Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 43 - 2018 model. It is one of the most affordable 4K brands with support for external applications. But due to the low price, you should not expect miracles from the image quality. I analyzed the characteristics, looked at the test results of the model, compared it with budget TVs of other brands and worked through customer reviews. I have collected all this in a review, which I propose to study and get acquainted with the capabilities of Xiaomi.
This model participates in rating of the best Smart TV TVs and in Best 4K UHD TVs.
Screen
Diagonal - 42.5 ″ (108 cm), resolution - 3840 × 2160. Supports 4K UHD, HDR. The TFT IPS matrix allows for high-quality color reproduction, provides a deep black tone, wide viewing angles.
Brightness - 220 cd / m22... According to this indicator, the TV lags behind Thomson T43USM5200 and Philips 43PUS6503 (350-360 cd / m22). The brightness is definitely not enough, although the display quality depends on the video source. The screen is glossy. It is very reflective. When viewed from an angle, the surface is almost mirror-like. This should be taken into account when determining where to install the TV so that the sun's rays do not fall on the screen.
The contrast is mediocre - 1200: 1. The pixel response time is 8 ms. This is already enough for games. But Thomson's 6.5ms response is much better in this regard.
The frame refresh rate is 50Hz, just like the competition. This is a typical indicator that provides passable smooth frame rates when displaying action scenes. But Philips has a 900Hz Picture Performence Index, and Thomson has 1000Hz. These TVs are smoother, with no tearing or jerking when watching, for example, a sports match or action scenes, which Xiaomi does not.
The LEDs for the backlighting of the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 43 are located behind the screen and are evenly placed over the entire surface. Because of this, the TV does not have a thin enough body, but the backlight is the most uniform, the appearance of side flares is excluded, or you can reduce the brightness when viewing with a deviation from the center.
Appearance
Dimensions - 964 × 606 × 233 mm (with stand), thin aluminum frame. She looks reliable and beautiful. But the frame is not monolithic, the matrix inside is slightly loose. For wall mounting, there is a mount - VESA standard 400 × 225 mm.
The TV weighs 7.6 kg. The stand is represented by two legs. They do not inspire much confidence, they are very light - only 0.1 kg.
Connectors
Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 43 has a sufficient number of connectors: AV, component, 2 HDMI, 2 USB, Ethernet, coaxial output, headphone and CI interface. There is Bluetooth, Wi-Fi. Thomson and Philips each have HDMI and Miracast each.
Sound
On the bottom of the TV, there are two 6W speakers located at a great distance from each other. The sound is spacious, but there is not enough bass. The volume is not very high, but it is enough for watching movies or programs. For comparison: Thomson has two 8W speakers, Philips - 10W each. Dolby Digital, DTS decoders give realism and great depth to the sound.
Functions
Smart TV on Android provides access to various applications and content. The main menu offers featured content, unseen movies, and downloaded paid apps.
PatchWall is a feature of Xiaomi TVs. This is a wall of content that doesn't end. Here are new movies, recommendations of popular films, TV channels (viewing via Wi-Fi). Content is provided by streaming services and online cinemas.In this case, the user first selects a movie, and then determines the content provider in the list. Movie recommendations become personalized over time based on user preferences. In the PatchWall search, you can search for films by actor name. The disadvantage of searching is dialing with buttons on the remote control, which is very inconvenient (for some reason voice search does not work here).
The Google Assistant is a voice-based search assistant. It works correctly. Xiaomi TVs provide 6-month subscriptions to several popular cinemas: Megogo, ivi.ru, 24chasaTV, etc. And Google Play has a large set of applications.
Has 8 GB of internal memory. Plays most formats: MP3, WMA, MPEG4, HEVC, MKV, JPEG. For comparison: Thomson T43USM5200 does not read WMA.
Chromecast technology displays files from a computer or smartphone on a large screen. It is possible to control from a smartphone via the "Mi Remote".
The remote control is small, modern and functional. Has only a few buttons, but each is required. It does not provide buttons for settings or exit to any specific menus or applications. But they can be easily reached through the main menu, PatchWall, or using the Assistant. The remote control does not need to be pointed directly at the TV, as it works via Bluetooth.
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits:
- very convenient Android TV, clear menu, easy content search;
- high-quality voice search;
- ergonomic Bluetooth remote control. The ability to control from a smartphone;
- low cost for a 4K TV.
Disadvantages:
- not very high-quality assembly;
- mediocre sound;
- not the best picture quality. It loses noticeably to competitors in brightness, smoothness of movement. According to reviews, the colors are unnatural, black is shallow, close to dark blue;
- there are highlights on the sides of the matrix;
- according to reviews, the legs are "flimsy". The wall mount bracket needs to be purchased precisely in size, since the holes on the TV are offset downward, so the universal bracket will stick out.
conclusions
The price of Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 43 is only 25 thousand rubles. The TV displays 4K quality content well, but is inferior to competitors in terms of brightness and color rendering: Thomson T43USM5200 for 24 thousand rubles and Philips 43PUS6503 for 30 thousand. It loses a lot when displaying dynamic scenes, does not allow achieving excellent smoothness. Has a quiet mediocre sound (no bass). But Android TV provides great opportunities, it has a clear interface, a simple menu. A voice assistant, a small remote control with a minimum of buttons, and a smartphone app make operation easy.
