{"id":6133,"date":"2025-05-19T01:01:49","date_gmt":"2025-05-18T17:01:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cicserver.com\/how-far-mini-led-tv-tech-has-evolved-in-9-years-and-the-dark-side-of-netflix-what-i-learned-on-my-visit-with-tcl\/"},"modified":"2025-05-19T01:01:49","modified_gmt":"2025-05-18T17:01:49","slug":"how-far-mini-led-tv-tech-has-evolved-in-9-years-and-the-dark-side-of-netflix-what-i-learned-on-my-visit-with-tcl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cicserver.com\/de\/how-far-mini-led-tv-tech-has-evolved-in-9-years-and-the-dark-side-of-netflix-what-i-learned-on-my-visit-with-tcl\/","title":{"rendered":"How far mini-LED TV tech has evolved in 9 years and the &#8216;dark side&#8217; of Netflix \u2013 what I learned on my visit with TCL"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/tcl\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/tcl\">TCL<\/a> is a major competitor in the TV market, especially in the world of mini-LED TVs. It has been responsible for some of the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/news\/best-tv\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/news\/best-tv\">best TVs<\/a> over the past few years, including last year\u2019s excellent <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/televisions\/tcl-qm851g-review\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/televisions\/tcl-qm851g-review\">TCL QM851G<\/a> in the US and the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/televisions\/tcl-c855-review\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/televisions\/tcl-c855-review\">TCL C855<\/a> in the UK.<\/p>\n<p>I recently attended an event showcasing TCL\u2019s 2025 UK and European TVs, including the C-series mini-LED models, which look primed to take on the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/televisions\/best-mini-led-tv\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/televisions\/best-mini-led-tv\">best mini-LED TVs<\/a> from <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/samsung\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/samsung\">Samsung<\/a> and <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/hisense\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/hisense\">Hisense<\/a>. TCL also carried out various tech demos at the event, including one that showed the inner and outer workings of a mini-LED TV.<\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-base\"\/>\n<p>Three demos caught my eye in particular: one showing the evolution of TCL mini-LED TVs through the years; the deconstructed mini-LED mentioned above; and, lastly, one that revealed how bright or dark the picture can be with shows and movies on streaming services (in this instance, Netflix).<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<span class=\"bg-secondary-500 text-white text-lg font-bold uppercase py-1 px-2 leading-[1.625rem] sm:leading-[6px] sm:text-sm\"><br \/>\nYou may like<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"mini-led-through-the-years-3\">Mini-LED through the years<\/h2>\n<div id=\"slice-container-imageGallery-46GfsvipXu7FhEi45LgmHQ-FhpaxOD3Z69BDUBtRivReVcxeMBb6MYX\" class=\"slice-container imageGallery-wrapper imageGallery-46GfsvipXu7FhEi45LgmHQ-FhpaxOD3Z69BDUBtRivReVcxeMBb6MYX slice-container-imageGallery\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"inline-gallery first-slide-only\">\n<p>Image <!-- -->1<!-- --> of <!-- -->2<\/p>\n<div style=\"overflow-x:hidden\" class=\"inline-gallery__items\">\n<div style=\"-webkit-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-transition:all 0s ease 0s;transition:all 0s ease 0s;-webkit-transform:translate(0%, 0);transform:translate(0%, 0);direction:ltr;display:flex;will-change:transform\" class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\">\n<div style=\"width:100%;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;flex-shrink:0;overflow:auto\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-swipeable=\"true\">\n<div class=\"items__item\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:4032px\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%\">\n<div style=\"display:contents\"><picture data-hydrate=\"true\"><source class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><source class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ-1200-80.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"TCL TVs from 2016 - 2025 showing a night time scene from Life of Pi\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ-1200-80.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hjCf3hYPFPUtNFfait5KpJ.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__caption\">From left to right: TCl X1 (2016), X10 (2019), C825 (2020) and C8K (2025)<\/span><span class=\"caption-credit__credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><button class=\"image-cont__expand\" data-testid=\"expandButton\" data-analytics-id=\"gallery-expand-image\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewbox=\"0 0 32 32\"><path d=\"M31.557 12.067L31.773 0 19.791.213l.05 3.216 6.225-.115-7.347 7.39 2.422 2.434 7.34-7.382-.108 6.213 3.184.098zM.215 19.903L0 31.97l11.984-.213-.05-3.217-6.225.113 7.348-7.388-2.42-2.436-7.34 7.383L3.402 20l-3.187-.098zM20.004 31.704L32 32.001l-.293-12.059-3.195.03.154 6.263-7.396-7.44-2.407 2.42 7.389 7.43-6.174-.148-.074 3.207zM12.213.33L.22.034l.293 12.059 3.195-.032-.152-6.26 7.394 7.438 2.404-2.418L5.967 3.39l6.174.15.072-3.209z\"\/><\/svg><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"width:100%;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;flex-shrink:0;overflow:auto\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\">\n<div class=\"items__item\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:4032px\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%\">\n<div style=\"display:contents\"><picture data-hydrate=\"true\"><source class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><source class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ-1200-80.