Amazon Fireplace TV Omni Series QLED overview: Worth it for Alexa followers, and now $180 off

pros and cons

Mavens

  • Big image and sound
  • Devoted game mode
  • Alexa aspects usually are now not obligatory
  • Easy to site up
  • Big for gaming

Cons

  • A bit overpriced
  • No easy manner to access app library
  • Somewhat invasive adverts on dwelling show shroud shroud
  • A total bunch cool aspects locked in the support of Alexa beneficial properties
  • No Dolby Atmos increase

$550 at Amazon$550 at Handiest Aquire

The Amazon Fireplace TV Omni Series QLED is the following evolution of Amazon’s TV offerings, with an all-fresh QLED show shroud shroud for bolder colors, sharper detailing, and enhanced distinction. 

It additionally targets to produce you with a enormous streaming abilities with affluent, trim audio from twin 12W audio system and access to thousands of exhibits and motion photos. 

The Amazon Fireplace TV Omni Series QLED even works as a gaming TV with a dedicated gaming image mode to enhance colour and detailing in advise that characters and landscapes pop. 

Additionally: OLED vs QLED: Which is better?

On the replacement hand, essentially the most attention-grabbing strike against the Omni QLED is that masses of its cool functionality is locked in the support of Alexa. This form that in say to construct up cool aspects love making issue or video calls, taking half in minutiae, or checking the climate, it would be most sensible to buy an Echo instrument and site up an Alexa profile whenever you assemble now not possess one already. 

Specs

Cowl size 65 inches
Panel form QLED
Operating machine FireOS
HDR increase Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive
Audio system Dual 12W
Audio Dolby Digital Plus
VRR increase N/A
Refresh price 60Hz
Connectivity HDMI, HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, AUX, Optical, Coax

Pricing 

The 65-hasten Fireplace TV Omni Series from Amazon retails for around $800, which is rarely if reality be told a substandard mark for a decently sized show shroud shroud and all of the aspects. When you’re an avid Amazon or Alexa person, it’s worth every penny. When you usually are now not, it’s a bit steep brooding about that you obtained’t use half of the aspects. And requiring the added price of an Echo instrument to liberate the TV’s full doable is a disappointment.

Since the FireOS is so closely tied to Amazon’s proprietary know-how, masses of the cool aspects are locked in the support of Alexa functionalities love Abilities. This pickle is more evident with the $1,100 mark label for the 75-hasten Fireplace TV Omni version, and highlighted additional by the lower costs and unbiased a little better feature units of competitor units. And magnificent now in some unspecified time in the future of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, you might maybe presumably presumably also snag the 55-hasten Omni QLED for upright over $400 (saving you $180).

For example, the Hisense A6 65-hasten usually sells for about $470 while aloof providing top price-grade aspects love Dolby Vision increase, issue controls, and show shroud shroud mirroring. And TCL, the undisputed king of funds TVs, sells its 65-hasten 5 Series for around $500 while supplying you with comparable image and sound in addition to VRR increase for console gaming.

Additionally: The 5 handiest funds TVs

For as enormous as the fresh Omni Series QLED units are, the worth is a enormous sticking point for me, in particular since I for my share assemble now not use Alexa or want an Amazon-centric streaming abilities. On the replacement hand, Amazon is at the moment operating a sale on the 65-hasten Omni Series QLED, bringing the worth all of the kind down to $550 — right here is some distance more in line with what I’ve this TV must be retailing for to initiate with, making it a enormous, funds-friendly possibility whenever you take a see to give a raise to.  

Image and sound

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I in actuality want to admit that I wasn’t waiting for to be as impressed as I was as soon as with the image and sound quality of the Omni Series QLED. Since Amazon is so fresh to manufacturing, I was as soon as waiting for a bare-bones TV with general aspects and ample image and sound. And I’m very utterly gratified to be proven incorrect.

The QLED panel definitely appears love an assert over the previous iteration, producing more colors, better distinction, and sharper detailing. It additionally supports Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ for enhanced settings whenever you will want it, which is gigantic information for movie and TV point to buffs. And it is totally worth going thru the HDR calibration direction of (which handiest takes a pair of minutes) to gorgeous-tune your photos to construct up the handiest image likely.

