The Amazon Hearth TV Omni Sequence QLED is the subsequent evolution of Amazon’s TV choices, with an all-new QLED display screen for bolder colours, sharper detailing, and enhanced distinction. 

It additionally goals to offer you a terrific streaming expertise with wealthy, clear audio from twin 12W audio system and entry to 1000’s of exhibits and films. 

The Amazon Hearth TV Omni Sequence QLED even works as a gaming TV with a devoted gaming image mode to reinforce shade and detailing in order that characters and landscapes pop. 

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Nevertheless, the most important strike towards the Omni QLED is that a whole lot of its cool performance is locked behind Alexa. Which means as a way to get cool options like making voice or video calls, enjoying trivia, or checking the climate, you may have to purchase an Echo gadget and arrange an Alexa profile if you do not have them already. 

Pricing 

The 65-inch Hearth TV Omni Sequence from Amazon retails for round $800, which is not a nasty value for a decently sized display screen and all the options. If you happen to’re an avid Amazon or Alexa consumer, it is price each penny. If you happen to aren’t, it’s kind of steep contemplating that you simply will not use half of the options. And requiring the added price of an Echo gadget to unlock the TV’s full potential is a disappointment.

Because the FireOS is so carefully tied to Amazon’s proprietary expertise, a whole lot of the cool options are locked behind Alexa functionalities like Expertise. This downside is extra evident with the $1,100 price ticket for the 75-inch Hearth TV Omni model, and highlighted additional by the decrease costs and considerably higher function units of competitor fashions.

For instance, the Hisense A6 65-inch usually sells for about $470 whereas nonetheless offering premium-grade options like Dolby Imaginative and prescient assist, voice controls, and display screen mirroring. And TCL, the undisputed king of price range TVs, sells its 65-inch 5 Sequence for round $500 whereas providing you with comparable image and sound in addition to VRR assist for console gaming.

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For as nice as the brand new Omni Sequence QLED fashions are, the worth is a giant sticking level for me, particularly since I personally do not use Alexa or need an Amazon-centric streaming expertise. Nevertheless, Amazon is presently operating a sale on the 65-inch Omni Sequence QLED, bringing the worth right down to $550 — that is rather more according to what I feel this TV must be retailing for to start with, making it a terrific, budget-friendly possibility in case you’re seeking to improve.  

Image and sound

I’ve to confess that I wasn’t anticipating to be as impressed as I used to be with the image and sound high quality of the Omni Sequence QLED. Since Amazon is so new to manufacturing, I used to be anticipating a bare-bones TV with primary options and satisfactory image and sound. And I’m very glad to be confirmed improper.

The QLED panel positively looks as if an enchancment over the earlier iteration, producing extra colours, higher distinction, and sharper detailing. It additionally helps Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ and HDR10+ for enhanced settings if you want it, which is nice information for film and TV present buffs. And it’s completely price going by the HDR calibration course of (which solely takes a couple of minutes) to fine-tune your photos to get the perfect image potential.

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The TV additionally has a devoted gaming image mode. This provides your video games a much-needed visible enhance — particularly in case you’re enjoying an older console or digital copy of an older sport. 

The adaptive HDR10+ settings routinely regulate brightness, distinction, and shade to make scenes look sharper and extra eye-catching.

The TV additionally has built-in ambient gentle sensors, which routinely make the display screen brighter or dimmer primarily based in your surroundings. Plenty of newer good TVs have this function. I am glad that Amazon included it on this mannequin improve. Our home catches a whole lot of morning solar, which may make watching the morning information a bit troublesome on our Samsung TU-8000 (which does not have adaptive display screen brightness). 

One other small gripe I’ve with the Omni Sequence QLED is the 60Hz refresh price. Whereas that is completely high quality for many streaming and broadcast leisure, in case you’re an avid console gamer or sports activities fan, it leaves rather a lot to be desired. And whereas I perceive there are licensing charges for supporting AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync particularly for gaming, basic VRR assist would have gone a good distance towards offering smoother on-screen motion. 

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The built-in audio system on the TV are a credit score to the redesign, nevertheless, offering wealthy, clear audio that does not sound tinny or muffled like some inventory TV audio system can. Dolby Digital Plus audio assist additionally ensures that you will get deep bass notes, in addition to clear mid and excessive tones, so that you by no means miss a line of dialogue or little bit of music.

If you need a extra elaborate audio setup, you’ll be able to join your TV to Echo audio system to create a customized residence audio answer or present whole-home audio for streaming music. This is a wonderful function that I want Amazon hadn’t shackled to its personal model. 

