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TCL C9K TV, Mini LED Gen 7, 6,000 nits and 5,000 zones

At a press conference in Paris this morning, the Chinese manufacturer announced the TCL C9K TV series, featuring the brand's seventh generation of Mini LED backlighting. It comes in three screen sizes, from 65" to 85".
The C9K Mini LED TV series will therefore have three references, the TCL 65C9K (165 cm), TCL 75C9K (191 cm) and TCL 85C9K (216 cm).

TCL C9K, 7th generation Mini LED backlight system££££ TCL specifies that the Gen 7 Mini LED backlight oscillates between OD5 and OD7, without further details. However, this is a drastic reduction in optical distance compared to that of the various Mini LED systems in the TV series available in 2024, which oscillated between OD8 and OD20 values. And to formalize this evolution, TCL bluntly mentions the term Micro OD, specifying that the latter will improve image uniformity by an unprecedented 143%.

For the rest, we find a native 10-bit [abc]Ultra HD[/abc] [abc]4K[/abc] panel and a refresh rate of 144 hertz. The C9K series televisions have a huge number of backlight zones: 2,160 zones for the 65" model, 2,888 zones for the 85" model and 5,148 zones for the 98-inch model. These diffusers are equipped with very small diodes, measuring 100 microns, equipped with a lens that improves the light diffusion angle to 160°, compared to 130° for previous models. This lens not only improves screen uniformity by reducing the Clouding phenomenon by 60.63%, but also minimizes Blooming, which manifests itself as halos around the luminous elements on a dark background thanks to an optimized shape for a significantly better controlled light path (less leakage and less disturbance of neighboring diodes). Also worth knowing about the diodes that equip this seventh generation Mini LED, their brightness is 33% higher than the previous generation while consuming approximately 40% less energy.

Of course, the backlighting system of the TCL C9K incorporates the technological advances of the previous models, TCL C89B or TCL X955. The LED diodes used are identical in terms of colorimetric characteristics, guaranteeing optimal image homogeneity. In addition, these LEDs are capable of changing state very quickly, eliminating shadows on moving objects thanks to Direct Drive technology. This precise 16-bit brightness control is carried out over more than 65,536 steps and ensures faithful reproduction of the slightest image variations. Thus, these are taken into account and reproduced on the screen for increased realism. As a result, the light halo phenomenon is reduced by 96%, good news for better controlling Blooming linked to transmissive LCD technology.

Similarly, TCL announces that the diodes of the 7 generation Mini LED are capable of changing state extremely quickly, a period of time less than that required to display an image, even with a 120 hertz signal. Thus, there is no latency between the signal and the response of the diodes, which until now was the cause of a slight blurring of the image and a lack of dynamics. TCL calls this capability of its Mini LED 2025 system Zero Delay Transient Response.

To round off the hardware improvements of this 7th generation Mini LED from TCL, we must mention the Crystglow HVA Panel process. Already mentioned in our news about the Samsung 2025 TV range, this offers a wider viewing angle, more or less equivalent to that of IPS LCD panels, combined with a very high-performance anti-reflective coating.

TCL C9K, technical specifications and connectivity££££

The TCL C9K displays an impressive peak brightness of 6,000 nits and incorporates QLED Pro technology allowing 98% coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut thanks to nanocrystals with a unique alloy for a more pronounced reaction to light. TCL mentions more "vibrant" nanocrystals and increased longevity, 100,000 hours of viewing in the best conditions, that is to say, benefiting from preserved Quantum Dots qualities (before degradation). The management of HDR10, [abc]HDR10+[/abc], [abc]HDR10+ Adaptive[/abc] and [abc]HDR Dolby Vision[/abc] technologies, associated with the Dolby Vision IQ functionality (brightness sensor), is in place. We can also mention the Filmmaker mode, Imax Enhanced certification, 120 Hz MEMC motion compensation and an anti-blue light mode. All implemented by the AiPQ Pro processor.

In terms of connectivity, the TCL C9K TVs are equipped with four [abc]HDMI[/abc] [abc]2.1[/abc] ports certified for [abc]HFR[/abc] 4K/144, [abc]eARC[/abc], [abc]VRR[/abc], FreeSync Premium and [abc]ALLM[/abc] technologies. Other connectors include an [abc]optical[/abc] output, a [abc]USB[/abc][abc]3.0[/abc] port, a USB Host 2.0 port, an [abc]Ethernet[/abc] port, a headphone output and a [abc]CI+ port[/abc].

