Compare TCL P7K / P79K vs LG OLED B6

The time has come to gather all observations. The TCL P7K / P79K is a television that cleverly juggles compromises, offering significantly more than we could expect in its price range. Its undeniable advantage is the VA panel, guaranteeing deep blacks and high contrast, and a surprisingly rich package for gamers (with VRR and 120 Hz support at lower resolutions) makes it a phenomenal choice for console owners. The whole package is tied together by the functional Google TV system. Of course, low peak brightness means that HDR content lacks spectacular highlights, and the TV's performance in sunlit rooms is limited. And while at its relatively low price, the P7K / P79K is quite a decent option, its biggest competitor turns out to be… its more refined sibling, the P8K. Often FOR a small extra charge, we get a device a class higher – with a native 4K 144 Hz panel, significantly better audio system, and generally higher build quality, 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.

The LG OLED B6 is a very successful continuation of the B series and a TV that makes a lot of sense as a first step into OLED. It doesn't try to compete with the most expensive models in every respect, but on the most important points it still delivers exactly what many people choose the technology for: perfect black, very high contrast, and a picture that can simply look spectacular in movies. This is largely thanks to the new budget WOLED panel, called OLED SE. Thanks to it, LG's cheapest OLED is now noticeably brighter than a few years ago, and around 800 nits in HDR is a level you can actually notice while watching. Bright elements have more punch, the picture handles more demanding scenes better, and combined with OLED blacks the whole thing can look really impressive. Movies and series from streaming platforms fare especially well, particularly those available in Dolby Vision. That's when the B6 makes the most of its capabilities and can produce a picture that will be a big step up for someone moving from a typical LCD TV. However, it's not a model without compromises. Our biggest reservation is how the screen handles reflections. The lack of a classic polarizer means the TV fares much worse when placed opposite a large window or a strong light source. Reflections are more noticeable than on other WOLED panels, and the black itself loses some of its character in a bright room. In controlled viewing conditions this won't be an issue, but for a very bright living room you should approach this purchase with some caution. The operation of webOS also leaves something to be desired. It is still very good overall, with a rich app library, a convenient Magic Remote, and pretty much everything you'd expect from a modern smart TV. The problem is that on the B6 it doesn't always run as smoothly as it should. At times you can tell the new version of the system is more demanding and a bit "heavier" than before. Despite these notes, the LG B6 still performs very well. It's a TV that delivers all the key advantages of OLED while not costing as much as the higher-end models. It makes the most sense when it turns up on a good sale, because that's when it can be one of the most interesting choices for people who want to get into OLEDs without overpaying.

In the discussion about image quality, the conversation almost always starts with the issue of black depth and contrast, which are parameters defining the plasticity and realism of the observed world. And here, the TCL P7k/P79k immediately lays its strongest asset on the table – a VA-type panel. It is its construction that makes the native relationship 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 achieved black has a noble depth, which allows for building an engaging viewer experience. To illustrate the scale, it is worth mentioning that competitive constructions based on IPS panels often offer results that are even four or sometimes five times lower, which constitutes a chasm in direct comparison. Of course, entering the territory of models oriented towards affordability, we must be aware of certain compromises. In the discussed television, we will not find an advanced local dimming system that could further enhance the impression 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".

Black levels on the LG OLED B6 are perfect. That's no surprise, since it's an OLED (WOLED), but this is where you can really see why this technology still has so many fans. Each pixel can turn off individually, so in dark scenes there's no gray haze or light bleed around bright elements. That gives the image excellent depth and can make it look truly three-dimensional. Shadow detail also holds up well. Nothing blends into one dark blotch, and fine details remain visible even in more challenging scenes. In that respect, the B6 simply showcases everything we love about OLED TVs.

When evaluating the HDR effect, we must make it clear and without marketing embellishment: the P7K/P79K is not and was never meant to be a master in this field. The maximum peak brightness that this panel can generate is only around 300 nits. This is a borderline value, a sort of thin red line between what can be considered a barely satisfactory HDR signal and what is really 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 parts of the content rarely exceeded the threshold of 200-250 nits. Therefore, this is not a television that would allow content produced in a wide tonal range to truly shine, and we must openly acknowledge that.

