If you’re one of the growing sea of people looking to take the ultra-short-throw projector (UST) plunge, a unit from Hisense may well be on your shopping list; and for good reason.

The Chinese tech giant’s recent offerings have impressed our testers enough over the past year or so to earn positive reviews and cement its lead in the space..

And, having tested the Hisense PX3, we are pleased to report that this trend, for the most part, continues – though there are some caveats, including its slightly odd positioning in Hisense’s current “Laser Cinema” line.

Price

The company’s “Laser Cinema” category of UST projectors, where you'll find the PX3, sits above its cheaper “Laser TV” options.

This means it targets the upper echelons of UST projectors as a category and has a price tag to match, currently retailing for £2499 in the UK. At the time of publishing, the unit was not on sale in the US or Australia.

In isolation, that’s pretty reasonable, with rivals we’ve tested including the Epson EH-LS650 retailing for around £2199. But oddly, it costs the same as its Award-winning sibling, the Hisense PX3 Pro.

The lack of differentiation is odd, but there is partial reasoning for this, specifically that the base PX3 is, for the most part, identical to its Pro-series sibling.

The bigger spanner in the works is the existence of the Hisense PL2, which costs less, retailing for £1999 / $2499 and has fairly competitive specifications with the PX3.

Build

The PX3 and PX3 Pro projectors look identical. To the extent that we had to check the serial numbers on our review units several times before swapping them in and out during testing.

Both have utilitarian designs with angular grey metallic finishes and a slightly aggressive-looking metal front grille. This houses the units’ identical inbuilt 50-watts per channel Harmon Kardon speakers.

The PX3 is also atypically long and shallow, measuring the same 12 x 55 x 30cm as the Pro. This is intentional and means the unit has a very short 0:22:1 throw ratio that lets it sit incredibly close to a wall and throw up an 80-150-inch image.

The short throw distance should make setting the PX3 up relatively simple and let it sit neatly on smaller cabinets and tighter spaces than many rivals, which tend to need a bit more space.

But in the real world we find its set-up is still a little finicky. Like nearly all the ultra short throw projectors we test, the PX3 doesn’t feature physical lens control. Instead, it tries to initially force you to rely on keystone and digital picture correction.

The fiddly process asks you to set the unit up by taking a photo of a projected test pattern and then uploading it to Hisense’s website.

The process is not seamless and even after numerous attempts we still found ourselves having to fiddle with the adjustable feet and make manual adjustments to get it just right.

Be warned, this process is far easier if you have a partner in crime who can help tell you how it looks at a decent distance while you play with the feet and general positioning.

The other common compromise you get is that the unit doesn’t come bundled with a screen, which you really do need if you want the best results – trust us, no matter how good a projector is, you’ll never get truly brilliant results running directly onto reflective, painted walls.

The remote is identical to Hisense’s other standard UST and home cinema projector models. This means it’s a long chunky beast with a solar panel light sensor built in that’s designed to prolong battery life.

The design is fine, but once again lacks a full backlight, which is a minor but common issue we experience with most home cinema hardware.

Features

If you’re wondering what differentiates the PX3 from the Pro, after thorough testing, hours of going through its specifications sheets, instructions manual and having a conversation with Hisense, we can confirm there are three things.

First, the PX3 doesn’t have IMAX Enhanced or DTS support like its Pro sibling. This will be an annoyance for Disney+ subscribers, where you can stream content mastered to that standard.

Thanks to the unit's support for the more common HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG formats, it's not a deal breaker, however.

The inclusion of HDR10+ will also benefit Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Apple TV+ and, in the future, Disney+ subscribers. This is a tweaked variant of HDR10 that offers frame-by-frame brightness and colour correction for HDR images.

Second, it offers 200 ANSI lumens less brightness than the Pro. Specifically, 2800 lumens to the Pro’s 3000.

Outside of this, it features the same 3000:1 contrast ratio, 110 per cent coverage of the BT.2020 color space and quoted 25,000-plus hours of light source life.

The firm’s Trichroma RGB laser light tech also returns, which uses separate red, green and blue lasers to project images, in a bid to offer a wider and more accurate gamut of colours.

These are top-end specifications. As a frame of reference, the Hisense PL2 Laser TV sitting below the PX3 line offers 2700 lumens of brightness. The older PL1, which we still recommend as it has been heavily discounted and still performs excellently, has an even lower 2100 ANSI lumens peak brightness.

The only other difference is that the PX3 has an inbuilt TV tuner to complement its VIDAA operating system. This means you can tune it and use it to play normal terrestrial TV as well as stream via its inbuilt apps.

VIDAA itself remains a good, albeit slightly clunky OS. Though its interface is a little less optimised than Google TV and the like, app support is solid.

All the usual suspects, including Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+ are present and stream correctly. In the UK, there’s also a decent selection of UK catch-up apps and local services, including BBC iPlayer and Now.

Outside of this, the PX3 Pro offers identical specifications to the Pro model – which is no bad thing.

The UST is being pitched at gamers with rare ‘made for Xbox Series consoles' certification. What this means is that, unlike many USTs, the unit’s two HDMI 2.1 inputs can handle games at 4K/120Hz.

These are complemented by an HDMI 2.0 output with eARC, plus a USB-A and 3.5mm audio output and ethernet – though its Wi-Fi 6 connectivity means you shouldn’t need the final input to stream.

Picture

The PX3 delivers a very similar picture to the PX3 Pro when we run the two head-to-head. Interestingly, we find slightly different settings from those available with its sibling get the most out of it, thanks to some performance-related software updates to VIDAA.

Powering up our Top Gun: Maverick 4K Blu-ray, the PX3’s standard setting’s motion handling is way too aggressive, and the picture verges on suffering from the dreaded soap opera effect. The contrast is a little too heavy-handed, too, and swathes of detail as Maverick exits a dark caravan come out as completely black.

Playing with the settings, the Filmmaker mode offers the best starting point, but still requires some finessing. With all motion and noise reduction off, movements look a little too jagged and the colours have an overt yellowish tone.

Using the projector’s “dark detail” setting you can undeniably see more of the picture, but black tones become inconsistent and become a constant distraction as they flip up and down from scene-to-scene.

Eventually we settle on Filmmaker mode with dynamic tone mapping on, the colour profile set to Warm 2 and the projector’s motion and noise reduction settings on low to get the best results.

Switching to our Dune: Part 2 4K Blu-ray, the PX3 delivers an admirable performance. Skin tones have a pleasing warmth and the rolling desert dunes look three-dimensional, with every shadow and sparkling grain of sand holding a distinct place. Explosions have an aggressive peak that makes the action-packed scene come alive and immerse you in the action unfolding on screen.