TCL C9K, 4.2.2 sound section££££ TCL C9K televisions are equipped with 4.2.2 sound equipment from Bang & Olufsen, compatible with [abc]Dolby Atmos[/abc], [abc]DTS-HD[/abc] and DTS Virtual:X. Precision, the TCL C9K screens have a [abc]DVB-T[/abc]2, [abc]DVB-S[/abc]2 and [abc]DVB-C[/abc] tuner.

TCL C9K, Smart Google TV££££ As for Smart TV features, the TCL C9K televisions run on Google TV (Android 12) and support [abc]Wi-Fi[/abc] 6 connectivity as well as [abc]Bluetooth[/abc] 5.2. [abc]AirPlay 2[/abc] and HomeKit certifications, as well as compatibility with Alexa, are also present, allowing for seamless integration into a connected environment. Finally, the TCL C9KH TVs are ready for the Gemini voice assistant intended to replace Google Assistant in the coming months (see our news Google Assistant is over).

TCL C9K, Game Master Pro 3.0 function with DLG 288 Hz££££ TCL has not forgotten video game fans with the new Game Master Pro 3.0 feature. In addition to managing the 144 Hz frequency, FreeSync and direct access to various TV settings to optimize the gaming experience, the TCL C9K TVs have minimal Input Lag, less than 6 ms in the presence of a 120 hertz signal.

Finally, DLG (Dual Line Gate) technology is present. The latter, by halving the vertical resolution (so in [abc]1 080p[/abc] and not [abc]2 160p[/abc]), offers a 288 Hz display for a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.

TCL C9K, minimalist design££££ Another remarkable point of the TCL C9K TVs is the almost total disappearance of the LCD panel frame. This is still visible at the bottom of the LCD panel but it is very fine everywhere else (see photos above and below). If we add to this an image that literally licks the edge of the screen (the black surround of the matrix is now just a memory, the image now occupying 100% of the panel), the final rendering is absolutely splendid. Sober, elegant, statutory! Lastly, the TCL C9K TVs have a central stand.

Availability expected between April and early May. Indicative prices: €1,999 for the TCL 65C9K, €2,999 for the TCL 75C9K and €3,999 for the TCL 85C9K.

Reminder of the key features of TCL C9K TVs:

• 10-bit panel

• [abc]LCD[/abc] VA panel

• [abc]Ultra HD[/abc]/[abc]4K[/abc] panel

• Crystglow HVA Panel coating

• 144 Hz panel

• Processor: Quad Core

• Mega Contrast enhancement function

• Wide Color Gamut function

• UHD Color Extender function

• Multimedia gateway function [abc]UPnP[/abc] ([abc]DLNA[/abc])

• DVR function

• [abc]eARC[/abc] function

• [abc]VRR[/abc] function

• [abc]ALLM[/abc] function (Auto Low Latency Mode)

• 4K [abc]HFR[/abc] 120 function

• Quantum Dots function

• UHD Super Resolution function

• Game Master Pro 2.0 function

• DLG 288 Hz function

• AiPQ Pro function

• [abc]HDR10[/abc] and [abc]HDR HLG[/abc] compatibility

• [abc]HDR10+[/abc] compatibility

• [abc]HDR10+ Adaptive[/abc] compatibility

• [abc]Miracast[/abc] compatibility

• [abc]HDR Dolby Vision IQ compatibility[/abc]

• [abc]HEVC[/abc] compatibility

• [abc]Dolby Atmos[/abc]

• [abc]HBBTV[/abc]

compatibility

• FreeSync compatibility

• [abc]CEC[/abc]

compatibility

• [abc]Canal Ready[/abc]

compatibility

• [abc]Bluetooth[/abc] 5.4 compatibility

• DTS Virtual:X compatibility

• [abc]DTS-HD[/abc]

compatibility

• [abc]HDCP[/abc] 2.2 compatibility

• [abc]Wi-Fi[/abc] ax compatibility

• [abc]Chromecast (built-in)[/abc]

compatibility

• Filmmaker Mode

• Imax Enhanced certification

• Outputs: 1 optical, 1 headphone

• Inputs: 4 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x USB Host 3.0, 1 x USB Host 2.0, 1 x Ethernet, 1 x CI+

• AirPlay 2 Multimedia

• HomeKit Multimedia

• Google Assistant Multimedia

• Works with Alexa Multimedia

• Google TV Multimedia

• Google Gemini Multimedia

• MEMC Motion Compensation

• Mini LED Backlight System

• Input Lag: < 6 ms

• Number of Zones: 2,160 on the 65", 2,888 on the 75" and 5,148 on the 85"

• Light peak: 6,000 nits

• Tuner [abc]DVB-T[/abc]2

• Tuner [abc]DVB-C[/abc]

• Tuner [abc]DVB-S[/abc]2

• Sound section: 4.2.2

• Power: 90 W

• Energy label: G

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