Amazon Fireplace TV Omni QLED Sequence 4K TV first impressions

Amazon is bringing its own-brand Fireplace TV fashions to the UK and Germany, increasing over the unique US and Canada launches for these units. Amazon says that Fireplace TV is an enormous progress space and is among the largest platforms for the UK and Germany, therefore the introduction of its personal TVs.

Whereas we have seen Fireplace TVs from different manufacturers, that is the primary time that we’re gaining access to Amazon’s personal model TVs outdoors north America. The Omni QLED Sequence is the flagship mannequin, designed to provide the finest expertise. We set our eyes on it at launch to carry you our first impressions.

Design and construct

• 43, 50, 55 and 65in sizes
• Slim bezels

The Omni Sequence of Fireplace TVs seems to be just like the premium TV that it needs to be, with slim bezels framing the display and with a reasonably slim profile. It is not fairly providing the image on glass design that you’re going to get from the likes of LG, however it’s slim sufficient contemplating the value level.

There is a easy two-footed stand association, sitting both finish of the display, however with the recognition of wall mounting, we count on many would select that choice. The connections on the rear of the display are set again from the right-hand edge, so when you join all these cables it ought to look good and tidy.

There’s going to be a full vary of sizes out there, increasing on the unique choice that had been introduced within the US. You can get this QLED TV in 43, 50, 55 and 65-inch sizes, masking a full vary of choices for these within the UK and Germany. The 75-inch model that’s available in north America is not making an look in Europe.

There is a sensor field within the centre of the underside of the body, with the Fireplace TV brand sitting above it and that is about the one characteristic on the in any other case slim design that it provides.

Across the again there a 4 HDMI connections, optical, Ethernet and USB, so you can simply join the newest units.

Show high quality and efficiency

• 4K Quantum Dot show
• HDR10+, HLG, HDR10+ Adaptive, Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ
• Full array, 80 zone dimming
• Adaptive brightness

We have not been capable of assess the standard of the Omni QLED to a terrific diploma, however from what we have seen, there is a noticeable bump in high quality in comparison with the Fireplace TV 4-Sequence. There’s nice element and brightness and a brief session watching Wild Isles on BBC iPlayer in UHD gave nice outcomes.

The assist that this show provides is encouraging, since you’re not solely getting primary HDR assist from HDR10+, however you are additionally getting adaptive variations, together with Dolby Vision IQ. That is the newest normal from Dolby that enables the show to adapt to lighting situations in order that the content material at all times seems to be its finest. There’s an ambient mild sensor within the body of the TV to help this characteristic, whereas additionally permitting the TV to make use of the suitable brightness when it is within the Ambient Expertise – which we’ll discuss in a minute.

This panel is a full array with 80 dimming zones, so that ought to imply that there is loads of management to get the most effective out of your content material, whether or not that is streaming or from an connected console or Blu-ray participant. We did not get the prospect to completely assess the efficiency throughout any nice number of media, however efficiency for the value up to now seems to be nice.

Content material and providers

• Fireplace TV person interface
• Freeview Play (UK)
• Helps Luna

As it is a Fireplace TV, the person interface is as you’d count on, that acquainted Fireplace TV view that provides you with entry to streaming providers and likewise dwell TV. There’s additionally assist for Luna – Amazon’s cloud gaming service (subscription required) – as that is additionally launching within the UK and Germany alongside these TVs.

Fireplace TV provides entry to all of the UK’s streaming providers, in addition to an entire set of subscription providers like Netflix, Apple TV+ and Disney+.

However not like a daily Fire TV Stick, the Omni Sequence within the UK is fitted with a terrestrial tuner, so you can entry terrestrial broadcast TV too. That gives Freeview Play, so you can load up the acquainted Freeview Play EPG and browse the channels and determine what you need to watch.

There are not any DVR capabilities – you may’t file that dwell TV – however the EPG will permit you to scroll again in time and launch the respective participant if you wish to catch-up on one thing that you’ve got missed. That works nicely, however with many individuals now shopping for a TV simply to stream content material, you are still nicely join with all of the choices supplied.

Alexa smarts

• Alexa Voice Distant
• Voice management
• Linked expertise

As it is a Fireplace TV, you not solely get all of the capabilities you’d count on from a wise TV providing streaming providers, however you additionally get Alexa’s skills. The Omni Sequence ships with an Alexa Voice Distant, and once more that is barely completely different to the distant you get with a Fireplace TV Stick because it consists of numbers and every part else you have to handle your TV.

But it surely’s the voice half that is fascinating as you may poke the button to make voice requests out of your TV and entry Alexa’s search expertise. It is a nice option to discover content material – Fireplace TV will find it and show your viewing choices for no matter you’ve got requested for – however it additionally means you may make the identical requests you may make of any Echo device.

However you need not use the distant. The Omni Sequence is mainly a large Echo machine, so you may have handsfree management of the TV. You simply ask Alexa and the TV will pay attention and reply. That extends past TV capabilities to every part that Alexa usually provides – in order that is likely to be the climate, taking part in music or viewing your sensible house cameras for instance.

Taking up Samsung’s The Body

The Fireplace TV Omni QLED additionally needs to tackle Samsung’s The Frame. Samsung’s TV needs to be held on the wall and show artwork when it is not getting used to observe the newest Netflix collection – and Amazon is providing the identical right here.

There’s a big selection of artwork you should utilize as a background, together with the choice to entry your personal pictures or to create one thing fully new. Sure, Amazon is leaping on the AI bandwagon, permitting you to ask Alexa to create a generative AI picture to make use of as your wallpaper. That may very well be something you need it to be – simply ask, and it is going to be created on demand.

On the similar time, Amazon needs to push its Ambient Expertise, making your TV greater than only a clean sq. when it is not in use. It basically can be utilized as an enormous Echo Show, you may have personalised widgets on show, displaying you data you may want, so while you stroll right into a room, you may look and get the main points you may want.

First impressions

The Amazon Fireplace TV Omni QLED seems to be like an fascinating addition to the TV choices, particularly for these spending increasingly time streaming. With Fireplace TV Sticks being so in style, now you can leap to having that Fireplace TV expertise throughout your complete TV, relatively than simply on one enter.

The pricing is aggressive, beginning at £549.99 for the 43in QLED, with pre-orders opening from 22 March 2023 and units transport from 12 April 2023. Nevertheless, there are additionally introductory reductions, including £300 off the 65-inch model, so it’s just £699. We’ll carry you a full evaluate, assessing the standard throughout this TV, as quickly as we are able to.