This is even more noticeably watching Barbie, where the intentionally cartoony, overbaked colour palette has a vibrancy and pop you won’t find on cheaper USTs, the Hisense PL2 included. The PX3 does a decent job, never pushing too hard and looking overbaked, as happens on the Xgimi Aura 2.

Moving to our tried and tested Blade Runner 2049 test disc, the projector offers a solid performance, for the most part. The upgraded Trichroma RGB laser light source gives colours a pleasing pop you don’t get on most USTs.

The red gloves of Sapper Morton’s hazmat suit in particular hold a captivating vibrancy as he works his farm.

Skin tones as he enters the dark farmhouse retain a sense of warmth and three dimensionality, with his cheeks retaining their intended red tinge. In most instances, the PX3 does a stellar job showcasing peaks, with there being a pleasing range of tones and colours from the darkest and lightest parts of the picture.

This gives the picture a wonderfully three-dimensional feeling. Objects and characters hold a distinct place in the picture, adding a sense of depth and realism that cheaper USTs can’t match.

But there are some issues. The projector struggles to rapidly shift between bright and dark segments. On a couple of occasions, the entire picture shifts from the UST’s standard deep blacks to a slightly grey tone, causing unnecessary distraction in the process.

This is annoying as the issue doesn’t repeat on the cheaper Hisense PL2 which, while more subdued, offers a more consistent picture.

This is a general trend that makes the PX3 and PX3 Pro both a harder sell in today’s market, given the difference in price and smaller performance gap.

The PX3’s motion handling suffers from some issues, too. When turned completely off, the movements of Morton and K during a heated exchange in Blade Runner 2049 feel too jagged and unnatural. But when we switch to Low or Filmmaker, things go too far the other way and the throws and punches are oversmoothed. We’d like a middle ground between the two.

SDR upscaling is also average at best. The PX3 struggles with the opening scene of True Grit, a famously difficult SDR test disc due to the film’s intentionally grainy spaghetti western nature, with the black level occasionally jumping and artefacts creeping into the falling snow.

Thankfully, the issue only occurs in difficult scenes. The projector does an admirable job streaming the original Total Recall on Netflix, offering a fun picture that deals surprisingly well with the film’s old-school physical effects and red, dusty environments.

Sound

The PX3’s built-in sound system is identical to the Pro model’s, outside of its lack of DTS support. Its performance is similarly middling as a result.

Voices and background noise in the opening scene of Blade Runner 2049 are clear, but slightly thin. The bass-heavy second scene pushes the system to its limit, and distortion creeps in and the low end overpowers the mid and higher parts of the frequency range.

Switching from Standard to Theatre mode, things marginally improve. During a difficult scene in which K converses with a hologram moving around his apartment, there’s more of a sense of separation between the different parts of the audio. But the directionality lacks finesse.

This becomes even more apparent watching Top Gun: Maverick. There’s a definite sense of direction, and even some height, to the audio, but it doesn’t quite match the movements of the planes, making the experience feel disjointed.

There’s a slight acidity to some engine noise that is just unpleasant enough to make you wince during certain segments as well.

The end result is a system that is just about fine for casual TV streaming, but nowhere near controlled and powerful enough for serious film viewing. If you want the best results, you will want to budget for a separate sound system, if you don’t already have one.

Verdict

The PX3 is an odd UST that in most ways is identical to the PX3 Pro we reviewed and gave five-stars to last year. And if we’d reviewed it at the same time as its Pro sibling, it would have been an easier recommendation despite its lack of IMAX Enhanced and DTS support.

Colour volume and vibrancy are solid by UST standards, and outside of quirks with its motion handling and light control, it can deliver dazzling results playing films.

But in 2025, the existence of the cheaper Hisense PL2, which narrows the gap between the PX and PL series like never before, makes it a harder sell. As a result, it is a fantastic UST projector for gamers and a good, though not perfect, option for movie fans.

SCORES

• Picture 4
• Sound 3
• Features 5

MORE:

Read our review of the Hisense PL2

Also consider the Xgimi Aura 2

Read our Hisense PX3 Pro review

Best projectors: budget, 4K and ultra-short-throw

It's a great time for TV. 2025 is serving up fresh delights in the form of new shows for viewers to get their teeth into, alongside new seasons of established shows that we've been eagerly anticipating.

There are loads of notable shows that we could mention. The White Lotus' third season has proven popular, while the poignant and thought-provoking Adolescence (which can be found on Netflix) has occupied headlines since its release last month, and for good reasons too.

However, it's these three shows, which are currently releasing weekly and streaming in 4K HDR with Dolby Atmos, that I'm currently fixated on.

As someone who spends the majority of their time putting OLED TVs and soundbars through their paces with a wide range of reference material in our dedicated testing room, I know what content can truly make your AV equipment shine.

It's not all about picture and sound, though, as these shows are also narratively compelling, and feature some spectacular performances too.

They offer up scares, laughs and sci-fi action, meaning there should be something for every taste – so look no further if you're seeking a new show to get stuck into.

The Last of US (Season 2)

The Last of Us has been a fan-favourite title amongst gamers since it launched on the PlayStation 3 back in 2013.

A decade later, we saw it grace our TV screens as a live-action adaptation, starring Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian, Game of Thrones) and Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones) as Joel and Ellie, respectively.

The first season offered up action, scares and some intense emotional sequences which, in my humble opinion, truly did the game justice.

We were especially excited when HBO announced that a second season based on the second game in the franchise had been greenlit.

The two-year wait for season two has been excruciating, but so far we've been rewarded with a second season that dials all of what we loved about the first season up to 11.

We're three episodes in at the time of writing, and season two is yet to disappoint. There's been action, tragedy, and – a personal favourite aspect of mine – snapshots of humanity persevering through the apocalypse.

Those looking to catch up on the action can find The Last of Us season one on Sky and Now (formerly Now TV) here in the UK, or Max (formerly HBO Max) in the United States.

HBO has also released the first season on 4K Blu-ray, which is my proffered way to watch. Season two is currently streaming with episodes dropping weekly on Mondays.

If you're hoping to catch all of the gory details in the highest fidelity, we'd recommend opting for Sky's "UHD and Dolby Atmos" upgrade, or Now TV's equivalent Boost package.

This series features some truly excellent audio design, which heightens the horror elements, so we'd recommend it for anyone who has invested in one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars.

Viewers in the US get the benefit of Dolby Vision HDR support on Max, while viewers in the UK have to make do with HLG instead.