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The TV additionally has a dedicated gaming image mode. This offers your games a valuable-mandatory visual enhance — in particular whenever you take half in an older console or digital copy of an older game. 

The adaptive HDR10+ settings automatically alter brightness, distinction, and colour to influence scenes see sharper and more search-catching.

The TV additionally has integrated ambient light sensors, which automatically influence the show shroud shroud brighter or dimmer in accordance with your atmosphere. A bunch of more moderen trim TVs possess this feature. I’m utterly gratified that Amazon included it in this mannequin give a raise to. Our dwelling catches masses of morning sun, that will influence watching the morning information a bit complex on our Samsung TU-8000 (which would now not possess adaptive show shroud shroud brightness). 

Taylor Clemons/ZDNET

One other exiguous gripe I if reality be told possess with the Omni Series QLED is the 60Hz refresh price. Whereas right here is completely gorgeous for most streaming and broadcast leisure, whenever you’re an avid console gamer or sports activities fan, it leaves a lot to be desired. And while I understand there are licensing fees for supporting AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync specifically for gaming, general VRR increase would possess long previous a protracted manner in the direction of providing smoother on-show shroud shroud motion. 

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The integrated audio system on the TV are a credit to the redesign, on the replacement hand, providing affluent, certain audio that doesn’t sound tinny or muffled love some stock TV audio system can. Dolby Digital Plus audio increase additionally ensures that you might maybe presumably presumably accumulate deep bass notes, in addition to certain mid and excessive tones, so you by no manner circulate over a line of debate or bit of tune.

In say for you a more account for audio setup, you might maybe presumably presumably also connect your TV to Echo audio system to produce a custom dwelling audio resolution or present total-dwelling audio for streaming tune. Here is an very supreme feature that I want Amazon hadn’t shackled to its private brand. 

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I would valuable rather scrutinize multi-instrument increase for generic Bluetooth audio system and soundbars, since users might maybe presumably want audio tools from diverse brands rather than a dwelling stuffed with Amazon-branded devices. You presumably can site up non-Amazon audio system and soundbars with the TV but obtained’t accumulate that total-dwelling audio abilities, which is a disgrace.

Alexa and Amazon aspects

As it’s meant to be the centerpiece of your Amazon or Alexa-centered trim dwelling network. the Omni QLED aspects native Alexa increase by procedure of a issue-enabled some distance-off, in addition to a four-microphone array built into the unit itself. When you assemble now not possess an Alexa account already, you might maybe presumably presumably also use general issue commands for turning the TV on and off or launching definite apps. And in say for you expanded, hands-free controls in addition to the ability so as to add Abilities, you might maybe presumably presumably also either hook up with an Echo instrument or the Alexa companion app. Though you will want an Amazon account to signal into the Alexa app in addition to the TV itself to access many enhanced aspects. 

Taylor Clemons/ZDNET

When you possess selected to rep Alexa Abilities, you might maybe presumably presumably also play tune, games, take a look at the climate, accumulate each day minutiae, or even influence and rep video calls. Abilities are what if reality be told site the Omni QLED except for an identical trim TVs from competitors love TCL and Hisense. Without access to these aspects, the Omni QLED is diminished to a engaging lavatory-standard trim TV with better-than-anticipated image and audio capabilities.  

Gaming

The assign I was as soon as essentially the most stunned with the Omni QLED is upright how properly it does with console gaming. I site up both my PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch and ran this TV thru every take a look at and pickle I might maybe presumably have of. And the Omni Series QLED is more than in a position to handing over a quality console gaming abilities. 

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The dedicated gaming mode is automatically enabled as soon as the TV detects that your console is powered on and linked, which is gigantic as a result of you assemble now not want to navigate thru any confusing menus to construct up the handiest image likely for your games. This image mode automatically boosts distinction and colour to give you with tantalizing, trim photos that influence characters and landscapes if reality be told pop.

Taylor Clemons/ZDNET

I was as soon as most impressed with upright how enormous Ghost of Tsushima appears to be, with its cinematic landscapes, affluent personality modeling, and sheer quantity of stuff on show shroud shroud at any given point. And even with the Omni QLED’s unbiased a little lackluster 60Hz refresh price, I by no manner had any factors with show shroud shroud tearing or artifacting; and I by no manner had any factors with motion blur feeling inaccurate or love an annoyance. 

