I Can’t Stop you from Buying Amazon’s New TV… but I’ll Try Anyway
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Sign up for alerts on the Cooler Master MasterFrame at: coolermaster.com Amazon Basics is expanding its TV line to include MiniLED! But is it ACTUALLY a great deal, or is it just cheap enough to get a ton of customers? Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Buy a Hisense 65U8N 65" ULED 4K TV: geni.us Buy an Amazon Fire TV 55" Mini-LED QLED 4K TV: geni.us Buy an Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus: geni.us ► GET OUR MERCH: lttstore.com ► GET EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ON FLOATPLANE: lmg.gg ► GET A VPN: piavpn.com ► SPONSORS, AFFILIATES, AND PARTNERS: lmg.gg Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro 0:54 Unboxing 2:10 Adventure Time 3:27 TV Setup and IO 4:20 Firing It Up 6:22 ALEXA and Settings 8:42 First Impressions 9:37 Speakers and Soundbar 12:33 HDR and Plex 17:38 PC Gaming 19:33 Labs Results 20:40 Conclusion 23:38 Outro
The video opens with Linus reacting to Amazon Basics expanding into a MiniLED TV with the MIL55 F700, setting the stage that regardless of his opinion, many viewers will still buy it through affiliate links. He emphasizes that this review is not an attack on the TV itself but a balanced look at what you get for the price, including the Fire TV OS integration and the bundled ecosystem. The unboxing segment quickly highlights build quality, packaging, and the overall design, with specific attention to the 55 inch model and the included Fire TV Soundbar Plus. He notes key specs such as 4K at 120 Hz (or 144 Hz in gaming mode), FreeSync Premium Pro, and a mini LED backlight claimed to reach up to 1,400 nits with 512 dimming zones, while tempering expectations about HDR performance given the price. Setup is shown as relatively straightforward, including WiFi integration, Amazon account sign-in prompts, and the initial on-screen experience which emphasizes energy saving modes and preloaded picture modes. He demonstrates Alexa voice controls, channel scanning, and the initial impression of the user interface that blends Fire TV with the TV’s own menus, highlighting how some features are locked behind sign-in and how the experience can feel heavily Amazon-centric. The review then pivots to the included Fire TV Soundbar Plus, bringing up its 3.1-channel configuration and HDMI connections, and Linus tests the audio quality at various volumes, noting that the integrated subwoofer actually delivers surprising bass for a TV-speaker bundle. In the lab-style segment, Linus and colleagues compare HDR performance, color accuracy, and peak brightness across multiple modes, with particular attention to how local dimming and motion processing affect the viewing experience. The discussion covers real-world usage like Plex streaming performance, network requirements, and the tradeoffs of using the bundled Fire OS experience versus a more neutral platform. The verdict leans toward the TV being a solid, if not class-leading, option for budget buyers who want a ready-to-go streaming setup, provided buyers are aware of the Amazon-centric ecosystem and the 512 zoning limitation which caps peak brightness and local dimming. The host contrasts the MIL55 with competing models like the HiSense U8N, noting price positioning, feature differences, and the value of official discounts through Prime membership. The video closes with a sponsor segment for Cooler Master Master Frame cases, followed by a recap of the TV’s overall performance, and a conclusion that while the MIL55 is not a breathtaking standout, it is a perfectly cromulent choice for its segment depending on the viewer’s priorities, especially if they already lean into Amazon’s ecosystem and Fire TV.
Topics · technology · consumer electronics · video review · home entertainment · tv systems · smart devices
Questions answered
- What is the Amazon MIL55 F700 MiniLED Fire TV and who is it for?
- The MIL55 F700 is a 55 inch MiniLED TV with Fire TV OS, designed for budget-conscious buyers who want a ready-to-use streaming setup with Amazon services. It includes a bundled Fire TV Soundbar Plus and aims to deliver decent HDR and gaming performance at a lower price point, especially when Prime membership discounts are available.
- How does the built-in soundbar perform compared to the TV speakers?
- The Fire TV Soundbar Plus delivers surprisingly solid bass for a bundled solution, with the TV speakers performing adequately on their own. In testing, the integrated subwoofer impressed and could be a reason to skip a separate sound system for casual viewing, though users seeking high-end audio may still opt for an external speaker setup.
- What are the main caveats or trade-offs of choosing this TV?
- Key trade-offs include the Amazon-centric interface which may feel intrusive, potential data-collection concerns, and the 512 dimming zones which limit peak brightness and local dimming precision. The reviewer also notes that some features are locked behind sign-in, and the overall HDR performance is solid but not class-leading for the price.
- Is this TV a better value than competing models at similar sizes?
- Compared to the HiSense U8N at similar sizes, the MIL55 offers a lower price with a more integrated Amazon experience. The HiSense may offer higher peak brightness and more dimming zones, so the decision depends on whether consumers value Fire TV integration and the included soundbar over marginal HDR performance gains.