the evening with slightly dimmed lighting.

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

This is particularly evident in the standard black bars in movies recorded in the panoramic format 2.35:1. In this case, a clear halo effect, or bright light glow, can appear on the black bars or around small, bright objects. The contrast then drastically drops – 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 TV but rather as a characteristic of mini-LED technology. Of course, this effect becomes much less bothersome when we turn on at least some soft, diffused light in the room... which I definitely recommend doing during viewing sessions on any LCD TV.

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

Hisense E7Q / E79Q is a television with average brightness, whose peak luminance level is around 350-380 nits. This is an absolute minimum that allows for watching HDR content in a way that is close to the creators' intentions, although without a clear "wow" effect. The results of synthetic tests on white images have been confirmed in practice – in movie scenes, the bright parts of the image are stable and fairly uniform, but it is hard to speak of a true "lighting impact" here. In everyday use, for example, while watching Netflix or YouTube, the HDR effect is acceptable and is completely sufficient for most users. However, it must be stated clearly – this is not the level of top screens, and one should not expect that at this price point. Fortunately, the Hisense E7Q / E79Q has an advantage that allows it to gain quite a few points: it is a PFS LED QLED panel, utilizing an additional phosphor layer that improves color reproduction. The measured range of the DCI-P3 palette is around 92%, which means that the colors in most scenes are vibrant, well-saturated, and pleasing to the eye, especially for this price range.

TCL C7L is undoubtedly an extremely bright television. In synthetic tests on static images, it can achieve peak brightness levels of around 2800 nits. This is an absolutely phenomenal result, considering the price range it falls into. Unfortunately, the tests with real film scenes are not as spectacular as the measurements of white squares. The brightness in actual HDR shots drops to around 1200 nits in the C7L model. This is still a very good result, as the vast majority of contemporary films are mastered at such a value. However, when small, pinpoint elements appear on the screen, the brightness of those details drastically drops – even to about 400 nits – which diminishes the HDR effect somewhat. The television does this intentionally to maintain a better level of black and prevent a huge glare of light. This is somewhat explainable, but it also shows that Mini LED technology is not completely uncompromising in this regard. As for the HDR effect itself – alongside brightness, colors are obviously key here. And these, thanks to the use of new, "super" quantum dots, are simply outstanding and among the best on the market. The television can achieve around 90% coverage of the ultra-wide color gamut BT.2020 and 99% of the DCI-P3 gamut, easily matching the best RGB MINI-LED screens. Best of all, the C7L can maintain such high color saturation regardless of the scene being displayed, which is often problematic in 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 able to really surprise positively. Even after the first measurements, it turned out that the white balance is quite well calibrated, and the only minor deviation was a slight tendency toward a purple hue, which we mentioned earlier. However, this did not significantly affect the overall character of the image – it remained coherent and pleasant to perceive. A much larger problem turned out to be the brightness characteristics (gamma) in SDR content and the EOTF curve in HDR films. The television clearly brightened the image, flattening the contrast and taking away its depth. Gamma values could drop from the reference 2.4 down to about 1.9, making the image appear 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 colors 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 previously unavailable from this manufacturer. By design, as the name itself suggests, the image in this setting is intended to be presented with the full intent 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 color reproduction straight out of the box. However, we definitely wouldn't say that it is perfect. Like most devices on the market, this C7L also had its factory flaws. The white balance in Filmmaker Mode strayed into a slightly greenish-yellow hue, mainly due to an excess of green component and a noticeable lack of blue color. Of course, for the average viewer, this may not be a drastic flaw, but if you care about perfect whites, natural skin tones, and fully unlocking the potential of these new "super" quantum dots, this television is in need of 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 for the Hisense E7Q / E79Q turned out to be the SDR mode without a doubt. It managed to achieve nearly perfect picture quality – most errors in the Color Checker test dropped below a value of 3, and often even below 2, which is a remarkable result for this class of equipment. The greatest improvement came from aligning the brightness characteristic (gamma), making the picture no longer look washed out and regaining its natural depth. In HDR content, colors were also improved, and the purple tint we mentioned earlier was eliminated, 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 strongly, oversaturating some colors. This was also indicated by the EOTF curve, which was slightly above the reference values, suggesting these minor problems with excessive brightening. Despite this flaw and the construction limitations that arise with HDR content, the Hisense E7Q / E79Q gained a lot after calibration. In everyday use, the television presents a cohesive, natural, and pleasant-to-the-eye picture, and the difference compared to factory settings is truly vast.

