Home Theater Geeks 515: CES 2026 Part 2

Host: Scott Wilkinson
Date: January 22, 2026
Topic: CES 2026 – Major Video Announcements (Beyond Mini/Micro-LED)

Episode Overview

Scott Wilkinson continues his deep dive into the biggest home theater and video display news from CES 2026, focusing on next-generation TV and projector innovations beyond the mini- and micro-LED technologies covered in the previous episode. While regular co-host Mike Heiss is absent, Scott references Mike's notes and photos, offering detailed analysis of everything from Quantum Dot LCD upgrades to OLED advancements and AI-powered smart TVs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Stage: Mike Heiss’s Absence and Last Episode Recap

• [00:00–02:15]
  • Mike Heiss, who attended CES, was unable to join this episode but left extensive notes and photos.
  • Last episode (Part 1) focused on mini and micro RGB LED backlit LCD TVs, the "big video story" at CES 2026.
  • Correction: In previous discussion about Hisense’s direct view LED with a yellow sub-pixel, Mike was correct—it was Sharp (Quatron), not Philips, with the famous yellow-pixel TV:

    “Turns out he was right and I was wrong ... It was the Sharp Quatron, made famous by commercials ... with George Takei. Oh my.”
    — Scott Wilkinson [02:04]

TCL’s Big Reveal: X11L with “Super Quantum Dot”

• [02:16–06:30]
  • Flagship TCL Model: X11L mini-LED backlit LCD TV with "sqd" (super quantum dot) tech.
    • Quantum Dot Enhancement Film, not RGB.
    • Blue LEDs illuminate quantum dots (red & green), which, combined with blue, create white light for the LCD panel.
    • 20,000 local dimming zones, peak brightness up to 10,000 nits ("the maximum ... defined for high dynamic range").
    • “I don't think there has been a ... consumer display that reaches that peak brightness.” — Scott Wilkinson [03:24]
    • Supports Dolby Vision 2 Max (see Ep. 503 for details).
  • Quantum Dot Precision:
    • Nanosys refined quantum dot manufacturing to ±1 nm wavelength (from ±2 nm).
    • “We're talking some serious precision here ... less than one-tenth the width of a hydrogen atom.” — Scott Wilkinson [04:56]
    • Result: Better color purity and control, improved performance.
  • Color Claims:
    • TCL claims 100% BT.2020 color gamut, but Scott clarifies,

      “It's physically impossible ... to actually reach full coverage of BT 2020 color without using lasers. No LCD TV can do it.” [06:00]

    • Some manufacturers are even claiming "more than 100%," which Scott dismisses as marketing hype.
  • Audio and Build:
    • Integrated Bang & Olufsen audio.
    • Ultra-thin: “only an eighth of an inch deep.”
    • Sizes/prices: 75" ($7K), 85" ($8K), 98" ($10K).
  • Live Comparisons:
    • Show floor demo with TCL’s RGB mini-LED, SQD mini-LED, and regular QD mini-LED side-by-side—Mike noted the SQD looked "fantastic".

LG Advances: OLED Innovations and “Art TV”

• [06:45–09:22]
  • OLED Focus:
    • W6 “wallpaper” OLED TV: 9mm thick, wireless (except power), wireless connection box.
    • New primary RGB tandem OLED structure.
    • 3–4x brightness over last year’s model.
  • Model Updates:
    • C6 and G6 (2026 models); G6 offers up to 4500 nits peak brightness (3% window), regular WOLED in larger C6 sizes.
  • Art TV Trend:
    • LG introduces "Gallery Art TV"—like Samsung’s "The Frame".
    • “Gallery Plus” service with 4,500+ curated art pieces for display.
    • Compatible with W6, G6, LX7 models.
    • “Another big announcement by LG.” — Scott Wilkinson [09:18]

Samsung: All-in on AI & QD-OLED

• [14:33–16:33]
  • AI Integration:
    • AI central to TV processing, UI, content recommendations, and interaction.
    • “AI was everywhere ... Samsung went all in ... Vision AI as an everyday utility.” — Scott Wilkinson [14:33]
  • Product Highlights:
    • S95H QD-OLED: Now with optional wireless One Connect box—wireless operation (extra cost), eight HDMI inputs.
      • “I don't think I've ever heard of a TV with eight HDMI inputs ... not quite sure why.” [15:19]
    • Step-down S90H (some sizes QD-OLED, some regular OLED), S85H below that.
    • Neo QLED (Quantum Dot enhancement; blue backlight LCD) up to 100".

