8K Association Certifies 70 UHD TVs Around The World 

The 8K Association this week announced it has certified more than 70 8K UHD TV sets, including almost 50 models launched through the first half of 2021, while TCL used the occasion to announce the U.S. roll out of its first 8K 6 Series TV models and pricing for the U.S. market.

The 8K Certified models come from three top global TV brands including Samsung, TCL and Hisense, all 8K Association members, and does not include 8K models from non members like LG and Sony.

The 8K Certified TVs are available for consumers to buy today at various regions around the world, and the certification is not dependent on the availability of 8K content in those areas, because all models include video upscaling circuitry allowing lower-resolution content to be displayed on the 8K UHD screens.

“The scope of Certified 8K TV models in the market represents a big win for consumers and the 8K Association,” stated Chris Chinnock, 8K Association Executive Director. “We designed the certified logo to allow consumers to feel confident in the performance and interface capabilities of 8K TVs, so we are proud that our Certification program, launched less than 2 years ago, is performing so well.”

The Certification Technical Specification includes a variety of criteria including 8K Input Parameters (bit depth, frame rate, chroma sub-sampling), Display Performance (resolution, peak brightness, black level, color gamut, white point), and Interface and Media formats (High Dynamic Range, codec):

· Resolution: 7680 x 4320 pixels
· Input Frame Rate: 24p, 30p and 60p frames per second
· Display Luminance: More than 600 nits peak Luminance
· Codec: HEVC
· Interface: HDMI 2.1

“As a member of the 8K Association and a leading TV brand, Hisense is thrilled to bring the U800GR, our first 8K television, to the US market this year,” said David Gold, President, Hisense USA. “Alongside growing screen sizes, the prospect of enjoying the best possible picture is intriguing to many consumers. Bringing an 8K option to the US is a step toward broader adoption of 8K, as well as one that’s pushing the entire industry forward.”

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“Samsung remains committed to delivering TVs that delight consumers and proud to state that our entire 2021 8K TV line-up meets industry requirements for 8K display performance,” said Dan Schinasi, Product Planning Manager at Samsung Electronics America. “This industry certification and accompanying consumer-facing logo will ensure a high-quality, 8K viewing experience that goes beyond simple resolution requirements.”

In related news, TCL announced pricing and U.S. availability of its new 6 Series 8K TCL Roku TV line. These models feature full-array mini-LED backlight technology with local dimming, stepping up performance from last year’s 4K 6 Series miniLEDs, which continue to be offered alongside the new 8K 6 Series additions. Both 4K and 8K 6 Series models feature the Roku TV smart TV operating system.

“This TCL-pioneered mini-LED backlight technology powers up to 240 Contrast Control Zones for brilliantly bright and deeply dark areas of the image, delivering unparalleled depth and dimension,” the company’s launch announcement stated. “TCL’s Contrast Control Zone technology optimizes the image across individual zones to yield striking contrast between light and dark areas. Combining stunning 8K HDR and mini-LED technology in a bold, brushed metal design for a superior TV experience, the 6-series also houses Quantum Dot technology and the HDR Pro Pack with Dolby Vision for greater brightness and contrast among a full palette of rich colors.”

The televisions are also optimized for video gaming performance and certified with the THX Certified Game Mode. THX Certified Game Mode ensures ultra-low-latency gaming performance combined with Variable Refresh Rate and Auto Game Mode features for a smoother, optimized gaming experience.

The new TCL 8K 6 Series sets also include built-in Dolby Atmos surround sound decoding.

TCL said the new 2021 6-Series models will present four times sharper (33 million pixels vs. 8.3 million pixels) resolution than 4K sets, and will present images from native 8K content as well as lower resolution levels, with the latter being upscaled for 8K display using TCL’s intelligent AiPQ Engine video processing technology.

The TCL Roku TV 6-Series 8K models will be available next month at your favorite retailer in 65-inch (65R648) starting at $2199 suggested retail and 75-inch (75R648) at $2,999, with pre-sales beginning now.

“We are thrilled to offer TCL’s first 8K resolution sets this year in partnership with Roku. Not only will we be ready for the next stage of 8K content as new game consoles and streaming services roll out, but more importantly, we’re making 8K more accessible to all. As consumers adopt 65-, 75-inch and even larger screens for their homes, they will naturally choose the greater screen resolution of 8K for those displays and with the advantage of being a vertically integrated company, we can continue bringing premium products like the 6-Series to market at a compelling value,” stated Chris Larson, TCL North America sales and marketing senior VP . “Picture quality is critical these days so we will continue to innovate and offer advanced technology like 8K resolution in our lineup, for even more powerful performance along with infinite content to really push the boundaries of how TVs can elevate your entertainment experiences at home.”

“TCL is a founding member and long-time supporter of the 8K Association. As a leading global TV brand and display technology innovator, we believe that 8K resolution delivers more joy to our customers than lower display resolutions,” Larson continued. “So together with our partners in the 8K Association, we’re proud to support the 8K Association Certified standard. We’re impressed that so many 8K TVs are now available. And we can’t wait for more of our customers to be able to enjoy the awesome performance of TCL TVs featuring the 8K Association Certified mark – including the powerful new 6-Series 8K.”

Among the 8K Association’s 8K Certified models are the following:

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By Greg Tarr

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