Toshiba 55UK4D 63DB

Verdict

A good performer for the asking value with a better-looking design and first rate image high quality, however the smarts and have set is falling behind Toshiba’s rivals and the audio system is a misfire. It seems like Toshiba’s non-Fireplace/Android TV fashions are standing nonetheless, whereas others are shifting forwards.

Introduction

As the massive manufacturers seem like shying away from the funds reaches of the TV market, it’s left the likes of Toshiba with its UK4D mannequin in prime place to brush up.

The inexpensive aspect of the market is one Toshiba has courted because it returned a number of years again, producing a gradual circulate of funds TVs that put in a superb image efficiency and built-in smarts within the type of Alexa.

However with Fireplace TV launching in increasingly more fashions and Roku flooding the market with new TVs, Toshiba gained’t have a simple time securing your hard-earned money.

Design

• Reflective display
• Fast to assemble
• Higher aesthetics than earlier Toshiba TVs

I’ve moaned concerning the design of Toshiba’s earlier TVs. The previous few generations have felt as in the event that they re-used the chassis from earlier than or simply exuded plastic.

Perform over kind is much less of a difficulty on the cheaper finish of the market, however no less than the UK4D tries in aesthetic phrases.

It’s nonetheless black and predominantly plastic, but it surely feels and appears of a better high quality than earlier than. Assembling the TV took me lower than three minutes as all it’s essential to do is screw within the ft supplied to actually “get it on its ft”. The ft are on both aspect of the TV, so if in case you have small furnishings, you’ll have to take that under consideration.

The ft don’t elevate the TV as excessive as I anticipated, because the low-slung nature of the TV’s chassis doesn’t present room so as to add a soundbar with out blocking among the display.

Lastly, the display is one I discovered very reflective in a brilliant room. There isn’t any absorption of ambient mild so every little thing is mirrored onto the display, which turns into very noticeable when watching content material that’s darkish. Viewing angles are additionally greatest head on, as shifting to the aspect can result in a discount of colors and distinction.

Interface

• Linux interface
• Lacking Disney and Apple apps
• Straightforward to make use of

For Toshiba’s home-grown TVs they’re utilizing homebrew software program in Linux OS. A few of their different TVs have moved to Android or Fireplace TV, and it does really feel as if Toshiba’s personal fashions have been left behind by way of apps and options.

The Toshiba/Linux mixture continues to be a comparatively straightforward and neat one to make use of. It’s not full display, as calling it brings up a row on the backside of the display to scroll by Settings, Sources, Apps, and different choices. There’s nonetheless that bug (or no less than I used to be instructed it was one) whereby urgent the Dwelling button in an app opens the Settings web page and never the app bar.

The distant stays the identical giant wand Toshiba has used with its TVs for a number of years, and I do want they’d stage it up because it seems to be somewhat low cost and dated.

I’ve bought no issues with the way it feels to make use of, the buttons are well-spaced out and there’s first rate suggestions with presses. There are shortcuts stationed on the backside that embody Freeview Play, Prime Video, Netflix, and Twitch, in case you’re into your gaming streams.

The app choice is nowhere close to as huge as what you’d discover on Toshiba’s Fireplace TV or Android fashions, lacking huge hitters in Disney+ and Apple TV+. In case you subscribe to these apps, you’d want a streaming stick, however I wouldn’t advise a Fireplace TV Stick as that might simply double up on the Alexa assist.

Options

• Constructed-in Alexa integration
• Three HDMI 2.0 inputs
• Quick gaming efficiency

Alexa comes in-built, so that you gained’t even want the distant for entry. Just like the UK31 mannequin I examined in 2022, you could log in in any other case you’ll be bugged by a notification each time the TV is turned on. In case you’re an Alexa consumer it is sensible, however in case you’re not, a rival one which doesn’t have it might maintain extra enchantment…

In apply, the mixing of Alexa is superb. She understood my queries and acted upon them shortly, whether or not it was asking concerning the climate or switching inputs. The one downside I did have was that Alexa wasn’t in a position to name up any of the Freeview Play apps or Freeview Discover, which appeared an odd restriction.

Connections are restricted to 3 HDMI 2.0 inputs, two USB, Ethernet, digital audio output, headphone out and an aerial enter for stay TV. There’s Wi-Fi in addition to Bluetooth for streaming, and you may mirror a cellular display to the TV.

There isn’t any eARC to cross by high-quality audio codecs comparable to Dolby Atmos to a soundbar, however there may be auto low latency mode (ALLM) to place the TV into its most receptive state for gaming.

