Samsung DU7192 (IPS) vs TCL C655 / C69B (43" - 50")

The maximum luminance for HDR content on the Samsung DU7192 is 245 nits, but is often exceeded by even lower results. Such values are insufficient for comfortable viewing of HDR material due to the lack of appropriate image dynamics and the colour distortions caused by the device's low brightness. While the manufacturer has equipped the device with an HDR format featuring dynamic metadata, specifically HDR10+, it is rarely used compared to Dolby Vision, which Samsung has yet to introduce in its televisions. It is also worth noting that the Samsung DU7192 only covers 82% of the wide colour gamut DCI-P3, meaning that sending signals in a wide dynamic range should be avoided, as significant colour loss will be evident.

Overall, the Samsung DU7192 delivers high-quality images that will satisfy most users. The television stands out particularly for its vivid colours and decent contrast. Thanks to UHD technology, the image on the screen is sharp and clear, even during fast-moving scenes. The DU7192 also supports HDR, allowing for better reproduction of details in bright and dark areas of the image.

The quality of the HDR effect in the TCL C69B / C655 television is quite average. A brightness level of 350 nits, while not the worst, still does not allow for fully enjoying HDR effects, which require higher luminance to show their strength. Additionally, despite the use of a quantum dot coating (QLED), the television offers average coverage of the wide DCI-P3 color gamut at 91%, which may limit its richness of colors in HDR content.

The best factory mode we used throughout the testing process was "Filmmaker." However, like most modes, it had its drawbacks. Starting with the most basic chart, the white balance, we observed a pronounced dominance of red in SDR and HDR modes. Although green also appeared in HDR mode, it did not significantly affect the overall perception. This resulted in an image with a noticeable yellow tint, particularly evident on the whites and the faces of the actors.

Another important chart, arguably more significant, is gamma, which controls contrast in materials with a standard colour palette. In factory mode it performed reasonably well, but with one notable issue regarding the darkest scenes. Here, it was significantly lowered, resulting in excessive brightening, which robbed the film of its contrast and suspense.

As for HDR content, the white balance remained similar. The main change occurred in the EOTF curve chart. Initially, we saw a bulge that, like the gamma curve, brightened the darkest scenes considerably. However, the curve then drastically changed, and the measured result dropped below the reference line, diminishing the dynamism of the film even further.

The television TCL C69B / C655 tested in movie mode unfortunately does not meet expectations regarding color accuracy. Although movie mode suggests better reproduction, it has little in common with film. There are quite a few errors visible, especially in white balance – both for HD and 4K HDR content – where the dominance of the blue color is very apparent. For the viewer, this means that the image becomes unnaturally cool, affecting the overall perception of colors and the visual impression. The color checker confirms these errors, showing that colors shift to cooler shades.

As for brightness characteristics and the associated contrast, gamma is very unstable for material, which can make the image slightly darker. The EOTF curve for 4K material shows some errors, with significant deviations at the end of the chart, negatively affecting the perception of darker areas of the image.

Samsung even with its entry-level televisions, provides advanced tools for calibration, and we put these to work. The results of our efforts were more than satisfying. The white balance, which previously had a strong yellowish tint in both scenarios, now looks much improved, although slight deviations from the ideal are still noticeable. Nevertheless, the image is significantly cleaner than before the calibration process. We were able to model the gamma well for SDR materials, achieving as much contrast as the television can provide. The EOTF curve has also been adjusted, preventing the image from becoming excessively lightened or darkened. However, it is worth noting that for HDR materials, the deltaE errors remain quite high, with the primary issue being the unit's insufficient brightness.

After calibration, the movie mode on the TCL C69B / C655 television improves in quality. The most significant improvement can be seen in tonal quality, and the white balance is much better – without major errors. We will no longer see an excessive dominance of cool tones. Gamma has also been improved, which translates to a more stable representation of brightness and contrast. However, due to the limitations of the television's average color palette, Colour Checker tests for 4K materials did not achieve remarkable results. Despite these technological limitations, the image has become more authentic, positively influencing the reception of film content.

