#VidrianMiniLEDtechnology

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What TV resolution do we need?

As usual, CES 2020 clearly demonstrated the main focus areas of companies' efforts to improve TVs. In fact, they cover almost all aspects, including design, audio quality, enhanced functionality, etc. But, improving image quality remains one of the main directions. Today, companies solve this problem using a variety of methods, including: - increasing resolution; - increased efficiency of AI 8K Upscaling; - improving color rendering by improving the backlight; - automatic calibration. TCL demonstrated the 8th series with Mini LED backlight Technology and announced its next generation called Vidrian Mini LED.

Today, this Chinese company is confidently leading the way in improving FALD (full-array local dimming) technology. According to many experts, Mini LED backlight or, already, Vidrian Mini LED Technology will be able to closely approximate the color accuracy of LED TVs to OLED technology. In addition, this year, almost all companies introduced new auto-calibration modes. In particular, Sony developed Ambient Optimization, new Samsung TVs use Adaptive Picture, Adaptive Peak Brightness and Adaptive Tone Mapping, LG TVs have Dolby Vision IQ. But an unprecedented number of 8K models from almost all leading companies demonstrates the dominance of the trend of increasing TV resolution.

Introduction

Disputes over the avalanche spread of 4K are still ongoing, but almost all leading companies already offer 8K TVs. Basically, skeptics of this trend use two fairly convincing arguments. First, many have not forgotten the relatively recent history of 3D TVs. The rapid growth of its popularity began after a demonstration at CES and IFA in 2010. Many experts quite logically predicted its excellent prospects. Of course, the manufacturers adequately responded to demand, significantly improving and cheapening this technology in its models. Unfortunately, the high cost of producing 3D content has become an insurmountable obstacle to its further development. As a result, almost all companies abandoned 3D support in their TVs. Therefore, today experts quite reasonably express doubts regarding the prospects for the production of native 8K content, which today is practically absent. Probably for this reason, companies are actively improving 8K AI Upscaling technology. In the worst case, these TVs will be able to improve quality playback of lower resolution content.

Secondly, they quite reasonably ask about the advisability of increasing resolution in terms of eye capabilities. The screen resolution of smartphones confirms these doubts. As known, many modern smartphones already provide 400, 500 ppi and higher. But according to many ophthalmologists, 600 ppi is close to the limit of perception for our vision. Accordingly, a further increase in resolution does not make much sense. In the same time, many companies continue to increase it. Today, the absolute record belongs to the Sony Xperia Z5 with 806 ppi.

This value corresponds to 4K, but does not make sense due to the limited possibilities of our eye. But this argument has some additional aspects.

Vernier acuity (hyperacuity)

As know, standard measure of visual acuity using Snellen eyechart. The argument of skeptics is based on the limitation of visual acuity, which does not distinguish between 8K vs 4K due to too high pixel density. In particular, its lower limit does not exceed 20/20.

But the Japanese NHK broadcaster did some interesting research to find out the effect of resolution on perception. Of course, visual acuity remains a major factor, but it's not the only one. Brain and Vernier acuity (hyperacuity) also significantly affect image perception. For example, many people will be able to distinguish the difference between two pairs of lines, one of which contains perfectly parallel lines, and the second includes lines with an offset of only one pixel. In this case, Vernier acuity will take this displacement as a stepping stone.

But the spacing the pixels on the 8K screen is half vs 4K matrix. Accordingly, reducing the height of the step increases the smoothness of the lines and we perceive the 8K image as clearer. Moreover, the brain reinforces this difference by trying to create a more analog-like image, increasing its realism. Thus, the argument based on only traditional visual acuity is not convincing enough.

Experiment Results

Moreover, recent studies of Dr. YungKyong Park of Ewha Womans University in Seoul further supports this hypothesis. In this experiment, scientists installed side-by-side 65-inch TVs with 4K and 8K resolution, which were calibrated at 500 nits of peak luminance. Of course, all 120 participants in the experiment had the same 20/20 visual acuity and normal color vision. The experiment was conducted at a distance of 9 feet from the displays in a dark room. Content included the 16 images and 3 videos with visuals. As a result, almost all participants in the experiment noted the difference 8K vs 4K displays.

Interestingly, the participants in the experiment noted not increased sharpness or contrast of the image due to higher resolution. According to them, 8K images looked cooler, warmer, more delicious, heavier, etc, which corresponds to sensory perception. In addition, Dr. Kyoung-Min Lee of Seoul National University investigated 8K resolution in terms of its perception by the brain. As known, increasing resolution reduces information loss. Accordingly, the dynamic signal-to-noise ratio increases. As a result, the level of immersive effect also rises. Thus, the brain is less tired when perceiving 8K content. At the same time, watching provides richer emotions due to high realism of the perceived content.

