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Verdict: The Canadian Hisense U78KM is a strong-value 2023 television for movies, sports, HDR and gaming. Its Mini-LED backlight, quantum-dot colour, Dolby Vision, 144Hz panel and variable-refresh-rate support give it capabilities that remain attractive—especially at a substantial clearance discount. However, the reviewed unit also suffered from slow app switching, freezes and unreliable casting. Buy it for the picture and gaming hardware, not because its built-in software is especially polished.
The practical decision is straightforward: if the U78KM is meaningfully cheaper than a newer television and comes with a good return policy, it can still be an excellent display. If you need a consistently fast, trouble-free smart-TV experience, budget for an external streamer or choose a newer model.
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What the Hisense U78KM is
The U78KM is Hisense’s Canadian-market version of the 2023 U7K family. Independent testing identifies the Canadian model as equivalent in performance to the North American U7K, which was regarded as one of the stronger value televisions in its price class. RTINGS’ U7K testing found a capable Mini-LED television that offered a less expensive alternative to more premium home-theatre sets.
Hisense Canada support pages cover 55-, 65-, 75- and 85-inch U78KM versions. Size-specific specifications and panel characteristics should not be assumed to be identical, so check the exact model page before buying.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Equipped 6 Hot-keys】OEM Replacement Voice Remote Control fits for Hisense UHD 4K ULED Smart Google TVs equipped with 6 Shortcut APP Keys - Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Disney Plus, Tubi and Peacock buttons!
- 【Applicable Model Series】This infrared remote control for Hisense Smart Google TV A4 A6 A7 A65H A6H A76 U6 U7 U8 U9 UX U6H U6K U7H U8H U67 U70 U75 S7 QD7 Series
- 【Compatible Models】32A4K 32A45K 43A6H 43A7N 43A45K 43A65K 43A65H 43A4K 50A7N 50A6H 50U6H 50A65H 50A65K 55A65H 55A65K 55A6H 55A7N 55U6N 55U7N 55U8N 55S7N 55U6K 55U7K 55U8K 55U6H 55U7H 55U8H 55U75K 55U75H 55A6G 55U6G 65U6N 65U7N 65U8N 65U6K 65U7K 65U8K 65A7N 65S7N 65A6H 65U6H 65U7H 65U8H 65A65K 65A65H 65U75K 65U75H 65U75N 65U7G 65U8G 70A6H 70A65H 75A6H 75A7N 75U7K 75U8K 75U6N 75U7N 75U8N 75U6H 75U7H 75U8H 75U6K 75A65K 75U75H 75U75K 75U75N 75A6G 85UX 85U6N 85U9N 85U7K 85U8K 85U7H 85A7N 85A7H 85A76H.
- 【EASY TO USE】No Set up or Programming Required, just install 2 new AAA alkaline batteries to get it work. (Pairing with the Google TV for Voice Control might require setup)
- 【Package Content】Package Content: 1 x IR Remote Control (Batteries and Instruction Manual are not included).
In Canada, the U78KM uses Google TV. It is not a VIDAA model. Hisense uses different smart-TV platforms in different markets, and complaints about Australian or other international models should not automatically be applied to the Canadian U78KM. Hisense Canada identifies the U78KM as a Google TV model in its Canadian support documentation.
Key features
- 4K UHD resolution
- Mini-LED full-array local dimming
- Quantum-dot colour
- Native 144Hz refresh rate
- Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG support
- Dolby Atmos support
- VRR and ALLM for gaming
- Google TV with built-in casting
- Filmmaker Mode and Game Mode Pro
Hisense’s Canadian launch announcement promoted these picture and gaming features, including the 144Hz panel, VRR, ALLM, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
Picture quality is the U78KM’s strongest reason to buy
Mini-LED is the foundation of the U78KM’s performance. Instead of relying on a small number of broad backlight zones or edge lighting, the television uses many smaller LEDs behind the LCD panel. Local dimming can then reduce the backlight behind dark parts of the image while keeping bright highlights intense.
