TCL 50FS3800 50-Inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV (2015 Model)

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Product Specifications

Refresh Rate: 60Hz (Native), 120Hz Clear Motion Index (Effective)
Backlight: LED (Full Array)
Smart Functionality: Yes - Roku TV Streaming Platform
Dimensions (WxHxD) without stand: 44.5 x 25.8 x 3.2-Inch, Dimensions (WxHxD) with stand: 44.5 x 27.8 x 8.7-Inch
Inputs: 3 HDMI, 1 USB, RF, Composite, Headphone Jack, Optical Audio Out
Accessories Included: Remote w/ batteries, detachable power cord

Product Description

Size:50-Inch Product Description TCL, one of the world’s best-selling TV brands, and Roku, America’s most popular streaming service have come together to bring the latest in technology and design. We’ve simplified the smart TV so you can instantly enjoy endless entertainment. Choose from more than 2,000 streaming channels that feature 200,000 movies and TV episodes plus live sports, news, music, kids and family, food, science and tech, fitness, foreign language and so much more.

Amazon.com

Product Reviews

issues like this aren’t covered under the manufacturer’s warranty

After one month the front plate glass (panel) separating from the frame. I contacted TCL (Roku). This is the answer;—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————Dear Ms. Laugerude,Thank you for reaching TCL Email support! We do apologize for any inconvenience this issue has caused.Unfortunately, issues like this aren’t covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. I’m sorry we weren’t able to fix your damaged TV. You do have the option of taking your TV to any local repair shop and ask if they could repair your TV. However, we do not recommend panel repairs. Reason being the panel of most TVs costs approximately 95% of the original price of the TV.Thank you for choosing TCL,Best Regards,Alex Tapiador | Subject Matter Expert - NATCL North America—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-I have they Warranty front of me;Limited WarrantyRoku warrants the player hardware against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase (“Warranty Period”) if used in accordance with the documentation provided with the player. If Roku determines that the player’s hardware is defective during the Warranty Period, Roku’s sole obligation, and your exclusive remedy, will be to either repair or replace the unit with either a new or rebuilt player, at its option.*

Really Like It

We have had this TV for a couple of weeks. Since we don’t subscribe to cable, we mostly watch local news and occasionally local sport. We also have Amazon Prime and watch the odd free movie or rent one to watch on my computer monitor.So when it came time to purchase a new TV we approached it the same way we approached buying a house. We made a list of the features we wanted (a SmartTV with Wifi, streaming channels, Amazon Prime, at least 50” and affordable at around the $500 mark). After looking at our options in terms of price and convenience, we decided that it made the most sense to purchase it through Amazon Prime.After much research, we decided that the TCL TV’s offered the best value, met our budget requirements, and our decision to purchase the TV through Amazon enabled us to purchase the TV with interest free financing over 6 months.Appearance.The TV came in a large box with the stand hardware: remote, power cable and batteries plus simple instructions that were in separate bags. You do not get a HDMI or any other cables. The TV has a simple non-fussy design with approximately half inch bezel all around. The stand that comes with it is simple and screws on with two screws at each side. The stand footprint requires about 8.5 inches of depth to stand on which was perfect for the 11 inch thick mantle over our fireplace. (NOTE: We don’t actually use the fireplace and heat could potentially damage the TV) I like that the stand is low profile raising the screen about 2” above the surface it is standing on. This leaves a small gap for low profile devices like our WD live media hub and remotes, while also hiding most of the cables and extension chord.SetupThe old analog phono inputs are on the back and quite hard to reach once the TV is up on the mantle and they protrude straight out the back which would require more space between the wall and the TV if you use them. The power cable plugs into a recessed area low down on the left side and doesn’t interfere with the location of the tv. All the modern input and output sockets are behind the screen on the right side about 8 inches back. We don’t use any subscription TV service; just a double bowtie antenna mounted on one of the gutter pipes at the back of the house. The coaxial input for the antenna along with three HDMI ports, an optical input, 3.5mm jack and USB socket are all here. We use two of the HDMI sockets one for the 1TB Media hub and the other for our notebook.Once everything is plugged in and turned on. The TV introduces you to the basic setup process. It takes less than five minutes to find your way around. The remote is minimalist with the most basic controls on the front (Volume Up/Down toggle and mute buttons on the side). It’s small, unfussy and easy to use. The UI for the TV is not flashy but functional and easy to navigate. Setting up WIFI, registering your TV and introducing you to streaming channels and how to add them to your desktop are covered quickly and then you are left to your own devices.Since we are just using an antenna we were initially a little apprehensive. Wondering how well that would work, or even if the TV had a tuner since everyone seems to use dish or cable these days. It has a tuner that works flawlessly. We managed to pick up almost 3 dozen channels many of them HD. A quick look online showed us a map of where the broadcast towers are and helped us aim our antenna for best reception.In use.The TV has a really nice clean picture and since it is an LED TV where a grid array of LED’s light the screen uniformly rather than a couple of fluorescent lamps there is practically no limit to the viewing angle. The screen is not high gloss and prevents reflection and most glare from bright light sources. When turned on a non invasive 3” horizontal strip of illuminated plastic at the bottom shows you the TV is powered on. It flashes during startup and goes out when the screen is illuminated.ImageImage quality is excellent BUT on initial setup it is on a bright echo setting. Which is very high contrast and overly saturated. I guess it is a power saving mode (claimed 16 watts) but it is a bit stark and overwhelming and shows some dithering on smooth color transitions as though it is running at a lower bitrate with fewer colors. When turned to theater mode the quality of the picture is MUCH better with very smooth transitions on subtle colour gradients.SoundSound is similar. Like most LCD style TV’s this one comes with tiny speakers. Again the default sound setting seems to be very flat. Probably to conserve energy. There are about four presets and again we went with theater which gives the broadest range and warm midtones without overdoing the bass. It doesn’t sound too bad and is not thin and reedy like the default setting.Smart TV functionality.We originally wanted WIFI because as Amazon Prime members we get a lot of free on demand media. This is similar to Netflix where you can watch a huge catalog of TV and movies for free, buy or rent them for a small fee. The same goes with music. This worked perfectly.What we weren’t expecting was the sheer volume of streaming media available for free via WIFI. There are hundreds of channels, many of them free to choose from, many mainstream ones that let you view their current episodes of popular shows on demand when you want to watch them. You can also sign up for pay for view services like HBO and showtime individually.One nice thing is that the TV has a global search option. You can search for anything by title, director, actors name, character, keywords and the TV will find everything relating to your search and list what is available by channel. So you can easily pick out what you want to see.Mobile devices and streaming from those devicesThere are apps for Android and iOS as well as Windows. I was able to control the TV from all our devices. In many ways it is more responsive, especially if you need to type in text. If you have media on your PC there are Apps for the TV that will let you stream from your phone, notebook, desktop computer etc.Streaming from those devices tends to work ok. I did find that the TV’s built-in media player was a little limited in supported data formats. Setting up our digital media hub with its own channel was very easy and luckily our Western Digital media hub has far more extensive support for many of the more exotic file formats like FLAC lossless digital audio. And other formats are more often limited to computers. The TV does support the more mainstream formats like mp3, mpg, jpg etc.ConclusionFor us, this TV proved to be a very good and affordable purchase. Especially when you factor in the 6 months interest fee financing Amazon offers prime members. We did sign up for a free month of Netflix too. The remote has a dedicated Netflix and Amazon streaming button. But we were not that impressed with Netflix when our Amazon Prime membership offered all the same features and more thanks to the addition of Amazon Prime music.When you combine all this TV’s features with our media hub and Amazon Prime we are a bit overwhelmed with the sheer amount of stuff out there to watch. Even if we had no antenna and just a WIFI internet connection. The vast number of free streaming HD channels is extensive making the need for TV subscription plans pretty much obsolete unless you have a very specific need.We really like this TV and highly recommend it.

