TCL QM8 98 inch monster TV

[Sonnie]

I've been considering a projector upgrade from the JVC NX9 to the NZ9... but then I've been very curious if I'd be happier with a 98" TV. I know I would as far as noise and connections, and when I don't have the lights all the way down in the room, which granted is only occasionally. It just seems all the TV displays always have more pop than the projectors. All of the 98" models seem to have some sort of issues, but maybe they are worth it. They are sure a lot less expensive and it would be easier to upgrade every year, especially when the 110" comes out.

 

[JStewart]

@Robert Zohn at Value Electronics is carrying the Hisense U8K in 100 inch. The U8K was also in his recent Flat Panel Shootout, so he would have some good info for you on how it might compare.
And IIRC @Todd Anderson saw the U8K 100 inch at CEDIA.

I’ve also thought about doing the same thing. The biggest thing going for the projector is the movie theater like picture, but as you point, out the FPs also have benefits. Not having fan noise and heat are the two that appeal most to me.

Of course for over 100“ projector wins and for those wanting the best movie sound experience with LCR at the same height and behind an acoustically transparent screen, projector wins again.

 

[Sonnie]

What I watch most of the time is at 98" size screen anyway, with 16:9 ratio. Granted, I have a 128" screen, but that is used only on the few occasions I see a movie in 2:35:1 (or some widescreen ratio)... and believe it or not, the last few movies I watched, including Top Gun, I didn't even zoom the bars off the screen, I left it at the same size with bars showing on the white part of the screen. I don't know... it just seemed to be easier to watch. Age and eyesight may have changed what I prefer now. Netflix also has some different aspect ratios now for several shows I've watched that has thin bars top and bottom. The screen size won't be an issue for me at 98". If the picture looks good, I'm thinking the TV set will be the choice for me. I can always try it, keeping my PJ where it is until I know for sure.

The question is which one? From what I've read around the net, the TCL QM8 98" is favored over the Hisense U8K 100"... but not sure about the Sony X90L... need to research it more. We have a Sony 77" A80K in our great room that we got from Robert at Value Electronics, and it is stunning even with our windows blinds open all across the side of the room... and we have full floor to ceiling windows with a 10' high ceiling... in other words, lots of light. At night, with the light dimmed, it's even better.

 

[Sonnie]

I watched this YouTube comparing the X90L and QM8 ... while the QM8 did appear brighter and had more pop to it, to me it was not as natural as the X90L. The color, detail, and motion were also better on the Sony.

This YouTube comparison is telling for sure... seems the X90L wins out again.

 

[JStewart]

Just to add to the confusion Rtings preferred the Hisense U8K to the Sony X90L and TCL QM8

From Rtings X90L review:

Hisense U8/U8K
55" 65" 75" 85" 100"
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

The Hisense U8/U8K is better than the Sony X90L/X90CL. The Hisense is brighter than the Sony with much better reflection handling, so it looks better in a bright room. It also has better contrast, black uniformity, and local dimming feature, so the Hisense looks better in a dark room. The Sony has the edge in response time, upscaling, and HDR gradient handling, although the Hisense also has good image processing. However, the Sony is the more stable TV overall, as the Hisense is a bit buggy.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Sonnie, are you thinking about switching out a projector/screen for a 100” TV?

If I’m reading that correctly, and you were actually considering an NZ9, then that tells me you have some budget wiggle room. ;-). I would call robert up and talk with him about options in the 85-100” OLED or, better yet, QOLED, range from Sony, Samsung, and LG (tho, LG doesn’t have QOLED… Their equivalent technology has a different name).

The Hisense 100” that landed at CEDIA is crazy impressive… but I think a lot of its impressive factor comes from the size for price. I’m fairly certain it is landing below 5K. That said, and I think @Robert Zohn would agree, the OLED technologies on the market will give your eyes a significantly better presentation.

It’s not that the Hisense is bad. It’s good. But the OLED gets you reference.

 

[Sonnie]

Yeah... I just trust Sony to be the most accurate with the best and most consistent processing. I'm not 100% that I want to go the 100" TV route, but it makes sense that I may like it better than the projector option. I'm going to get the Sony 98X90L from Robert (Sony will ship direct to me) and try it out for a few months. If I end up liking the idea of a TV over the projector, then I'll see about getting one of the nicer OLED models. They'll have some new ones at CES and perhaps a 110" version as well. I'd rather start out at a lower cost to make sure I like it before dropping some serious cash on the OLED models.

 

[Robert Zohn]

All good comments! FYI, LG has a three day Black Friday promotion on the 97": G2 Gallery Series OLED TV for $23,697. all in and delivered Nationwide.

 

[Sonnie]

A few telling moments in the comparison...

 

[Ty_Tanium]

For me personally, I'll take better picture quality over size any day of the week. That's why I went with a flat panel over a projector when I built my theater. At the time, 100" flat panels weren't available so I went with an 85". I haven't gotten that much use out of it yet otherwise I'd be thinking about one of the 100"ers for sure.

 

[Todd Anderson]

There are some projectors out there that can throw jaw dropping images... but they come with the inconvenience of having to be used in a light-controlled room. I can certainly appreciate the choice of going with a TV instead of a projector. But when it comes to movies in a home theater room, I love the projector experience

 

[Ty_Tanium]

I can certainly understand that. I have relatives who feel the same way.

 

[Sonnie]

That's why I'm only covering up my screen with the framed and painted canvas for now. I'll have to watch a few movies to see what it's like in my room. I have no way of knowing what I like the best because I've never had a TV in my room... much less one that is 98" in size.