It does accumulate a bit complex when taking half in rhythm games, as it can throw you for a loop when making an attempt to hit sophisticated beat combos, but it would now not detract from most games.

Taylor Clemons/ZDNET
Taylor Clemons/ZDNET

The Switch appears to be nice on this TV as properly, in particular since many Nintendo titles possess dauntless colors and attention-grabbing paintings route that work if reality be told properly with the QLED panel. The standard Paper Mario appears to be trim, if clunky in comparability with later entries to the series, and Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a pleasure. 

Taylor Clemons/ZDNET

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I usually play console games with a headset so I will better gain on audio cues and dialogue, however the integrated audio system of the Omni QLED present loud and certain audio that doesn’t influence you circulate over out on gorgeous particulars love wind thru bushes, subtle tune, and peaceable personality conversations. 

When you’re available in the market for a TV strictly for console gaming, I might maybe presumably extremely suggest the Omni QLED. Even on the total $800, it’s aloof a stable possibility against competitors from brands love Sony and LG when it involves image quality and a smoother, more scrumptious gameplay abilities.

Streaming

This TV was as soon as built from the flooring as a lot as be a one-discontinuance-store now not handiest for streaming Amazon Originals and Prime Video offerings, but streaming from one and your total favorite apps. Upon startup, the Omni QLED drops you magnificent into the FireOS dwelling show shroud shroud, which puts Prime exhibits and motion photos entrance and center. You presumably can additionally access Amazon’s diverse video streaming partners love Freevee from the dwelling show shroud shroud as properly to peek free motion photos and exhibits with adverts. 

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The Omni QLED comes with a exiguous suite of preloaded apps to construct up you started, but it would be most sensible to manually rep standard alternate choices love Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ in say for you them. This direction of is rarely any enormous deal, as many fresh trim TVs handiest offer a exiguous series of preloaded streaming alternate choices. But to now not on the least possess diverse Amazon-owned apps love Twitch preloaded and ready to circulate is an queer replacement to me. 

Taylor Clemons/ZDNET

One other dwelling show shroud shroud situation I if reality be told possess is the adverts. They’re now not quite as invasive or stressful as what you would scrutinize on a Kindle, but a actual fragment of the dwelling show shroud shroud is taken up by adverts for diverse Amazon-produced exhibits and motion photos, streaming partners, and even guidelines for atmosphere up and configuring your fresh TV. 

Whereas these are usually helpful for discovering fresh issues to peek, whenever you’re completely against adverts, it’s one thing to take into accout. Especially since they assemble now not constantly load on startup, leaving your TV show shroud shroud a void of diverse shades of grey.

Taylor Clemons/ZDNET

Whenever you might maybe presumably presumably possess your total apps downloaded, then you definately want to configure your rapid-want menu. It’s now not an extremely complex or time-entertaining project, but it’s a exiguous annoyance that recently primitive apps assemble now not point to up on the dwelling show shroud shroud automatically. You would favor to access your full library by going to the settings menu, where you might maybe presumably presumably also then add your favorite streaming services to your rapid-access menu. 

Fortunately, you in reality handiest want to total this as soon as whenever you’re love me and you follow upright a handful of streaming apps; but whenever you prefer to switch issues up a lot, you’re going to employ masses of time tweaking your rapid-access listing.

Taylor Clemons/ZDNET

Alongside with apps, you might maybe presumably presumably also additionally fragment your cell instrument shows by procedure of AirPlay or Chromecast. I might say that when the Omni QLED arrived at my dwelling, I had quite a bit of misfortune getting AirPlay to work properly. I ended up contacting Amazon for troubleshooting motivate. One manufacturing unit reset and several firmware updates later, we had been in a position to construct up the situation mounted.

So whenever you’re having factors sharing the rest by procedure of AirPlay or Chromecast, I suggest checking the settings menu for essentially the most modern firmware change. And if that doesn’t work, a actual traditional-usual reset usually takes care of any instrument or connectivity weirdness. Which unfortunately manner it would be most sensible to combat thru your setup and dwelling show shroud shroud configuration direction of again.

