200 euro television at the discounter – what good is the offer?
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As of Thursday, discounter Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd have four Medion televisions on offer from 145 euros. TECHNOLOGY BUTTON reveals what the devices are good for.
TECHNOLOGY BUTTON took a closer look at the five TV sets, whose prices are between 144 euros and 474 euros, and revealed whether it is worth buying.
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Medion Life E132000 (31.5 inches) for 145 euros
The cheapest campaign TV is available exclusively in the Aldi Süd online shop. With a screen diagonal of only 31.5 inches, the Medion Life E132000 is a really small television. But that’s not the problem. Rather, buyers get stale hardware and a really bad picture with this device. The LCD panel only has HD resolution, which corresponds to 1366 x 768 pixels. Even with a 31.5 inch diagonal, individual pixels are still visible even at a reasonable distance. Full HD resolution would be appropriate even at this price point. In terms of brightness, the panel cannot convince with just 200 nits (candelas per square meter of luminosity). The same applies to the static contrast ratio, which is specified by the manufacturer as 3000: 1 (10,000: 1 dynamic ratio).
Otherwise, the television only covers the basics. There is a triple tuner for receiving DVB-C (cable), DVB-T2 (antenna) and DVB-S2 (satellite) as well as a slot for a CI + module and smart card for encrypted programs. There are three HDMI ports and a USB port for playback of films, music and pictures from USB sticks or hard drives. There is also a Scart and a VGA connection, a 3.5 mm jack for audio in and headphone out (a 3.5 mm to Cinch adapter is included) and an optical audio output (SPDIF) .
The only highlight is the built-in DVD player, which may make the television interesting for children or for the caravan. The device has built-in 8 watt stereo speakers for audio output. The scope of delivery includes a stand, a remote control including batteries and a 3.5 mm to cinch adapter.
TECHNOLOGY BUTTON says:
In general, the Medion Life E132000 is not recommended, at most as a second device or as a DVD player for children, it might be popular with some buyers. The lack of Full HD, the overall poor panel and the fact that there are no Smart TV functions – i.e. no Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or anything else – make the television not a worthwhile offer even for just under 145 euros.
Medion Life E14040 (40 inches) for 193 euros
One size larger than the Aldi Süd offer is the Medion Life E14040 with 40 inches diagonal, which in turn is only available in the Aldi Nord online shop. Although the larger LCD panel has full HD resolution compared to the E132000, there are no smart functions here either. That means there are no apps for Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube and the like. After all, it can be retrofitted cheaply with an Amazon Fire TV or a Google Chromecast.
Unfortunately, despite its higher resolution, the screen cannot literally shine. Because with only 200 nits of maximum brightness, the panel is pretty dark. The static contrast ratio of 5000: 1 is much better than that of the 31.5-inch Aldi television.
The TV can reproduce the modern H.265 codec (HEVC). A CI + interface for encrypted channels is also available. Unfortunately, only a single USB port is installed, so if you want to connect more than one USB stick for media playback, you will not be lucky here. At least there are three HDMI ports and even a Scart and VGA connection. There is also a 3.5 mm jack for audio in and headphone out (a 3.5 mm to cinch adapter is included) and an optical audio output (SPDIF). Two 8-watt stereo speakers are built into the housing.
TECHNOLOGY BUTTON says:
The Medion Life E14040 is unfortunately not a special offer for 193 euros. In terms of price, it ranks among comparable devices with Full HD resolution, H.265 support and without Smart TV functions. If you want Netflix, Prime Video and other apps in one device, you should spend around 50 to 60 euros more and get a 40-inch smart TV right away.
Medion Life X16596 (65 inches) for 474 euros
The largest and most expensive model in the TV range is the Medion Life X16569 with a 65-inch screen diagonal. The television has 4K UHD resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) and supports High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Dolby Vision – both of which should ensure true-color image reproduction and deep black tones. The LCD panel achieves a maximum brightness of 350 nits (candela per square meter). It has a rather poor static contrast ratio of only 1200: 1 (27,000: 1 dynamic). This could be a numerical error, especially since the information is incorrectly entered in the product details. After all, according to the product page, the panel supports micro dimming. The technology individually adjusts the background lighting of different image sections, for example to darken black areas more.
A triple tuner enables broadcasts to be received via DVB-C (cable), DVB-T2 (antenna) and DVB-S2 (satellite), and there is a slot for CI + modules or SmartCard. In addition, the Smart TV can also access the Internet via WLAN, apps for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video and a browser are preinstalled. The device also supports HbbTV for more information about current programs and repeats of missed programs directly from the Internet. Other smart functions are the wireless display, which you can use to play content from your smartphone on the smart TV, and compatibility with the Medion Life Remote app, which you can use to control the television via your smartphone.