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"TCL TVs from 2016 - 2025 showing a scene with the tiger snarling from Life of Pi\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ-1200-80.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n26qymBnWTb37uJFVWwtpJ.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><button class=\"image-cont__expand\" data-testid=\"expandButton\" data-analytics-id=\"gallery-expand-image\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewbox=\"0 0 32 32\"><path d=\"M31.557 12.067L31.773 0 19.791.213l.05 3.216 6.225-.115-7.347 7.39 2.422 2.434 7.34-7.382-.108 6.213 3.184.098zM.215 19.903L0 31.97l11.984-.213-.05-3.217-6.225.113 7.348-7.388-2.42-2.436-7.34 7.383L3.402 20l-3.187-.098zM20.004 31.704L32 32.001l-.293-12.059-3.195.03.154 6.263-7.396-7.44-2.407 2.42 7.389 7.43-6.174-.148-.074 3.207zM12.213.33L.22.034l.293 12.059 3.195-.032-.152-6.26 7.394 7.438 2.404-2.418L5.967 3.39l6.174.15.072-3.209z\"\/><\/svg><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The first demo showed the evolution of mini-LED, specifically 65-inch TCL models from 2016 to 2025. The TVs used were the 65X1 (2016), 65X10 (2019), 65C825 (2020), and the 65C8K (2025).<\/p>\n<p>Over the years, TCL has added more local dimming zones to the backlights of its TVs, starting with 288 on the X1 and ending with 1,680 for the C8K. Seeing these models side-by-side, the picture quality advantage of having more zones was clear.<\/p>\n<p>Watching <em>Life of Pi <\/em>on the C8K, during a nighttime dream sequence, black levels were rich and contrasted well with the swirling, bright white lights of the spirits, thanks to the TV\u2019s greater number of dimming zones. The X10 was surprisingly the next best, but backlight blooming was more apparent, and shadows took on more of a dark gray tone.<\/p>\n<p>With a daytime sequence in <em>Life of Pi<\/em>, the C8K showcased the highest brightness and the most accurate color. Once again, the X10 was second, but the C825 fared better here with bolder colors in the tiger\u2019s fur and a stronger perceived depth. Unsurprisingly, the C8K reigned supreme, showing mini-LED\u2019s evolution and how important having more dimming zones can be to picture quality.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-46GfsvipXu7FhEi45LgmHQ\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-46GfsvipXu7FhEi45LgmHQ slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\"\/>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"a-deconstructed-mini-led-tv-3\">A deconstructed mini-LED TV<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:4032px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RU8p9ksURffncdeYq9xo6g-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RU8p9ksURffncdeYq9xo6g-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RU8p9ksURffncdeYq9xo6g-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RU8p9ksURffncdeYq9xo6g-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RU8p9ksURffncdeYq9xo6g-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RU8p9ksURffncdeYq9xo6g-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"TCL C8K and TCL C7K backlight demo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RU8p9ksURffncdeYq9xo6g-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RU8p9ksURffncdeYq9xo6g-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RU8p9ksURffncdeYq9xo6g-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RU8p9ksURffncdeYq9xo6g-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RU8p9ksURffncdeYq9xo6g-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RU8p9ksURffncdeYq9xo6g-1200-80.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RU8p9ksURffncdeYq9xo6g.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RU8p9ksURffncdeYq9xo6g.jpg\"\/><\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\"inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Next up was a demo of the new TCL C-series mini-LED backlight in action, but without a screen to cover it.<\/p>\n<p>With the flagship C8K and mid-range C7K side-by-side, both showing the same fireworks video (also displayed on a \u2018master\u2019 screen), the C8K\u2019s backlight demonstrated not only higher brightness but more refined detail and stronger contrast than the C7K, which still looked great.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:4032px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LFysTF6z6tbDrvQZcrFKG5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LFysTF6z6tbDrvQZcrFKG5-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LFysTF6z6tbDrvQZcrFKG5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LFysTF6z6tbDrvQZcrFKG5-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LFysTF6z6tbDrvQZcrFKG5-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LFysTF6z6tbDrvQZcrFKG5-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"TCL TV with mini-LED backlight and panel layers on display\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LFysTF6z6tbDrvQZcrFKG5-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LFysTF6z6tbDrvQZcrFKG5-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LFysTF6z6tbDrvQZcrFKG5-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LFysTF6z6tbDrvQZcrFKG5-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LFysTF6z6tbDrvQZcrFKG5-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LFysTF6z6tbDrvQZcrFKG5-1200-80.