The Samsung AU8000 is more affordable, providing overall decent picture quality and performs well in bright rooms. It would be a good choice for watching news, reality TV, and animation, as it has good upscaling for lower resolution content. However, its performance in dark rooms isn't as strong, so if you frequently watch movies in dim environments, this might be a concern.
The TCL R745, while pricier, offers superior gaming performance due to its lower input lag and better motion handling, making it ideal for gamers. It has a better sound quality with higher speaker power, and supports Dolby Vision for enhanced HDR content, but also lacks in dark room performance and may not be as impressive for watching movies or sports content compared to other options.
Consider the Samsung AU8000 if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option with general usage in mind, especially in bright rooms. Opt for the TCL R745 if you're a gamer or want enhanced sound and HDR support, keeping in mind it comes with a higher cost. 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)
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) has no clear advantages over the TCL R745 (LCD).
Advantages of the TCL R745 (LCD)
Good for gaming
Key differences
Picture Quality
6.6/10
5.6/10
6.71/10
CONTRAST
4.97/10
6.3/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
5.8/10
LED
PANEL TYPE
LED
VA
PANEL SUB-TYPE
VA
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) has only fair picture quality, while the TCL R745 (LCD) has poor picture quality.
Movies & TV
5.9/10
5.2/10
6.71/10
CONTRAST
4.97/10
6.9/10
BLACK UNIFORMITY
5.0/10
7.5/10
UPSCALING
7.5/10
Yes
HDR10 SUPPORT
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ SUPPORT
No
No
DOLBY VISION SUPPORT
Yes
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) and TCL R745 (LCD) are both poor for movies & TV, though the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is somewhat better.
The Samsung AU8000 struggles with movies due to its poor local dimming and black uniformity, which are essential for good contrast in dark scenes and are very important for cinema enthusiasts. The TCL R745 also falls short in movie performance, with lower contrast and black uniformity than the Samsung, leading to washed-out blacks that hinder cinematic experience.
Gaming
5.8/10
7.4/10
5.9/10
RESPONSE TIME SCORE
6.1/10
10.0/10
INPUT LAG SCORE
10.0/10
6.0/10
MOTION PROCESSING
4.6/10
0.0/100
GAMING LOCAL DIMMING
0.0/100
5.8/10
GAME HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
5.7/10
The TCL R745 (LCD) is good for gaming, while the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is poor.
The Samsung AU8000 has a poor response time which can cause motion blur during fast-paced gaming, while the TCL R745 features a fair response time and a higher refresh rate that provides smoother motion handling. Both TVs have low input lag which is excellent for gaming responsiveness, but the TCL R745's better overall motion performance and refresh rate make it more suitable for gaming.
Cartoons & Animation
6.9/10
5.9/10
6.1/10
COLOR GAMUT SCORE
6.5/10
6.3/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
5.8/10
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
5.8/10
7.2/10
COLORS OUT OF THE BOX SCORE
7.7/10
6.8/10
GRAY UNIFORMITY
6.0/10
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is only fair for cartoons & animation, while the TCL R745 (LCD) is poor.
The Samsung AU8000 has good colors out of the box, meaning that cartoons and animations will look vibrant and true to the creator's intent without much adjustment, while the TCL R745, although it has good colors out of the box, falls behind due to its lower color gamut, leading to less vivid and varied colors. Moreover, the TCL R745's poor color volume along with lower gray uniformity and contrast compared to the Samsung AU8000, can result in cartoons and animations not being displayed as evenly or with the same depth.
News, Talk, & Other TV
6.7/10
6.1/10
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
5.8/10
7.5/10
UPSCALING
7.5/10
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) and TCL R745 (LCD) are both only fair for news, talk, & other TV, though the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is somewhat better.
The Samsung AU8000's strengths in upscaling and SDR brightness contribute to its fair performance in displaying news and talk shows, ensuring clarity and visibility even in well-lit environments. The TCL R745, even though it falls short in SDR brightness compared to the AU8000, offers fair colors out of the box and a decent color gamut which are favorable for watching news and TV programs, albeit with less impressive contrast and local dimming features than Samsung's model.
Bright Room
6.3/10
5.8/10
5.5/10
VIEWING ANGLE
6.8/10
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
5.8/10
5.7/10
HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
5.5/10
7.8/10
REFLECTIONS SCORE
7.8/10
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is only fair for bright room, while the TCL R745 (LCD) is poor.
The Samsung AU8000 has better SDR brightness and slightly better HDR brightness, making it more suitable for bright room viewing compared to the TCL R745. Both handle reflections well, but the lower brightness levels of the TCL R745, especially in HDR content, make it less ideal for brightly lit environments.
Cost
$648
$1,700
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) has a price of $648 and the TCL R745 (LCD) costs $1,700.
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) and TCL R745 (LCD) are both only fair for sports.
The Samsung AU8000 and TCL R745 both exhibit performance that's acceptable for watching sports; however, they fall short in areas critical for a smooth sporting experience. The Samsung struggles with response time and motion processing, causing some blur during fast movements, while the TCL has better motion but poorer viewing angles, making off-angle viewing less clear.
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How the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) and the TCL R745 (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."
Get a great deal on the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) or the TCL R745 (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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