The Hisense Canvas TV: Television That Doubles As An Art Piece
The Hisense Canvas TV, part of the S7 Series, is a flagship product aimed at combining cutting-edge television technology with an artistic design ethos. This QLED TV is positioned as a versatile solution for modern homes, functioning both as a premium television and an aesthetic decor piece. Designed to compete with the likes of Samsung’s Frame TV, it aims to provide excellent picture quality, a suite of smart features, and a unique design that seamlessly integrates into living spaces.
Design and Build Quality
- Art-Inspired Aesthetic:
- The Canvas TV is crafted to resemble a framed piece of art, with customizable bezels that allow you to match it to your interior design. The customizable frame options include wood finishes like teak, oak, and walnut, offering flexibility for various styles.
- Its ultra-slim profile ensures it sits flush against the wall when mounted, giving it the appearance of a traditional painting or canvas.
- Matte Hi-Display:
- The TV features a Hi-Matte Display that reduces glare, providing a natural and non-reflective surface. This enhances its use as a digital canvas for displaying artwork when not in use as a television.
- The matte finish also mimics the texture of real paintings, adding to the authenticity of its design.
- Ambient Lighting Support:
- Equipped with Ambient Adaptive Technology, the TV adjusts its brightness and color temperature to match the room’s lighting conditions, ensuring a comfortable viewing experience regardless of the time of day.
- Motion Detection:
- A built-in motion sensor enables the TV to activate its art display mode when someone enters the room and turn off when no movement is detected, saving energy while maintaining its aesthetic purpose.
Display and Picture Quality
Quantum Dot Technology:
- The Canvas TV utilizes QLED (Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diodes) technology, which provides over a billion shades of vibrant colors. This ensures lifelike color reproduction, making it ideal for watching movies, sports, and nature documentaries.
4K Ultra HD Resolution:
- With a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, the TV delivers sharp, detailed, and crisp visuals. The high pixel density ensures no loss of detail even on larger screen sizes like the 65-inch model.
HDR Capabilities:
- It supports multiple HDR formats, including Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+, which enhance contrast and dynamic range. Bright highlights, deep blacks, and nuanced shadow details make content more immersive.
Refresh Rate:
- The TV boasts a refresh rate of up to 144Hz, making it one of the fastest in its class. This feature is particularly beneficial for sports and fast-paced action sequences, ensuring smooth motion with minimal blur.
Contrast and Brightness:
- While the brightness levels are suitable for most environments, the lack of local dimming means the contrast ratio doesn’t reach the levels seen in OLED TVs. However, the TV performs admirably in moderately lit rooms, with decent black levels for a QLED panel.
Viewing Angles:
- Hisense has optimized the panel for wide viewing angles, ensuring consistent picture quality even when viewed from the side. This makes it a good choice for families or group settings.
Audio Performance
- Multi-Channel Surround Sound:
- Equipped with a 2.0.2 audio system, the Canvas TV delivers decent sound quality with clear dialogue and punchy effects. For an enhanced audio experience, it supports Dolby Atmos, creating a three-dimensional soundstage.
- Integrated Speakers:
- While the built-in speakers are adequate for casual viewing, serious audiophiles may want to pair the TV with a soundbar or external audio system for a richer sound experience.
Smart Features and Connectivity
Operating System:
- The TV runs on Google TV, offering a streamlined interface with access to thousands of apps, including Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and more. Google TV also integrates live TV options and personalized recommendations.
Voice Control:
- Built-in Google Assistant allows for hands-free operation. Users can search for content, control smart home devices, or ask general queries using voice commands.
Gaming Features:
- Gaming enthusiasts will appreciate features like:
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) to eliminate screen tearing.
- AMD FreeSync™ Premium for smoother gameplay.
- Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which automatically switches the TV to its low-latency mode when gaming is detected.
- Support for up to 4K 144Hz and 1080p 240Hz, making it ideal for next-gen gaming consoles and PC gaming.
Connectivity Options:
- Ports: The TV includes multiple HDMI 2.1 ports, USB 3.0 ports, and an optical audio output, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices.
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 provide fast and reliable wireless connectivity.
- AirPlay 2 and Chromecast Built-In make it easy to cast content from smartphones or laptops.
Energy Efficiency
- The inclusion of motion detection and ambient light adaptation ensures energy efficiency. The TV automatically powers down when the room is unoccupied for extended periods.
Physical Dimensions and Models
- 55-inch model (55S7N):
- Dimensions: 48.5″ x 28.0″ x 1.4″ (without stand).
- Weight: Approximately 40.3 lbs.
- 65-inch model (65S7N):
- Dimensions: 57.1″ x 32.8″ x 1.4″ (without stand).
- Weight: Approximately 63.5 lbs.
Both models come with an UltraSlim wall mount and a pre-fitted teak bezel frame.
Performance Review
Pros:
- Vibrant QLED display with excellent color accuracy.
- Matte finish reduces glare for comfortable viewing.
- High refresh rate and VRR support make it gamer-friendly.
- Art-inspired design adds aesthetic value to interiors.
- Google TV platform is intuitive and feature-rich.
Cons:
- The absence of local dimming affects HDR performance in dark scenes.
- Audio quality, while decent, could benefit from external speakers.
- Slightly higher price point compared to non-art-focused TVs.
Who Should Buy the Hisense Canvas TV?
This TV is ideal for:
- Art enthusiasts who value a TV that doubles as decor.
- Gamers seeking a high-refresh-rate display with advanced gaming features.
- Families who want a versatile TV with wide viewing angles and robust smart features.
- Anyone looking for a premium 4K QLED TV with a focus on aesthetics.
Conclusion
The Hisense Canvas TV successfully blends technology and art, offering a visually stunning and functional device that elevates the concept of a “smart TV.” While it might not replace OLEDs in terms of contrast or cater to audiophiles without external speakers, it excels in versatility and design, making it a worthy investment for those seeking a unique addition to their living space.
For a visual review and more insights, you might find the following video helpful:
