TCL QM85 Review: Is the QD-Mini LED Worth Your Investment?

mufcroberts

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First Impressions​

The TCL QM851G has a very similar design to last yearsTCL QM8/QM850G QLED. It has thin bezels on the sides and the top, with a slightly thicker bottom bezel. Unfortunately, the bezels have a reflective finish. If you have lights on in your room, you see distracting reflections on the bezels. Theres also branding near the top corner on the right bezel that uses reflective writing that can also be distracting in a well-lit room. Additionally, there's a fairly large gap betweenthe bezels and the screen.
The back is made of plastic and has a grid-like pattern thats very reminiscent of current Sony TVs. Most of the inputs are side-facing, but theyre located in a recessed cutout that makes them a bit hard to access if you have the TV wall-mounted. There are twospeakerslocated at the top, and the TV has a built-inONKYO subwooferlocated in the middle of the back of the TV. You can also funnel cables through the TV's stand to help withcable management.
The TCL QM851G has great build quality. Its mostly made of plastic, but its sturdy and well-built overall. The TV has the usual flex near the VESA mounting points on the back and it wobbles a bit when pushed on, but neither of these cause any problems. There's no issues with quality control on our unit.

Introduce​

Parameter
TCL QM85​
Picture​
TCLQM85.jpg
Reference Price​
$898​
Model Year​
2024​
Specific Uses​
home entertainment​
Built-In Media​
1x Power Cable, 1x TV Remote, 1x Quick Start Guide, 1x Stand Neck Component, 1x Stand Plate, 2x AAA TV Remote Batteries​
Highlight
Display Size: 65 inches
Panel Type: QLED
Resolution: 4K UltraHD (3840 x 2160)
Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Processor: TCL AIPQ PRO
Local Dimming Zones: Up to 5,000
Color Space: DCI-P3
HDR Support: Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Peak Brightness: Up to 5,000 nits
Smart Platform: Google TV
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, multiple HDMI and USB ports

System​

Parameter
TCL QM85​
Operating System​
Google TV​
Internet Applications​
Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus, Hulu, YouTube​
Remote Control​
Bluetooth​
Controller Type​
Voice Control​
Control Method​
Voice​
System Experience
The TCL QM851G offers a smooth and user-friendly experience with its version 12 Google TV operating system. It boasts a fantastic selection of apps, making it easy to access a wide range of content. Additionally, users can cast from their phones or play videos via USB, enhancing its versatility. However, the presence of unavoidable ads within the smart interface may detract from the overall viewing experience for some users.

Display​

Parameter
TCL QM85​
Display Technology​
QD Mini-LED, QLED​
Screen Finish​
Flat​
Has Color Screen​
Yes​
Resolution​
4K​
Refresh Rate​
144 Hz​
Picture Enhancement​
QLED ULTRA and QD-Mini LED ULTRA​
Motion Enhancement​
MEMC Frame Insertion​
Viewing Experience
The TCL QM851G delivers exceptional performance in several key areas, notably its outstanding contrast and superb black uniformity, particularly when local dimming is enabled, resulting in deep blacks that enhance the viewing experience. The TV excels in blooming performance, with minimal distractions around bright objects. While it showcases excellent HDR color gamut coverage, colors tend to be undersaturated, especially in the wider Rec. 2020 space.

The gray uniformity is generally good, though some issues like the dirty screen effect and slight corner brightness may be noticeable. The viewing angle is a drawback, as significant shifts in color and brightness occur off-center, making it less suitable for wider seating arrangements. However, the reflection handling is impressive, effectively minimizing glare.

Overall, the TCL QM851G stands out for its deep blacks, contrast, and reflection handling, making it a strong choice for dark room viewing, despite some limitations in color saturation and viewing angles.

