Home Theater Geeks 466: CES 2025 Part 2: TVs – Detailed Summary

In the second part of their discussion on CES 2025, Scott Wilkinson, the Home Theater Geek, engages with Mike Heiss, an industry journalist and consultant, to delve deep into the latest advancements and trends in television technology showcased at the event. This episode provides an extensive overview of the innovations presented by leading TV manufacturers, shifts in market dynamics, and emerging standards shaping the future of home entertainment.

1. Shifting Market Dynamics: Rise of Hisense and TCL

Scott Wilkinson initiates the conversation by highlighting the major players in the TV industry present at CES 2025: Hisense, LG, Samsung, and TCL. Notably absent from the new TV showcases was Sony, which instead spotlighted a cool car ([00:29] Scott Wilkinson).

Mike Heiss challenges the traditional perception of Hisense and TCL as second-tier brands, stating, "Not anymore" ([01:33] Mike Heiss). Scott concurs, asserting that these brands have ascended to first-tier status due to their innovative features and competitive pricing ([01:35] Scott Wilkinson).

Hisense's Breakthroughs

Hisense unveiled several cutting-edge TVs:

• 136x136 Inch MicroLED Display: Featuring direct view MicroLED technology with 4K resolution, Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDMI 2.1. This model boasts gaming features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and All-Motion Compensation (ALM), covering 95% of the BT.2020 color gamut and achieving up to 10,000 nits of peak brightness ([02:34] Scott Wilkinson).

  "It's 4K, it's 97% of the BT 2020 color gamut, and it goes up to 10,000 nits of peak brightness."
  — Scott Wilkinson ([03:26])

• 163 Inch MicroLED TV: Mirrors the specifications of the 136-inch model, emphasizing Hisense's commitment to scaling MicroLED technology for larger displays ([05:31] Scott Wilkinson).

• LQ9ust Ultra Short Throw Projector: A three-laser projector with 5,000 lumens output and 110% of the BT.2020 color space, capable of filling a 150-inch screen. It integrates seamlessly with ambient light-rejecting (ALR) screens suitable for showroom environments ([10:31] Scott Wilkinson).

• Integrated Rollable Screen Projector: An ultra short throw projector housed within a motorized, rollable screen case, allowing for a clean, wire-free setup ([11:07] Scott Wilkinson).

Mike Heiss praises Hisense's advancements, noting their strategic focus on improving picture quality and integrating innovative features that cater to both enthusiasts and mainstream consumers.

2. LG’s EVO OLED Lineup and Wireless Innovations

LG presented its 2025 lineup under the EVO OLED banner, which includes the high-end M5 and the slightly more affordable G5 models. These TVs showcase enhanced brightness, faster refresh rates up to 165Hz, and support for Nvidia's G-Sync and AMD's FreeSync technologies, catering to the gaming community ([13:36] Scott Wilkinson).

Key innovations include:

• Voice-Recognizing Remote: The new remote allows for more conversational commands, leveraging AI integration for a more intuitive user experience ([14:29] Mike Heiss).

• Zero Connect Box: This groundbreaking accessory transmits audio and video signals wirelessly to the TV, significantly reducing cable clutter for wall-mounted setups. Its design ensures minimal visibility of remaining wires, enhancing the sleek aesthetic of modern living spaces ([15:20] Scott Wilkinson).

  "They were so meticulous about that that the wires that are there or for the power, there's a recess in the back of the set so that you can mount it as close to the wall as possible."
  — Mike Heiss ([16:12])

These features position LG as a frontrunner in combining high-quality display technology with user-centric design enhancements.

3. Panasonic’s Resurgence with OLED and Mini LED Technologies

Panasonic made a notable comeback at CES 2025, re-establishing itself as a significant player in the TV market. They introduced:

• Z95B OLED: Utilizing a new four-layer panel structure previously discussed with LG, this model delivers outstanding picture quality, both in controlled environments and under ambient lighting conditions present on the show floor ([17:49] Mike Heiss).

  "They've moved to a four-layer OLED structure and are doing away with the microlens array, which was their big technological feature of the last couple of years."
  — Scott Wilkinson ([18:57])

• W95B Mini LED LCD TV: This model features two and a half times the number of dimming zones compared to its predecessor, although it still falls below a thousand dimming zones. Panasonic acknowledges that the conversation around dimming zones is evolving, emphasizing overall picture quality over mere zone count ([19:05] Scott Wilkinson).

  "It's not just about the dimming zones, which is true. And it's about how does the picture look?"
  — Mike Heiss ([20:36])

Interestingly, Panasonic opts to use phosphorus instead of quantum dots in their mini LED technology, a strategic choice possibly driven by cost considerations or material performance ([21:19] Scott Wilkinson).

4. Samsung’s OLED and Emerging Micro LED Ventures

Samsung continued to push the envelope with its OLED offerings and hinted at future Micro LED technologies:

• QD OLED Series: The S95F model stands out with Quantum Dot OLED technology, achieving peak brightness levels of up to 4,000 nits—a first for OLEDs. Alongside, models like the S90F and S85F offer regular OLED experiences with refresh rates reaching 165Hz ([22:39] Mike Heiss).

  "The QD OLED. The S95F can get up to 4,000 nits of peak brightness, which I've never heard an OLED could do that before."
  — Scott Wilkinson ([22:39])

• Micro LED Backlight: In a secret showcase, Samsung introduced a Micro LED backlight featuring RGB LEDs, enhancing contrast and color accuracy through individual cell control. While not yet available commercially, this technology signifies Samsung's ongoing investment in next-generation display solutions ([24:19] Mike Heiss).

