Hisense is bringing its Canvas TV line in the U.K. with a new model that introduces a new matte-display that helps to eliminate those annoying reflections on the screen to improve the aesthetics of the digital art it’s designed to display.
The new TV is called the Hisense S7N Canvas TV, and it’s an upgrade on the E7N Canvas TV that debuted in the U.S. last year, in response to Samsung Electronics’ iconic The Frame TV.
Both the Canvas and The Frame are 4K resolution QLED TVs that replicate the look of a picture frame, and they’re designed to be hung on a wall so they can perform that role in addition to serving as a display for watching movies. With the Canvas, users can select from a range of digital artworks available in Hisense’s store, which will be displayed when the TV is in standby mode, effectively acting as a piece of art to improve the look of the room.
The original Canvas TV has been available in the U.S. and a few other countries since late last year, but this is the first time we've seen one in the U.K. The company explained that the British models are also getting the new Freely TV app integrated so they can receive aerial-free live broadcasts and watch catch-up TV from all of the country’s major broadcasters.
The 55-inch TV has the same 4K QLED panel as the older model, but its standout feature is the bespoke Hi-Matte display coating, which is said to soak up the light of reflections so they don’t ruin the look of the static artwork that’s on display. In effect, it helps the art to look more like real paintings, Hisense says. Besides showing Hisense’s selection of artworks, the TV’s Art Mode also allows users to upload their own images. So you can either make some art yourself, display some family photos, or get creative and take photos of genuine works of art and display them that way, without actually paying for them.
To improve the aesthetic appeal further, Hisense has installed an ultra-slim wall mount in the box which helps the TV to be set almost flush against the wall. All the owner has to do is find a way to hide the power cable and any HDMI leads they want to connect to the TV. It’s finished with a teak wood frame that uses magnets to snap onto, and off of the TV, so users can buy different styles, such as walnut or metal.
Hisense said the latest Canvas TV runs its homegrown VIDAA smart TV operating system, which brings access to apps like Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and Now TV, so you can be sure there’s lots to watch if you’re not in the mood for art.
The display boasts a 144Hz refresh rate that makes it suitable for console games and it integrates a punchy 2.02.2-channel sound system to ensure good quality audio. It supports various HDR formats, including Dolby Vision IQ, and Amazon Alexa voice controls are also baked in.
Hisense officially launched the S7N Canvas TV in November, but it now says that it has a steady supply of stock that’s available at Currys and Richer Sounds, priced at £1,299.