Stream The Last of US Season two on Now

The Studio

You can always count on Apple to pull out all of the stops on its original programming. The Studio, a new series starring Seth Rogan and Catherine O'Hara on Apple TV Plus, is no exception.

This riveting and bombastic show centred around a studio executive that gets promoted to the head of the studio is packed with jabs at the industry, though its pin-sharp writing and engaging performances ensure its got plenty to say.

Each episode features cameos from Hollywood heavyweights and riffs on a different genre or film motif in clever ways. Moreover, the comedy is yet to fall flat (in my opinion) as Rogan exerts his usual comedic charm in every scene.

Best of all is how the show looks; considering its centred around the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, it should come as no surprise that a lot of care and attention has gone into how the show looks.

Shots of the Los Angeles skyline bathed in golden sunsets look sublime in Dolby Vision (a perk of Apple TV Plus, of course), while the shadowy third episode that riffs on detective dramas is certain to be well suited to an OLED TV.

Stream The Studio on Apple TV Plus

Andor (Season 2)

Being a Star Wars fan in recent times has been... difficult. Disney has taken some gambles with the franchise, which, in most cases, haven't worked for a variety of reasons.

So, when it announced that a series based on one of the less memorable characters from the excellent Rogue One: A Star Wars Story would be getting their own show, I rolled my eyes alongside many of the other fans.

However, in a shocking twist, 2022's Andor proved to be not only the best Star Wars content in roughly 40 years but also the best original series to debut on the Disney Plus streaming service.

Opting to swap lightsabers for politics and espionage, this gripping series gave us a fresh perspective on a galaxy far, far away.

Season two has just launched on Disney Plus, with episodes dropping in three-episode batches weekly.

This might sound random, but there is a good reason for it. The show follows a unique story structure in which each three-episode cluster acts as a contained story arc, while also feeding into the wider narrative.

The first season is available in its entirety on Disney Plus, or there is a limited edition 4K Blu-ray release if you can get your hands on it.

The streaming version is still a solid way to watch, as the stunning sci-fi vistas look dazzling in Dolby Vision. Furthermore, the screeches of Tie Fighters soaring overhead sound spectacular in Dolby Atmos.

Stream Andor Season 2 on Disney Plus

MORE:

Check out our picks for the best streaming devices

As well as the best TVs

Check out Now Showing to see what we're currently watching

We have been banging on about wanting brands to produce more streaming soundbars for years.

This started when the Roku Streambar hit the shelves back in 2020, marking what should have been the start of a glorious new era.

The £130 / $130 / AU$224 soundbar-streaming hybrid turns a TV smart thanks to its impressive array of video streaming apps, which include Now TV, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus.

There are also quick dial buttons for a lot of these services including Netflix and Spotify, as well as a search function through the Roku app on its controller.

On top of that, while its sound performance lacked a cinematic feel, it still provided a solid balance and decent vocal clarity.

So while it wasn't perfect, we had hoped more brands would see the idea's merit and add more streaming capabilities to soundbars.

A Frankenstein streaming box-cum-soundbar just makes sense in our mind.

Sadly, while most ‘bars have some options for wireless music playback with at least Bluetooth if not wi-fi streaming via Airplay 2, Spotify Connect and Chromecast, there is still a gap in the market for movie streaming apps.

Which is why when Amazon unveiled its £120 / $120 Fire TV Soundbar and the pricier Plus version ($250 / £250), we hoped the idea may finally make a comeback. I mean it has 'Fire TV' in the name, right?

Sadly, when we got the slightly cheaper ‘bar in for testing, we saw that the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar does not include built-in streaming like the Roku Streambar, and it doesn't even have Alexa built in.

Of course, we didn't rate the Amazon Fire TV soundbar for what it isn't. We recalibrated our expectations and tested it in the same way we would any other 'dumb' soundbar, comparing it to similar and similarly priced rivals.

But while the Fire TV Soundbar's disappointing three-star score is all down to its sound quality, the separate issue about it not delivering on the expectations raised by its name remains.

Is that an 'us' issue? I don't think so. So far as I know, every previous 'Fire TV' device, from the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K to the Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini LED has featured Amazon Fire TV smart platform, so there's every reason to expect this to be the same.

It seems clear that we're not the only people with this expectation, too, as Amazon has felt the need to add this disclaimer to the product page of the Fire TV Soundbar:

'This is an audio only soundbar. It is not Alexa enabled and does not support Alexa Home Cinema. A Fire TV streaming media player or compatible smart TV is required to access the Fire TV experience.'

And the Fire TV Plus? It does actually have some Fire TV smarts as well as a beefier sound system and support for Dolby Atmos, so perhaps it could be a decent soundbar regardless. We will be testing it very soon and look forward to finding out.

And, with any luck, Amazon also has a true Fire TV soundbar in the works.

MORE:

Here is our review of the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar

And check out more of our thoughts on the Roku Streambar

These are the best soundbars we recommend

Sky has announced that its spin-off streaming service Now (formerly Now TV) will receive a major UI overhaul in the coming weeks. The service, which segments Sky TV offerings into three packages – Entertainment, Sports and Cinema – will get a new user interface that should make navigating the platform on everything from smart TVs and media streamers to mobile phones and tablets smoother and more intuitive.

This is because Sky has opted to migrate Now to NBCUniversal's Global Streaming Platform, which currently powers Peacock in the US, as well as SkyShowtime in Europe and Multichoice in Africa. Sky highlights the platform's capabilities, referencing how it was the "first streamer to exclusively host an NFL Wild Card playoff game, which was the biggest live-streamed event in the U.S. history at the time".

Furthermore, Kali Cerr (Managing Director of NOW & Sky Content) had this to say regarding the upgrade coming to Now: "Migrating to NBCU’s Global Streaming Platform means NOW members will benefit from the ongoing delivery of customer features that enhance the viewing experience and leverage the latest technologies and innovations across the platform".

Despite migrating to a new platform, the service will remain as Now. That being said, Sky promises that the enhanced user interface will "further enhance the viewing experience and deliver a more personalised experience overall".

Overall, Now users can expect to see a slicker menu system with a smoother search function, new content rails including a Top 10 content list, the introduction of kids profiles with access to ad-free children's programming, and Sky Sports+ live streams will now be housed as curated collections in one convenient place.

Now users in the UK can expect to see a phased release of the app update from the 18th of February through to March, while members in Italy can anticipate a Spring update. The update is scheduled to launch in Germany at a later unspecified date.