Unfortunately, the issue of color reproduction is presented equally restrained. Although the manufacturer positions this model in 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 color gamut is only 86%. Compared to the market, this is at best an average result, as most devices that employ additional layers to expand the color spectrum easily achieve values at a minimum level of 90-92%.

The LG B6 is a moderately bright OLED. After calibration it reaches about 800 nits, roughly 200 nits more than last year’s B5. That’s thanks to the new budget OLED SE panel from LG Display. In practice it simply gives a bit more headroom and makes HDR in many scenes look fuller than on last year’s lower-tier OLEDs. That doesn’t mean the B6 has no limits. In very bright shots, when a large part of the screen is strongly lit, brightness can drop below 400 nits. This behavior is typical for OLED TVs (especially those from this segment) and that’s when you see the biggest difference versus more expensive models. All things considered, we rate the B6’s results as really solid. It’s still not a TV for breaking brightness records, but the HDR effect is strong enough that you can really feel the step up from ordinary SDR in films.

Color gamut

Using the OLED SE panel has slightly affected wide color gamut coverage. Compared with last year’s model, results fell by a few percentage points. DCI-P3 reaches about 96%, and BT.2020 around 71%. That doesn’t mean the colors on the LG B6 are weak. In most movies and series they look lively, well saturated and simply pleasing to the eye. You only notice a difference in very bright, highly colorful scenes. Then colors lose some intensity compared with QD-OLED panels. This comes from the WOLED panel construction. Besides red, green and blue subpixels it also uses a white subpixel that helps boost brightness. It comes at a cost: at very high luminance some color is effectively “diluted” by the white light, so saturation of some colors can be slightly lower. In everyday use this isn’t a big issue, but you can notice it in the most demanding scenes.

Every reliable image quality assessment must begin by selecting the most optimal factory mode. In the case of the tested model P7K/P79K, the choice was confidently made for the "Film" mode. It is this mode that presents an image closest to the creators' intentions, avoiding both the exaggerated brightness of 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 is not free from a few stumbles. The most noticeable flaw turned out to be an imperfectly adjusted white balance. A slight dominance of the blue component gives the image a subtly cool, chilly character, thus deviating from the exemplary neutrality that the director wanted to show us. The television performs much better in reproducing the grayscale in a standard dynamic range – the gamma curve is executed almost perfectly. A minor reservation can only be made for 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 TCL's software, however, was the interpretation of the HDR signal, which is illustrated by the EOTF curve. The television follows its own, rather free path here – the darkest details are disproportionately brightened, followed by a noticeable slowdown in brightness increase for midtones. Fortunately, most of these imperfections are software-related issues that can be eliminated. With this thought in mind, we proceeded to the professional calibration process.

We tested the LG B6 in Filmmaker Mode, which is the best picture setting available right out of the box. ISF modes deliver very similar results, but in our tests we always stick to Filmmaker Mode for better comparison with other TVs. Each of those modes is, after all, a much better starting point than Vivid or Eco mode, where the picture is heavily boosted and noticeably less natural. With SDR content, the factory settings perform really well. Color errors are small, gamma behaves properly, and the image looks natural during ordinary viewing and does not seem overly "pumped up." It's a bit worse with HDR. When you play that kind of content you can quickly see that the white balance hasn't been set perfectly. Too much blue and red causes the image to shift toward a slightly pink tint. This is also confirmed by measurements of the color gamut and the ColorChecker, where samples clearly drift in that direction. It's not a flaw that completely ruins the picture, but you can notice it in HDR films. So people who care about the most faithful image should consider the calibration we describe later in the review.