Conclusions

1. In the absence of native 8K content, 8K TVs will be able to improve quality playback of lower resolution content with 8K AI Upscaling technology. 2. Today, the screen of 75" 8K TV provides up to 120 ppi. But according to ophthalmologists, the eye can perceive up to 600 ppi due to Vernier acuity (hyperacuity). In this case, the brain distinguishes images with different detailing even if they are not visualized. Therefore, increasing the TV resolution will be relevant in the coming years. In fact, increasing resolution reduces information loss. Accordingly, the dynamic signal-to-noise ratio increases. As a result, the process requires less brain effort to interpolate the lost data. In other words, the brain is less tired when perceiving content in high resolution. In addition, the level of immersive effect also rises due to high realism of the perceived content. Thus, higher detail reduces the load on the brain, while increasing the immersive effect. 3. Given these factors, increasing ppi of the TV screen by increasing the number of pixels has good prospects and to continue to be one of the main ways to improve image quality. This video demonstrates the capabilities of the 8K AI Upscaling in the Samsung Q950TS 8K at CES 2020. Read the full article

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TCL TVs 2020 lineup at CES 2020 Review

Perhaps the unprecedentedly rapid growth in popularity of TCL TVs came as a surprise to many market participants. As known, the Chinese TCL (Telephone Communication Limited) was originally engaged in the production of audio cassettes and was called TTK Home Appliances Limited Company. Its heyday began after the acquisition of the Thomson TV and Alcatel brands in 2004. In 2014, the company introduced the first TCL TV with Quantum Dot display technology. The company invested about $ 7 billion in the production of LCD and OLED displays in 2016. In the fall of 2017, the company introduced the new TCL P6 Popular TV series at the Import and Export Fair. The high innovative level, aggressive pricing policy and high quality ensured it a huge popularity. But the company didn’t rest on its laurels. A year later, it introduced an even more successful TCL 6-Series Roku TV, including 55- and 65-inch TCL R617 and R615.

A few years ago, TCL TVs successfully competed in the mid-budget segment, offering great models for several hundred dollars. Many of them have been consistently included in the BestSellers list for several years. The TCL 6-Series Roku TV belongs to the top of this price segment. Today, the cost of 55-inch model varies around $ 500. In 2019, many experts included it the top list of the most popular 4K HDR Smart LED TVs. Moreover, at CES 2019, the company introduced TCL 8-Series Roku TV, including the TCL 65Q825 Roku and 75Q825 with the most innovative Mini-LED backlight technology.

OLED and MicroLED TVs

CES 2020 showed fierce competition between main TV display technologies, including LED, OLED и MicroLED. Prospective MicroLED technology is away from the battle, as Samsung reigns supreme in this segment. At CES 2020, the company convincingly demonstrated its successes in this direction by presenting 88- and 150-inch bezel-less MicroLED TVs.

OLED manufacturers increase competitiveness mainly by lowering prices. For example, in 2018 LG introduced a great 4K HDR Smart OLED B8 PLA at a price of just over $ 2,000. Reducing the diagonal size of OLED models is also becoming a trend. At CES 2020, LG showed 48-inch OLED48CXPUA of CX Series with Nvidia G-Sync built-in, and Sony - 48-inch XBR-48A9G. Of course, consumers are happy to welcome such trends. In addition, companies also showcase huge OLED models with great image. But their cost is tens of thousands of dollars, and they do not claim to be in the list of BestSellers. Such TVs mainly demonstrate the technological power of the company and the main development trends.

LED TVs

But the situation in the LED TVs segment is significantly different. Today, companies have developed several versions of Quantum Dot LED technology, including QLED (Samsung), NanoCell (LG), Triluminos (Sony), and ULED (Hisense). All of them are based on the use of an additional matrix with inorganic crystals, which improves color accuracy and extends the color gamut.

The low cost of producing this film using lithography and high efficiency allowed companies to significantly improve image quality at a relatively low price. But this was not enough for a successful competition with OLED technology, which provides infinite contrast due to perfect black. As known, OLED matrices use self-emitting organic diodes that do not require backlight. Accordingly, the absence of a control signal from the transistor provides absolutely black at the screen. Unfortunately, LCD panels with LED backlight cannot ensure its complete blocking to display black. In a result, the developers of Quantum Dot LED technology in recent years have been actively improving backlight by upgrading Direct LED backlight to FALD (full-array local dimming). As the name implies, Local Dimming technology provides backlight control for individual groups of pixels. In fact, it turns off the necessary LEDs in the backlight, increasing the black level in the corresponding part of the screen and, accordingly, increasing the image contrast.

Probably, further improvement of Quantum Dot LED and Local Dimming technologies will be able to raise the image quality to the level of modern OLED TVs. But probably, by this time their cost will be equal.

Contrast Control Zones

Ideally, the number of dimming zones should correspond to the number of pixels. In other words, the control system must control each backlight LED for each pixel. Then the display will provide maximum contrast, displaying the dark parts of the image without gray gradations. In this case, LED and OLED TVs will provide the same contrast. But, of course, no one poses such an unrealistic task, given more than 33 million pixels on an 8K panel. Nevertheless, increasing the number of dimming zones is one of the main directions for improving the backlight. Unexpectedly for many, the Chinese company was ahead of many famous competitors by developing LED backlight technology with Contrast Control Zones. This proprietary technology has expanded the number of zones from 72 to 96 for the 55-inch size and up to 120 zones for the 65-inch version in TCL 6-Series Roku TVs. As a result, TCL 6th series were able to provide excellent image quality, becoming one of the most popular TVs in the price segment up to $ 1,000.

