IFA 23 > TCL X955 4K Ultra HD TV: Mini LED OD5, 5,000 nits, HDR10, Dolby Vision/Atmos, 144 Hz and Google TV

This new Mini LED TV series has three references, the TCL 85X955 (216 cm), TCL 98X955 (249 cm) and the monstrous TCL 115X955 (292 cm). Note, if until then the prefix "X" at TCL referred to the 8K definition, the TCL X955 series is of an Ultra HD 4K nature. Of course, the design remains resolutely premium.

TCL X955, 5th generation OD5 Mini LED backlight and new LED Ultra HD 4K LCD VA 144 Hz models, the TCL X955 televisions are equipped with an advanced fifth-generation Mini LED system called OD5 (distance between the backlight system and the LCD panel of 5 mm), which allows extremely fine the screen. The panel is of course 10-bit native. In terms of zones, the X955 televisions represent the brand's ultimate, they are much better equipped than all the other series: 5,184 zones to be exact, not one less, on all the diagonals. Precision, the TCL X955 series embed diodes of a new type: they measure 100 microns and are gilded with a lens to improve the angle of light diffusion to 160° (cf. first photo below), against 130 degrees. And since these areas each have six LEDs (see second photo below), this gives us a total of 31,164 diodes.

Namely, the lens is used to control the diffusion of light to, on the one hand significantly improve the uniformity of the slab (eliminate clouding), by 60.63% according to the brand, on the other hand reduce to zero or almost the phenomenon of halo (Blooming) on the white or shiny elements of the image on a black background.

Good news, we find on the backlighting system of the fifth generation TCL X955 screens all the recipes of that of the TCL C845 (cf. our TCL C845 4K Ultra HD TV news: Mini LED OD10, QLED, 2,000 nits, HDR10+, Dolby Vision/Atmos, 144 Hz and Google TV). Firstly, diodes that are all strictly identical, particularly in terms of efficiency (electrical efficiency, wavelength, power) to ensure perfect homogeneity of the image, but also in colorimetric terms for total uniformity and to combat the Demura effect ( also called Clouding) directly from the backlight system and no longer just at the LCD panel. Likewise, these on-board LEDs are able to change state extremely quickly, less than the time required to display an image, even with a 120 hertz signal. Called Direct Drive by TCL, this feature eliminates shadow problems on moving objects.

Similarly, the LEDs of TCL X955 TVs offer ultra-precise control of the brightness delivered, according to a million bearings according to the brand. Thus, the slightest variations in the image are taken into account and reproduced on the screen for increased realism.

In addition to a reduced optical distance and an increased number of zones, the Mini LED backlight system of the X955 displays has another new feature. Called Dynamic Alpha Technology, it allows the brightness of each of the Mini LED zones to be varied on 16 levels. This fine-tuning makes it possible, for example, to specifically manage the brightness of the areas adjoining those displaying the subtitles of a film in the Cinemascope black band by imperceptibly graying out the black in order to further eliminate the off-axis Blooming phenomenon. Similarly, the Dynamic Alpha Technology function also improves the uniformity of the panel.

In total, the backlighting system of TCL X955 televisions therefore includes multiple major technical developments for a display quality announced as unprecedented by the brand.

TCL X955, main Dual 5000 specification On the menu of technical characteristics, the TCL X955 televisions display the Dual 5000 label, i.e. a luminous peak of 5,500 nits in addition to the 5,000 zones already mentioned. As usual, QLED (Quantum Dots) technology allows 98% coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut. We find of course the new AiPQ 3.0 video processing with a PPI 5000 fluidity index and a high-flying anti-reflection treatment. A single remote control, in metal and equipped with keys from 0 to 9, accompanies the TCL X955 TVs.

TCL X955, connectors and HDR The connection has four HDCP 2.3 certified HDMI 2.1 connectors, with HFR 4K/120, eARC (HDMI 4), VRR (from 48 Hz to 144 Hz), FreeSync Premium Pro and ALLM compatibility. There is also a Composite input, an optical output, three USB 2.0 ports, an Ethernet port, a headphone output plus a CI+ port.

