ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Telly guarantees a free TV in return on your knowledge and a few ads.
- The advertisements weren’t almost as intrusive as I believed they might be, and the audio and video high quality had been wonderful.
- A built-in digital camera not solely provides helpful options but additionally provides some enjoyable, new methods to work together.
Once I first heard concerning the Telly program — which provides a totally free 55-inch tv should you’re prepared to view some advertisements — I used to be decidedly uninterested. When an honest sufficient 55-inch sensible tv may be had for under $400, why trouble with one which’s going to drown me with advertisements?
Additionally: Telly the free TV now has interactive fitness videos, community viewing and more
The attract of a free TV and easy curiosity acquired the higher of me although and I utilized for this system final June. I had largely forgotten about it till mid-December once I acquired an electronic mail asking me to finish my order as a result of I would been accepted into the beta program.
And now, after greater than a month with Telly, I do not remorse signing up in any respect.
Earlier than we get into the technical half, I need to level out that that is the heaviest TV I’ve encountered in a very long time. It was the one TV I’ve ever had delivered by two individuals. However, that is sensible given the addition of a second display. The underside display additionally means it is a good bit taller than all different TVs — nearly 40 inches — so you will want a decrease stand.
Once I first fired up my set, an advert for a credit score app performed on the principle display. The underside display confirmed the climate, NFL scores, a information article, a scrolling information ticker, and an commercial for a neighborhood hospital. The commercial took up a couple of fifth of the underside display.
My first thought was “That is it?”
Additionally: How “free” is Telly’s free TV?
The advertisements weren’t almost as intrusive as I anticipated. The advert on the underside does often stretch to replenish the entire second display, but it surely’s not typically. And Telly understands what you are watching — say, an NFL recreation, and shows related advertisements.
I used to be rapidly in a position to navigate to the place I needed to on the principle display, and the rotating advert on the underside display match properly beside the remainder of the data… info I began to seek out helpful.
The underside display shows a number of widgets that you could activate or off (I opted out of the inventory costs widget). On my setup, one widget displayed the native climate, one confirmed NFL scores, and one supplied information headlines from the sources I selected. There’s additionally a scrolling information ticker on the underside after which a small advert to the fitting.
Once I fired up my first content material, I discovered that the second display wasn’t distracting in any respect. In truth, I loved it. Seeing NFL scores with out checking my telephone was handy, and I noticed a number of information tales that prompted me to hunt out extra data. Telly wasn’t inundating me with advertisements like I believed; as an alternative, it was offering helpful info tailor-made to my pursuits.
Additionally: The best TV wall mounts of 2024: Expert recommended
A small draw back is that Telly is not a sensible TV. It comes with some apps preinstalled like Zoom and Spotify, however you possibly can’t add any extra. Your entire streaming content material is accessed by means of an Android dongle that plugs into the HDMI port. It is nonetheless completely accessible; it simply requires an additional step and a second distant.
The TV has the same old inputs on the again — a pair of USBs, three HDMI 2.1 ports (one in every of which is eARC for a sound bar), two audio out, and a cable/antenna in. There are additionally built-in LED lights on the again. The settings menu enables you to change them to one in every of 9 colours, management the brightness, or disable them totally. I do have third-party LED backlights on my important TV, and I appreciated the choice to regulate Telly’s straight from the settings.
There’s a digital camera on Telly, which I attempted out with a Zoom call. The digital camera high quality the opposite individual noticed wasn’t superb, but it surely was completely tremendous for that function. There’s a promise of extra content material that makes use of the digital camera like health, gaming, and even watch events the place you see your mates on the second display as you all view the identical factor, however these aren’t accessible but. The digital camera is roofed by a bodily shutter when it isn’t in use.
Additionally: I saw Samsung and LG’s new transparent TVs at CES, and there’s a clear winner
This TV additionally comes with a group of video games, together with some which might be performed on the principle display and a few that may be performed on the decrease display whereas watching content material on the principle. The video games are managed by the TV distant and embrace classics like Asteroids, Breakout, Centipede, Crossy Highway, Deal or No Deal, Trivia Crack and extra. Telly guarantees that motion-controlled video games are on the best way.
So how does this TV look and sound? Higher than I anticipated.
By way of precise specs, Telly has stored issues fairly secret in relation to the show. It does have 4K functionality with 60Hz refresh price and HDR and HDR10+ help, however no VRR help. Image settings embrace your fundamental brightness and distinction sliders together with an “superior” menu that features a colour tuner plus a toggle for noise discount and movie mode.
I discovered the image high quality to be proper on par with most units I see, and whereas this set would not seem to have native dimming, the distinction was good. I watch TV in a vivid surroundings with plenty of pure mild, however Telly dealt with it tremendous. The set brightness mechanically adjusted to the room.
Additionally: I tested LG’s entry-level QNED80 TV and was not prepared for it to be this good
The audio on this set shocked me, as most value-oriented televisions have subpar sound. However not Telly. In fact, the sound is not technically coming from the TV as there is a built-in Dolby soundbar that sits between the 2 screens. However the audio is loads loud, reaching a most degree I would by no means use, and the audio system offered a reasonably first rate bass rumble throughout motion scenes. Dialogue got here by means of crisp and clear, one thing I discover many TVs wrestle with.
A small disadvantage is that there are zero sound settings if you would like to fine-tune issues — not even sound profiles to select from. However I discovered the usual settings tremendous for all the things I attempted. Once I plugged in my PS5, I acquired precisely what I anticipated — an honest show that dealt with each recreation I attempted with no blurring or stuttering. There aren’t fancy gaming choices or settings like different TVs have, however I used to be completely content material gaming on this set.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
It is true {that a} portion of Telly’s options — a built-in digital camera, a voice assistant, and even the built-in backlights, aren’t distinctive. The second display is the novelty right here. On condition that Telly’s premise is actually “each tv is promoting your knowledge, why should not the shopper get one thing in return?” I used to be anticipating that second display to be a barrage of blatant promoting. As an alternative, I acquired a refined nudge to verify my credit score rating and to purchase some sneakers.
Additionally: The best TVs to buy in 2024
Like all televisions, I am sure that Telly is taking knowledge about what reveals I watch and sending it to who is aware of the place. However, should you’re prepared to cope with that reality (which you are should you personal nearly any sensible TV), Telly is a reasonably good likelihood to scoop up not simply an revolutionary TV, however a free one.
This set is not going to win any awards for its video high quality and it would not have fancy choices for avid gamers, but it surely’s completely tremendous for the overwhelming majority of customers — myself included.
