(image credit: Stewart Wolpin / TWICE)
TCL is starting to ship its new flagship TVs, available only in 85- to 115-inch models, and two lower-priced Super Quantum Dot versions that the company considers better than other vendors’ flagship models
Former two-time Super Bowl-winning NY Giants quarterback Eli Manning helped TCL kick off a glitzy New York launch event for the company’s latest premium TVs, leaning into the company’s positioning of the new RM9L as “the best RGB Mini-LED TV” while highlighting the real-world viewing benefits of the new sets’ brighter, blacker, and more accurate color and contrast RGB image.
Manning, who joked that TCL’s ultra-clear TVs might have given armchair quarterbacks “more ammo” during his playing days, emphasized the RM9L’s ability to reproduce lifelike color and detail—whether watching live sports or major events like the Masters. “They didn’t see my signals; they didn’t see my missed throws. So that’s good,” Manning quipped. “I’m happy it’s here now. I get to sit on my TV, I get to see the great colors and all the action [that] wasn’t around when I was playing. Thank goodness!”
At the center of TCL’s announcement is the flagship RM9L, the company’s first entry into the RGB Mini-LED category. TCL says the set combines dedicated red, green, and blue LEDs with its CSOT UltraColor Filter and a new 120-bit color control system to deliver 100% BT.2020 color performance, along with improved uniformity and shadow detail.
The company is pitching RGB Mini-LED as a step beyond traditional Mini-LED approaches, enabling more precise color reproduction by generating pure color wavelengths directly from the backlight. The RM9L also integrates TCL’s enhanced Halo Control System and TSR AI Pro processing for scene-by-scene optimization, alongside up to 6,000 nits of peak brightness and more than 3,800 local dimming zones.
“This will be the year of extraordinary color, and TCL’s new RM9L series will lead the industry in RGB-Mini LED technology—with rich 100% BT2020 Color, and more consistent pixel-by-pixel color accuracy and saturation, in ultra large sizes that truly make an impact,” bragged Scott Ramirez, TCL’s VP of product marketing and development. “TCL has developed the Ultimate RGB.”
Alongside the RM9L, TCL introduced two SQD Mini-LED models—the QM8L and QM7L—which expand its “high color” strategy with what TCL calls a Deep Color System combining Super Quantum Dots, an UltraColor Filter, and advanced color algorithms. The QM8L is positioned as an “ultimate choice” model that rivals flagship competitors, while the QM7L targets a more accessible price tier with what TCL says is unmatched color performance in its class.
The QM8L delivers up to 4,000 local dimming zones and 6,000 nits of brightness, while the QM7L offers up to 2,100 zones and 3,000 nits—still exceeding the brightness of many premium OLED sets, according to TCL. Both models include Bang & Olufsen audio and support for expandable wireless surround configurations using Dolby Atmos FlexConnect.
“It’s a monster,” boasted Ramirez. “It not only has 100% BT2020 color. You color more precisely than anybody else, but it also has 20,000 dimming zones, or up to 10,000 peak nets. That is still more zones and more nits than other people’s flagships.”
A key cross-line feature is upcoming support for Dolby Vision 2 Max, which TCL says will be delivered via an over-the-air update this summer. The next-generation HDR format is designed to improve existing Dolby Vision content as well as new material, using features such as bi-directional tone mapping and enhanced motion processing.
“Dolby has never done a version two of anything, but Dolby Vision 2 is a significant enough advancement that we actually have named it,” noted Chris Turkstra, Dolby’s VP of home devices. “There are two tiers that we’re working on, and these technologies together are really killing some problems that have been out in the industry for some time. [For instance] Judder has been removed by a feature called Authentic Motion. The image engine actually does a bunch of this work, so we’re super excited to bring this to market and be working with TCL to do that.”
Turkstra also stressed that Dolby Vision 2 “makes Dolby Vision 1 content better,” and allows viewers to benefit from improved picture quality across streaming, broadcast, and disc-based sources. He added that new capabilities—including a dedicated sports mode—give content creators and broadcasters greater control over color accuracy and motion, helping ensure that everything from jersey colors to environmental details like snow appear exactly as intended.
All three series—RM9L, QM8L, and QM7L—also integrate Google TV with Gemini voice capabilities, along with gaming features such as high refresh rates and HDMI 2.1 support.
SOURCE: TWICE