GoKawiilOn the back, there are four HDMI ports, and you have a choice about how to use them. HDMI 1 and HDMI 2 both support a 144-Hz refresh rate for gaming in 4K with better fidelity (or 240 Hz if you want to connect a PC and use 1080p resolution). However, HDMI 1 is the eARC port for running audio out to a receiver or soundbar, which leaves three open ports for other things. I had trouble connecting HDMI cables since the ports are on the back and point up; they're hard to find in a dark room. I prefer the Samsung The Frame Pro, which offers a breakout box for connecting all of the devices for far less cable clutter.
Otherwise, setup was quick using Google TV. I only had to log in to the Google Home app on my iPhone and sync everything up. That meant Netflix worked without having to log in, because Google TV saved all of my settings.
I liked the remote just fine, but it initially had some issues with pairing and voice control that were resolved by resetting everything (including the TV itself, not ideal). I don’t like the volume and mute buttons on the side: They are hard to find initially unless you know they are located there.
The Truth About Art Displays
Photograph: John Brandon
I was here for the artwork, because the TCL NXTVISION has a matte display and accurate color. While The Frame Pro includes 5,000 pieces of art, including several Andrew Wyeths and a few masterpieces, the NXTVISION only includes 350 art images. Worse, you can’t search for them; you can only scroll through a few categories to find the one you want. The AI generator isn’t bad, on par with Samsung and Hisense offerings; I generated an ocean scene by choosing a few keyword prompts and left it on the screen for an entire week. TCL says there are a hundred thousand possible AI combinations.