We’ve just heard from the team at Google I/O 2017 that Android TV is starting to pick up momentum, and here’s a perfect example – TCL is bringing their line of Android TVs to Australia.
The addition of the sets makes TCL the second major manufacturer to throw its support behind Android TV in the local market. It’s gone big for this launch, with the TVs ranging from 50 to 75 inches in size.
There’s 10 sets launching into the local market across three overall ranges: the high end premium X2 in 55- and 65-inch models, C2 in 49-, 55-, 65- and 75–inch models, and the P20 in 50-, 55-, 60- and 65-inch models (prices ranging from $1,199 to $2,499).
TCL’s throwing most of the focus on the X2 series combining “stunning image quality, elegant design, powerful hardware and entertainment content on demand to redefine what a television now means to Australian consumers”.
All the new sets support advanced vision technology such as HDR Pro and Wide Colour Gamut with the high end X2 series using Quantum Dot technology for more true to life colours. They also have some amazingly thin metal bodies, audio tuned by Harmon Kardon (X2 and C2).
On the software side, you get all the apps and games offered by the Android TV ecosystem, along with a selection of apps provided by TCL in their own launcher. That means a Netflix app is front and center (and a button is on the remote control to launch it), along with Chromecast support and TCL’s GoLive streaming service for streaming live international TV channels.
TCL also has a few ads featuring an adorable android (geddit?) helping Cyber Shack’s Charlie Brown get to know his new Android TV:
You can find the new range of TVs at Appliances Online, Betta, Bing Lee, Good Guys, Radio Rentals, Retravision and RT Edwards stores. The TVs all have a 3 year warranty, and TCL’s sweetening the deal with $150 gift cards (for Coles, Woolworths, Google Play or Amart Sports) for a limited time from June 1.
Ausdroid has a 50-inch P20 (the aptly-named 50P20US) on the test bench (read: my TV cabinet), and we’ll be taking a more in-depth look at the TV soon.
For more information on the sets including full specifications, check out TCL’s website (or jump straight to the pages for the X2, C2 and P20 sets).
Are you looking to upgrade your TV? Will you be checking out TCL’s new range? Tell us in the comments!
I bought the 55C2US and it’s an amazing tv. There aren’t many reviews (in depth) available. I’m just a normal user, so I’d really like to know from the experts what they think it
Did you end up reviewing the P20?
Wonder if any are Dolby Vision like the new TCL Roku TVs announced in the US are.
That’s great, but I can’t help thinking isn’t it better to get an Android TV set top box? We really don’t know how often a TV manufacturer will continue to support or update Android on their TVs so a dedicated set top box might be a better investment. What do others think?
For me personally, I would go with a chromecast as my needs are fairly simple and would be completely met by that. We have a cheapo smart TV we bought for the bedroom and the input has never been moved from the HDMI with a chromecast in it.
Do the set top boxes do anything special that you can’t cast from your phone?
Certainly that’s an issue. Sony has been terrible at that for instance. and of course its much easier/cheaper to upgrade a box compared to a complete TV. Its why I much prefer my screen to be dumb as rocks and have a box with all the smarts.