Hisense H8F Unboxing and Basic Setup -- The best budget TV of 2019
Unboxing the Sharp-Looking TV with Nearly Non-Existent Bezel
As I take a closer look at this TV, I notice that the bezels on the top and sides are nearly non-existent. However, down below, there is a small strip of gunmetal gray plastic that adds a touch of elegance to the design. The TV itself looks quite decent, but it's clear that some minor adjustments need to be made before we can truly appreciate its features.
Removing Plastic to Reveal the TV
To get started with setting up the TV, I'll remove the plastic covering to reveal its inner workings. Once removed, I'm excited to turn this thing on and see what it can do. As I plug in the power cord and press the button to boot up, I notice that the TV is leaning back by a fair amount. After checking the level stand, I realize that this is indeed by design, which should provide an improved viewing experience.
Setting Up Android TV
This TV comes with Android TV as its operating system, which is a good thing since it's different from High Sense's own interface. To set up the TV, I'll use the Google app on my iOS or Android device, which makes the process go a bit faster. Although I still need to click through several steps, using the Google app shares my login information with the TV, making it easier to access YouTube and other apps.
Configuring Picture Settings
Now that we're up and running, I'll configure some picture settings to see how they affect the viewing experience. First, I notice the backlight action on screen, which is an interesting feature. However, I won't delve into its details just yet. Instead, I'll focus on adjusting some other settings. The picture mode is set to auto, which means it will pick based on my surroundings and the content I'm watching. Since we're in a relatively bright room, I'll select "Theater" as the preset.
Adjusting Advanced Picture Settings
To ensure that everything is optimized for this TV, I'll enter advanced settings to make some adjustments. First, I'll turn off over scan and double-check that there's no motion enhancement. This should help reduce any soap-opera effect that might be present in the image. Next, I'll toggle noise reduction to medium, which will depend on my final review for this setting. For now, I'll leave it at this level. Active contrast is set to medium as well, which should provide a good balance between brightness and color accuracy.
HDMI Dynamic Range
As I finish configuring the picture settings, I notice that HDMI dynamic range is set to auto. This means that the TV will adjust its HDR output based on the signal strength. While this might seem like a minor detail, it's an important consideration for content creators and viewers alike.
A Word About Android TV
Before we dive into our review of this TV, I want to take a moment to discuss Android TV as a whole. As you may know, Android TV is a resource-intensive operating system that requires specialized hardware to run smoothly. In the case of this TV, it doesn't have the kind of horsepower needed to handle Android TV effectively. As a result, the interface can be a bit laggy at times, especially when using certain features or apps.
However, I do appreciate that Android TV brings a more polished and user-friendly interface compared to High Sense's own operating system. The TV looks great from an aesthetic perspective, and with a price tag of $400 for the 50-inch model, it offers incredible value for its size.
The Verdict
Overall, this TV has all the makings of a top-notch value if its picture performance can keep up. With an impressive design, robust Android TV interface, and reasonable pricing, it's definitely worth considering. However, our final review will delve deeper into its performance and identify any areas for improvement. In the meantime, I'll leave you with some parting thoughts: what do you want to see in our review video? Let us know by leaving a comment below! Don't forget to subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up-to-date on all our latest tech reviews and news.
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