Hisense 65A7NQ Review
With the 65A7NQ, a brand-new QLED TV from Hisense reached our test lab. The 65-incher (164 centimeters) is equipped with an LC display with direct LED backlight and offers three HDMI interfaces for receivers, (UHD) Blu-ray players, and game consoles, a single triple tuner for TV reception via satellite, cable, and DVB-T2 HD, as well as VIDAA U 7.6 as the operating system. In addition to the sharp 4K Ultra HD resolution, it supports various HDR formats such as Dolby Vision to benefit from higher contrast ranges of corresponding content. Whether the 4K QLED TV, available for less than $1,100, could convince us.
Hisense offers the A7NQ series not only in the 65-inch (165 cm) screen size we tested but also with screen diagonals of 43 inches (109 cm), 50 inches (127 cm), and 55 inches (139 cm).
Design and Connections
The Hisense 65A7NQ comes with a crescent-shaped plastic stand, on which it unfortunately cannot be rotated. The frame, also made of plastic, is slim and thus creates a modern impression. Wall mounting can be done via an optional wall bracket according to the VESA standard 400 × 300.
It should be noted that the LAN port and the digital optical S/PDIF output on the back of the TV are rear-facing. The other connection options, however, can be easily reached even when wall-mounted, as they face sideways. These include two USB 2.0 interfaces, a headphone output, a composite input, and three HDMI connections. The CI+ interface is also side-facing, but we deduct points for its positioning, as it is placed so close to one of the HDMI interfaces that when a module is inserted, only an HDMI cable with a flat connector can be used in that port.
First Installation and Operation
An installation assistant guides you through the initial setup, which asks early on whether a channel search should be performed. After setting the parameters for this, the channel search runs while the user goes through the other installation steps, pleasantly shortening the whole process. In our case, the initial installation with a channel search for satellite and DVB-T2 HD reception took only ten minutes. Satellite households have the choice between DiSEqC 1.0 and 1.2 or Unicable 1 (EN 50494) and 2 (EN 50607). The connection to the home network, which can be done via LAN cable or wirelessly via WLAN, is also made during the initial setup.
Remote Control
The included remote control is a Bluetooth remote with an integrated microphone for voice commands. It features buttons for direct access to several streaming services and a practical favorite button, on which an additional service can be stored.
PRO
HDR10, HLG, HDR10+ & Dolby Vision, Unicable 2, Dolby Atmos, HD+ integrated
CONTRA
No twin tuner, viewing angle, positioning of CI+ interface and HDMI inputs
EPG If HD+ is activated, the HD+ Guide replaces the standard EPG. The HD+ Guide requires an internet connection to provide the corresponding program information for the next seven days. The current TV program can be followed via a small box displayed at the bottom right.
If the user wants to adjust the order of the channels only slightly after the channel search is completed, they can do this manually on the TV. For larger rearrangements, however, the channel list should be exported to a USB stick to edit it with the free software “ChanSort” on a PC and then transfer the edited desired list back to the TV.
The Hisense 65A7NQ comes with VIDAA U 7.6, the latest version of the manufacturer’s own user interface, which is visually appealing and intuitive to use. On the one hand, the uniformly designed menus make it easy to navigate, and on the other hand, the start bar can be customized to give the TV a personal touch.
The operating system also has its own voice assistant with VIDAA Voice; as an alternative, Amazon Alexa is also supported.
Horizon – An American Saga
New Mexico, 1861:
Harbingers of the American Civil War shake the southern part of North America. White pioneers occupy the territories of the Apaches on their westward trek, who brutally resist the land grab. But bloody chaos also reigns among the settlers. When the father of the feared Sykes brothers becomes a victim of an attack, his sons mercilessly pursue the assassin. Kevin Costner’s first directorial work (“Dances with Wolves”) in 20 years marks the beginning of the four-part western saga Horizon, which takes moviegoers on a gripping and highly emotional journey. The first part starts on August 22 in German cinemas, while the second is already set to follow on November 7.
Distributor:
TOBIS Film
Apps The app offering of VIDAA U 7.6 can be seen, as the majority of frequently used streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ are available. From our extensive reference list, only Discovery+, Dyn, and MagentaTV were missing.
Voice commands are spoken into the integrated microphone of the included Bluetooth remote control. This features a wide selection of direct access buttons for streaming services like Netflix and DAZN. If a frequently used app is still missing, it can be stored on the favorite button for quick access.
Television and More
The Hisense is equipped with a triple tuner for satellite, cable, and DVB-T2 HD, but not in duplicate, so it is not possible to record one program while watching another. Recordings are possible on external storage media connected via USB. The recorded content cannot be edited and can only be watched on the TV where they were made. In the options, generally applicable pre- and post-run times can be set. These can also be individually adjusted when programming a recording, and series timers can be programmed. In addition, a timeshift function is offered to pause the currently running program. For the reception of encrypted program content, a Common Interface slot (CI+) is available, which in the practical test could process all common modules. Those who watch TV via the satellite position Astra 19.2 degrees East and want to receive the private HD channels do not need a module, but can activate the integrated HD+ operator app to watch the currently 39 encrypted HD programs and three UHD channels of the HD+ platform for six months for free, and also use features like restart and a search function.
Measurement Data
Picture Measurements In our extensive picture measurements, the Hisense scored a good result. RGB balance, white value, and DeltaError values were in a very good range after calibration, in which the Chinese TV manufacturer gives the user many freedoms. The “Filmmaker Mode”, which we recommend equally for SDR and HDR content, was already very well preset and hardly needs correction. The maximum brightness value we measured was 412 nits in the picture mode “HDR Sport”, while in our reference mode it was 365 nits.
