Once it’s all finalized, you’ll want to give it another reboot, just to start from a clean slate.

Worse, once you get everything set up, the TV is going to run very very slowly for about an hour (including a reboot or two) as it gets settled between apps and updates to be installed. But that’s a complaint to be lodged with Google TV, not with TCL. Not to mention the number of prompts you need to go through before you can actually use your new TV is shocking. On the plus side, this is extremely convenient as you’re not awkwardly typing anything in with a remote, but it does take away some of the nerdy sense of magic that comes from playing with a new device as you set it up. Like Google’s own smart displays and speakers, this connection and the subsequent setup and login processes are all handled with the Google Home app. On that note, the TCL 5-Series is equipped with three HDMI 2.0 inputs including support for eARC audio, as well connections for Ethernet, USB, cable/antenna, AV in, headphones, and optical audio.Īs you’d expect from a smart TV, the first thing you’ll need to do is set up internet access. Toss a couple screws into the legs, plug in the power & inputs, and you’ve got a TV ready to go. Once unstrapped, the majority of the box simply lifted away, giving easy access to the TV itself. While not too important in the grand scheme of things, the TCL 5-Series was one of the easiest televisions I’ve ever unboxed and set up. TCL’s 5-Series television, powered by Google TV, is a solid device that could have been perfect for the price point with a bit more polishing.

Tcl class 5 series review