Home Entertainment ANALYSIS: TV


April 2023 ertonline.co.uk


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Although not explicitly confirmed by Samsung, it appears that the cheaper S90C uses the same panel as 2022’s S95B. Having apparently solved the challenge posed by the EU’s restrictive TV power consumption mandates, it’s also doubling down on 8K screens. There will be three in its 2023 line-up: the QN900C, QN800C and the QN700C, all with One Connect Boxes. The QN900C and QN800C will be available in 65, 75 and 85 inches, while the QN700C is available in 55-, 65- and 75-inches. The main difference is the number of dimming zones. All these Samsung 8K screens appear a


great option for gamers, as they feature a quartet of HDMIs that support 4K 120HZ video playback, as well as a VRR. If 8K is too much, Samsung’s perennially popular 4K QLED models are waiting in the wings. They comprises the Q60C, Q70C, and Q80C, and Neo QLED with Mini LED QN85C, QN90C and QN95C models.


TCL is also stepping up support for QLED, with its new 4K QLED C64 Series (seen below). Available in 55-, 65-, 75- and 85-inch


screen sizes, the line features a 4K Quantum Dot HDR Pro panel, with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support, plus Dolby Atmos audio. This new TCL range features Freeview Play (unlike Samsung), and works with Google Assistant.


The model has a bezel-less design and an adjustable dual position stand, allowing it to accommodate a soundbar below the screen. One novel selling point is algorithm-driven Full HD 120HZ support for console gamers. Sony may have rationalised its TV range for 2023, but it’s not hiding its brightest lights under a bushel. Like Samsung, the brand says its new QD-OLED flagship is twice as bright as its predecessor. It’s also bringing more local dimming zones to its LED models, with upgraded picture processing. The A95L QD- OLED, X95L Mini LED, X90L Full Array LED, and A80L OLED all utilise the latest iteration of Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR coupled, with new XR Clear Image technology, said to improve noise reduction and clarity with motion. A clear selling point is improved gaming support. The new Sony flatscreens have a dedicated Game Menu interface, which includes a novel custom screen size adjustment, which shrinks the video output from a console down to a smaller window so that gamers can more easily scan the game area. The A95L QD-OLED TV (pictured above) also features Multi-View, allowing gamers to play along with Twitch and YouTube streams. It’s available in 55-, 65- and 77-inch sizes. A second TV, the A80L OLED, will be available


in 55-, 65-, 77-, and 83-inch screen sizes. It doesn’t use the same high brightness screen. Likely to be a surprise hit this year is the X95L, a 4K Mini LED model. Available in 65-, 75- and 85-inch screen sizes, this delivers near-OLED contrast, thanks to XR Backlight Master Drive technology. It’s also very tolerant of room placement, thanks to X-Anti Reflection and X-Wide Angle panel treatments. Joining it in Sony’s line-up is the X90L – a


4K HDR Full Array LED screen, available in 55-, 65-, 75-, 85- and 98-inch screen sizes. Brightness, again, is a key selling point; it’s 30 per cent brighter than last year’s X90K. Another feature across the board is Acoustic


Centre Sync, which synchronises the TV’s audio system with the centre channel of a compatible Sony soundbar, thereby improving dialogue clarity. The models also work with Sony soundbars to offer 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, a process which enhances phantom speakers and sound field optimisation. This, Samsung’s Q-Symphony soundbar integration, and LG with Wow Orchestra, which uses the TV’s Alpha 9 AI processor Gen 6 to spread audio across all available speakers, all provide a strong reason for buyers to upgrade their soundbars as they replace their screens. TV sales should make sweet music this year, in more ways than one!


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