Management of HDR10, HDR10+ and HDR Dolby Vision technologies associated with Dolby Vision IQ (brightness sensor) functionality is required. We can also mention a 120 Hz MEMC motion compensation and an anti blue light mode.

TCL X955, sound section 4.2.2 The 4.2.2 sound equipment (two subwoofers therefore) delivers a total power of 160 watts. Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD and DTS Virtual:X compatibilities are on the program. Precision, the TCL X955 screens are equipped with a DVB-T2, DVB-S2 and DVB-C tuner.

TCL X955, Smart Google TV Of course, like their predecessors, the TCL X955 TVs include the Smart Google TV function (Android 12). For connectivity, it is the Wi-Fi 6 function which is required in addition to Bluetooth 5.0. We still notice the AirPlay 2 / HomeKit and Works with Alexa certifications (requires an Amazon Echo type speaker). In addition to having an internet browser, Voice Search and Chromecast functions, offering access to the Google Play Store rich in several thousand free applications, there is multi-account management, the PIP, the Cast function efficient on Ultra HD content, multitasking management to navigate between several applications, quick access to favorite content via a superimposed side information bar, Google Assistant compatibility, the Google Meet application and the Hands free Voice Control function ( voice control of the TV) without the need for a remote control (miro integrated in the TV).

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TCL X955, Game Master Pro 2.0 function with DLG 240 Hz TCL is not forgetting video game enthusiasts with the new Game Master Pro 2.0 feature. In addition to managing the 144 Hz frequency, FreeSync, and direct access to various TV settings to optimize the video game experience, the TCL X955 TVs feature minimal Input Lag, less than 6 ms in the presence of a signal. 120 hertz. Finally, as on the TCL C645 TVs (see our TCL C645 news, QLED Ultra HD 4K HDR Dolby Vision/Dolby Atmos TV + VRR 120 Hz 1080p + Google TV), DLG (Dual Line Gate) technology. The latter, by halving the vertical resolution (therefore in 1080p and not 2160p), offers a 240 Hz display for a smoother and more pleasant gaming experience.

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Availability planned for the very end of year or 2024 for the TCL 85X955 and TCL 98X955 models, 2024 for the TCL 115X955. Indicative prices still unknown.

Reminder of the key characteristics of TCL X955 TVs:

• 10-bit panel

• VA LCD panel

• Ultra HD/4K panel

• 144 Hz panel

• Processor: Quad Core

• Mega Contrast enhancement function

• Wide Color Gamut function

• UHD Color Extender function

• UPnP (DLNA) multimedia gateway function

• DVR function

• eARC function

• VRR function

• ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) function

• 4K HFR 120 function

• Quantum Dots function

• UHD Super Resolution function

• AiPQ 3.0 Engine function

• Game Master Pro 2.0 function

• DLG 240 Hz function

• HDR10 and HDR HLG compatibility

• HDR10+ compatibility

• Miracast compatibility

• HDR Dolby Vision compatibility

• HEVC compatibility

• Dolby Atmos compatibility

• HBBTV compatibility

• FreeSync compatibility

• CEC compatibility

• Canal Ready compatibility

• Bluetooth 5.0 compatibility

• DTS Virtual:X compatibility

• DTS-HD compatibility

• HDCP 2.3 compatibility

• Wi-Fi compatibility ax

• Outputs: 1 optical, 1 headset

• Inputs: 4 HDMI 2.1 inputs, 1 Composite, 3 USB Host 3.0 ports, 1 Ethernet port, 1 CI+ port

• AirPlay 2 multimedia

• HomeKit multimedia

• Google Assistant multimedia

• Works with Alexa multimedia

• Google TV multimedia

• Google Meet multimedia

• Motion compensation MEMC

• Mini LED Local Diming backlight system

• Input Lag: < 6 ms

• Number of zone(s): 5,184

• Peak light: 5 000 nits

• DVB-T2 tuner

• DVB-C tuner

• DVB-S2 tuner

• Sound section: 4.2.2

• Power: 160 W