MORE:

Check out our picks for the best streaming services for movies and TV

As well as our picks for the best TVs

And the best media streamers

In case you haven't already heard, it's Black Friday! That means there are savings galore to be found on TVs, hi-fi, headphones, soundbars and more. However, there is a distinct lack of streaming deals here in the UK; unlike the US where you can currently get a sensational deal on the Disney Plus and Hulu bundle.

Netflix is offering nothing, Disney Plus has a disappointing lack of deals, and Apple TV+ is avoiding the sales event – in fact, it's practically only Paramount Plus and Sky which are offering discounts.

However, there is one deal that I'm personally parting with my hard-earned cash for; partly due because everyone in What Hi-Fi? Towers is chatting about the top-notch shows (which I don't want spoilers for) and also because it's a pretty solid deal – especially compared to the weak offerings from other services.

Now (formerly Now TV) has a selection of sixth-month saver options, including the Entertainment and Cinema passes for £6.99 per month (down from £9.99 per month) or a combination bundle with both passes included for £13.99 per month (instead of £19.98 per month).

My money is going on the Entertainment pass, on account of the plentiful TV shows I'd like to watch and the good price (I should be able to binge all of the shows on my watchlist in six months). However, there is a major condition that I'm not willing to compromise on that drives the price up, but I still think it's a worthwhile deal.

This Now streaming deal has absolutely enticed me, but I won't be subscribing without adding this to my package. As standard, Now streams in 720p with stereo sound; which doesn't really cut it for me. Thankfully, Now has introduced a new option to upgrade the picture and sound quality.

The Ultra Boost option upgrades picture quality to 4K with Dolby Vision HDR and support for Dolby Atmos audio; that's more like it. However, it does incur an additional £9 per month cost, bringing the full monthly cost to £15.99. That's a more expensive outlay than initially anticipated, but compared to Netflix's £18.99/month 4K HDR tier, I'm more inclined to opt for Now's offering.

With the likes of The Penguin, Dune: Prophecy and The Day Of The Jackal all piquing my interest alongside Succession and an unfinished second season of House of the Dragon haunting my watchlist for far too long, I'm convinced that I'll get my money's worth with this Black Friday streaming deal. And with this deal covering me for six months, I'll also be ready and waiting for The Last Of Us season 2 to hit the service early next year.

MORE:

We're finding and sharing the best Black Friday TV deals

As well as our live feed of Black Friday soundbar deals

Alongside our Apple TV 4K (2022) review

With the big TV manufacturers seemingly concerned only with selling the biggest, fanciest TVs in their ranges, it’s up to the likes of Hisense to deliver what many punters are screaming out for: a moderately sized screen at a low price.

How low? For just £329, Hisense will sell you a 43in screen with an edge LED backlight and support for 4K and HDR. The HDR is actually something of a busted flush, but the H43AE6100UK is in many ways quite the bargain.

Features

In design terms, there’s no mistaking the Hisense’s budget status. This is a lightweight and plasticky television with a glossy black finish that borders on the tacky. On the plus side, that lightness will make wall-mounting a doddle, and once the lights have been dimmed you’re not going to be bothered by the low-rent materials.

The remote looks rather basic, too, but thanks to a relatively ergonomic design and buttons that are pleasantly tactile and clicky, it’s far better than it appears.

Around the back of the set you’ll find three HDMI inputs (two support 4K at 60Hz and the third at 30Hz), two USB sockets, an optical output, and aerial and satellite connections. You’re unlikely to get much mileage from that satellite connection as the set doesn’t support Freesat, but those who get their TV via aerial will be pleased to discover that Freeview Play is on board, making it quick and easy to access catch-up content from all of the UK’s terrestrial channels.

Hisense takes the liberty of pre-installing most apps so that they’re more or less ready to go when you are, and the selection is surprisingly decent. On top of those catch-up apps you get Netflix and Amazon, both in 4K and HDR, as well as Rakuten for pay-as-you-go movies. Now TV would be nice, of course, but for a budget set we’re happy with what’s on offer.

The TV’s menus are Hisense’s own, and they’re exceptionally basic. That does make them easy to navigate, though, particularly when you factor in the set’s general responsiveness.

Picture

HDR should show off the TV at its very best, but that’s not the case here. In fact, HDR is where the H43AE6100UK is at its very worst. The default HDR Day mode is flat, washed-out and completely lacking in contrast, and though HDR Dynamic is the best of the three picture presets available, it still requires some extensive tweaking to get to what we feel is the best HDR performance this Hisense is capable of.

That isn’t saying a great deal, though. The big issue is the backlight, which seems determined to shine its brightest regardless of the impact to the rest of the picture. Overall contrast is, unsurprisingly, lacking. Blacks simply aren’t black and on top of that whites aren’t properly white. This simply isn’t HDR as it should be.

• HDR TV: What is it? How can you get it?

It’s not all bad, though. Colours are decent – vibrant within the set’s brightness limits but also natural and relatively nuanced. There’s reasonable detail and sharpness, too, and while there’s no motion processing setting as such, movement is no more juddery or blurry than that from many more expensive televisions.

These qualities are retained when you move to 4K and 1080p content in standard dynamic range, and when the backlight isn’t working overdrive with an HDR signal, it’s a far more satisfying performer. This still isn’t what you’d call a punchy performance, but the image is naturally balanced, sharp and detailed.

Drop down to standard-def and the Hisense is closer still to its more expensive rivals. Escape To The Country via the integrated tuner appears with nicely judged colours and admirably little noise, with the relative softness of the image being a more than reasonable trade-off.

Sound

If the Hisense’s picture quality is surprisingly decent, its sound quality is predictably poor. This is a tinny and thin delivery, to the point of irritation. The audio is relatively indirect, too, so it sounds as if everything is happening around the back of the TV.

That said, voices emerge relatively clearly, so for everyday, unchallenging viewing, it will suffice. In other words, it’s adequate for Escape To The Country, but will do a poor job with Escape From New York.

Verdict

Products don’t get a pass from us by simply being cheap. £300 spent on something rubbish is still money wasted. But the Hisense H43AE6100UK isn’t rubbish – nor is it a waste of money.

The HDR performance is poor at best, and that’s a shame, but it’s not really what you buy a budget 43in TV for. The Hisense handles the bread and butter of everyday watching impressively for the super-low price.

If you want a proper HDR performance, Philips will sell you a 50in 50PUS6272 TV for a little under £500, but for some people that’s simply too big and/or too expensive. As long as those people don’t expect the moon on a stick, they should be more than happy with the H43AE6100UK’s performance.

SCORES

• Picture 4
• Sound 3
• Features 4

MORE:

Best TVs of 2018

Philips 50PUS6272 review

Should you buy a Hisense 4K TV on Black Friday?