The calibration process turned out to be a home run, especially in the context of standard dynamic range (SDR) content. We successfully managed to eliminate the TV's tendency to emphasize cool tones, restoring the whites to their natural neutrality. Furthermore, precise adjustments allowed us to correct a slight error in the gamma curve, so the darkest areas of the image regained their proper depth, without a trace of unnatural brightening. The effects are measurable and impressive – in the ColorChecker test, the vast majority of color reproduction errors fell below the perceptual threshold, achieving a deltaE value below 2. This is a result that would not shame much more expensive constructions. Unfortunately, in the case of HDR content, we hit a wall in the form of the inherent limitations of the panel itself. And although we managed to bring the colors in line, the software's specifics mean that the TV still adapts brightness in its own way, as evidenced by the persistent, non-standard EOTF curve. In summary, calibration brings tremendous added value, but one must be aware that it cannot overcome certain physical barriers. A slight boost in black levels, resulting from the lack of local dimming, and limited peak brightness mean that HDR content will not always be able to showcase its full potential. This is simply not the main task of this display; its true strength, especially after professional tuning, lies in the viewing of SDR materials.

During calibration we focused primarily on HDR content, because that's where the factory settings required the biggest corrections. We didn't neglect SDR mode, though, which after adjustment was brought almost to perfection. Colors are very accurate and brightness is handled as it should be. The biggest improvement in HDR came from correcting the white balance. After removing the excess red and blue, the pinkish tint disappeared and the image became much more natural. Skin tones, whites and all colors that had been shifting toward magenta improved. After calibration most errors fell below a Delta E of 2–3, the threshold at which the average viewer stops noticing differences with the naked eye. The LG B6 can therefore deliver a very accurate image, especially for the manufacturer's entry-level OLED model.

The issue of fluidity in 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 color 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 unsightly dithering. This artifact is particularly noticeable on demanding test patterns – such as the one depicting an actor submerged in red water – where a rough, unnatural texture appears on uniform color surfaces, revealing the digital nature of the image. This is particularly disappointing as it is not a new issue. It seems to be a sort of legacy from previous generations of budget TCL models, which is a shame because it constitutes a flaw on what is essentially a quite competent image and is a mistake that could have been avoided.

Tonal transitions on the LG B6 are quite good, though you can still see some limitations typical of WOLED panels. In most scenes, colors transition smoothly between shades, without noticeable banding or unwanted digital artifacts. It's not always perfect, however. Most problems appear in the dark areas of the image, where WOLED panels have long been somewhat weaker. This is partly due to the greater difficulty of driving the panel at very low brightness and to the design's use of a white subpixel. Compared with last year's model there is a slight improvement, but it still doesn't reach the level of the best QD-OLED TVs or more advanced LCD models.

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 digital processing and content scaling. It should be noted right away that we are not talking about the level known from flagship designs; nevertheless, in the price segment represented by the P7K/P79K, the results achieved are more than solid. The feature that smooths tonal transitions performs particularly well, effectively eliminating posterization, which are the characteristic bands often visible in materials with higher compression, such as from the YouTube service. The algorithm can elegantly remove unwanted gradients, which ultimately looks really good. The television also competently handles upscaling, which is the task of raising low-resolution materials to 4K standard. The output image, although it may seem a bit too sharp out of the box, fortunately, is not a problem. The software allows for easy adjustment of this parameter using a sharpness slider, so the final appearance can be easily tailored to personal preferences.

The LG B6 handles lower-quality sources very well. Much of the credit goes to effective digital image processing, which can mask some source imperfections without overly smoothing the whole scene. The feature "Smooth Gradation" proves particularly useful. It can significantly reduce posterization, which we mentioned earlier, especially in darker areas of the image. The safest choice remains Low or Medium. The function still effectively smooths harsh tonal transitions, but does not yet interfere too much with fine details. The most dedicated purists can, of course, leave it off. Upscaling to 4K also performs very well. Full HD and 720p content retain a good amount of detail, and the image is neither overly sharpened nor excessively blurred. Some limitations become noticeable only with very poor sources below 720p, where the smallest subtitles and fine elements are not always perfectly sharp, but this is true for almost every other TV on the market.