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RTINGS found improved local-dimming and reflection-handling performance compared with the previous U7H generation. That makes the U78KM particularly appealing for living rooms where daylight, lamps and windows would expose the weaknesses of a dimmer television.
The limitations of LCD and local dimming
Mini-LED does not make the U78KM equivalent to an OLED television. Local dimming can produce blooming—a halo around bright subtitles, stars, menu text or other objects against a dark background. The effect depends on the scene, viewing position and selected picture settings.
As with many VA-oriented LCD televisions, contrast is strongest when viewed from directly in front. Black levels, colour and brightness can change as viewers move farther off-axis. A wide family room should therefore be assessed differently from a single-seat home theatre.
The panel’s hardware also cannot eliminate poor source quality. Low-bitrate streaming, compressed cable channels and older broadcasts may show softness, banding or blockiness. Upscaling and motion processing can improve these sources, but they do not create detail that was never present.
Gaming: unusually well equipped for its class
The native 144Hz refresh rate is one of the U78KM’s most distinctive features. It is most useful for compatible PC gaming, where a sufficiently powerful graphics card, suitable cable and supported game can deliver refresh rates above 120Hz.
For PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, the practical target is generally 4K at up to 120Hz—not 144Hz. The extra refresh capability is therefore mainly a PC advantage, while console buyers still benefit from the television’s 4K/120Hz capability, VRR and automatic low-latency features.
Rank #2
- 【COMPATIBILITY】 Compatible with Hisense U6 U7 U8 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K Google Smart TV: 55U8N 65U8N 75U8N 85U8N 100U8N 55U7N 65U7N 75U7N 55U6N 65U6N 75U6N 85U6N 75U9N 85U9N 43A7N 50A7N 55A7N 65A7N 75A7N 85A7N
- 【EASY TO PAIRING】Keep the remote control within 10 feet from the TV, Press and Hold [Back] and [Home] button at the same time at least 3 seconds to start pairing until you see the light pulsing on the remote control.
- 【VOICE SEARCH】Long press the microphone button on the voice backlit remote control and speak your command to easily search for your favorite TV shows, launch applications, etc. The voice search function makes navigation a breeze.
- 【SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE】Engineered with high-quality ABS material and a next-gen smart chip, this remote delivers instant button response and reliable 8m/26ft range coverage. Its 120-degree wide-angle design eliminates positioning constraints, while the ergonomic curved shape ensures comfortable, fatigue-free control for extended daily use.
- 【WHAT'S IN BOX】1 * Remote Control (batteries＆use manual are not included)
VRR helps reduce tearing when frame rates fluctuate. ALLM can switch the television into a lower-latency game mode when a compatible console or PC is detected. Game Mode Pro is intended to reduce processing delay, although maximum refresh rate and maximum image processing are not always available simultaneously. Gamers should test their preferred combination of resolution, refresh rate, HDR, VRR and picture processing.
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The U78KM’s HDMI features are attractive, but do not assume every HDMI input has identical bandwidth. Check the manual or specification sheet for the exact size and regional model before planning a multi-device setup.
A gaming-related smart-home nuisance
The original hands-on review reported that casting occasionally caused a connected PS5 to switch on. That behaviour may involve HDMI-CEC—the feature that lets devices control power and input switching—rather than a panel defect. It is still an annoying ownership problem, particularly if a television, console, soundbar and receiver are all connected.
If unwanted wake-ups occur, test HDMI-CEC settings on the television and connected devices. Disabling CEC may stop the behaviour, but it also removes convenient automatic input switching and power control.
The Google TV problems are real—but the evidence does not prove a universal defect
The U78KM’s software is the reason this otherwise attractive television received a qualified verdict. In its review unit, MobileSyrup reported:
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- Apps remaining active in the background and appearing to consume substantial memory
- Occasional freezes
- Intermittent iPhone screen-mirroring failures despite the phone and television being on the same network
- Casting failures that sometimes cleared after restarting the television
- An occasional PS5 activation during casting
These are meaningful issues. A television can have excellent contrast and gaming specifications yet feel frustrating when opening an app, returning to the home screen or trying to cast from a phone.