See all our Hisense reviews

Did you know there’s a new Chromecast in town? There’s little reason why you should: Google didn’t even mention it at its October launch event.

Maybe it’s because the 2018 version of the video-streaming dongle is very similar to its 2015 predecessor. Slightly faster processing, support for 60fps and a new matte finish are pretty much the extent of it – at least until an update later in the year brings support for multi-room music. 

Thrilling stuff, we’re sure you’ll agree, but Google didn’t really need to make too many changes to the Chromecast because it was already brilliant.

Build

There’s nothing more hip than a soft-touch, matte finish, and that’s what the 2018 Chromecast sports, in either black or white – sorry, ‘charcoal’ or ‘chalk’.

The physical dimensions and general approach are the same, though, so this is a small disc that dangles from a short HDMI cable, with the power provided by a bundled microUSB cable. A wall plug is included, but if your TV has USB sockets, power from one of those should be sufficient.

Apart from the trailing USB cable, it’s an exceptionally attractive little device, but ultimately, neither of those things matter because once you’ve plugged the Chromecast in to the back of your TV, you probably won’t need to see it again.

Features

The core approach of the Chromecast remains the same as ever: instead of controlling it directly using a remote control, you select a video, song or web page via your phone, tablet or computer and ‘cast’ it to your TV using the button that’s now built into a surprisingly large number of apps.

Netflix is compatible, as are BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, All4, My5 and even Now TV. Google’s own apps, such as Google Play Movies & TV and YouTube, are castable, as are music apps such as Spotify, Tidal and TuneIn. The big absentee is Amazon Video, but otherwise the list is more or less complete.

The lack of a traditional remote will be an issue for some, and we encountered some occasional unresponsiveness when attempting to control an already-playing video from an iPhone, but the communication between handheld device and Chromecast is mostly slick and reliable.

It’s worth remembering that while you’re choosing what to watch or listen to using your phone (or tablet or laptop), you’re not actually sending media from the device you’re touching. Instead, the Chromecast is streaming directly from the internet, improving data rates and therefore quality, and preserving the battery life of the casting device.

The Chromecast is also now part of Google’s Home family of products, which means you use the Google Home app on Android or iOS to set up the device and ascribe it to a specific room. It also means that you can play content on the Chromecast by issuing voice commands to any Google Assistant smart speakers you might already have, such as the Google Home Mini. 

This feature is of limited use right now – currently only Netflix, All 4 and Spotify are compatible – but it is rather cool to be able to say “okay Google, play Ozark on the lounge TV” and have the Netflix TV show continue where you last left off.

Picture

Support for 60fps video doesn’t really add anything to regular TV and movie watching, so the picture performance of the new Chromecast is more or less identical to that of the 2015 model – which is no bad thing.

As before, 1080p is the upper resolution limit – the Chromecast Ultra (£69) goes up to 4K – but the picture is sharp and detailed, and boasts natural colours and a good deal of punch.

Blacks are a little all-consuming, so dark detail isn’t terribly strong, and there’s a little blur and judder to motion. Neither flaw is serious or particularly distracting, there’s just something a little computer-like about the delivery that you don’t get with more premium streamers.-

This isn’t a premium streamer, though: it’s a £30 streamer, and for that money the picture is very good indeed.

MORE: 4K streaming vs 4K Blu-ray vs Blu-ray – which is best?

Sound

When plugged into a good soundbar or home cinema system (either directly or via your TV) the Chromecast will output sound at up to Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 with compatible apps and videos.

This is a punchy, clean and detailed delivery, with more than enough dynamic headroom for a dramatic movie set piece. Dialogue, meanwhile, is clear and fairly nuanced. We occasionally encounter lip-sync issues, particularly when playing from Netflix, but a brief pause and resume is all that’s needed to get the video and audio playing in harmony once again.

Verdict

The Chromecast is a great product that’s clever on the engineering side but simple to use. Some might not like the lack of a physical remote, but that’s part and parcel of the Chromecast experience – and there are lots of options out there.

The new Chromecast does little that the previous model didn’t, so there’s no need to upgrade if you’ve already got one. But if you’re looking to make an older, dumb TV smart in a cost effective and innovative way, the new Chromecast is extremely easy to recommend.

SCORES

• Picture 5
• Sound 4
• Features 4

MORE:

Best streamers 2018

Google Chromecast (2015) review

Google Home Hub: a display-toting, Amazon Echo Show-rivalling smart speaker

The Now TV Smart Stick is a product with one simple purpose: to provide you with inexpensive access to content from its parent company, Sky, without the expense of an ongoing monthly subscription.

The great thing is that it can also turn your old TV into a smart TV, with catch-up apps for all the major UK channels, as well as YouTube.

It doesn’t have the bells and whistles provided by its more advanced rivals, such as the Amazon Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast but, by significantly undercutting their price, the Now TV Smart Stick has carved its own niche in the market.

• The best Now TV deals, offers and free passes

Build

Approximately the size of a USB stick with an HDMI connection at its business end, the Smart Stick should fit discreetly into the back or side of any television. It’s powered by a micro-USB connection, with a space-saving L-shaped cable in the box.

It bears a striking resemblance to the Roku Streaming Stick, but that is no coincidence. The Now TV Smart Stick is built by Roku using the same hard- and software, but with a few tweaks to prioritise Sky content.

The remote looks similar too, with the main change being the four buttons on the bottom which direct you to different parts of the Now TV interface.

MORE: Roku Streaming Stick review

‘My TV’ shows the movies and programmes you’re currently watching across the range of Sky channels. If you’ve been viewing on another app, it won’t be shown here.

‘TV Guide’ shows you Sky’s live TV channels, while ‘Kids’ is a compilation of Sky’s child-focused content.

The Sky Store, meanwhile, is the place to rent or buy movies and shows not included in the regular service. Many of these will be concurrent with, or even prior to, the DVD and Blu-ray release.

One nice feature is the volume control on the right side of the remote, which is absent on non-Roku devices. This means you can have a more complete experience using just one remote, rather than having to switch to your TV’s own zapper should you wish to adjust volume.

However, as it only works with your television, those with connected AV receivers or soundbars will still have to use a second remote to control their sound.

There’s also a button in the middle for voice search, which allows you to search for content by actor, director, genre, and so on. It is limited in usefulness by only showing catch-up content from Sky – and not including live programmes either.

Features

On the whole, the Now TV Smart Stick provides a good user experience. It’s not quite as responsive as the Amazon Fire TV Stick or even Now TV's own Smart Box when it comes to menu navigation, but you aren’t left waiting long for content.

