From the beginning Broadcast and television brands are constantly vying for technological advantage. They are all expensive. From the original tube models to plasma, LED, and now Mini LED and OLED, you used to have to spend a fortune to get a big screen that looked good. (Unless, of course, you want Michael Scott dinner party sizes.)
Nowadays, you really don’t have to pay that much. Enthusiasts can buy OLED displays with 8K resolution or perfect black levels at extreme sizes, but most people who are just streaming movies, sports, or video games can get a great viewing experience with midrange options like the TCL QM8 . Unless you’re hoarding an epic 4K Blu-ray collection in your basement or hosting a massive server with lossless rips, you probably won’t see much of a difference.
People always ask me if they should buy a projector, and the fact is that TVs like this now compete on size, but offer a better image, and are easier to set up and use. If you want a big-screen experience at home, start here.
easy going
Getting started with a TCL flagship model is as easy as using any of the more affordable TCLs, which is to say, very easy. You unbox the screen (which ranges in size from a manageable 65 inches to a mammoth 98 inches), place it face down on a table or appropriately sized padded surface, and install the included stand. Depending on your size, this might take two people or three or four people, but it’s actually not that difficult. If you’re wall-mounting, be sure to mount it to one or more studs. This is not a lightweight TV.
I personally like that the QM8 model isn’t as thin as higher-end TVs from LG, Samsung, and others. It’s easier to carry and install without making me feel like I’m bending it in half, especially on the 85-inch size unit we reviewed.
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Photo: Parker Hall
Plug in your TV and place a pair of batteries into the rectangular remote, and you’ll find yourself looking at the Google TV interface, which lets Android users and Google account owners quickly log into various streaming services. If you can’t find it here, it’s probably pretty shady. (You can also cast using your TV’s built-in Google Chromecast and AirPlay capabilities.)
Other devices can also be set up through the TV very easily. I plugged in the KEF LS50 Wireless II soundbar (8/10, recommended by WIRED); my computer; and a Nintendo Switch (8/10, recommended by WIRED), all of which performed flawlessly. Particularly impressive is the 144 Hz refresh rate at 4K and 1440p resolutions, and very low (less than 10 milliseconds) input lag for instant on-screen operation.It makes playing fast-paced games such as Assetto Corsa Competizione F1 2023 is especially gorgeous when simulating racing through my computer.