Additionally: Easy techniques to AirPlay to a TV 

As soon as I bought AirPlay to work properly, it was as soon as barely easy to circulate Twitch announces, TikTok movies, and YouTube clips to the TV. About a image quality factors cropped up, love queer white balancing and washed-out colors, but I chalk this as a lot as the kind show shroud shroud mirroring works rather than any fault with the TV. And except you suggest on scrolling thru your TikTok FYP for hours, you’re now not going to stare valuable of a dissimilarity anyway. 

Taylor Clemons/ZDNET

Animation is one other situation where this TV if reality be told comes into its private. Whether or now not you’re watching brand-fresh exhibits or childhood favorites, the Omni QLED can produce gleaming, shining colors that influence every physique if reality be told feel cleaner and more exciting. Overall image quality varies quite a bit, depending on the age of the bewitching point to or movie you’re making an attempt to peek. But even normal episodes of Dexter’s Laboratory see trim and tantalizing; there is a little “fuzziness” at cases with older exhibits and motion photos in general, ensuing from the choice limitations of the time. But the 4K upscaling does a enormous job of bringing out gorgeous particulars without ruining the charm. 

Bottom line 

On the live of the day, the Amazon Fireplace TV Omni Series QLED is a recede-of-the-mill trim, 4K TV that targets to produce a stable streaming abilities for Amazon and Alexa users. When you’re now not an avid Alexa or Amazon fan, you might maybe presumably presumably also aloof accumulate masses of mileage out of this TV, in particular whenever you take a see for a more affordable TV for console gaming. 

The dedicated gaming image mode lets colors and particulars pop while the integrated audio system present trim, certain audio. And even older cartoons and motion photos see fantastic with upscaled 4K choice, letting you revisit childhood favorites in a delectable manner.

Many of the cool aspects are inextricably linked to Alexa functionality, so in say for you in an effort to raise full supreme thing about the Omni QLED, it would be most sensible to put money into an Echo instrument and site up an Alexa account. And this impartial by myself is why I’ve the $800 mark label is upright a contact on the excessive aspect for this TV, since without Alexa Abilities, it’s upright a general QLED mannequin. But magnificent now, you might maybe presumably presumably also accumulate the 65-hasten Omni QLED for upright $550 at Amazon, which is a valuable more acceptable mark existing my suggestions.

Imaginable picks to withhold in suggestions 

The Hisense A6 offers an identical image and audio quality alongside with aspects love Dolby Vision, show shroud shroud mirroring, and a dedicated game mode. Though its listing mark is $470, it’s at the moment on sale for about $80 lower than the Omni’s sale mark and more than half of the Omni Series QLED’s retail mark, making it a enormous possibility for funds-aware potentialities. 

TCL is handiest known for its funds-friendly trim TVs. But upright as a result of they’re on the more cost effective aspect would now not mean they’re cheaply built. The 65-hasten 5-Series additionally makes use of a QLED panel with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ increase in addition to 40 distinction management zones for enhanced detailing and distinction. It additionally has a dedicated game mode, but where it differs from the Omni Series QLED is that the 5-Series supports VRR know-how. This syncs the TV’s refresh price with that of your console’s video output, combating stressful show shroud shroud tearing and stuttering. The Omni QLED is locked at 60Hz, where the 5-Series is more flexible for smoother motion.

The LG QNED80 is one other enormous replacement to the Omni Series QLED. It retails for about the identical as the Omni’s retail mark, but beats out the Omni QLED with a 120Hz refresh price, Nvidia GeForce Now increase, and Bluetooth encompass sound increase. It additionally supports AMD FreeSync Top price VRR for smoother motion while gaming. The QNED80 additionally makes use of AI to produce virtual encompass sound, so you assemble now not want to site up further audio system for enormous movie and TV audio or tune. 

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Editor’s Present: We had originally acknowledged that users want to possess Alexa-enabled devices love the Echo Present or Echo Dot to raise full supreme thing about the Fireplace TV Omni QLED’s full suite of aspects. We possess now chanced on that the Alexa app permits users to access these aspects, though users aloof want an Amazon account to utilize Alexa thru the app. The overview has been up to this point to copy up to this point information from additional testing and spec sheets offered by Amazon. 

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