After conducting a professional calibration, we managed to significantly improve the situation in the factory Filmmaker Mode. Following our adjustments, the errors in the ColorChecker test and across the entire wide color gamut dropped below the threshold of human perception – that is, below a value of 3, which is indeed a very good result. The TCL C7L definitely benefits from such an intervention in terms of color fidelity, and it's hard to dispute that. However, the management of brightness in HDR content post-calibration looks a bit worse. As I described earlier – even though we set up this model properly, when we turn on actual film scenes on the TV, it manages its brightness in a rather peculiar way. It often brightens certain elements on the screen contrary to the creator's intent, which is clearly visible in the EOTF graphs measured in specific films. Despite this defect – or rather a specific characteristic of this television – one cannot take away from it that after calibration, the C7L was able to reproduce the colors 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-friendly television, the Hisense E7Q / E79Q performs really well with a challenging element like the smoothness of tonal transitions. In most scenes, the colors blend together naturally, without visible jumps or artificial edges. Lighter parts of the image look particularly good – the transitions are smooth and pleasing to the eye. Minor issues only appear with very dark shades of gray, where slight banding can be noticed. However, this is a detail that doesn't affect the overall perception of the image. For a television in this category, the result is more than just decent.

Another element worth discussing is the fluidity of tonal transitions. Here, it's fair to admit that in the TCL C7L, it simply looks good. In most scenes – especially in the brighter shots – there are absolutely no issues with gradients. In native 4K HDR content, the picture is clear, and the transitions between shades are very smooth. It looks just as good in Dolby Vision mode, where we did not notice any digital defects or unpleasant color banding during testing. One could nitpick very dark shots where a heavily compressed signal is displayed on the screen. In such conditions, the C7L can sometimes show minor imperfections; however, in this model, it's not something that stands out too much. Especially during regular movie viewings.

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 Hisense E7Q / E79Q, upscaling and digital image processing are not the strongest features of this television. It is clear that the manufacturer opted for simplicity rather than advanced image processing algorithms. The television does not offer any functions for smoothing tonal transitions or systems for improving image clarity, which means that lower resolution materials simply look very raw. On the screen, subtle compression edges can be noticed, which better processors in other models can effectively hide.

During tests of HD materials, we noticed that the E7Q tries to artificially enhance detail, which sometimes works and sometimes has the opposite effect – the image becomes soft, slightly smeared, at times even "watery." There is no aggressive sharpening that ruins naturalness, but there is also no finesse in detailing that better image processors offer.

This point can be, in a sense, called the Achilles' heel of the C7L model. Unfortunately, this TV uses an older MediaTek chipset – the Pentonic 700 – which has never been known for exceptional digital image processing. This is clearly evident in the operation of the gradual smoothing feature, which is responsible for reducing jagged edges and removing digital noise. It simply works very poorly – after setting it to low, its effectiveness is practically nonexistent. The only small plus here is that the algorithm doesn't spoil anything additional in the image and doesn’t forcibly blur details. The upscaling, that is, scaling the image from lower resolutions to 4K, performs a bit better. It is simply adequate and doesn’t stand out in any particular way compared to the competition. However, it cannot be denied that the C7L would gain significantly in this aspect if the manufacturer decided to use the newer Pentonic 800 processor, which is now increasingly found in many competitive 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 4K sports fans may feel a slight disappointment – we simply won't see such smooth images here as in more expensive models with higher refresh rates. Fortunately, when it comes to movies, the situation is much better. Cinematic materials recorded at 24 frames per second can be displayed here using a motion smoothing feature, allowing the user to adjust the image to their preferences – more cinematic with a visible frame or smoother, in a theatrical style.