VIDAA Smart TV Tablet PC and Smartphone
Version 1.08.02.006.0: Android 5.0+
Version 1.08.004: iOS 11.0+
The VIDAA Smart TV app is available for free for smartphones and tablets with the operating systems Android and iOS (Apple). In addition to the possibility of controlling the TV via the mobile device, videos, pictures, and music can also be streamed from it to the Hisense.
VIDAA Channels With the VIDAA Channels, Hisense offers its own free FAST channel offering. This consists of more than 100 ad-supported IPTV channels, which are dedicated to a specific theme as linear programs. They are displayed in a clear EPG view.
Smart TV Functions
Especially after the recent abolition of the ancillary cost privilege, the already increasing interest in TV reception over the internet is likely to have grown even more. Owners of the 65A7NQ have a good selection for this with pre-installed apps for the IPTV services Zattoo, Joyn, and RTL+, to receive public and private TV channels via the internet. In addition, with the VIDAA Channels, a free FAST channel offering is on board, which consists of more than 100 ad-supported IPTV channels that are dedicated to a specific theme as linear programs.
Those who prefer traditional streaming services also get their money’s worth, as the Hisense offers apps for numerous providers, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, WOW, and DAZN. From our reference list, we only missed MagentaTV, Discovery+, and Dyn.
Even users who receive their TV program via DVB signal benefit from the networking of the television in the form of HbbTV. This allows easy access to the media libraries of the public broadcasters via the red button, while pressing the blue color button restarts a running program if this function, called Replay, is supported by the broadcaster. In terms of deactivating HbbTV, which some users desire due to the constant pop-ups, Hisense presents itself exemplary, as the function can be switched off either completely or for individual channels.
Gaming
For gamers, there is initially a small downer to report, as the three HDMI connections are only interfaces according to the 2.0 standard, which can therefore transmit 4K video content at a maximum of 60 frames per second. The good news is that other HDMI 2.1 specifications are indeed supported, such as Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which allows the television to automatically switch to game mode as soon as a game console is connected. In addition, the Hisense can automatically and in real-time adjust its refresh rate via VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) to the frame rate output by a compatible game console or PC.
Connections The connections are located on the left half of the back when viewed from the front and include three HDMI 2.0 inputs, two USB 2.0 ports, a headphone jack, a composite input, a LAN port, and a digital optical S/PDIF output. There is also a CI slot for modules.
Picture and Sound Quality
The Hisense 65A7NQ is a LCD television with direct LED backlighting, utilizing microscopic color crystals known as Quantum Dots. The CPU is a Hi View Engine based on a quad-core processor. The UHD AI Upscaling technology optimizes lower-resolution image signals to 4K quality. Instead of simply scaling each pixel four times, it analyzes the color spectrum of adjacent pixels and optimizes the color rendering scene by scene. In practical tests, this resulted in very good results with HD material, while SD content should be avoided, as no upscaler can hide the low original resolution on a 65-inch screen.
All in all, the Hisense delivered good results in our picture measurements and viewing tests, which were even very good in some areas. According to our measurements, it can display 95.5 percent of the colors of the P3 color space and 72.2 percent of the BT.2020 color space. This led to perfect color reproduction in practice, not only of the most saturated parts of the image but also of the tonal transitions, so that colors and skin tones were rendered realistically. Regarding peak brightness, however, we unfortunately cannot express such praise, as it was disappointing with 412 nits in the picture mode “HDR Sport” and 365 nits in our reference mode. There is room for improvement in the contrast display of HDR content.
There is nothing to complain about in terms of HDR support. Although the model was not certified for HDR10+, it is capable of displaying corresponding content. Otherwise, extended contrasts are supported within the framework of HDR10, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), and Dolby Vision.
“QLED TV for Streaming and Gaming Enjoyment”
Native 4K HDR content is therefore the most fun, being rendered crisp and sharp and convincing with the pleasantly warm color temperature and vibrant colors. The direct LED backlight ensures uniform panel illumination. The viewing angle of the VA panel could have been larger, but due to the width of the television, three to four viewers can comfortably find space in front of the TV screen without having to accept quality losses due to a too lateral seating position.
The sound quality is decent, although for a thoroughly successful home cinema evening, an external sound solution is advisable, as the TV runs out of steam, especially at high volumes, particularly in the bass. This should not be surprising given that only two 7-watt speakers are built-in. Of the three HDMI connections, one can pass on 3D sound formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X losslessly as an eARC port.
Thermal Images Our thermal image shows that the temperature is distributed fairly evenly on the display. In peak, the television reached a temperature of 29.0 degrees Celsius in our test lab after about three hours of runtime in TV mode. The hottest spot of the television is found on the back in the area of the connections, where we measured a peak temperature of 31.6 degrees Celsius.
Conclusion
The Hisense 65A7NQ secures the test rating “good” with 9.0 out of 10 points in our practical test. Anyone expecting that material and processing were saved in favor of the attractive price in the 65-inch QLED TV will be surprised by the appealing design and high-quality workmanship, which makes the TV appear more high-end. There are compromises to be made with the overall good picture quality in terms of peak brightness and viewing angle, while the color representation can fully convince. Operating comfort and app selection are to be classified as convincing thanks to the installed operating system VIDAA U 7.6.
The Hisense 65A7NQ was still offered at a recommended retail price of $1,099 at the editorial deadline of this issue, which already offers a very good price/performance ratio, which we accordingly value with the logo “Price/Performance Very Good”. It is to be expected, however, that the market price may still fall in the coming weeks.
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