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I’d a lot slightly see multi-device assist for generic Bluetooth audio system and soundbars, since customers might need audio tools from completely different manufacturers slightly than a home filled with Amazon-branded units. You possibly can arrange non-Amazon audio system and soundbars with the TV however will not get that whole-home audio expertise, which is a disgrace.

Alexa and Amazon options

Because it’s meant to be the centerpiece of your Amazon or Alexa-centered good residence community. the Omni QLED options native Alexa assist through a voice-enabled distant, in addition to a four-microphone array constructed into the unit itself. If you do not have an Alexa account already, you should utilize primary voice instructions for turning the TV on and off or launching sure apps. However what Amazon actually needs you to do is join the Omni QLED to an Echo gadget. 

This provides you entry to issues like Alexa Expertise, so you’ll be able to play music, video games, test the climate, get each day trivia, and even make and obtain video calls. Expertise are what actually set the Omni QLED aside from related good TVs from rivals like TCL and Hisense. With out entry to those options, the Omni QLED is decreased to a fairly bog-standard good TV with better-than-expected image and audio capabilities.  

Gaming

The place I used to be probably the most shocked with the Omni QLED is simply how properly it does with console gaming. I arrange each my PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Change and ran this TV by each check and problem I may consider. And the Omni Sequence QLED is greater than able to delivering a high quality console gaming expertise. 

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The devoted gaming mode is routinely enabled as quickly because the TV detects that your console is powered on and linked, which is nice as a result of you do not have to navigate by any complicated menus to get the perfect image potential in your video games. This image mode routinely boosts distinction and shade to offer you sharp, clear photos that make characters and landscapes actually pop.

I used to be most impressed with simply how nice Ghost of Tsushima seems to be, with its cinematic landscapes, wealthy character modeling, and sheer quantity of stuff on display screen at any given level. And even with the Omni QLED’s considerably lackluster 60Hz refresh price, I by no means had any points with display screen tearing or artifacting; and I by no means had any points with movement blur feeling extreme or like an annoyance. 

It does get a bit tough when enjoying rhythm video games, as it might probably throw you for a loop when attempting to hit sophisticated beat combos, however it does not detract from most video games.

The Change seems to be good on this TV as properly, particularly since many Nintendo titles have daring colours and fascinating artwork course that work rather well with the QLED panel. The unique Paper Mario seems to be clear, if clunky compared with later entries to the sequence, and Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Reminiscence is a delight. 

I normally play console video games with a headset so I can higher decide up on audio cues and dialogue, however the built-in audio system of the Omni QLED present loud and clear audio that does not make you miss out on high quality particulars like wind by bushes, delicate music, and quiet character conversations. 

If you happen to’re available in the market for a TV strictly for console gaming, I might extremely advocate the Omni QLED. Even on the full $800, it is nonetheless a stable possibility towards rivals from manufacturers like Sony and LG with regards to image high quality and a smoother, extra fulfilling gameplay expertise.

Streaming

This TV was constructed from the bottom as much as be a one-stop-shop not just for streaming Amazon Originals and Prime Video choices, however streaming from each one in all your favourite apps. Upon startup, the Omni QLED drops you proper into the FireOS residence display screen, which places Prime exhibits and films entrance and middle. You too can entry Amazon’s different video streaming companions like Freevee from the house display screen as properly to look at free motion pictures and exhibits with adverts. 

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The Omni QLED comes with a small suite of preloaded apps to get you began, however you may need to manually obtain well-liked choices like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ in order for you them. This course of is not any massive deal, as many new good TVs solely supply a small collection of preloaded streaming choices. However to not a minimum of produce other Amazon-owned apps like Twitch preloaded and able to go is an odd option to me. 

One other residence display screen situation I’ve is the adverts. They are not fairly as invasive or annoying as what you’d see on a Kindle, however a great portion of the house display screen is taken up by adverts for numerous Amazon-produced exhibits and films, streaming companions, and even ideas for establishing and configuring your new TV. 

Whereas these are typically useful for locating new issues to look at, in case you’re completely towards adverts, it is one thing to remember. Particularly since they do not all the time load on startup, leaving your TV display screen a void of varied shades of grey.

After you have your entire apps downloaded, you then need to configure your quick-selection menu. It isn’t a very troublesome or time-consuming activity, however it’s a small annoyance that just lately used apps do not present up on the house display screen routinely. You need to entry your full library by going to the settings menu, the place you’ll be able to then add your favourite streaming companies to your quick-access menu. 

