Smart TVs with the VIDAA operating system started appearing in the Malaysian market in 2020 and the first time I reviewed it was the Toshiba 55Z870 last February. This Toshiba TV is an affordable model with some shortcomings especially on the immature VIDAA operating system. Eight months have passed and I am now reviewing the Hisense U7K 4K Mini-LED TV which not only has good visual performance but the increasingly mature VIDAA operating system.
Specifications
Hisense U7K
100-inch Screen Size
Resolution 3840×2160 pixels (144Hz)
LED Mini Panel
MediaTek MT9618 chip
4 Core
Memory 3GB RAM
16GB storage
VIDAA U7 Operating System
HDR HDR 10+ ADAPTIVE
Dolby VISION IQ
HDR 10
HLG HDR
Maximum Description 1000 nits
60W audio, Dolby Atmos
I/O 2x HDMI 2.1 (1x eARC)
2x HDMI 2.0
2x USB-A 2.0
1x RF
1x AV
1x Optical audio
1x LAN
DTTV DVB-T / DVB-T2
VIDAA Voice Virtual Assistant
Internet LAN/ WiFi 5
Bluetooth BT 5.0
Chromecast None
AirPlay 2 Yes
Size 2235 × 1318 × 500 mm (with base)
Weight 73.5 kg (with base)
Selling Price RM 4999
Design
The design of this TV is standard with two metal legs that ensure the stability of the TV when placed on a table or floor surface. With the screen size of 100″ Mini LED, a stable platform is necessary so that the owner does not have to worry about it falling. Let me touch on the U7K installation process. It's the biggest TV ever reviewed on Thecekodok. The weight of the package is over 100 kilograms with the TV weighing 73.5 kilograms with the base installed.
However, the installation process only requires two people because the box is designed to facilitate the site installation process and also to lift the TV when it is ready to be installed. For those who prefer to hang the TV, there is a 400×600 mm VESA pole on the back.
The screen is of the Mini LED type with a maximum resolution of 4K and a refresh rate of up to 144hz in gaming mode. Normally it works at a rate of 60Hz which still offers a seemingly smooth viewing experience. There is HDR10 and Dolby Vision mode support. All tested streaming platform apps support this HDR mode without any issues also at 4K resolution. If you remember on the Toshiba 55Z870, not all HDR modes are supported and Disney+ Hotstar resolution is limited to FHD only.
The viewing angle of the screen is very satisfactory. When the screen is 100″, where you sit won't make a difference because the TV is big enough. The only issue is from where you sit. In my opinion, for the most satisfying viewing you need to sit 5-6 feet away from the screen. If sitting too close, I feel the 4K image on the 100″ screen will not look sharp enough with video artifacts clearly visible.
I/O options are 2X HDMI 2.1 (one eARC), 2x HDMI 2.0, 2X USB-A 2.0, RJ45 LAN, audio output, audio input, optical output, DVB-T / DVB-T2 output and antenna. The majority of the I/O is placed on the right side of the television with all connection ports pointing to the side. The location of the port is easy to access for a TV that is quite large in size.
Usage And Visual Quality
The visual quality is very satisfactory for a TV with a Mini LED panel. Images have a satisfactory description and can display vivid color content. No ghosting issues were detected even in fast moving action scenes. There is support for multiple Dolby Vision modes that users can choose from. With the included Dolby Vision IQ mode, the TV settings will automatically change according to the content being watched and the ambient light description.
As mentioned above the viewing angle is also very good with no color changes that are too obvious when viewing the screen at a sharper angle. For film lovers, Filmmaker Mode can be activated by ensuring the motion smoothing feature that makes the film content look like a Samarinda drama. The set of features on the U7K is quite satisfactory in my opinion compatible with its status as the flagship TV released by HiSense this year.
The only concern is Disney+ Hotstar because HDR content is not supported and the resolution is limited to FHD only. Don't know why these two important features are missing on Disney+ Hotstar when the app is officially supported on the TV with it being installed right after the TV is turned on for the first time.
Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to try the 144Hz mode because I don't have a powerful enough gaming computer. So the test was done just using a PlayStation 5 and a regular laptop. Both consoles can be played at 4K 120Hz frame rate which I feel is pretty smooth. Two HDMI 2.1 ports are provided on this TV allowing two current generation consoles to be enjoyed at the highest settings aided by AMD FreeSync mode to prevent the graphics from appearing torn.
The given gaming mode also has special settings for the Black Myth Wukong video game. According to Hisense, the U7X has been tuned to play Wukong's Black Myth at the best gaming settings. Also included are other modes for FPS type games, action and more. Through this gaming mode bar, users can see the real-time FPS rate, the HDR mode being used and various other settings that will help the user's video game session.
But there are still shortcomings. For example, the backlight for Mini LED produces a halo effect on the frame when playing dark scenes. The opaque black color cannot be enjoyed because this is the lack of Mini LED technology compared to OLED panels.
Audio
The speaker supports Dolby Atmos audio as the most compatible match with the Dolby Vision visual system. The speakers consist of 2x15W, 1x20W and 2x5W with a total power output of 60W. On the reviewed unit, I was unable to use the included Dolby Atmos system because the TV began to vibrate to a very unpleasant sound. When the louder audio settings were used, again the entire TV vibrated making it uncomfortable for me to watch.
Throughout the review I'm more comfortable pairing the U7K with a soundbar because this TV's audio system is disappointing. There is support for eARC, optical, and 3.5mm audio jack output connections.
VIDEO U7
The VIDAA operating system used looks similar to the latest Tizen OS interface. As a Samsung TV user, I had no problem navigating or finding TV settings. The chip used is a MediaTek MT9618 with a quad-core CPU, 3GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. Although the processor and RAM specifications are low, the U7K operates very smoothly.
Applications can be launched in less than a second. The process of switching between apps is also lightning fast unlike my experience reviewing several TVs with Google TV. VIDAA is still a new operating system but the user experience is better than other more mature smart TV operating systems.
There are popular apps YouTube, YouTube, Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Apple TV+, iQiyi and many more. It is installed as soon as the TV is turned on. All of them also work without any issues to support 4K mode, HDR and Dolby Atmos audio. The only app I noticed missing was HBO Go. With HBO Go set to switch to MAX this month, its absence isn't terribly felt. All missing applications can still be accessed using the web browser included by Hisense.
It also supports AirPlay 2 and Anyview Cast for those who want to cast content from a smartphone, tablet or computer directly to the TV screen. This is another way to solve the problem of no apps on U7K.
Another thing that should be praised is the voice command system that understands Malay. As far as I know VIDAA is the only smart TV operating system that supports commands in Malay. I can change audio volume level, launch apps, change input and more with native language. TVs for the local market should also support voice commands in the local language.
Remote Control
The U7K remote is the most "extreme" I've ever seen. Go crazy because there are 12 quick shortcut buttons for YouTube, Netflix, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Plex and more apps. It's rare to see this many shortcuts on top of a remote. The buttons are all made of rubber material that does not hurt the hand.
It also only requires two AA batteries to function. Its large size makes it not easy to lose compared to Apple and Samsung remote controls. The design may not be futuristic but it is very practical.
Conclusion
With a selling price of RM22,999, Hisense U7K is not a cheap smart TV. But when compared to other TVs with the same screen size, the U7K is the most affordable model. It offers a satisfying visual experience, high frame rates for gaming sessions, lively application support and an operating system that has no less features than other operating systems on the market. Most importantly VIDAA is much smoother than other more prominent operating systems.
The only downside is the audio and the panel is just a 4K Mini LED. For the best image display, the 8K OLED panel is still in my opinion the best on the market because it not only looks sharper but the color display is more accurate.
Pro
Sharp 144Hz 4K screen with vivid colors.
The giant screen size gives a different viewing dimension.
Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support.
VIDAA operating system is getting better application support.
Can use Apple AirPlay.
Supports voice commands in Malay.
Cons
The space under the TV is too small to place a soundbar or console.
Non-contemporary design.
Audio performance is not satisfactory.