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LFysTF6z6tbDrvQZcrFKG5.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LFysTF6z6tbDrvQZcrFKG5.jpg\"\/><\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\"inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Alongside these TVs was a deconstructed mini-LED TV, which had been cut to show the various layers you\u2019d find in one of TCL\u2019s sets. This included the mini-LED backlight array (the layer on display in the demo) and three other layers, including one for Light Diffusion (for improved uniformity), QDEF (for enhanced colors) and Light Alignment for better brightness efficiency. Finally, there was the panel that we see on top (although this was turned off).<\/p>\n<p>Seeing the panel with its various layers, you could watch the picture taking form as it got further along, adding in the full details as the layers progressed.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"netflix-dimmer-than-expected-3\">Netflix: dimmer than expected<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:4032px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tgwq3h8xwsKzE98RDiTK9T-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tgwq3h8xwsKzE98RDiTK9T-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tgwq3h8xwsKzE98RDiTK9T-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tgwq3h8xwsKzE98RDiTK9T-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tgwq3h8xwsKzE98RDiTK9T-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tgwq3h8xwsKzE98RDiTK9T-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"TCL TV showing Planet Earth II on Netflix hooked up to Live Video Analyzer showing brightness and color gamut\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tgwq3h8xwsKzE98RDiTK9T-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tgwq3h8xwsKzE98RDiTK9T-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tgwq3h8xwsKzE98RDiTK9T-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tgwq3h8xwsKzE98RDiTK9T-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tgwq3h8xwsKzE98RDiTK9T-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tgwq3h8xwsKzE98RDiTK9T-1200-80.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tgwq3h8xwsKzE98RDiTK9T.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tgwq3h8xwsKzE98RDiTK9T.jpg\"\/><\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\"inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Netflix&#8217;s brightness shown in the graph at bottom left on the monitor&#8217;s screen <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Netflix may be one of the most popular streaming services, but a Netflix <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/4k\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/4k\">4K<\/a> stream is the equivalent of a 1080p Blu-ray, at least in terms of bit-rate. (Streaming often averages around 17 Mbps, whereas standard Blu-ray averages around 40 Mbps, and 4K Blu-ray can hit as high as 128 Mbps, giving it superior picture clarity.)<\/p>\n<p>What about brightness?<\/p>\n<p>In TCL\u2019s demo, a Live Video Analyzer was hooked up to a C-series TV, showing not only the color gamut coverage of a Netflix 4K show but also its average and maximum brightness (in nits). Starting with <em>Emily in Paris<\/em>, the show hit an average of 40 nits throughout one scene. Doesn\u2019t sound very bright, does it? Changing to <em>The Crown<\/em>, a darkened hallway scene averaged 1 nit. Yes, only 1 nit!<\/p>\n<p>This was the same story when cycling through various movies and TV shows on Netflix: the average brightness was lower than I anticipated. <em>The Cloverfield Paradox<\/em> had a potential max brightness of 700 nits, but only averaged 17 nits in one particular scene. <em>Planet Earth II<\/em> also hit similar numbers, despite having a very colorful green frog on screen.<\/p>\n<p>The takeaway? Your TV may be capable of high brightness, but not everything you watch will take advantage of that capability.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-you-might-also-like\"><span>You might also like<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>TCL is a major competitor in the TV market, especially in the world of mini-LED TVs. It has been responsible for some of the best TVs over the past few years, including last year\u2019s excellent TCL QM851G in the US and the TCL C855 in the UK. I recently attended an event showcasing TCL\u2019s 2025 [&hellip;]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6134,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6133","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-blog"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cicserver.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6133","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cicserver.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cicserver.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cicserver.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cicserver.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6133"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cicserver.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6133\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cicserver.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6134"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cicserver.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6133"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cicserver.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6133"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cicserver.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}