To use the Now TV Smart Stick, even for its free catch-up apps, you will need a Now TV subscription - there is a free trial, which can immediately be cancelled once the device is activated. In contrast to a Netflix or Amazon Prime subscription, though, which gives you a range of content for a set price, Now TV is split into four genres: Entertainment, Cinema, Kids, and Sports.

An Entertainment pass costs £8 per month, the Cinema pass is £10pm, and the Kids pass £4pm. A Sports pass is more complex: one day of access to Sky’s content costs £8, a week of access is £13, while a month costs £34.

The £15 we're quoting is the cost of the Stick itself, but it can be bought in a number of bundles that include a pass for a discounted price. A Stick with two months of Entertainment is £20, for example, whereas a bundle that includes a month of Sports is £30.

MORE: Best video streaming services 2018

Once that's done the Now TV Smart Stick provides a more streamlined experience than any other device with dedicated, downloadable apps.

Instead of having to go to the app store to download services, as you do on the Amazon Fire TV Stick, this stick uses the postcode linked to your Now TV account to automatically download the apps you need, including BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, Demand 5, and YouTube.

Netflix has recently been added to the app selection, but many other common apps are still missing, including Amazon Prime Video. In total, the number of apps available via the Now TV Smart Stick (and the sibling Smart Box) is limited to around 50. By comparison, a normal Roku device has over 4000, including the likes of Spotify and Tidal (both of which are also absent here).

While third-party applications such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer are able to stream at 1080p via the Smart Stick (Netflix is 4K on the Smart Box), Sky content is limited to 720p.

Now TV has long been talking about an upgrade of Sky content to 1080p, but the latest we have from the company pegs that only to a vague 2019 release. In the meantime your television will be doing more work to upscale the content to a Full HD or 4K picture, and it won’t be as sophisticated as those found on 1080p native streams.

Performance

Nevertheless, playing Inside No.9 - To Have and To Hold (at 1080p) through the iPlayer app provides a detailed picture beyond what we expect from hardware in this price range.

There’s a good rendition of the wisps of hair on Steve Pemberton’s head and the sweat that drips from his brow as the story reaches its tense climax.

The Now TV Smart Stick handles the domestic, brightly-lit kitchen scenes as well as it does the red-tinted darkness of the basement darkroom too.

We switch to a stream of Atlanta on Sky Atlantic (720p) and the difference in resolution is noticeable, producing a rather soft and flat image overall. However, it’s still perfectly watchable and something you’re unlikely to be bothered by given the price of the device.

We have no major complaints when it comes to sound, either. Like the latest Now TV Smart Box, the Smart Stick supports DTS and Dolby Digital Plus up to 7.1, and the performance is admirable. Bass, treble and midrange are all relatively balanced, and the dynamic change between loud and quiet sounds – tested by playing a range of music on YouTube – is pronounced enough.

Verdict

Most of the reasons you’d want to buy a Now TV Smart Stick revolve around the price. This is the cheapest way to give an old television streaming service smarts, if you don’t mind signing up for a trial Now TV subscription.

It’s also the cheapest way to watch Now TV on a television that doesn’t already have it – the Now TV app is included in the operating system of some LG and Samsung smart TVs.

Essentially, the purpose of the Now TV Smart Stick is to give you inexpensive subscription-free access to Sky content.

While there are certainly improvements to be made, particularly as we wait for native 1080p streaming, we can’t deny the streaming stick achieves its specific mission.

SCORES

• Performance 4
• Features 4
• Build 4

MORE:

Read all our NOW TV reviews

Ultra HD broadcast TV has finally arrived, and BT is first past the post with its BT Sport Ultra HD channel.

We watch the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle and even a dreadful performance from both sides looks eye-poppingly marvellous on the screen.

Picture

This is what a hawk must feel like. The level of detail and clarity is remarkable. Not only can you make out the individual beads of sweat on Bastian Schweinsteiger’s brow – you can count the lines on the shirt of a Toon fan’s shirt 50 yards behind.

Then there’s this year’s hideous Premier League ball. Even during wide shots, it’s easy to make out its splashes of orange, spinning in the grass. It’s a stable image too, the super-slow pans show barely a hint of judder.

It’s not just a little sharper than regular HD, it’s a huge step up.

Granted, the regular HD broadcast isn’t the best we’ve seen, but the UHD performance is next-level stuff. Once you’ve sampled UHD, it will be very hard to go back.

MORE: 5 things we learned watching BT Sport Ultra HD

Features

What about the hardware? BT continues its partnership with Humax, who actually build the box. Despite all the BT branding and an appearance that fits in with BT’s routers (everything looks like a 1995 modem) the device’s real name is the Humax DTR-T4000.

Essentially, the hardware is the same as every Humax YouView box we’ve reviewed. It’s a set-top box with a built-in hard disk, which lets you record broadcast programming.

This unit has 1TB of storage, which we’re told is good for 60 hours of UHD content. That translates to 250 hours of HD recordings, or 600 hours of standard definition. Operation is a swift, stable affair, although start-up time is very long if you have ‘eco mode’ activated.

MORE: BT Sport Ultra HD: What is it? How can you get it?

The software is where the fun is. YouView’s interface is full of features, lovely to use and nice to look at too. For newcomers, YouView is a free service that uses the internet to bring Freeview and on-demand services under a single roof.

Regular broadcasts work alongside a bunch of popular apps: BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, All 4, Demand 5, BT Player, Now TV, UKTV Play, Sky Store, Quest and S4C – with Netflix coming later.

You get a clever electronic programme guide that lets you scroll back and forth by seven days. Seen something you missed? If it’s tied to an app (say, BBC iPlayer for The Great British Bake Off), you’ll be taken straight to it. You can also pause, rewind and record live TV, as well as set timers to schedule recordings.

What does BT bring to the party? Extra channels, including BT Sports 1 and 2, BT Sport Europe and BT Sport ESPN, but the main course is channel 434, where you’ll find UHD content.

MORE: Has BT Sport HD dropped in quality after Ultra HD launch?

Ease-of-use

But unfortunately, you can’t just buy a BT Ultra HD YouView box and watch 4K straight away. Firstly, you must be a BT Infinity subscriber, and you’ll need a line with a minimum download speed of 44Mbps.

Then you’ll have to subscribe to the BT Entertainment Ultra HD package, yours for £15 per month, on top of the standard £17.99 a month line rental, £44 engineer installation fee, and £50 for the box.

Newcomers to BT will get the box for free, but they need to pay an activation fee of £35 for Infinity, as well as a Home Hub delivery charge of £6.95.