TCL C7L features a native 4K panel with a refresh rate of 144 Hz, which can even ramp up to 288 Hz at lower resolutions when using a PC. These are, of course, very high values and commendable on paper, but in everyday life, it's worth remembering that nearly all dynamic content you display on this television will still be running around a maximum of 120 Hz. To harness this dynamics, we find a motion smoothing system in the TV's menu called “Motion Clarity.” It offers several predefined modes, including a user mode, which we definitely recommend setting manually using our tried-and-true guides on our YouTube channel. There we have two key sliders at our disposal. The first one, “Blur Reduction,” is responsible for reducing blurring and improving sharpness in dynamic 60fps materials, such as sports broadcasts. The second slider, “Flicker Reduction,” allows for the addition of artificial frames in movies and series recorded at cinematic 24 or 30 frames per second. This, of course, completely eliminates the irritating stutter effect 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 doesn't support 4K signal at 120 Hz. However, the manufacturer has included a set of features that until recently could only be found in more expensive models. There is ALLM, or automatic switching to low-latency mode, which allows the television to activate game mode with very low input lag. We also have VRR, functioning up to 60 Hz – this may not seem impressive on paper, but 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 level, you can change picture modes, turn on a frame rate counter, or even… a crosshair on the screen – in the Vidaa system humorously named "target point," which is a result of awkward translation by the Chinese manufacturer.

Particularly praiseworthy is the ability to play in 1080p at 120 Hz, which realistically improves the smoothness and responsiveness of the image. This way, if someone wants to play a few titles at a higher refresh rate, they can simply lower the resolution and enjoy significantly smoother motion. Despite the lack of 4K@120Hz, Hisense E7Q / E79Q really performs well as a television for gamers – especially those who are not looking for perfection, but 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, we have access to all the key features that console owners and powerful PC users require. It offers a well-functioning ALLM mode with very low input lag and VRR frame synchronization that operates impressively from 48 up to 288 Hz. Importantly, unlike some competitors, TCL has ensured proper implementation of the console HDR10 HGIG profile and support for Dolby Vision in games. This is complemented by a well-designed gaming panel, the Game Bar, which even allows for customization of its appearance and theme to perfectly match the aesthetics of your console.

The only thing that can – and indeed must – be criticized 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 theater 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 will have to give up something or constantly juggle the cables at the back of the unit while maintaining convenient audio system control.

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 TV 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 controller movements is instantaneous, without that characteristic delay that can ruin even the best match in FIFA or a critical exchange in a fighting game. In game mode, the E7Q / E79Q operates with a delay of less than 15 ms, which means that there is virtually no gap between pressing a button and seeing the reaction on the screen. This is a level that even more expensive models would be proud of. And it's precisely for this responsiveness – perhaps more than for the picture or extras – that this TV really deserves praise.

It is worth taking a look at the dry numbers here, because in terms of signal delay, the TCL C7L is absolutely at the top of the market. Our measurements showed that the input lag is extremely low and for a 60 Hz signal it is only about 10 ms. When we step up to a higher level and launch a game at 120 Hz, the delay drops to an imperceptible 6 to 7 ms. However, what is more important is that these values are maintained 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.

In terms of collaboration with a PC, the Hisense E7Q / E79Q unfortunately does not impress. Yes, the television supports full chroma sampling 4:4:4, so text and fonts are quite readable, but that’s 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 was gently shimmering with colors. This is best seen with dark letters on a gray background – instead of neutral shades of fonts, there are delicate flashes of blue, green, and red, reminiscent of a rainbow effect. After prolonged use at the computer, it can strain the eyes and reduce comfort. On the positive side, there is support for 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 PC monitor, the E7Q / E79Q performs rather mediocrely.

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

However, typical office work with text looks a bit worse, all due to the panel behaving quite strangely under these conditions. When the highest refresh modes are turned on, namely 144 Hz and 288 Hz, the readability and sharpness of dark text on a light background is rather average – fonts become slightly blurry and jagged. Fortunately, this can be very easily fixed by changing the 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 picture looks very good – black is deep, and contrast is high. However, just sitting slightly to the side causes the situation to change quickly. At an angle of about 45 degrees, brightness drops by about 73%, and colors noticeably lose saturation. This is a typical compromise we have to make when choosing a TV with this type of panel instead of an IPS panel. There, the viewing angles are much better, but the black is much worse.

