On the opening Monday of CES 2020, TCL took the stage with a display technology called Vidrian Mini-LED, designed to give LCD LED-TV pictures sharper contrast and brighter luminance. It is meant to improve TCL’s 8K LCD panels.
The trade show’s TV makers, three of them Chinese, pushed bigger sets, higher contrast and what China Daily called the “new normal” for the industry. AI is changing the job description, too. TVs are no longer just for watching; they are becoming the central hub for controlling smart appliances at home.
The Chinese makers
Skyworth, based in Shenzhen, announced on Sunday that it wants a place in the American TV market, and it held its first global product launch event in the US on the sidelines of CES. It showed two wallpaper-thin OLED TVs, the W81 and W81 pro, and the Q91, its first 8K TV for US consumers. All run on Swaiot technology, which links the TV to other smart appliances.
Skyworth chief brand officer Leo Tang told China Daily the US is a highly competitive market with major prospects, especially for high-end products. He said the company chose to reveal its first 8K product now because it believes 8K content and the industry chain have matured. The sets reach US buyers in June, followed by Europe and Southeast Asia.
Hisense showed a wide range of TVs. Its L5 4K laser set uses an ultra short throw projector. “The L5 brings a big-screen cinematic experience home at an incredible price of $5,999,” said David Gold, vice-president of consumer electronics at Hisense Americas. The H9G quantum series, the newest in its Android TV lineup, uses quantum dot for “true to life color” and adds Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and a built-in Google Assistant. Lan Lin, executive vice-president of Hisense Group, said US sales of Hisense TVs rose more than 50 percent.
TCL, whose North American sales volume is up 31.7 percent year-on-year, also unveiled QLED sets in its X series and Cityline series. The X915 has an 8K quantum dot display and supports Dolby Vision HDR. Aaron Dew, director of product development at TCL North America, said TCL has joined the 8K Association to develop a certified program and plans sets this year that will exceed its standards. TCL is also working with Roku on the first 8K TCL Roku TV, due later this year.
LG, Panasonic and Samsung
At its Monday news conference LG showed a rollable 65-inch OLED TV and, for the first time, offered a 48-inch OLED as an option. Company officials pointed to ThinQ, LG’s own AI platform, which does jobs such as picking the best laundry cycle.
Panasonic spoke briefly about a new flagship OLED TV for 2020. Samsung unveiled its Micro LED TV, called The Wall.
The numbers
The Consumer Technology Association says TVs remain the flagship technology in many US homes. TV makers will ship 40.8 million units in 2020, it projects, bringing in $23.4 billion in revenue.