Amazing TV – and OUTSTANDING Customer Service!!

UPDATE: 7/10/15: I am editing my review - so much has happened with TCL Customer Support since writing my original review…I must say I have never experienced such OUTSTANDING Customer Service!!! After seeing my review, TCL asked me to contact them regarding the problem TV, stating this was definitely an uncommon issue, and they wanted to do everything possible to remedy the situation – not only just for me, but to make sure no other customers had to experience the same issue. I was asked to send the defective tv directly to TCL and not back to Amazon so TCL could troubleshoot and make every effort to resolve the problem. A shipping label was provided. They stand behind their product and wanted me to experience the TV I had purchased, so they offered to send it to me directly after a replacement had been viewed and tested at their center first. Thank you to the TCL rep: Chris L. for such prompt method of handing the situation and consideration!!Now to the TV itself – the picture is crystal clear - amazing! The Roku integration is terrific and so easy to set up and navigate – you can go from satellite to blue-ray to antenna with just the push of a button. The same with the apps - once you set up accounts with each one – there are so many from which to choose. Since mine is brand-new, I cannot yet speak of it in how it holds up long-term. But, I can definitely trust that there will be GREAT customer service if I ever need it from TCL again!I have added a photo of the replacement tv showing there is no problem with the screen.Original Review: [This model is defective – we sent the first one back several days ago and ordered a replacement – well, the replacement has the same problem - so it is obviously a defect….the plastic frame around the screen does not meet all the way around - leaving a horizontal line of light shining through on the top right screen area – this is very distracting. I am attaching photos. We are sending back both for a refund. Very disappointed - as the Roku seemed really neat.]

My first TV shipment arrived damaged, but it was …

My first TV shipment arrived damaged, but it was quickly replaced. Once set up, it allows me to cut the cord with cable TV.

Too fragile

I had the TV less than a year and the picture died already. Never moved it or did anything to it. It just died. I’m so disappointed. I hope I get compensated somehow.

Using this TV a year later and we still love it. Bright picture and fast response

Using this TV a year later and we still love it. Bright picture and fast response, though it was a pain to find a universal remote that worked with it.

Five Stars

Outstanding!

Three Stars

I seem to need to reboot it a lot.

Five Stars

Great TV with Roku built in. Many features. Very good television.

Great kids dresser tv.

bought this for Christmas 1–2 years back for my boy. he still loves it-remote is IR ( need to point at tv) but the WIFI remote app on my phone integrates with the TV as…

Great picture

I love this tv. It works great and has a clear picture

Money well spent

Love it! So lightweight. I was able to get it up 8 flights of stairs on my own no sweat! Also really easy to use for those of us who aren’t very tech savvy.