Audio​

Parameter
TCL QM85​
Audio Channels​
2.1.2​
Audio Output​
Dolby Atmos​
Audio Input​
HDMI, Bluetooth​
Speaker Description​
2.1.2 channel speaker system with Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X audio technology, Onkyo up-firing speakers, and a total of 5 speakers (2 main channel speakers, 2 up-firing speakers, and 1 subwoofer)​
Audio Experience
The TCL QM851G offers a decent overall audio performance, highlighted by its built-in ONKYO subwoofer that provides some bass enhancement. The sound profile is generally balanced, allowing for clear dialogue, although it struggles with distortion at higher volumes, which detracts from the listening experience. While the TV performs adequately at moderate volume levels, the noticeable distortion at maximum volume is a drawback, particularly given its limited loudness capability. Overall, while the TCL QM851G meets basic audio needs, it may not satisfy those seeking a robust sound experience.

Features​

Parameter
TCL QM85​
Video Encoding​
HEVC (H.265)​
Compatible Devices​
Any audio output device that can connect to the TV​
Tuner Type​
ATSC​
D x W x H​
1.38"D x 56.69"W x 32.68"H​
Other Features​
Built-In Speaker, Game Mode, Chromecast, Wide Color Enhancer, Bezel-Less Design​
Motion Smoothing
The TCL QM851G offers commendable performance in smoothing low-quality content, effectively reducing artifacts but at the expense of some detail. It boasts excellent response times for fast-moving objects, although it experiences some black smearing during dark scene transitions. The use of pulse width modulation for backlight dimming produces flicker at a high frequency, which is generally not noticeable to most users. While it includes a motion interpolation feature aimed at enhancing motion clarity, its effectiveness is limited, leading to visible artifacts and occasional inconsistencies. Overall, the TCL QM851G delivers solid performance with specific strengths and weaknesses, particularly in handling low-quality content and motion clarity.

Connectivity​

Parameter
TCL QM85​
Connectivity Technology​
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI​
Screen Mirroring​
Apple AirPlay 2​
Wireless Technology​
Wi-Fi​
Usb Ports​
3​
USB2.0 Ports​
2​
USB3.0 Ports​
1​
HDMI Ports​
4​
Connector Type​
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI​
Signal Format​
ATSC, NTSC, Clear QAM​
Connecting TV
The TCL QM851G TV delivers an impressive gaming experience with its incredibly low input lag of just 8ms when in Game Mode, particularly at 1080p @ 240Hz, ensuring a highly responsive interface for gamers. However, it does suffer from a recurring bug that requires a power cycle to restore its optimal performance in Game Mode. The TV is fully compatible with PS5 features, supporting resolutions up to 4K @ 120Hz and offering Auto Low Latency Mode for seamless transitions to gaming settings.

With HDMI 2.1 capabilities on its main ports, the TCL QM851G provides flexibility for high-resolution gaming, with HDMI 1 allowing for the highest refresh rates. It also features eARC functionality, enabling the transfer of high-quality audio to external devices without sacrificing bandwidth. In addition, the TV supports various HDR formats and includes an ATSC 3.0 tuner for accessing over-the-air 4K content, enhancing its versatility for both gaming and general viewing. Overall, the TCL QM851G is a robust choice for gamers and media enthusiasts alike, despite the minor technical hiccup.

User Feedback​

Pros:
• Stunning 85” QLED 4K display with impeccable color and clarity
• Excellent HDR performance, bright and vivid visuals
• Built-in Google TV enhances usability with effective voice commands
• Competitive pricing compared to other high-end brands
• Positive reviews from industry experts and influencers

Cons:
• Navigation can be cumbersome due to the lack of a number pad and function buttons on the remote
• Alexa integration has limitations; issues with turning the TV on/off and switching inputs
• Soundbar volume control requires additional setup and may not respond as expected with standard remotes
• Lack of support for universal remote IR codes could lead to inconvenience

Overall Impression:
The TCL QM65 delivers an impressive viewing experience with its large QLED display and bright HDR performance, making it a strong contender in the market, especially at its price point. However, some operational issues, particularly with remote navigation and voice integration, may hinder the overall user experience. Despite these drawbacks, the TV remains a solid choice for those looking for great specs without breaking the bank.
 
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