"TCL takes privacy and security very seriously, and particularly appreciates the vital role that independent researchers play in the technology ecosystem."
TCL says the problem affects "a limited number" of its TVs—model numbers 32S330, 40S330, 43S434, 50S434, 55S434, 65S434, and 75S434.
This TV has a Chinese backdoor, confirmed by TCL. Just for your information.
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A few tips/info for those who bought this TV:
1. Pairing remote via bluetooth
The remote uses IR by default which is a pain in the neck. Press the Home and OK buttons simultaneously, the remote will pair via bluetooth.
2. Checking for dark spots/dead pixels
Install "Puffin TV Browser" from the play store. Then use the browser to visit http://lcdtech.info/en/tests/dead.pixel.htm for dead pixel test, click start. You will be able to switch through different colors using the "OK" button on the remote. Use these to check if your TV has dead pixels or dark spots.
3. Updating OS
Go to Settings -> Device Preferences -> About -> System Update and select Network Update. The TV should find the latest version of the OS (if not already installed) and start updating.
4. Fixing the lag in Android TV
Go to Settings -> Device Preferences -> About. Scroll down till you are on "Build". Keep pressing OK while on Build several times to enable Developer Mode. Now go to Settings -> Device Preferences -> Developer Options. Scroll down until you see "Background process limit" under Apps subheading. Change this from "Standard limit" to "At most 4 processes" or below. You can also disable all the animations under "Drawing" subheading to make the TV even snappier.
Note: Some folks have reported that these settings don't stick. That is, the TV forgets these when you restart. This is a bug with earlier versions of TCL software, make sure you are running the latest version.
5. Calibration
It seems that the calibration settings from rtings work well for this TV. Try the following settings (press the "Settings" button on the remote (gear symbol) to get to the TV settings.
Picture -> Picture Mode = Movie
Picture -> Brightness = 50
Picture -> Advanced Settings -> Brightness Settings -> Brightness = 50
Picture -> Advanced Settings -> Brightness Settings -> Contrast = 90
Picture -> Advanced Settings -> Color -> Color Saturation = 45
Picture -> Advanced Settings -> Color -> Color Temperature = Warm
Picture -> Advanced Settings -> Color -> Dynamic Contrast = Off
Picture -> Advanced Settings -> Color -> Dynamic Backlight = Off
Picture -> Advanced Settings -> Clarity -> Sharpness = 0
SDer drfilthy recommends a slight variation here: https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=
Go to YouTube and watch a few 4k videos. "Breathtaking Colors of Nature in 4k" is a good one. Play with these picture settings to suit your needs.
-------------------ISSUES [I] & FIXES [F]:
I: While streaming Youtube, occasionally would abruptly exit Youtube and enter regular TV broadcast without me touching remote control. Does not happen with Netflix. Remote is not paired
F: ???
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I have a TCL 6 series, Hisense from BB, and Onn from Walmart. The 6 series is noticeably better than the other two but not by a massive margin. The Hisense and Onn are almost identical in terms of image quality.
It's insane to me that they can sell quality 4k 65" TVs for this price. Like seriously, the Hisense and Onn look unbelievable for the price.
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Edit: 4:30am got a text it's ready for pickup 👌
Yes, it's not the $2k OLED set I see in Costco every time I walk in, but at $500 a few years back, my old TCL Roku is still doing great and still is a great deal.
Now getting almost the same TV (but Android OS) for $230!?!? I have low expectations given the cost. Do I want it to function, absolutely. Will I return it if it has bad pixels or other issues pop up, sure.
But black levels, app speed, etc are not even a factor in a purchase like this in my view. It's a budget TV for a reason. If you get in on the deal and you get a unit that is not defective out of the box, enjoy it.
Yeah, it will suck if it dies in 2-3 years. But it was $230. Now I just need Target to not cancel the order I just placed! Looks like they had a ton in the store. Much better than how Walmart's online sales have been going!
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Personally, I'm more concerned with what the Roku app is vacuuming up from my phone and Google from my Gmail than whether the TCL TV is probing my home network and snitching on my Downton Abby habit.
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