TCL 40S5400AK 40-inch Television, HDR, FHD, Smart TV Powered

Originally, I bought this TV for the bedroom but in fact used it as a replacement in the kitchen. First impressions are that it is an excellent set which in the two weeks that I bought it on Amazon, has increased in price by 20. It is still excellent value for money.

I could have been put off by some very ill-informed reviews here! Only 720 HD, surely they have not built sets with that resolution for years? But on a 32″ screen so what. In fact while watching a programme via my Sky Q Mini Box through the HDMI input, I hit the i button to see that the resolution was in fact 1080. I must admit, the specifications page on the TCL website is confusing sometimes referring to 720 and at other times 1080. So, I rang the TCL number provided by Amazon to find it had changed to 02037953308. In the end, I was put through to a very knowledgeable lady who confirmed that the resolution is 1080. She also gave me a part number for a remote control with built in microphone for issuing voice commands (RC602S) as the supplied remote does not have a microphone. More about that later.

With TVs I usually like to play around with the settings but in fact, the picture did not need tweaking, it is excellent. I did use the equaliser to push the bass up and the sound was better than expected via the internal speakers. In fact, I use the headphone output to connect to speakers in the ceiling via a small amplifier which is fine – doubt that I am benefitting from the Dolby Sound with that configuration.

Although I am mainly using Sky with the TV I tuned in the Freeview channels and even though I have a very old aerial, the TV tuned in excess of 140 channels. Some of the newer frequencies obviously did not work but that is an aerial issue. Interestingly, the TV identified the Freeview streamed channels (bet hardly anyone knows or let alone cares about them) but the TV could not resolve them unlike my large LG.

As mentioned, Sky via HDMI works well.

On the Android side, many apps including Netflix AND Prime TV are provided but as others have noted the Google Play Store where you normally find apps (generic names apk) is not well stocked for this TV and strangely the BBC iPlayer cannot be found at all. But here, geekiness sets in. Go to the Play Store and download a programme called Downloader. Once installed search for iPlayer. It will come back with a message that Downloader needs a browser add on. Download that and search for iPlayer.apk, there are many to choose from but the latest version can be downloaded and it works. But there is an issue and that is that you really need a mouse to navigate. As it happens, I had an old cheap keyboard/mouse that was easy to install and makes navigating the screen even easier. Also search for an app called on Downloader called Mobdro. This is easily installed and gives you access to hundreds of global TV stations including News and Sports.

Finally, I said that I would come back to voice commands. I use an iPhone and was surprised that there is an app called Android TV. When the TV is on, it connects to the app and can act as a keyboard, a track ball for mouse functions and using the iPhone microphone, you can use voice search. The trick is to touch the microphone button and then speak rather than keeping the button depressed while speaking. It works well and the app is free. I am sure that there must be a similar app for Android phones.

So, in summary, this is a high quality and keenly priced TV. OK, it helps if you enjoy technical challenges but straight out of the box, you will be connected in minutes and Netflix and Prime TV are there waiting for you as well as Freeview and if you have a suitable satellite TV dish pointed at 28 degrees you can get the free Freesat channels and if you nudge the dish to 19 degrees, you can receive the free Astra bouquets.