Unfortunately, the powerful native contrast of the HVA 2.0 panel comes with a price. It concerns the viewing angles, which in the C7L model are simply poor. This is all, of course, due to the use of the aforementioned VA panel. It is a completely natural characteristic of this technology and something to be aware of when making a purchase. If you sit directly in front of the screen, the picture will impress you with its depth, but just shifting a few dozen degrees to the side on the couch will cause the colors to immediately begin to fade. 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

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 sunny rooms, it begins to lose clarity. It is simply not a screen for interiors with large windows or strong daylight. On the positive side, it's worth mentioning the satin coating of the panel, which effectively reduces reflections – both from lamps and from windows. As a result, even if the room is not in semi-darkness, the image remains quite clear.

It is also worth mentioning how the TCL C7L performs during everyday viewing in a sunlit living room. As we have established, this is an extremely bright television, and it is precisely because of such a powerful supply of luminance (up to 2400 nits in SDR!) that it manages to perform exceptionally well in very bright rooms – the image simply pushes through the incoming light into the room without any problems. The only thing to watch out for here is direct reflections on the screen. The coating applied to the panel this year is definitely glossier than the one we saw in last year’s C7K model. The screen significantly worsens the suppression of point light reflections, which in unfavorable conditions – for example, when a window is positioned directly opposite the television – can be quite irritating for some users. Nevertheless, in terms of raw 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's clear that the software is maturing – it includes AirPlay, Screen Mirroring, and voice search in multiple languages, including Polish. Unfortunately, in our unit, it worked quite slowly, which surprised us a bit since this system reacted much faster in other Hisense models. The limited app library is also a downside. Of course, the most important ones are there – Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube – but it's worth checking before purchasing whether you'll find everything you use daily.

Classic Features

In terms of typical television functions, the E7Q performs significantly better. We have practically everything one can expect from a classic television: recording from built-in tuners to USB, a jack headphone 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 "perform as it should." The remote is also quite classic, well-designed with a lot of buttons (including numeric ones), which may be appealing to those who still watch regular television on the 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 massive library of apps 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 and Chromecast. However, a huge and very pleasant surprise is the overall performance of the software. We noticed that Google's system on the new C7L operates much more efficiently, smoothly, and quickly than on TCL models from last year. Much of this is due to better optimization at launch. Unnecessary pauses and minor interface hiccups, known from older models, seem to have faded into oblivion.

TV Features

In terms of classic antenna 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 apart from the traditional program guide, you won’t find anything special. A significant nod to traditional viewers is the classic remote control, which, contrary to the current trend towards minimalism, is still equipped with a full numeric keypad, greatly facilitating quick channel switching.

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 correctly but can be temperamental. The biggest problem concerns photo support – the TV only handles selected formats, and some files simply do not open. This is quite surprising because even cheaper models from other manufacturers usually do not have this issue. Videos and music play without major problems; however, one has to reckon with the fact that the E7Q is not a master of versatility when it comes to files from a USB drive. It's rather a basic player that works – as long as we don't try to "surprise" it with something.

Finally, it's worth mentioning the playback of files from external USB drives in the multimedia section. During our tests, we didn't 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, HEIC, without any issues. This is an extremely rare feature in manufacturers' factory applications. And while the Google TV system gives you unlimited options for installing external media player programs, in the case of the C7L, the built-in tool is refined enough that installing additional software is unlikely to 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 on the Hisense E7Q / E79Q is exactly what you would expect from a TV in this price range – rather flat, but quite loud. During measurements, the maximum volume reached around 83 dB, which is totally sufficient for everyday viewing. Dialogues are clearly audible, somewhat compensating for the lack of pronounced bass and depth. There are no revelations here: it's just a solid minimum that can be accepted. However, one positive aspect is the wide support for audio formats. The TV handles Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, and even the increasingly rare DTS:X. This is a nice addition, as 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 like a soundbar).

TCL C7L simply performs quite well and correctly. In terms of sound quality, there has practically been no change compared to last year's model C7K. The manufacturer still uses a speaker system branded with Bang & Olufsen in a 2.2 setup. 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 stops correlating with the scale visible on the screen. The audio system from B&O works great for daily watching of news programs or series at moderate volume, but if you're looking for good sound, it's worth buying at least a basic soundbar for the C7L.

Sound Quality Test

Acoustic Measurements

83dBC (Max)

75dBC

77dBC (Max)

75dBC