TCL USA has unveiled its 8-series of 4K LCD TVs with advanced miniLED backlighting. The company is also introducing upgraded 6-series LCD TVs with quantum dots.

TCL miniLED LCD TVs
As reported by FlatpanelsHD in January 2019, TCL will be bringing miniLED backlight to not only 8K TVs but also 4K TVs. The 8K models are delayed, FlatpanelsHD has learned, but TCL is launching the 4K models later this year as the 8-series in the US and X10 in Europe.

With the new 8-series TVs, China's TCL is hoping to move upmarket and challenge more established TV makers from Japan and Korea. For the task it is introducing the 8-series of 4K LCD TVs with a miniLED backlight consisting of more than 25000 individual miniLEDs (75" size). However, actual dimming zones will be far less numerous at around 1000 zones (75"). The company did not specify peak brightness capabilities.



- "Taking the lead with this first-to-market Quantum Contrast technology, the 8-Series has the stunning ability to produce brilliant whites shining next to deep blacks and now sets a new benchmark for LCD TVs to directly take on high-contrast OLED TVs in delivering a superior overall viewing experience. Quantum Contrast yields a major improvement in picture performance with advantages over traditional TVs that have standard LED technology, including a significant jump in total TV brightness, substantial increase in Contrast Control Zones (local dimming zones), smoother and improved even light distribution throughout the screen, enhanced uniform reproduction of color across the screen, wider viewing angles and a slimmer design," the company said.

It is important not to confuse miniLED with microLED. MiniLEDs are small enough to be used for more advanced backlighting in LCD TVs while microLED are small enough to serve as individual pixels, serving as an entirely new display technology for TVs. Examples of microLED are Samsung's The Wall and Sony's CLEDIS.

TCL and other manufacturers have teased miniLED-based LCD TVs for years but TCL's 8-series will be the first such TVs to hit the market in the US.



In addition, the new 8-series TVs will have a quantum dot film in the LCD stack to expand the color space to a claimed 100% DCI-P3. Furthermore, the TVs are built on the Roku platform and will support HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision. They are powered by TCL's iPQ Engine video processor and will also support Dolby Atmos audio. The company is not ready to transition to HDMI 2.1 yet.

TCL is also refreshing its 6-series and 5-series TVs. The 6-series of 4K LCD TVs will continue to offer LED local dimming with 100 zones in the 55-inch model and more zones in the larger 65-inch model. They are now also equipped with a quantum dot film for wider color gamut coverage. Prices will start at $600. The 5-series has a refreshed design and will be available in 43, 50, 55, and 65-inch sizes starting at $300.

TCL's 8-series 4K LCD TVs will be available in the US this fall in 65 inches (65Q825) for $1999 and 75 inches (75Q825) for $2999. The European version, X10, will be formally introduced at IFA 2019 next month.

TCL 8-series - specifications
 Wide Color powered by Quantum Dot technology
Quantum Control Zone technology maximizes contrast
Dolby Vision HDR
iPQ Engine with Smart HDR, Smart 4K Upscaling, and Smart Contrast
FullView edge-to-edge glass display
Dolby Atmos cinema sound
Easy Voice Control with Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility
Auto Game Mode for a responsive gaming experience
Dolby Atmos cinema sound
Enhanced Remote with Voice Control
High-speed 802.11ac wireless and Ethernet networking
4x HDMI 2.0 (1 ARC) 
 - Source: TCL USA