Sharp Returns, Plus Oddities & Quick Mentions

• [16:34–18:40]
  • Sharp:
    • Returns with Aquos QLED Smart TVs, new Zumo OS (joint venture with Comcast & Charter).
    • 50"-85" sizes, immediate availability.
  • Amazon TVs:
    • Rebranding Fire TV house brand to “Ember”.
  • Louvre:
    • German brand returns; some TVs with concrete back panels (“What? That doesn't make any sense to me ... heavy TVs decades ago.” — Scott Wilkinson [17:54])
  • Silvox:
    • 110" frameless outdoor TV, 5,000 nit peak brightness.
  • Dream (DREAME) Aura TV:
    • 4K mini-LED, 55"–85" sizes.
  • Displace:
    • Updates "truly wireless" TV—battery powered, active suction cup wall mount, AI features, OLED panel.
    • Hub mount also unveiled; can be used with any TV ("...graciously allows the TV to slip down the wall" if battery runs low).
    • “If it were to lose power and the TV crashed to the ground, that would not be good.” — Scott Wilkinson [18:23]

Projectors at CES: Notable Debuts

• [18:41–21:47]
  • Hisense XR10:
    • 6,000 lumens, 8,000:1 dynamic contrast, lens shift/zoom for easy placement.
  • Samsung:
    • “Freestyle” Compact Projector, 430 lumens, AI-powered screen optimization.
  • XGIMI Titan Noir Max:
    • Dynamic iris, re-engineered DLP chip, claimed 10,000:1 native contrast.
  • 4Movie:
    • XMing Chapter One: LCD liquid-cooled, 2,000 lumens.
    • Page Two & Episode Two: Additional LCD models.
    • Theater Premium: High-end UST projector with three-laser illumination, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, 3,000:1 contrast.
    • “...the one I think that won the last shootout.” — Scott Wilkinson [21:28]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Quantum Dot Advances:

  “We're talking some serious precision here ... less than one-tenth the width of a hydrogen atom.”
  — Scott Wilkinson [04:56]

• On TV Marketing Claims:

  “Some of the manufacturers at CES were claiming more than 100% BT 2020, which is also clearly impossible even with lasers. So you take that with a grain of salt.”
  — Scott Wilkinson [06:05]

• On OLED Brightness Gains:

  “OLEDs are getting brighter all the time. 4500 nits is a lot.”
  — Scott Wilkinson [09:09]

• On Louvre’s Concrete TV:

  “What? That doesn't make any sense to me. I thought we lost heavy TVs decades ago … but for some reason they have concrete back panels.”
  — Scott Wilkinson [17:54]

• On Displace TV Failsafe:

  “When its battery is losing its charge, it ... gracefully allows the TV to slip down the wall which is good ... if it crashed to the ground, that would not be good.”
  — Scott Wilkinson [18:23]

Additional Information & Listener Interactivity

• Audience Q&A:
  • Listeners are encouraged to submit home theater questions and photos for possible feature on the show.
  • “If you have a home theater that you're proud of and you want to share ... send me a few pics and a little bit of description ... maybe we'll feature it.” — Scott Wilkinson [22:37]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Time |
|-------------------------------------------|-----------|
| Opening, Mike Heiss recap, last episode | 00:00–02:15 | | TCL Super Quantum Dot deep dive | 02:16–06:45 | | LG OLED & Art TV announcements | 06:45–09:22 | | Samsung AI, QD-OLED & Neo QLED | 14:33–16:33 | | Sharp, Amazon, Louvre, Silvox, Dream, Displace | 16:34–18:40 | | Projector highlights | 18:41–21:47 | | Closing, next week’s tease, listener call | 21:48–22:40 |

Tone and Style

Scott maintains a geeky, informed, conversational tone, blending technical analysis, personal anecdotes, and a touch of humor—making the coverage approachable for enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a comprehensive, insightful guide to the key trends and hottest products in home theater video technology from CES 2026, highlighting the cutting edge in OLED, Quantum Dot LCDs, AI-powered interfaces, and projectors—peppered with honest takes on “marketing hype” and surprising oddities. If you’re shopping for a next-gen display or just love nerding out on the latest tech, Scott’s rundown is essential listening.