I measured latency at 10.7ms, which is speedy and definitely a giant enchancment on the Sharp EQ3A’s 50ms. Nevertheless, whereas latency is quick, the color temperature of the sport mode skews to blue, and picture high quality is somewhat blurry when dealing with movement in Gran Turismo 7. A change to the ‘low’ movement setting leads to fewer points but it surely nonetheless seems to be odd.

Image High quality

• Restricted brightness with HDR
• Good SDR colors
• Blended upscaling efficiency

The Toshiba UK4D gained’t shatter any notions of efficiency within the funds TV market. I measured its HDR efficiency at 329 nits on 5 and 10% home windows in its Pure (i.e., customary) image mode, which was its highest peak brightness. Curiously, not even its Dynamic mode went brighter.

That stage of brightness isn’t sufficient to make a distinction and it reveals. Take Dying on the Nile in HDR10 on 4K Blu-ray, a wealthy and opulent trying movie on the fitting display, however on the UK4D colors simply lack that little bit of vim and vigour, such because the pink costume Emma Mackey’s character wears close to the movie’s begin. The dearth of Broad Color Gamut (WCG) would clarify this because it impacts the vary of colors the Toshiba can painting.

Black ranges are portrayed solidly sufficient, however distinction is missing with out the brightness to help, giving the scene a flat look. Shadow element is missing too, the element on Poirot’s jacket makes it look all black when the jacket is definitely two-toned. The Dolby Imaginative and prescient model on Disney+ makes a greater fist of the steadiness between shade and lightweight, deepening the distinction and giving the highlights extra luminosity.

Bounce to the Egypt-based a part of the movie and regardless of the orange tones and sun-dappled scenes, this a part of the movie doesn’t look all that brilliant; the orange tones lack the vibrancy to make the picture stand out. However by way of total readability and element, it’s strong.

The identical is true of Glass Onion on Netflix. The element and textures of Mile’s statues in his Greek hideaway are satisfactorily conveyed, and although the UK4D isn’t the sharpest trying picture, the tailoring on present is all properly revealed, bringing out the finer element of Benoit Blanc’s fits to a tee.

With scenes which are darker or set at night time time the Toshiba’s image can look somewhat washed out, as blacks lose a facet of depth and power.

The 55UK4D63DB is a strong performer with the complexions of the Glass Onion solid, who look pure sufficient, although there was somewhat discolouration – a inexperienced tinge of their faces I additionally seen with the UK31. It’s not as unhealthy because it was there, however nonetheless seen in moments.

With SDR colors the Toshiba is on extra strong floor. With a Blu-ray of The Power Awakens, the orange tones of the lettering within the opening crawl stand out higher towards the blackness, as do the celebs in area because the stormtroopers descend to the planet. The orange sands of Jedda and the blue hues of smoke and lights give that scene colors which have depth and solidity.

The set’s movement processing, often known as Tru Stream, can look unreal at its medium setting however not too synthetic. There’s no noticeable noise or pixelation with the swift digicam pans because the stormtroopers land, although I did spy some ghosting as Poe Dameron runs again to his ship.

Like many inexpensive TVs, the Toshiba 55UK4D63DB can battle when upscaling lower-resolution content material. DVDs of Unbreakable and Mulholland Drive exhibit softness, noise and an absence of readability and element. With the previous DVD, the Toshiba significantly struggled, as some scenes descended right into a smudgy mess, with edges that had been gentle and blurriness with motion even when the Tru Stream processing was turned off.

Mulholland Drive fared somewhat higher, partly as a result of the movie’s pictures takes on a gentle, dreamy look; but it surely was nonetheless missing in definition and a deficit of element in some scenes. Enjoying round with Noise Discount settings didn’t result in any advantages both. However even in mild of the varied issues I’ve highlighted, the color efficiency is pure, particularly in Cinema mode.

Sound High quality

• Flat, missing dynamics
• Good vocal readability

The Toshiba 55UK4D63DB’s audio system isn’t going to tug up any timber. The 20W down-firing system is made by Onkyo who’ve performed a superb job in different funds TVs, however it is a feeble, flat efficiency.

There’s assist for Dolby Atmos however you wouldn’t actually understand it. Watching Netflix’s Wednesday in Atmos and the efficiency is hemmed in and lacks readability when coping with the boat race sequence. It sounded muddled at greatest.

Glass Onion and Dying on the Nile sound higher, clearer, and extra detailed however dynamism was missing. Bass is punchy however I’m not speaking big quantities. Dialogue was clear and prioritised, however the soundstage is flatly conceived with no depth.

When the motion kicks off in The Power Awakens on Jedda as Rey and Finn are chased by stormtroopers all of it sounds… unexciting. John Williams’ wonderful rating is offered with a level of dynamism however even that feels half-hearted. There’s no doubting a soundbar is required to liven issues up, however you’ll have a little bit of bother becoming it under the display.

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