Pros & Cons
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- Roku connected features are top-notch.
- Solid performance for the price.
- Easy to use.
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- Mediocre black levels.
- Colors run slightly cool.
TCL 55FS4610R Specs
| Black Level | 261.57 |
| Contrast Ratio | 3270:1 |
| HDMI Ports | 3 |
| Input Lag (Game Mode) | 30.6 |
| Panel Type | LED |
| Refresh Rate | 120 |
| Resolution | 1920 by 1080 |
| Screen Brightness | 0.08 |
| Screen Size | 3 |
| Streaming Services | 1 |
| Video Inputs | Composite |
| Video Inputs | HDMI |
| Video Inputs | USB |
Roku has made it possible for budget-priced HDTVs to offer online features previously reserved for higher-end screens. Its MHL Roku Streaming Stick is included as a pack-in with certain Roku-ready sets like the Sanyo FVF5044 and JVC's Emerald series, but it's not a perfect solution, and the screens' pictures are less than stellar. The TCL FS4610R series isn't just Roku Ready, but an actual "Roku TV," building Roku's online features and interface directly into the screens. Not only does this open up a vital HDMI port otherwise taken up by the Roku Streaming Stick, but it makes the entire experience much smoother. More importantly, the $499.99 48-inch 48FS4610R we tested performed extremely well for the price, replacing the non-connected Sharp LC-48LE551U as our Editors' Choice for budget HDTVs.
Editors' Note: This review is based on tests performed on the TCL 48FS4610R, the 48-inch version of the series. Besides the screen-size difference, the 55-inch $679.99 55FS4610R is otherwise identical in features, and while we didn't perform lab tests on this specific model, we expect similar performance.
Design
TCL packs plenty of style and craftsmanship into its lower-cost HDTVs. While it's not an eye-catching, ultra-thin, metal-edged hallmark of engineering, the 24.8-by-42.8-by-3 inch (HWD), 28.3-pound 48FS4610R looks simple and attractive. Its flat, glossy, black half-inch plastic bezels run around the edges of the screen, accented by a metallic lip on the bottom. The HDTV sits on a heavy, trapezoidal, black-and-clear glass base that holds it up securely, and can be bolstered by two optional rubber-footed plastic legs that screw into the bottom of the display. The stand doesn't wobble at all, but it also can't pivot left or right.
View All The FS4610R is a bit light on ports. While its three HDMI inputs are standard for a budget HDTV, the screen only has a composite video input as an alternative for sources. The lack of component video is unusual for any HDTV. The HDMI ports, along with a USB port, a 3.5mm headphone connector, an optical audio output, and an antenna/cable connector face right on the back panel. The composite video input faces directly back. A small control stick that doubles as the Power button sits on the lower-right corner of the back of the set.
Instead of a conventional buttoned wand, the FS4610R uses a pill-shaped remote similar to the ones bundled with Roku's media hubs. It's a small, cylindrical device with a prominent direction pad, menu and playback controls, and dedicated buttons for Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Rdio, and Vudu. The Volume Up/Down and Mute buttons sit on the right edge of the remote, similar to the headphone volume controls on the Roku 2's remote, but without the handy headphone jack for private, wireless listening.
Roku TV
Unlike Roku-ready HDTVs that either come with an MHL Roku Streaming Stick or simply support one through MHL, the FS4610R has Roku's interface built directly into the display. All of Roku's content channels, streaming media services, and apps are available through the TV's menu system. The Roku-designed menu also handles standard HDTV functions like picture settings and input selection.