Fortunately, you actually solely have to do that as soon as in case you’re like me and also you keep on with only a handful of streaming apps; however in case you like to modify issues up rather a lot, you are going to spend so much of time tweaking your quick-access checklist.

Together with apps, you can even share your cellular gadget screens through AirPlay or Chromecast. I’ll say that when the Omni QLED arrived at my home, I had fairly a little bit of hassle getting AirPlay to work correctly. I ended up contacting Amazon for troubleshooting assist. One manufacturing unit reset and several other firmware updates later, we had been in a position to get the difficulty fastened.

So in case you’re having points sharing something through AirPlay or Chromecast, I recommend checking the settings menu for the most recent firmware replace. And if that does not work, a great old school reset normally takes care of any software program or connectivity weirdness. Which sadly means you may need to undergo your setup and residential display screen configuration course of once more.

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As soon as I bought AirPlay to work correctly, it was pretty straightforward to stream Twitch broadcasts, TikTok movies, and YouTube clips to the TV. A number of picture high quality points cropped up, like bizarre white balancing and washed-out colours, however I chalk this as much as the way in which display screen mirroring works slightly than any fault with the TV. And except you intend on scrolling by your TikTok FYP for hours, you are not going to note a lot of a distinction anyway. 

Animation is one other space the place this TV actually comes into its personal. Whether or not you are watching brand-new exhibits or childhood favorites, the Omni QLED can produce vivid, vivid colours that make each body really feel cleaner and extra thrilling. General image high quality varies fairly a bit, relying on the age of the animated present or film you are attempting to look at. However even authentic episodes of Dexter’s Laboratory look clear and sharp; there’s slightly “fuzziness” at instances with older exhibits and films normally, because of the decision limitations of the time. However the 4K upscaling does a terrific job of bringing out high quality particulars with out ruining the allure. 

Backside line 

On the finish of the day, the Amazon Hearth TV Omni Sequence QLED is a run-of-the-mill good, 4K TV that goals to supply a stable streaming expertise for Amazon and Alexa customers. If you happen to’re not an avid Alexa or Amazon fan, you’ll be able to nonetheless get a whole lot of mileage out of this TV, particularly in case you’re searching for a extra reasonably priced TV for console gaming. 

The devoted gaming image mode lets colours and particulars pop whereas the built-in audio system present clear, clear audio. And even older cartoons and movies look superb with upscaled 4K decision, letting you revisit childhood favorites in a satisfying method.

Most of the cool options are inextricably linked to Alexa performance, so in order for you to have the ability to take full benefit of the Omni QLED, you may need to spend money on an Echo gadget and arrange an Alexa account. And this motive alone is why I feel the $800 price ticket is only a contact on the excessive facet for this TV, since with out Alexa Expertise, it is only a primary QLED mannequin. However proper now, you may get the 65-inch Omni QLED for simply $550 at Amazon, which is a way more applicable value level to my thoughts.

Alternate options to think about 

The Hisense A6 affords related image and audio high quality together with options like Dolby Imaginative and prescient, display screen mirroring, and a devoted sport mode. Although its checklist value is $470, it is presently on sale for about $80 lower than the Omni’s sale value and greater than half of the Omni Sequence QLED’s retail value, making it a terrific possibility for budget-conscious consumers. 

TCL is finest recognized for its budget-friendly good TVs. However simply because they’re on the cheaper facet does not imply they’re cheaply constructed. The 65-inch 5-Sequence additionally makes use of a QLED panel with Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HDR10+ assist in addition to 40 distinction management zones for enhanced detailing and distinction. It additionally has a devoted sport mode, however the place it differs from the Omni Sequence QLED is that the 5-Sequence helps VRR expertise. This syncs the TV’s refresh price with that of your console’s video output, stopping annoying display screen tearing and stuttering. The Omni QLED is locked at 60Hz, the place the 5-Sequence is extra versatile for smoother movement.

The LG QNED80 is one other nice various to the Omni Sequence QLED. It retails for about the identical because the Omni’s retail value, however beats out the Omni QLED with a 120Hz refresh price, Nvidia GeForce Now assist, and Bluetooth encompass sound assist. It additionally helps AMD FreeSync Premium VRR for smoother movement whereas gaming. The QNED80 additionally makes use of AI to create digital encompass sound, so you do not have to arrange further audio system for nice movie and TV audio or music.