The issue of fluidity and sharpness of the image in motion is inextricably linked to the fundamental parameter of the panel, and in the case of the TCL P7K/P79K, we are dealing with a panel that has a native refresh rate of 60 Hz. This specification already defines its capabilities and makes it difficult to unequivocally recommend it to enthusiasts of dynamic sports broadcasts. During rapid camera movements, the image loses sharpness, and the panel itself also shows a slight tendency to blur, 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 materials recorded at 24 or 30 frames per second. Thanks to a dedicated slider, the user can independently decide on the final character of the motion – from a fully cinematic, slightly juddery image to achieving a very smooth, almost theatrical effect. It is a simple yet effective tool that allows users to tailor the viewing experience to their own preferences.

One of the biggest advantages of OLED panels is their very fast pixel response time. This keeps the image sharp and prevents the visible smearing that often appears on LCD TVs. However, there is a downside. During slow camera pans, motion can look more choppy than on LCD screens, where the slower panel naturally masks some of that effect. Fortunately, on the LG B6 you can easily soften this with TruMotion. With the motion smoothing properly adjusted, you can achieve smoother motion without giving the picture an excessive soap-opera effect.

Although on paper the native 4K@60Hz matrix might suggest that the TCL P7K/P79K is not a TV tailored for gamers, the reality turns out to be 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 completed 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 TV easily supports high refresh rate signals of 120 Hz, but at lower resolutions – 1080p and 1440p. This is fantastic news for console owners who know full 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 avid tournament gamers, it offers a package of options for the casual or occasional console user that is hard to find among many competitors at this price point.

LG OLED B6 offers a powerful set of advantages for gamers; it's simply a complete platform for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, or a solid PC. It has four full-size HDMI 2.1 ports with 48 Gbps bandwidth, so you can skip the annoying cable swapping when you want to connect several newer devices at once. We get the full suite of sync technologies – from classic VRR to G-Sync and FreeSync. The screen seamlessly matches the refresh rate to the frame output produced by the console or graphics card. Of course ALLM is included: the B6 automatically detects a running game and immediately cuts input lag to a minimum. HDR handling is also excellent. The TV supports Dolby Vision, and a properly implemented HGiG standard means that after an initial calibration in the console settings the picture won’t suffer from blown-out highlights or lost detail in bright areas. The cherry on top is the Game Bar. Instead of digging through the full menu during gameplay, one click lets you adjust shadow visibility, tweak selected settings, or simply check the display’s current operating mode. All of this makes the LG B6 a great choice for gamers.

Complementing this rich package for gamers is a parameter that has a direct impact on comfort and performance in gameplay – input lag. Even 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, when the lag drops nearly in half, reaching values below 10 ms. Such responsiveness means that every command from the controller is transferred to the screen in the blink of an eye, something not only professionals will appreciate, but anyone who values smooth and immediate interaction with the game.

Input lag in the LG B6 is very low. At 120 Hz it's about 5 ms, and at 60 Hz it rises to roughly 15 ms. Both results are good enough that most gamers won't notice any delay between their inputs and what happens on screen. Dolby Vision performs a bit worse, where input lag can increase to around 25 ms. That's still not a bad result, but the most demanding players using an Xbox may already feel a difference compared to standard HDR.

We finally come to an area that can undoubtedly be described as the biggest Achilles' heel of the TCL P7K/P79K – its cooperation with a PC. This is paradoxical because 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 – they, especially colorful ones, become jagged, surrounded by artifacts, and simply hard to read. This is not the end, as in PC mode, a significant issue with 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 additional hertz and G-Sync technology, but these are not benefits that could compensate for the fundamental shortcomings in displaying a static interface. The verdict is therefore clear: while it can still hold up as a screen solely for gaming on PC, in the role of a monitor for work or internet browsing, the P7K/P79K simply performs poorly.

The LG B6 also works very well as a computer display. Low input lag, support for VRR, G-Sync and FreeSync, and a high refresh rate mean there's little to fault it for gaming. Compared with pricier models, it only lacks additional modes with even higher refresh rates. In the best OLEDs and some LCD TVs you can now find even 240 or 330 Hz at lower resolutions. The B6 doesn't have that, but for most people it won't be a big loss. What may matter more is the WOLED panel's subpixel structure. Because it uses four subpixels, small fonts in Windows aren't perfectly sharp and you can sometimes see slight colored fringes around them. For occasional web browsing or computer work that probably won't be an issue. However, anyone planning to buy a smaller variant, for example 48 inches, and use it as their main monitor at a desk should keep that in mind.

