Cello C50ANSMT-4K TV review
This 50-inch 4K TV is all about value, says independent AV reviewer Steve May
If you’re after a no nonsense 4K TV that won’t break the bank, Cello’s C50ANSMT-4K is well worth shortlisting.
The design is smart, with a gloss black bezel and matching widley spaced feet, and connectivity is wide-ranging. There are three 4K ready HDMI inputs, a trio of USBs (with a built-in media reader for movie and music files), a Micro SD card slot, plus phono AV connections. This selection is supported by analogue stereo and digital optical audio outputs. Ethernet is provided as an alternative to single band Wi-Fi.
Unlike Cello’s range-topping Platinum line, there’s no forward facing speaker array. The TV uses conventional downward firing speakers. While these do the job, and have some volume, I would recommend budgeting for a soundbar, to create a wider full-range soundstage that complements the big picture.
The set is internet connected and runs Android 4.4.4. You’ll be prompted to log in with an existing Google account, or create a new one from scratch, during the set-up procedure. While you can download the likes of Netflix and iPlayer from Google Play, I’d recommend investing in a connected HDMI streaming dongle, be it Amazon Fire TV, Now TV or similar, for the widest possible selection of streaming services.
It may be a smart connected set but it’s uncomplicated, when it comes to usability. Once up and running, there’s not a lot more you need to do. There are no deep menus to explore; you just have to decide which image preset suits you best.
Options comprise of Standard, Dynamic, Theatre or Personal. The Theater mode has enhanced contrast, which makes for a punchy view, but I found it tends to crush out detail, filling in shadows with solid blacks. For example in Britannia (Sky Atlantic, UHD), the fur detail on David Morrissey’s roman wrap is often lost in blackness.
My recommendation is the Standard mode, which has a good average brightness level, or Personal. The latter allows for further adjustment of Contrast and Brightness. The set does a sharp job with native 4K sources and that 2160p pixel density means images are smooth and filmic. Colours are vibrant, the opening fireball attack in Transformers The Last Knight (UHD Blu-ray) is spectacular.
While menus are fairly spartan, there’s polish in the user interface. The Freeview HD programme guide is a stylish overlay, complete with live TV audio. A right press on the remote control’s D-Pad brings up a channel guide overlay and AV/channel settings. Press left and you get an info pane for whatever channel you’re watching.
If you have a PS4, XBox One or Nintendo Switch, then you’re in luck. I measured input lag at just 26.3ms (anything less than 30ms can be considered good.) That is makes this Cello 50-inch TVeC50 a good choice for gamers.
My verdict
Overall, thise Cello C50 Android Smart TVcan be considered a high value 50-incher. When partnered with a 4K capable tellybox like Sky Q, and/or a streaming HDMI stick, it offers detailed images without complication. It’s also a tempting option for gamers, with an input lag that won’t slow down your fragging.