The television has two 12-watt stereo speakers with DTS certification for audio output. An additional 2 watt subwoofer is also installed. There are four HDMI ports with HDCP 2.2 support for encrypted content, as well as two USB ports for playback of media and for recording broadcasts directly on USB devices. The television supports the playback of media with the modern H.265 codec (HEVC). In addition, there is a network connection, VGA port, cinch connection, a headphone jack and an optical audio output (SPDIF). The scope of delivery includes a stand and a remote control including batteries.
TECHNOLOGY BUTTON says:
The Medion Life X16500 is an average 4K TV with Smart TV function at a fair price. Aldi undercuts the competition with comparable devices by around 100 euros. While we can’t say much about the poorly described features. Nevertheless, the purchase is worthwhile considering what the television offers.
Medion Life X15575 (55 inches) for 290 euros
As the only model in the current Aldi range, the Life X15575 is also available in local Aldi Nord branches. This makes it a clear favorite for those who prefer to make their purchases offline. But can the television also convince?
At first glance, the data sheet looks similar to that of the X16596. Only the screen diagonal is smaller at 55 inches. Here, too, we are dealing with a 4K UHD panel (3840 x 2160 pixels) that supports both High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Dolby Vision for true-to-color image reproduction and deep black tones. The X15575 comes wirelessly to the Internet via WLAN, a browser is pre-installed. With the direct connection to the World Wide Web, users can obtain further information about programs via HbbTV or call up missed programs at the push of a button. Apps for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are pre-installed, and content can also be played on the smart TV via the wireless display from the smartphone (H.265 / HEVC is supported). In addition, the TV can also be controlled via the smartphone,
Like the Medion Life X16569, the Life X15575 also has a maximum brightness of 350 nits (candela per square meter). What is surprising, however, is the better static contrast ratio of 1300: 1 according to the offer details. That is a little more than the 65-inch model, even if this is only reflected in a slightly higher dynamic ratio of 28,000: 1. Another difference is the sound system. The X15575 has 10 watt stereo speakers with DTS support, i.e. 2 watts less. The subwoofer is also missing.
When it comes to the selection of connections, however, there are no differences to the Life X16500. The X15575 also has two USB ports for playing media and recording broadcasts directly on USB devices, four HDMI ports with HDCP 2.2 support for encrypted content, as well as a network connection (LAN), a VGA port, Cinch connection, a headphone jack and an optical audio output (SPDIF). A triple tuner for receiving DVB-C (cable), DVB-T2 (antenna) and DVB-S2 (satellite) and a slot for a CI + module are also on board. The scope of delivery includes a stand and a remote control including batteries.
TECHNOLOGY BUTTON says:
For 290 euros, buyers get a solid 55-inch TV with 4K resolution and smart TV functions. Clearly the best offer from the Aldi television range. Unfortunately, it only applies to buyers who have access to Aldi-Nord branches.
Medion Life P15504 (58 inches) for 387 euros
The Medion Life P15504 with the rather unusual 58-inch diagonal is available from both Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd in the online shop. This is also a 4K UHD panel with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. It supports high dynamic range (HDR) and Dolby Vision. Micro dimming, however, is missing. The static contrast is given as 5000: 1, which – if applicable – would be a good value. However, the brightness is again at a bad level with a maximum of 200 nits.
After all, there are enough smart TV functions with a Netflix app, media portal and integrated browser. You can access the Internet via WLAN or an Ethernet connection. There is also a wireless display for transferring the image from the smartphone to the TV. Access to HbbTV is also possible.
Three USB ports and three HDMI ports with HDCP 2.2 support are available as connections. There is also a VGA port, a cinch connection, a headphone jack and an optical audio output (SPDIF). A triple tuner and a slot for a CI + module are also available. Two 10 watt stereo speakers are built into the housing.
TECHNOLOGY BUTTON says:
374 euros for the device is alright, but the competition offers better equipped alternatives for a little more money. Those who are specifically looking for the less common 58-inch diagonal – for example because 65 inches or more are too big for the TV shelf – can hardly get the format cheaper. If it weren’t for the low brightness of the LCD panel, the Medion Life P15504 would get a clear recommendation from us.
TECHNOLOGY BUTTON means
“Of the five Medion TVs that Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd offer, only two are really recommendable. One of them is even available offline in Aldi-Nord branches. The Medion Life X15575 covers all important points and should at least deliver a good picture, according to the manufacturer. The Medion Life X16596 is also worth recommending due to its low price – unfortunately only from Aldi Nord. The Medion Life P15504 is the only device to be had in both online shops. The equipment is okay, even if the brightness could be better. But you will hardly find a cheaper offer in this diagonal. ”
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