A budget-friendly option has finally arrived, boasting decent images and sound quality that can be tweaked to suit individual tastes within its hardware parameters. With Freely app built-in, users are spared the hassle of reloading it every time they want to access content directly from the remote control's dedicated buttons. As a result, the TV remembers where it last shut down and restarts in the same location after each use, making reinitializing Freely unnecessary. The home button serves as a convenient gateway to the Fire TV menu, which is both useful for those who prefer searching through menus on their own terms.
The picture quality is mostly satisfactory, with excellent images available even when viewed via standard definition (HD) sources. However, SD broadcasts from external aerial inputs can be quite fuzzy, whereas Freely streaming HD images tend to look crisp and clear. Notably, the TV's ability to automatically allot HD broadcasts to lower channel numbers means they won't interfere with the live, high-definition channels that arrive shortly after.
In comparison, SD broadcasts from the built-in aerial tuner are often less impressive, particularly when compared to the superior picture quality of Freely streaming content on external sources. These live streams can be accessed without an internet connection via a dedicated app, making them easier to navigate than the channel selection process found within freeview play and separate apps.
The sound from the internal speakers is fairly adequate for general viewing purposes, with the option to make various adjustments in settings available to enhance picture quality. One minor drawback is the slight delay between the TV's picture and the audio, which can sometimes cause lip-syncing issues when connecting via Bluetooth. However, this issue does not significantly impact overall performance.
The remote control itself has been praised for its comfortable grip and ease of use, with good tactile feedback from button presses. A notable quibble is a slight delay in response time that may be noticeable to some users. While the TV's image and sound quality are not without their drawbacks, it's worth noting that they don't detract significantly from overall performance. As such, this budget-friendly option seems like an excellent value for money at its current price point – making it a great choice for those seeking a reliable television experience.
X. Wilson - 16/08/2025
