TCL CSOT exhibited its next-generation LCD panels at CES 2024, including 'WHVA' with wide viewing angles and 'SNB' with super-narrow bezels, as well as printed RGB OLED panels.
Merck recently stated that research and development in LCD TV panel technology has effectively halted. However, TCL CSOT – TCL's display manufacturing subsidiary – is determined to demonstrate that innovation is still on the horizon for (miniLED) LCD TVs.
At CES 2024, TCL CSOT showcased two LCD panel innovations that may appear in consumer TVs as early as 2025.
WHVA for wider viewing angles
TCL CSOT's rapid rise has been a key factor in the South Koreans' exit from LCD manufacturing, and it is now one of the leading manufacturers of LCD panels, specifically VA LCD panels that go into TVs from TCL, Samsung, Sony, and other major brands.
The company refers to its variant of VA LCD as 'HVA' due to the somewhat higher contrast ratio. The next step is 'WHVA' (W for Wide), which may show up in TVs in 2025. WHVA is meant to solve one of the major issues with VA LCD panels: viewing angles.
As you may know, Samsung and Sony have both tried to solve the viewing angle issue with VA LCD in recent years. Sony is using a special layer (X-Wide Angle), but the downside is that it raises black levels, while Samsung is using sub-pixel dithering, which reduces resolution. Alternatively, TV makers can use IPS LCD, which has wide viewing angles but poor contrast.
FlatpanelsHD had TCL CSOT's WHVA technology demonstrated on a 85-inch 4K panel at CES. We are not yet sure how it works and we did not have enough time to examine it in depth, but as you can see in the video below the panel maintained black levels and mostly maintained color saturation even at extreme angles. It is not perfect but it looks promising:
Another innovation, although not related to the actual LCD panel, is what TCL CSOT refers to as 'SNB' (Super Narrow Bezel) with a 2.7mm border on the top and each side, and 7.7mm at the bottom.
Although not easy, you should be able to spot the very slim bezel at the top center of the panel in this photo. The reduced bezel brings LCD closer to OLED in terms of design – and may make it easier to tell which TV models from other brands use TCL panels in 2025 and beyond.
TCL's prototype of a 'SNB' (Super Narrow Bezel) LCD panel with very thin bezels. Photo: FlatpanelsHD
Printed RGB OLED from TCL
TCL CSOT also showcased its latest prototypes of inkjet-printed OLED monitor panels, first announced in December 2023. These are the 31-inch dome and 14-inch laptop OLED panels.
The company aims to commence production of RGB OLED panels using inkjet printing, possibly in 2025, as reported by FlatpanelsHD in December.
TCL's OLED panels exhibited at CES 2024 demonstrated high contrast, saturated colors, good resolution and high refresh rate, without any apparent issues other than the poor build quality of the frame around the dome OLED panel. Specifications are included below for reference.
TCL CSOT's 31-inch dome 4K OLED prototype. Photo: FlatpanelsHD
TCL CSOT's 14-inch OLED prototype intended for laptops. Photo: FlatpanelsHD