But the available evidence is one hands-on review unit, not a controlled survey of every U78KM sold in Canada. It is therefore too broad to state that every U78KM freezes, that Google TV is inherently defective on this model, or that Hisense has acknowledged a universal memory fault. The defensible conclusion is narrower: the reviewed U78KM had a less reliable and less responsive Google TV experience than its picture performance suggested.
Is the problem Google TV, Hisense firmware or the hardware?
“The operating system is buggy” can describe several different failures. The source may be:
- Google TV software: app crashes, slow navigation, account-state problems or an app that fails to resume correctly.
- Hisense firmware: the manufacturer’s integration of Google TV, memory management, casting, HDMI-CEC, audio return and system controls.
- The network: Wi-Fi congestion, router isolation, guest networks or multicast restrictions can prevent casting devices from discovering one another.
- An individual app: Netflix, YouTube, Disney+ and phone-casting applications can fail in different ways.
- Connected equipment: HDMI-CEC can wake a console, switch inputs or create apparent casting problems.
- Hardware limits: limited memory or a slower system-on-chip can make multitasking sluggish even when the operating system itself is functioning.
Google’s Google TV troubleshooting guidance directs owners to the device manufacturer for hardware-specific issues, software updates and manufacturer-specific troubleshooting. That distinction matters: Google TV is the platform, but Hisense controls the television’s firmware, hardware and implementation.
What owners should try before returning the television
Menu labels can change with firmware, so use the current U78KM manual and on-screen wording rather than relying on an old generic Google TV guide. A sensible troubleshooting order is:
Rank #3
- MINILED PRO WITH UP TO 5000 NITS PEAK BRIGHTNESS AND UP TO 5600 LOCAL DIMMING ZONES: See the realism of every shadow cast by the players and the ball. When your TV is backlit by thousands of tiny LEDs, your viewing experience gets even more precise. Think of the LEDs like thousands of pinpoints of light illuminating your screen. And Full Array Local Dimming creates deeper shadows and brighter highlights, while virtually eliminating halos
- HI-VIEW AI ENGINE PRO: Enjoy the game from home, but feel like you’re there. Powered by the Hisense proprietary chipset, Hi-View AI Engine Pro automatically optimizes the picture and sound based on the content you are watching. This intelligent feature detects, analyzes and adjusts the details, depth and appearance of everything you watch or play, making every visual even more realistic
- NATIVE 165HZ PANEL WITH GAME BOOSTER 288: Turbo power your gaming! The Native 165Hz Panel has a Variable Refresh Rate of 48Hz to 165Hz, almost as fast as your reaction time. AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Auto Low Latency Mode and Low Latency MEMC eliminate screen tearing and controller lag. And with our new Game Bar you can control multiple game settings right from your TV remote and on-screen display
- ENHANCED GAME BAR: Enjoy your gaming dashboard and manage performance in real time. Seamlessly adjust settings and monitor gameplay data as you play. Lead the moment. Play to win
- ANTI-REFLECTION PRO: Keep your eye on the ball all day and all night long. Anti-Reflection Pro incorporates a special coating into the liquid crystal layer of the screen to minimize glare and reflections, so you can see the picture in all of its vibrancy and detail without any interference
- Restart the television from its power menu. A restart—not merely switching the screen off—can clear temporary app and casting states.
- Power-cycle an unresponsive set. Disconnect power briefly, reconnect it and allow the television to boot fully.
- Install available system and app updates. Record the software version if the problem continues.
- Remove unused apps if navigation is slow. Test whether the problem is limited to one application.
- Reboot the router and confirm that the phone and television are on the same local network. A shared Wi-Fi name does not guarantee that devices are allowed to communicate; guest networks and client isolation can block casting.