• Wireless One Connect: Samsung unveiled its version of the wireless connection box, facilitating a wire-free setup by transmitting audio and video signals without the need for multiple cables behind the TV ([26:23] Scott Wilkinson).

Mike Heiss underscores Samsung's dual approach of refining existing OLED technologies while exploring innovative Micro LED solutions poised to redefine display standards.

5. TCL’s Vertical Integration and Affordable Mini LED TVs

TCL showcased its vertically integrated approach, developing in-house mini LED technology through its division CSOT (China Star Optical). This strategy allows TCL to maintain control over their display manufacturing process, ensuring high quality and competitive pricing.

• QM6K Model: A Quantum Dot-based mini LED LCD TV, the QM6K demonstrates over a 50% increase in brightness, 500 dimming zones, and covers 98% of the DCI P3 color gamut. TCL strategically priced this high-end set at $750 for 50 inches, making advanced display technology more accessible.

  "They claim to have increased brightness by over 50%, 500 dimming zones, 98% of DCI P3 color gamut."
  — Scott Wilkinson ([29:27] Mike Heiss)

• QM891G: Touted as the world's largest QD mini LED TV at 115 inches, this model exemplifies TCL's commitment to pushing the boundaries of display size without exorbitant costs ([30:35] Mike Heiss).

Mike Heiss remarks on the competitive pricing, noting the significant reduction from historical high prices, such as the original Panasonic 103-inch plasma TV, which commanded six-figure prices ([30:10] Mike Heiss).

6. Sharp’s Return and the Role of Operating Systems

Sharp, once a dominant force in the TV market, made a noteworthy return at CES 2025, powered by TiVo. This partnership allows Sharp to leverage established OS platforms without developing proprietary systems.

• TiVo Integration: By adopting TiVo’s operating system, Sharp focuses on delivering quality video processing while outsourcing ad sales and other OS-related functionalities ([35:04] Mike Heiss).

• Upcoming Models: Sharp is set to introduce TVs with the Zumo X UMO operating system, a joint venture between Charter and Comcast, aimed at enhancing integration for cable subscribers ([37:08] Mike Heiss).

Mike Heiss discusses the variety of operating systems available, including Roku, Google TV, and Fire TV, emphasizing consumer preference for picture quality over OS features. He suggests that while some users might favor specific interfaces, the overarching priority remains the visual performance of the TV ([38:49] Scott Wilkinson).

7. Next Gen TV and HDR10+ Adoption

The conversation shifts towards ATSC 3.0 (Next Gen TV), highlighting its enhanced broadcasting capabilities:

• Advanced Features: ATSC 3.0 supports higher resolutions, improved HDR standards like Dolby Vision and HDR10+, and interactive applications, enhancing the over-the-air viewing experience ([38:55] Mike Heiss).

• Device Support: While integrated into newer TVs, external receiver boxes remain essential for broader compatibility. Brands like Zapper, Zinwell, and Adth offer these ATSC 3.0 receiver boxes, providing consumers with access to Next Gen features without purchasing brand-new TVs ([40:11] Mike Heiss).

• HDR10+ Expansion: Continuous adoption by major content providers such as Disney Plus, Apple TV, Paramount, and YouTube underscores the growing importance of HDR10+ in delivering superior picture quality ([41:52] Scott Wilkinson).

  "HDR10+ was continuing to gain ground at CES."
  — Mike Heiss ([41:52])

Mike Heiss emphasizes the importance of metadata in HDR formats, which allows broadcasters to encode content dynamically, ensuring optimal picture quality across different devices and content types ([42:04] Mike Heiss).

8. Final Insights and Future Outlook

As the discussion draws to a close, Scott Wilkinson reflects on the plethora of advancements showcased at CES 2025, expressing enthusiasm for the future of TV technology:

"Then the bottom line in terms of video, what we've been talking about for this part two is, yes, there were some significant, even without cleaning off my glasses, ability to see improvements."
— Mike Heiss ([43:46] Scott Wilkinson)

Looking ahead, Scott invites listeners to tune into part three of the series, which will focus on audio innovations, promising a continuation of the in-depth exploration of home theater advancements.

Key Takeaways

• Hisense and TCL have solidified their positions as first-tier TV brands through innovative features and competitive pricing.

• LG continues to enhance its EVO OLED lineup with higher refresh rates and wireless connectivity solutions like the Zero Connect Box.

• Panasonic is making a strong comeback with advanced OLED and mini LED technologies, emphasizing overall picture quality over technical specifications like dimming zones.

• Samsung is advancing both OLED and Micro LED technologies, with a focus on peak brightness and wireless integration.

• TCL's vertical integration allows for high-quality, affordable mini LED TVs, making advanced technologies more accessible to consumers.

• Sharp's partnership with TiVo and introduction of the Zumo X UMO OS signify a strategic pivot to maintain relevance in a competitive market.

• ATSC 3.0 and HDR10+ are gaining traction, enhancing over-the-air broadcasting standards and HDR content delivery.

This comprehensive overview encapsulates the key discussions from Home Theater Geeks 466: CES 2025 Part 2: TVs, providing listeners and technology enthusiasts with a clear understanding of the current landscape and future directions in television technology.