Samsung DU7192 (IPS) vs TCL C69K / Q6C

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.

In terms of brightness, TCL C69K / Q6C is a moderate model. Under optimal movie conditions, it shows its full potential, reaching a maximum of around 600 nits. In scenes with large, intense light sources, the HDR effect can be truly satisfying, providing a cinematic sparkle. However, it should be noted that when managing the backlight zones, there are situations where some elements of the image become dimmed, and sometimes they are barely visible. This suggests that there is still a lack of proper optimization of algorithms, though considering the technical parameters in this price range, the construction still looks very good.

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 Filmmaker mode, which has arrived in this year's TCL televisions (including the C69K / Q6C), is definitely the best choice "to start with." This is the mode we recommend for everyday viewing of movies and series. Unfortunately, as is often the case, best does not mean perfect. In SDR content, the image turned out to be too warm, with a strong red tint in the white balance. We had the opposite impression with HDR content – here the image became cooler than it should have, due to an excess of blue color. Additionally, the brightness characteristics sometimes resulted in overexposure. In practice, this translated to quite noticeable errors in color tests, which is hard to accept in a mode labeled as “by the creators.”

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.

Through white balance adjustment, we were able to significantly reduce the tendency of C69K / Q6C to distort colors, which resulted in a very good final outcome. After calibration, the issue of excessive warmth in SDR scenes and overly cool images in HDR disappeared. However, it is worth closely analyzing brightness characteristics. While there are few complaints about SDR content - the image looks really good, especially in older movies, TV programs, or on YouTube - the situation is much worse with HDR content. Analysis of the EOTF curve suggests that everything is fine, but in practice (EOTF in films), the limitations of the design become apparent. This model tends to excessively brighten small parts of the frame, while in other situations it dims the entire scene too much. The effect of calibration is undeniable, and in terms of color accuracy, C69K / Q6C gains a lot. Unfortunately, certain limitations resulting from local dimming management simply cannot be overcome.

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.

In terms of image scaling, TCL C69K / Q6C performs quite well. Lower quality content is displayed acceptably, and thanks to the lack of overscan issues, the image is presented in full without any cropping. However, one shouldn't expect miracles – very low-quality materials won't gain a new life here, as the image processor has its limitations.

On thin lines and details, one can see characteristic jitter, indicating a lack of more advanced image enhancement algorithms. It's also a pity that the C69K / Q6C lacks the function for smoothing tonal transitions. As a result, in older movies or video materials, color banding can be noticeable and may become distracting during longer viewing sessions.

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 use of a 144 Hz panel in TCL C69K / Q6C is a significant advantage in this price range. It represents an important step forward compared to its predecessor (C655 PRO), which only offered 60 Hz at 4K. The difference is particularly noticeable when watching sports or playing games – the ball, players, or dynamic action in games are displayed more clearly and without losing details. An interesting feature is also the ability of the panel to operate at 240 Hz (which the manufacturer does not officially mention) – we will return to this topic in relation to the PC gaming mode. TCL has also added a feature for movie fans: “Motion Clarity.” This allows users to adjust the picture to their preferences using two simple sliders. We can either keep the visible film frame or opt for very smooth, "

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.

TCL C69K / Q6C is a television that can boldly be called equipment created with gamers in mind. Here we have 4K at 144 Hz, VRR support, automatic game mode (ALLM), and Dolby Vision Gaming. Additionally, there's a practical Game Bar, which is a panel with the most important settings right at hand – useful when we want to quickly change something during gameplay (e.g., aspect ratio: Yes, it’s possible!). The wide range of VRR, reaching up to 240 Hz, is noteworthy. This option is primarily for PC gamers who will lower the resolution below native 4K. In that case, the TV can spread its wings and show additional smoothness, especially in fast esports titles. For consoles, we stick to the classic limit of 120 Hz, but the possibilities are still quite broad. The only drawback is slight motion blur that can sometimes be seen in dynamic scenes. Other than that, C69K / Q6C offers everything gamers expect from a television.