When it comes to viewing angles, we enter a territory where VA matrix technology dictates inevitable conditions. As expected, this is the weak point of this model. It is enough to move away from the screen's axis to observe a gradual degradation of the image: colors begin to fade, contrast noticeably drops, and black loses its depth. In direct competition with IPS panels, which are renowned for their generosity in this aspect, the VA matrix must concede superiority to its competitor. Is there a plus side to this? Paradoxically, yes. Poor viewing angles are, in fact, the price we consciously pay for the fundamental advantage of this technology – a significantly higher native contrast and deeper blacks when viewed head-on. So, one could say that this is a television that favors the viewer sitting in the "ideal" spot, offering them a maximally vibrant image at the cost of universality.

Viewing angles on the LG B6 are very good, which is typical for almost all OLED TVs. Even at extreme side angles the picture maintains strong color saturation and doesn't noticeably lose brightness. In this respect, really only models with QD-OLED panels perform better. However, there's one thing worth mentioning. Some WOLED panels may show a slight greenish tint at extreme angles. This isn't a rule; some units exhibit the effect more, others hardly at all. It depends on the specific unit.

The last practical test for any television is its daily performance in daylight conditions when it must compete with ambient light. In this competition, the TCL P7K / P79K has a slight advantage thanks to its satin screen coating. Its structure manages to quite effectively dampen direct reflections, dispersing them and protecting the image from excessive color fading or black brightness. However, passive combat with reflections is one side of the coin. The other is the active ability to "break through" bright surroundings, and here one of the key limitations of this model becomes apparent. The previously mentioned peak brightness of around 300 nits is simply too low to provide a fully comfortable and dynamic viewing experience in a brightly lit living room. In such conditions, the image may lack punch, and lower brightness scenes may lose clarity.

In the case of the LG B6, one of the bigger changes comes from the new OLED SE panel. The TV is slightly brighter than its predecessor, but at the same time it handles direct light reflections worse. The reason is a less effective polarizer, so reflections from windows or lamps are less effectively suppressed, and blacks in a bright room can look slightly lifted. LG tried to partially mask this effect with a satin screen coating. It does help to subtly diffuse reflections, but it doesn't eliminate them as effectively as earlier solutions. And in this respect the B series loses the most compared with the previous generation. During the day the screen no longer looks as clean, and strong light sources can clearly reflect on the panel.

That doesn't mean, of course, that the B6 is unsuitable for a bright living room. The higher screen brightness helps cut through ambient light, and during normal viewing the picture remains readable. The problem starts when there's a large window or a strong lamp opposite the TV. In those conditions the B6 doesn't perform at its best. So it's best used in a room where you can at least partially control the light falling directly on the screen.

Smart Features – the Power of Google TV

The heart and brain of the TCL P7K / P79K is the Google TV system, which in itself is a huge advantage. This platform provides access to an almost endless library of applications from the Play Store, ensuring that we won't be missing any key streaming service. Integration with other devices is exemplary – Apple device owners will appreciate the seamless cooperation via AirPlay, while Windows and Android users will easily take advantage of the screen mirroring feature. It is also worth highlighting the Google Assistant, which performs fantastically with voice searches in Polish, remaining one of the most effective and convenient solutions of its kind on the market. The operation of the system on the tested model can be described as "average plus." The interface is mostly smooth, but during testing, it experienced occasional slowdowns and even sporadic "freezes" requiring a moment of patience. Minor hiccups are also visible in the translation of some system messages, which can be awkward – however, these are just small oversights on TCL's part, not affecting overall functionality.

Classic Features

In the age 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, greatly enhancing user comfort. The presence of Bluetooth technology for connecting external devices, like headphones or speakers, should also be noted positively. However, this is where the list of conveniences basically ends. It is evident that TCL has placed nearly everything on the Google TV card, treating classic functions as an absolute minimum. Therefore, we will not find the option to record programs 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 necessary.