Quantum Contrast

But the company did not stop there. In 2019, TCL introduced TCL 8-Series Roku TV with mini-LED Quantum Contrast backlight technology.

Engineers were able to place over 25,000 mini-LEDs into the backlight panel, which are grouped into around 1,000 dimming zones.

For comparison, the 75-inch Vizio Quantum X uses only 485 local dimming zones, and the Sony XBR-85Z9G 8K TV costing about $ 10,000 has 720 zones. In fact, Quantum Contrast is based on the use of mini-LEDs measuring up to 200 microns (0.01 inches). But the size of conventional LEDs varies around 1000 microns (0.04 inches).

Of course, a significant reduction in the size of LEDs allowed engineers to significantly increase their number, drastically increasing the number of backlight zones. At the end of December, the TCL 8 Series was already available. Today, it includes 4K HDR 65-inch 65Q825 and the 75-inch 75Q825 priced at $ 1,600 and $ 2,600 respectively, which is $ 400 less than the announced price. With the same image quality, the TCL 65Q825 is about $ 100 more expensive than one of 2019's most popular LG's B9 OLED TV. But the 75Q825 is significantly more expensive than the QLED Vizio P-Series Quantum X at a similar level. Nevertheless, TCL 8th series TVs confidently entered the lower segment of the top TVs, where they successfully compete with the most popular models. Unfortunately, this series so far does not include 8K models.

Mini-LEDs backlight and Vidrian Mini LED technology

At first glance, the development of Vidrian Mini-LED technology seems redundant, because if successful, it will virtually make Quantum Contrast backlight unnecessary. But this aspect may have nuances. Unfortunately, Mini-LEDs have less brightness. But a simple increase in voltage dramatically increases heating and reduces their longevity. It is likely that implementation of Quantum Contrast in the 8th series was quite difficult and expensive. In this case, the announcement of the newest next-generation Vidrian "Glass on LED” Mini-LED technology was very timely.

It will use the driving semi-conductor circuitry and tens of thousands of mini-LEDs directly infused in a crystal-clear glass substrate. Preliminary, the company plans to use this technology in the next generation of the super-popular 6th series. According to preliminary information, TCL Vidrian 8K Mini LED TV will be able to provide 5184 dimming zones. This technology eliminates the problem of overheating the mini-LEDs, allowing engineers to increase the voltage and, accordingly, the backlight brightness. In fact, Vidrian panels will become the resus for the further improvement of mini-LED Quantum Contrast backlight technology, leaving the company the possibility of maneuver. In any case, the consumer market can only welcome the energetic innovation of the company.

TCL TVs at CES 2020

At CES, TCL announced its 2020 TVs line-up. It includes the flagship QLED 8K X915 and 4K TCL QLED C815 & C715 Cityline series. The 8K X915 contains 85-, 75- and 65-inch models, uses 8k Upscaling, Quantum Dot Display and Local Dimming technologies, supports HDR Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, IMAX Enhanced, Far-field Voice Control, has Onkyo Audio System and Latest Android OS.

Moreover, the X9 also has a retractable built-in webcam, ascending and descending automatically when prompted. As known, Samsung was the first to offer this option in its models and it turned out to be very popular among consumers. The 4K Quantum Dot C815 and C715 also support Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, HDR 10+, Far-field Voice Control and Latest Android OS.

The C815 includes 75-, 65-, and 55-inch models, and the C715 has 65-, 55-, and 50-inch TVs. All models have shown excellent brightness, contrast, and color gamut. But TVs showed carefully selected content. A more objective assessment of image quality for complex content is not yet possible. Unfortunately, the company has abandoned an aggressive pricing strategy in recent years. Probably, some still remember the 4 and 5 series for the price of several hundred dollars. For example, the 55-inch TCL 55S425 4K Roku TV costs $ 280 today. Of course, many of them deservedly become BestSellers. But the price of 6 and 8 series is already consistent with their class. Apparently, the flagships of 2020 will also not be cheap. But according to Michael Zhao, Senior Product Manager TCL USA, the new series will be more affordable than the X10 from last year. Unfortunately, today the company sells these TVs only on the Chinese market, promising to expand sales at the expense of Australia and Europe.

Conclusion

In general, the company fully met the expectations of fans of the TCL brand by introducing three series of competitive models and strengthening its position in the segment of top models. In addition, with German pedantry and perseverance, TCL continues to develop backlight, introducing a model with Mini-LEDs backlight and announcing the innovative Vidrian Mini LED technology. If Vidrian technology is successful, the company will be able to strengthen its dominance in this direction. Moreover, all the flagships presented support a full range of modern technologies, including HDR Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, IMAX Enhanced, Far-field Voice Control, etc. Of course, the company will have to compete with Samsung, LG, Sony, etc, which also showed great TVs at CES 2020. But in any case, the consumer market will benefit from the emergence of a new participant in the group of leaders. This video demonstrates the announcement of Vidrian mini LED on glass at CES 2020. Read the full article