Then you’ll want a compatible 4K TV. That’s a set of 2160p resolution, with an HDMI 2.0 connection that supports HDCP 2.2 content protection – many older sets won’t cut it. Of course, you can watch downscaled 4K on a regular HD TV, but you won’t get your money’s worth.

All set? The final thing you’ll need is patience. Only certain events are being filmed and broadcast in UHD. It’s mostly football – Premier League, UEFA Champions League and FA Cup matches.

There’s also Aviva Premiership rugby and the NBA basketball match from London. In between, you get endless adverts for UHD and for BT.

Verdict

Is it worth it? Yes if you’re a sports fan with an existing BT Infinity subscription. Yes even if you’re not, but desperately want to watch UHD TV right now.

No doubt about it – this is most accomplished live TV you can watch right now, and BT deserves a gold star for being the first to deliver it.

Our only concern is the amount of money you have to spend for what is currently a very limited amount of content. If BT can give us more to watch, we can reconsider that fifth star.

See all our set-top box reviews

MORE: Best 4K TVs 2015

Harder, better, faster, stronger could summarise the Humax DTR-T2000.

Rather than doing something entirely new, Humax has sprinkled tiny improvements all over its YouView box. After all, why throw out something that works?

This year’s DTR-T2000 is not very different from last year’s Award-winning DTR-T1010 - but it’s certainly better.

MORE: Awards 2014 - Best set-top boxes

For the uninitiated, YouView is like Freeview on steroids. It’s a free service with access to more than 70 TV and radio channels, but that’s where similarities end.

There’s all manner of web-based services on tap, too. The box accesses your broadband to get content from the major catch-up services. These are integrated with the electronic programme guide (EPG), which allows you scroll back seven days.

Simply browse the listings, pick something you missed and the corresponding catch-up service will load. The Great British Bake-Off, for instance, will bring up the BBC iPlayer app.

There’s also the ITV Player, 4oD and Demand 5. Other apps include Sky’s Now TV (subscription film and TV streaming), Sky Store (pay-as-you-go films), Milkshake! (for kids), S4C (in Wales), STV (in Scotland), and UKTV (Dave, Really and Yesterday).

It’s fine if you don’t want to play catch-up: scroll forward up to seven days and set the box to record upcoming attractions.

Build and design

The T2000 looks very similar to the T1010, but there are a few changes. It’s smaller. The power supply is now an external block, keeping the device cooler, which means no noisy fan – and it’s also primarily made of metal rather than plastic.

Sadly there’s no display to show info on what you’re watching or recording.

But you do get a flap hiding a USB port, which isn’t for end-user use. Instead you need to use the internal hard drive, with 500GB storage, which allows you to record around 300 hours in standard-def or 125 in HD.

There’s no 1TB model, but we wouldn’t be surprised if that appeared. The back of the machine offers standard connections: aerial pass-through, HDMI out (plus scart and RCA just in case), digital optical out, another USB port and ethernet in.

Wi-fi is still missing, though.

Set-up is easy. Plug in the bundled HDMI and LAN cables, add your own RF lead, and power it up. On-screen instructions take care of the rest.

Interface

We’ve always been fans of the YouView interface. It’s neat and nice to look at, with a welcoming blue tint.

Press the ‘YouView’ button on the well-designed remote and you’re presented with settings, apps, recordings and search.

The search function is universal. Just type in the name of the programme you want and you’ll be told the service that offers it.

There’s a good amount of info for programmes, and it’s nice to see related broadcasts in case you need advice. Start-up times vary because of the power-saving ‘Eco Mode’.

Have it set high and the box will go into a deep sleep on standby. Set it to low and it will spring to life in 10-15 seconds (slightly better than its predecessor).

There’s little lag when it comes to flicking through menus. Button presses respond well.

Performance

Video quality depends on the strength and stability of your signal, but if you get good TV reception normally then you’ll be fine.

The tuners do a solid job: standard and HD pictures are clean and detailed, with decent motion-handling and sharply drawn edges. You can record one channel and watch another, or record two channels at once while you watch on-demand content.

On-demand quality is also dependant on connections, but whichever service we used pictures were clear and judder-free.

Verdict

The Humax DTR-T2000 box is better than its predecessor in nearly every way.

Things may have moved on in the last year, with many more TVs getting some catch-up features of their own - along with Facebook and Spotify.

But when it comes to the pure simplicity of enhancing your TV-viewing experience for little outlay, there’s nothing quite like YouView.

MORE: Awards 2014 - all the winners

The Humax DTR-T1010 YouView box looks strikingly different to last year’s Award-winning DTR-T1000. Where the old version was black and sleek, this one is silver and sleeker.

And that’s where the differences end: apart from moving one of the two USB ports to the front behind a panel, the specs are identical. Not that this matters. The original Humax box was a corker, and that necessarily remains the case here.

MORE: Awards 2013

YouView, for the uninitiated, is a free service that uses your broadband connection to pipe through content from all the major catch-up services. It differs from the regular catch-up apps available on TVs and other peripherals in that the content is far more intuitively organised.

Instead of going into individual apps to find things to watch (although you can do this if you like), you can search them all at once, browse them all at the same time by genre or go back in the electronic programme guide to select them as you would any regular TV show. So that's BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD and Demand 5, all on one box. Now TV, powered by Sky, is also available.

Set-up

Setting up the Humax DTR-T1010 is a breeze. You’re taken through it by a step-by-step booklet, and all the cables you need (except one for the antenna socket) are included to make life even easier. On-screen instructions guide you through the rest.

The box finds your router and connects to the internet automatically, although it’s ethernet only. We won’t lose too much sleep over this, though, because this is a more stable connection method than Wi-Fi anyway.

Next, set your postcode for local services, then choose a PIN for locking the naughty content and set the Eco-Mode (which greatly affects start-up time) and you’re done.

It’s a far cry from those days of your dad – or maybe even you – laying prone on the living room floor, cursing robustly as he – or you – stabbed at the tiny buttons under the front flap of that new video recorder.

Inside this box is a 500GB hard drive. Pay around £20 more and you can get the 1TB option, which sounds like a good shout to us.

Interface

The T1010’s interface is lovely to use. It looks nice, doesn’t stutter when scrolling and presents a decent amount of information about each programme in the guide. It would be nice to be able to re-order this, though.

The HD channels are way down the list, next to the adult content. That’s correct numerically but it would be nice to have them up at the top next to their counterpart standard-def versions.

Press the YouView button on the well laid-out remote control and you can choose between settings, on-demand content, search and your hard-drive library. We found the search particularly useful: it trawls all the available content, regardless of where it appears, and presents it in one list.