- Test another phone or casting app to separate a television problem from an iPhone, application or network problem.
- Temporarily disable HDMI-CEC on the television or console if casting unexpectedly wakes the PS5 or changes inputs.
- Factory-reset the television only as a last software step. Record picture, audio, network and HDMI settings first.
- Exchange or service the set if freezes continue after updates and a reset. Repeating factory resets is not a substitute for a functioning television.
Hisense Canada provides model-specific manuals, specification sheets, quick-start guides, support registration and repair options through its U78KM support pages.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can an external streamer solve the problem?
Often, yes—but only at the app layer. An external streamer can provide faster navigation, a different app environment, more reliable casting and a cleaner interface. For an iPhone-heavy household, an Apple TV 4K is a particularly logical option because of AirPlay integration and the established tvOS app ecosystem.
A streamer does not repair:
- Panel defects, blooming or uneven backlighting
- Slow television boot behaviour
- HDMI-CEC conflicts if CEC remains enabled
- Firmware problems affecting inputs, audio return or system stability
- A television that freezes at the system level
It also adds cost, another remote and another HDMI device. The best calculation is total ownership cost: compare the discounted U78KM plus a streamer with a newer television whose built-in interface already meets your needs.
How the U78KM looks against newer choices
The U78KM is a 2023 model. In 2026, its age matters more than it did at launch: availability may be limited, warranty and return terms vary, and the original review price of approximately C$1,097 for the 65-inch model in September 2023 is historical—not a current Canadian price.
Compare any remaining U78KM stock using these criteria:
- Exact screen size and model suffix
- Current price, not the launch-era price
- Return window and restocking conditions
- Warranty coverage and whether the seller is authorized
- Operating-system responsiveness
- HDMI bandwidth and gaming features
- Whether an external streamer is already required
- How close the price is to a newer Mini-LED television
Hisense’s newer U78QG is positioned as a later Google TV model with Mini-LED Pro, a claimed 165Hz refresh rate and additional gaming features. Those are manufacturer specifications, not a substitute for independent testing, but the newer platform may be preferable if the price difference is modest.
The higher-tier 2023 U88KM is another comparison point, although its value depends entirely on clearance pricing. It makes little sense to pay near-new-model money for an older premium step-up.
For dark-room movie viewing, OLED remains the direction to consider if perfect pixel-level blacks and wide viewing angles matter more than price, brightness and burn-in considerations. For a bright room or gaming-focused setup, a well-priced Mini-LED LCD such as the U78KM can be the more practical choice.
Who should buy the Hisense U78KM?
Good fit
- Movie, sports and gaming viewers who prioritise picture quality
- PC gamers who can use the 144Hz refresh rate
- PS5 and Xbox owners who want 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM
- Buyers seeking a large Mini-LED screen at a clearance price
- Households that already own an Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV or another streamer
- Buyers with a generous return policy who can test casting, app switching and HDMI-CEC
Look elsewhere if
- A fast, polished built-in smart-TV interface is essential
- You rely heavily on iPhone screen mirroring
- You want a simple all-in-one television with no extra streaming box
- You are buying used or clearance stock without meaningful return protection
- The asking price is close to a newer model
- You are confusing this Canadian Google TV model with an international VIDAA product
Final recommendation
The Hisense U78KM is not a bad television undermined by a minor software complaint. It is a genuinely capable picture-and-gaming television whose software reliability can determine whether ownership feels good.
Buy it when the discount is substantial, the return policy is strong and Mini-LED picture quality matters more than smart-TV polish. Buy it with an external streamer when the panel is an exceptional deal but the built-in Google TV experience is frustrating. Skip it when the price approaches that of a newer model or when dependable built-in software is non-negotiable.
Before purchasing an older U78KM, verify the exact Canadian model, current firmware, seller warranty, return window and current price. That due diligence matters more in 2026 than the television’s original launch specification sheet.
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