Let’s revisit the smoothing of tonal transitions function. It can be set to either "off" or "auto." As expected, setting it to "off" results in significant gradation issues. On the other hand, when set to "auto," both movies and TV shows offer smoother colour transitions. However, this function has notable drawbacks: it interferes with the director’s intent by softening the effect of film grain and, more concerning, it often blurs small details, misinterpreting them in the process. For this reason, we consider this feature ineffective and do not recommend using it, as the tests for tonal transition smoothness were conducted with this function turned off.

Next, we assessed the image scaling, which is crucial for watching lower-resolution materials. Unfortunately, as this is one of the manufacturer’s lower-end models, the scaling function does not perform well. The result is heavily blurred details, and a noticeable white halo forms around characters, detracting from the viewing experience.

The "Gradual Smoothing" function works very well on the TCL C69B television and, surprisingly, does not remove desired effects like film grain – unlike some solutions from other manufacturers. Unfortunately, the image scaling looks poor. The TV artificially sharpens the image, causing the edges of objects to be heavily jagged. This state of affairs may appeal to some users who prefer a more "hard" look of the image, but it is not an ideal solution for those who value naturalness and the smoothness of details.

Although the Samsung DU7192 is the entry-level model in the manufacturer’s range, it does come equipped with motion smoothing technology. While this feature is somewhat limited in comparison to higher-end models, its inclusion is a notable advantage in its price category. The maximum refresh rate available on the TV is 60 Hz, which is adequate for movies and TV shows but falls short for fast-moving content like sports.

Within the motion smoothing settings, there are two features aimed at improving fluidity: "Motion Blur Reduction" and "Clear Motion (LED)." We’ll discuss the latter later, but first, let’s focus on the former. Unfortunately, despite being present, we found no noticeable difference when adjusting this setting. Regardless of the chosen option, the picture maintained the same stuttering effect typically associated with 24 fps content.

The Samsung DU7192 uses a panel with an average response time. However, it is worth noting that this type of panel outperforms VA panels in a similar price range, making it a more suitable option for watching sports compared to other budget models.

The TV TCL C69B / C655 in its smallest variants offers decent, although not perfect, results in terms of motion fluidity. In the case of movies, the TV has a "Flicker Reduction" function that allows for motion fluidity adjustment on a scale from 1 to 10. With this option, we can adjust the appearance of the image to cinematic or more theatrical preferences (with lower or higher speed).

The Samsung DU7192 is equipped only with HDMI 2.0 ports, which is to be expected given the device's price point and its target consumer market. As a result, it does not support the highest resolutions or frame rates available on the latest generation consoles. It does, however, feature the basic gaming functionality of ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). Unfortunately, it is disappointing that the manufacturer did not include GameBar, a feature that has become a standard even in lower-end TVs. GameBar would have provided significant convenience by allowing gamers to easily adjust settings quickly during gameplay.

The TCL C69B / C655 television in its smallest variants offers a range of features dedicated to gamers, such as ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), Dolby Vision for gamers, and Game Bar. ALLM automatically switches the television to low latency mode, improving responsiveness and minimizing delays in control. VRR allows for synchronization of the screen refresh rate with the number of frames generated by the console, eliminating tearing, resulting in smoother gameplay. Dolby Vision for gamers ensures better color and contrast representation in games that support this format, resulting in better image quality. Meanwhile, Game Bar provides quick access to game settings and allows monitoring of key parameters, such as input lag.

However, the television has certain limitations that may affect gaming comfort. The 60 Hz panel does not allow for displaying signals with a higher refresh rate, which may impact image smoothness in dynamic games. The lack of support for G-Sync technology for PCs may also be noticeable when gaming on a computer, especially with demanding, fast-paced titles.