Smart TV: webOS

LG B6 runs webOS, LG’s proprietary platform. Its biggest strength remains the way it’s controlled. The included Magic Remote works like a mouse; just move your wrist to move the cursor across the screen and point at the items you want. It may feel unusual at first, but it quickly proves very convenient, especially when typing text, selecting apps, or navigating a complex menu. The remote itself is fairly minimalist and doesn’t offer many traditional buttons, but the cursor control largely makes up for that. On the other hand, if you don’t want to wave your hand to type letters, you can always speak the desired phrase into the remote and the AI voice assistant will suggest appropriate recommendations.

In terms of available apps, it’s hard to fault webOS. You’ll find practically all the major streaming services here, as well as extra features like AirPlay, screen mirroring, and Chromecast. The TV therefore works well with both Apple phones and Android devices. It’s just a pity that the system on the B6 doesn’t run as smoothly as on higher-end models. At times it can respond with a slight delay, and the home screen is heavily loaded with recommendations, tiles, and ads. That doesn’t make webOS unusable, but it could certainly be more organized.

Classic features

By contrast, the traditional TV features perform very well—features many manufacturers are starting to forget. The LG B6 lets you record programs to an attached hard drive or USB storage. The PVR function also supports scheduling, so you can program recordings in advance from the TV guide. This comes in handy when you want to save an episode, a match, or another event broadcast while you’re away. There’s also a clear channel guide and solid support for terrestrial, cable, and satellite TV. For people who still regularly use traditional television, the B6 is therefore a relatively complete device, provided the lack of teletext doesn’t bother you.

The built-in media player in the P7k/P79k model is at least a puzzling case, putting us in quite an unusual situation. On one hand, its engine handles decoding most popular video formats, which is obviously good news. On the other hand, we encountered a surprising and irritating issue – the default application has a fundamental problem displaying Polish diacritical characters in subtitle files correctly. 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 problem can be easily circumvented. Installing an alternative, advanced player, such as the reliable VLC or KODI, completely resolves this inconvenience. The situation is peculiar because this flaw did not occur in other TCL models we tested previously. We are therefore dealing with a clear software oversight, which, hopefully, will be fixed in a future update.

The LG B6’s built-in player handles most popular video files played from USB without any major problems. The TV also properly supports subtitles and the most common audio formats, though it lacks DTS support. The situation is somewhat worse for photos. The list of supported formats is fairly limited and does not include HEIC, the format in which photos taken with an iPhone are saved by default. Such files therefore need to be converted to JPG beforehand, or you can simply use the AirPlay function.

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 dialogues in movies and TV shows are conveyed 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, with a large Onkyo subwoofer at the back of the cabinet, defined the strength of its sound. Here, that element is simply missing, making the sound seem flatter and lacking the depth that creates a cinematic atmosphere. We also noticed a peculiar feature in the software – when trying to set the maximum volume, the TV automatically reduces it. It's hard to conclusively determine whether this is a form of protection against distortion or a minor software bug; nonetheless, it's a pity, as the power reserves seem to be somewhat greater.

In terms of sound, the LG B6 performs very similarly to last year's model. It still uses a 2.0 speaker setup rated at 20 W, which is more than enough for everyday viewing. Dialogue is clear and the sound doesn't sound bad, but there's no sense of space, dynamics, or bass you get from higher-end models. The TV supports the Dolby Atmos spatial audio format, but DTS:X is missing. The biggest problem, however, is not the speakers themselves but the settings. Compared with its predecessor, a large portion of the options for tailoring the sound to your preferences has disappeared. A few preset modes remain, including AI and Standard, but the ability to fine-tune the audio is much more limited than it was a year ago.

TCL P7K / P79K vs LG OLED B6

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

TV appearance

Where to buy

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Color gamut

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:

Sound connection options

Supported audio formats (external HDMI eARC audio):

Senior accessibility

Smart Features – the Power of Google TV

Classic Features

Smart TV: webOS

Classic features

Apps

Playing files from USB

Sound

Sound Quality Test

Acoustic Measurements