You can also see programmes related to the one you’ve selected, which is great if you aren’t sure what you want to watch.

Picture quality

We’ve no complaints with the Humax YouView box’s picture quality either. Regardless of the service we used, it was clear and pretty much judder-free – although this will obviously depend on your broadband connection.

On the PVR side there are two tuners, so you can record one channel while watching another. Or, for that matter, record two channels while you watch on-demand content. The box even alerts you if a programme you’ve chosen to record in SD is available on a high-def channel, which is nice.

The tuners themselves do a good job. Standard and HD pictures are clean and detailed, with decent motion handling and sharply drawn edges.

Verdict

The Humax DTR-T1010 YouView box doesn’t go in for bells and whistles. You can’t stream content over your network, for example. Nor can you connect a USB stick or external hard drive to the USB ports (they’re marked ‘for future use’ only).

And there are no apps such as YouTube or Facebook. But you know what? We don’t mind. This box does what it does extremely well – and that’s why it easily hangs on to its five-star rating.

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The LG 32LN575V TV is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. It gathers all the main features you’d want in a smart TV – from a Full HD screen and network connection, to video on demand services and smartphone compatibility – and packs them into a 32in screen that costs a competitive £400.

LG 32LN575V: smart TV

Samsung currently rules the roost when it comes to catch-up TV, but LG has the upper hand with movies thanks to its LoveFilm, Netflix and Blinkbox apps, and the fact LG is the only TV manufacturer with the Now TV app.

You also get BBC iPlayer and YouTube to catch up with TV and cat videos, while social apps (Facebook, Twitter, Skype) and a web browser round-up the internet content available on the Premium Apps portal.

The Premium section – a panel of thumbnails for all the apps available on the LG 32LN575V – is a colourful and intuitive interface where you can also download a variety of games and news apps.

Press the My Apps button on the remote (or control app – see below), and a panel pops up from the bottom of the screen with only a selection of apps for quick access.

LG 32LN575V: picture quality

It’s a very easy-to-watch screen, with a decent colour balance and good level of detail. It might not be the most impressive picture, but its noise-free and comfortable approach across Blu-rays and standard Freeview channels makes it watchable.

The 32LN575V lacks the absolute clarity and subtlety found in rival sets such as the Philips 32PFL4258T and the Panasonic TX-L32E6B: its black levels aren’t as deep or textured, and there’s a slight yellow tinge to the palette.

That yellowness makes the picture look a little anaemic at times, and with the lack of subtlety, it doesn’t come across too lively. Skin tones in particular look sallow, and blacks end up grey and muddled at times. Unlike the Sony KDL-32W653A, which has clean whites despite a similar way with skin tones, the LG isn’t quite as stark.

James Bond’s shirts don’t look as crisp and white in Skyfall, while the Victorian setting in the Guy Ritchie/Robert Downey Jr Sherlock Holmes DVD looks a touch too sepia-toned.

MORE: Best TVs to buy in 2013

When we start testing a TV we tend to keep picture-processing turned off at first. This lets us assess the screen’s basic character before we gradually add the effects. In this case, turning Super Resolution to ‘Low’ does add a little more punch and depth to the picture.

LG 32LN575V: sound quality

This is quite a loud and brash-sounding TV, but it isn’t the thin or sibilant sound we’ve come to expect from flatscreens.

This must be partly due to the LG’s chunkier build. It isn’t a subtle sound, but on the plus side it has weight and doesn’t grate too much on the ears.

Delve into the audio settings and there’s a pretty exhaustive list of options to tweak. We’d steer clear of turning on the Smart Sound Mode, Clear Voice or Virtual Surround Plus, but Sound Optimizer is useful.

Set it to Normal, Stand or Wall Mount depending on how you position your TV to get a clearer, more cohesive sound.

LG 32LN575V: connections

Bad news if you’ve spent hours meticulously ripping your CDs into a high-quality digital archive: the 32LN575V doesn’t support WAV or FLAC audio files. Better news if you’ve done it slightly lower-fi, though, because it can handle AAC and MP3.

Your home network needs to be stable to keep your media streaming steady and smooth – LG offers both wired ethernet and built-in wi-fi options on this TV.

The SimplyShare portion of the smart portal shows all your connected (physically or wirelessly) devices, be it a USB hard drive, a NAS device, laptop or smartphone.

One of the LN575’s three HDMI inputs supports MHL (Mobile High-definition Link), so you can connect your Android smartphone directly to play HD content stored on it.

On the other hand, Miracast support means you can stream music wirelessly straight from a compatible Android device.

Three USB ports means you can use at least one of them to record TV programmes, while analogue connectivity is catered for with composite, component and RGB Scart inputs. There are also digital audio and headphone outputs.

LG 32LN575V: remote and interface

The remote control and LG’s interface share a similar feel: they offer everything you’ll need and are perfectly fine, except they can feel cluttered.

The petite handset is nice to hold, although the small buttons can sometimes be fiddly. The colourful interface is easy to use, but we can’t help feeling it looks a little dated.

The thumbnails feel crowded and even the settings menu lacks polish and simplicity.

The experience isn’t as sluggish as the Toshiba 32L6353’s, but rivals such as the Panasonic TX-L32E6B and Sony KDL-32W654A offer a more streamlined and elegant experience.

There’s also the option to use LG’s Magic Remote with the TV, even though it doesn’t come packed with the 32LN575V. It supports voice control, too.

LG’s free control app (available for iOS and Android devices) shares the similar pink-themed interface of the TV’s menus.

It’s a decent piece of software, with responsive touch commands and a free-form cursor pad (which admittedly takes a few goes to get used to). There are basic controls and hotkeys for smart features, too.

While it can be a bit fiddly to use at times, you can view the current TV programme you’re watching on the smartphone, and can browse through channel lists and pick a programme to watch on the TV - which can be a simpler experience than using the TV’s on-screen guide.

One nifty little feature is that you can take screenshots of what’s on the TV screen just by pressing the camera icon – there’s no need to try to position and focus your smartphone’s camera and try to get a decent photo of anything on the TV screen – the app does it all for you.

LG 32LN575V review: verdict

While the LG 32LN575V doesn’t offer the most insightful picture in absolute terms, it’s still a decent screen for the money.

The Panasonic TX-L32E6B offers more depth of detail for the same price, but the LG isn’t far off, and delivers a comfortable watching experience overall.

And let’s not forget that the host of streaming options and smart features makes this one of the best-connected TVs we’ve seen at this screen size – if you want a small screen that offers a hub of smart activity, this LG is worth a look.

See all our TV Best Buys

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