If you're looking for overall picture quality and better performance in bright rooms, the Samsung AU8000 would be a superior choice. It's more expensive but offers better reflection handling and a slight edge in picture quality.
On the other hand, if you're on a budget and still want a TV that can handle various types of content decently, the TCL S450G can save you money. However, be aware that its performance in bright rooms and picture quality are somewhat lower than the Samsung.
For gaming, both TVs offer similar input lag, making either a reasonable choice. Keep in mind that neither of these TVs is particularly strong in dark rooms, as they both have limitations with black uniformity and contrast. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Samsung AU8000 (LCD)
Good for upscaling
Good reflections
Advantages of the TCL S450G (LCD)
The TCL S450G (LCD) has no clear advantages over the Samsung AU8000 (LCD).
Key differences
Picture Quality
6.6/10
5.9/10
6.71/10
CONTRAST
5.64/10
6.3/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
6.2/10
LED
PANEL TYPE
LED
VA
PANEL SUB-TYPE
VA
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) has only fair picture quality, while the TCL S450G (LCD) has poor picture quality.
Cartoons & Animation
6.9/10
5.8/10
6.1/10
COLOR GAMUT SCORE
5.9/10
6.3/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
6.2/10
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
5.5/10
7.2/10
COLORS OUT OF THE BOX SCORE
6.2/10
6.8/10
GRAY UNIFORMITY
6.6/10
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is only fair for cartoons & animation, while the TCL S450G (LCD) is poor.
The Samsung AU8000 has good colors out of the box which is very important for cartoons and animation, whereas the TCL S450G has only fair performance in this aspect. Additionally, the AU8000 has a fair color gamut which helps to produce a wider range of colors, compared to the poor color gamut of the S450G.
News, Talk, & Other TV
6.7/10
5.6/10
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
5.5/10
7.5/10
UPSCALING
6.0/10
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is only fair for news, talk, & other TV, while the TCL S450G (LCD) is poor.
The Samsung AU8000 has better SDR brightness and better upscaling, which makes it well-suited for watching news and talk shows, as these are usually broadcast in lower resolutions, and good brightness is essential for daytime viewing. Conversely, the TCL S450G struggles with upscaling and has poor SDR brightness, which could result in a less clear image and dimmer picture quality in well-lit environments, making it less ideal for such content.
Bright Room
6.3/10
5.7/10
5.5/10
VIEWING ANGLE
5.0/10
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
5.5/10
5.7/10
HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
5.5/10
7.8/10
REFLECTIONS SCORE
6.6/10
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is only fair for bright room, while the TCL S450G (LCD) is poor.
The Samsung AU8000 performs better in bright rooms largely due to its higher SDR brightness and better handling of reflections, making it suitable for environments with a lot of ambient light. In contrast, the TCL S450G has lower SDR brightness and worse reflection handling, which can result in a less optimal viewing experience in well-lit areas.
Cost
$648
$348
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) has a price of $648 and the TCL S450G (LCD) costs $348.
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) and TCL S450G (LCD) are both poor for movies & TV.
The Samsung AU8000 has poor local dimming and black uniformity, and while it has a fair color performance out of the box, its inability to display deep blacks affects movie watching. Similarly, the TCL S450G struggles with lower contrast, ineffective local dimming, and poor black uniformity, resulting in a less immersive experience when viewing content that requires rich, consistent colors and deep blacks.
Sports
6.5/10
6.1/10
6.0/10
MOTION PROCESSING
4.6/10
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
10.0/10
INPUT LAG SCORE
10.0/10
7.5/10
UPSCALING
6.0/10
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
5.5/10
Yes
HLG SUPPORT
Yes
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) and TCL S450G (LCD) are both only fair for sports.
The Samsung AU8000 has poor response time and motion processing, which may lead to some blur during fast-moving scenes but handles reflections better, providing a clearer picture in bright rooms. On the other hand, the TCL S450G also has a poor response time and weaker motion processing, which could result in more blur in sports, and its reflections handling is fair, which might not be as clear as the AU8000 in well-lit environments.
Gaming
5.8/10
5.6/10
5.9/10
RESPONSE TIME SCORE
5.7/10
10.0/10
INPUT LAG SCORE
10.0/10
6.0/10
MOTION PROCESSING
4.6/10
0.0/100
GAMING LOCAL DIMMING
18.0/100
5.8/10
GAME HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
5.7/10
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) and TCL S450G (LCD) are both poor for gaming.
The Samsung AU8000 and TCL S450G are considered poor for gaming primarily because they have a slow response time, which can cause motion blur, and their refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, which is lower than ideal for modern gaming that can benefit from higher refresh rates. Despite these shortcomings, both models have very low input lag, which is beneficial for gaming but does not fully compensate for the slow response times and low refresh rates.
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How the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) and the TCL S450G (LCD) compare to other TVs
"To put it directly: you’d never see a mid-range 4K TV hitting this black levels half a decade ago. AU8000 plays the part of a higher-end TV thanks to its sleek design. If you’re upgrading to a smart TV for the first time, the software is a great way to dip your toes in the streaming water."
"TCL, though, has built much of its success on affordable sets, and the 2023 TCL S Class S4 with Google TV is a testament to just how good of a TV you can get for an affordable price tag"
Get a great deal on the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) or the TCL S450G (LCD)
About Samsung
Samsung, a South Korean electronics manufacturer, holds the title of being the largest global TV vendor in terms of units sold. They offer a diverse lineup of TV products that cater to various budget ranges. A notable achievement in recent years is the development of Quantum Dots, a technology that enhances color reproduction, resulting in richer and more vibrant hues. Samsung TVs are well-regarded for their high manufacturing quality and user-friendly software, making them an excellent choice for consumers seeking an intuitive viewing experience.
About TCL
TCL, the highly recognizable TV brand from China, has firmly established itself as the second-largest manufacturer in terms of sales volume. Renowned for striking an impressive balance between affordability, picture quality, and design, TCL TVs deliver a compelling overall package. While they have traditionally excelled in the low-end and midrange TV segments, TCL has recently made remarkable strides in the realm of high-end televisions, introducing impressive models that rival top competitors. Most TCL TVs use Roku software which is very user friendly and easy to use, but they have a few other models that use Google TV which has the largest app selection, but is not as user friendly as Roku.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec TVs team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest TV information and makes it digestible for you.
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