EIGHTH GENERATION MINI-LED

At CES in January, we meet Niklas Kallman and Johan Huss from TCL Nordics. They showcase the top model X11L, built on the eighth generation mini-LED from CSOT (China Star Optoelectronics Technology), the company's own panel manufacturer.

– It's about ensuring that TCL always has the latest panel, that we are competitive and have the best offer in the market. X11L is our top model, and we are moving from QD mini-LED to SuperQD mini-LED with a new colour filter, higher brightness, and more dimming zones, says Niklas Kallman to the trade magazine Elektronikkbransjen.

SQD mini-LED

TCL X11L has received a new colour system with Super Quantum Dots, CSOT's UltraColor filter, and a new colour purification algorithm, which together will provide 100 percent of BT.2020. The backlight has been upgraded with more separate dimming zones and higher peak brightness, and the tighter construction makes the TV slimmer. The panel is described as WHVA 2.0, with improved viewing angle, higher static contrast, a new colour system that will provide more accurate and wider colours, anti-reflection, and a frameless front.

To control the backlight more precisely, an improved 26-bit controller is used, and an upgraded system for halo control. The latter, with better regulation of the backlight with mini-LED, will more sharply render small and bright areas without spilling into the surrounding areas. The image processing is controlled by a TSR AI processor.

– This generation reaches 100 percent of BT.2020, so the level of contrast and colours is optimal. We focus on LED LCD with mini-LED as backlight, and we are not showing OLED here, says Johan Huss to the trade magazine Elektronikkbransjen.

BT.2020 is an international standard for colour space in TV and video technology, created by ITU (International Telecommunication Union), and Huss says it should be a solid competitive advantage that TCL X11L is one of very few TVs that cover 100 percent of this.

Blooming

– Control in the backlight is crucial to reduce blooming. With more and finer dimming zones, you get better precision in dark and light areas, even in demanding scenes, says Kallman.

The X11L comes with four HDMI 2.1 ports, support for Dolby Vision, an ultra-thin design of less than an inch with a completely flat back, as well as sound developed in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen. Users can expand the sound gradually with a wireless subwoofer and rear speakers via FlexConnect, and the TV offers hands-free voice control and Gemini for Google TV.

– Globally, we are number two in TV, and in the Nordics, we fluctuate between second and third place. A few years ago, we started securing the latest panel generation for ourselves first, and the goal is to combine brightness, colours, and control in one and the same TV, says Huss.