Just a few years ago, many experts predicted the displacement of traditional televisions from living rooms by ultra-short-throw (UST) projectors. Indeed, a technological breakthrough in this segment and pixel shift-based Xpanded Pixel Resolution (XPR) technology ensured their short-term dominance in the market.
As known, the UST projector forms a huge image from a distance of several tens of cm and is located near the screen on the wall.
Accordingly, unlike a mid-focal projector with a projection distance of several meters, it does not create the problem of wires on the floor.
XPR technology for Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) by the American Texas Instruments (TI) has radically reduced prices for 4K DLP projectors. Its operating principle is simple and elegant:
– the projector divides 8 mln pixels of 4K content into 4 parts of 2 mlnn each;
– using 2 mln micromirrors of a relatively cheap Full HD (1080p) DMD sequentially displays 4x 1080p images shifted by half a pixel relative to each other.
The shift is achieved by tilting the lens using 4 XPR module electromagnets. Of course, at any given moment the projector only plays one 1080p image. But due to the high frequency, our vision and brain perceive them as a single image with a higher resolution.
As a result, the market quickly became filled with relatively cheap 4K DLP UST projectors, the price of which in the budget-friendly segment ranged from $ 2,000 to $ 3,000. For comparison, the 98-inch TCL 98R754 for ‘only’ € 6,500 has become one of the sensations of 2022.
TV vs projector
In fairness, TVs offer higher image quality due to higher brightness and contrast. Indeed, the brightness of the reflected light flux from the projector screen cannot compete with the direct radiation from the surface of the TV screen. Of course, bright and powerful projectors provide 3,000 ANSI Lumens and above, but their prices are higher. The native contrast of DLP and 3LCD projectors in this price segment also usually does not exceed 1,000:1. Of course, LCoS technology provides superb contrast due to deep black, but their price starts at $ 6,000 and reaches tens of thousands. But for many, a huge screen up to 150 inches at an affordable price compensates for a slight loss in image quality.
However, replacing a TV with a projector has several additional nuances. Firstly, according to ophthalmologists, the optimal viewing distance is calculated as the screen diagonal multiplied by 1.3. Accordingly, even a 130-inch image requires a distance of about 4 meters. Perhaps this is not a problem in a villa near the ocean, but placement in the living room of a standard apartment can be difficult.
In addition, the projector image quality depends significantly on the projection surface.
But the prices of effective CLR (Ceiling Light Rejecting) screens start at $ 1,000. Of course, ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) versions are cheaper, but they also increase the purchase price.
Finally, not wanting to lose a promising direction, TV manufacturers actively joined the competitive race. Their efforts were not in vain and in a few years the market was filled with 100-inch monsters at a very affordable price.
Huge TVs
The most popular 100-inch TVs ($ 2,000 – $ 3,000):
– Samsung 4K Crystal UHD DU9000 (UN98DU9000, 2024) – $ 2,000;
– TCL QM6K QLED 4K QD-Mini Google Smart TV (98QM6K, 2025) – $ 2,200;
– Hisense U8 Mini-LED ULED 4K Google Smart TV (100U8K) – $ 2,740.
The full list is much wider and includes, for example, the new Hisense 100U8QG ($ 5,000, 2025), Sony BRAVIA XR 98″ X90L ($ 4,500) and LG98UT9000PUA ($ 3,500, 2024). But their prices are quite comparable with the cost of UST projectors with a screen.
The Samsung Crystal UHD is a new budget-friendly series of the South Korean giant that uses the Samsung Crystal Processor 4K.
98DU9000 superb price is due to the rejection of quantum dot (QD) technology and mini LED backlit. It uses not very effective Edge LED backlight instead FALD (Full-Array Local Dimming) with mini LED, and Dynamic Crystal Color instead of QD technology. The Dynamic Crystal Color feature provides a wider spectrum of colors and higher contrast.
However, its comparison vs TCL QM6K and Hisense U8 with QD and mini LED is hardly correct due to the different technological class.
But the series uses almost all popular Samsung technologies, including:
– AI-based Supersize Picture Enhancer – AI reduces noise and increases sharpness;
– Motion Xcelerator 120Hz – crisp visuals up to 120 fps;
– Q-Symphony – ideal sync with a Q/S-series soundbar;
– Pur Color – wider range of colors;
– 4K Upscaling for low-resolution content;
– Mega Contrast – decrease of the difference between light and dark areas with frame-by-frame auto adjustment of the brightness and contras;
– Crystal Processor 4K;
– Game Bar with adjustable screen ratio, AI Auto Game Mode, Mini Map Auto Detection and virtual aiming.
TCL QM6K and Hisense U8K
The QM6K (2025) replaces last year’s TCL Q6/Q651G QLED. The list of main improvements includes mini LED backlit and advanced gaming features. The 98″ panel uses ~500 dimming zones with independent control.
As known, it was developed and first implemented in the TCL 6 Series in 2018. In fact, the hundreds of traditional LEDs for backlight were replaced by tens of thousands of miniature ones.
Combined in arrays with independent control, they radically increased the brightness control accuracy in the different frame areas depending on the content, increasing the overall image contrast.
Like the Q6, it uses quantum dot technology called Colorful Quantum Crystals, which improves color accuracy and supports a wider color gamut.
Its two HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K@144Hz and 1080p@288Hz with VRR. One of the two HDMI 2.0 ports functions as an eARC port with full Dolby and DTS audio pass-through, for example, to an external soundbar.
The TV runs Google TV 12, which provides voice control and access to streaming apps.
The Hisense U8/U8K (2023) replaced the Hisense U8/U8H. The list of improvements includes an increase in the number of local dimming zones, a more powerful sound with 5 speakers, and 2x HDMI 2.1 bandwidth ports with up to 4K@144Hz support. The 98″ model has 1,620 dimming zones.
Hisense U8 uses its own version of quantum dot technology called Quantum Dot Colour. TV offers a full set of popular gaming features, is compatible with Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+, is certified as IMAX Enhanced, and supports DTS and Dolby Advanced formats. As known, Dolby Advanced converts 2ch stereo into 5.1ch surround sound, and 5.1ch into 7.1ch sound in movies. Like QM6K it runs Google TV.
TCL QM6K vs Hisense U8K
HDR Brightness (peak brightness in window, cd/m²):
– 2% – 545 vs 1,350;
– 25% – 890 vs 2,160;
– 50% – 700 vs 1,400;
– 100% – 450 vs 850.
SDR Brightness:
– 2% – 510 vs 1,050;
– 25% – 810 vs 1,740;
– 50% – 650 vs 1,140;
– 100% – 420 vs 700.
Hisense is about twice as bright.
Contrast (QM6K vs U8K)
~500 vs 1,620 dimming zones for 98-inches models;
– 118,059: 1 with local dimming / 6,471: 1 native contrast vs 165,360: 1 / 7,577: 1.
Pre / Post Calibration (TCL QM6K vs Hisense U8K):
– White Balance dE – 4.15 / 0.26 vs 1.97 / 0.19 (good value <3);
– Color dE – 2.42 / 1.24 vs 1.46 / 1.35 (good value <3);
– Gamma – 2.23 / 2.20 vs 2.19 / 2.20 (2.1-2.3);
– Color Temp – 6,456K / 6,492K vs 6,676K / 6,499K (6,500K – standard).
Formally, Hisense U8K is slightly more accurate ‘out of the box’, but, frankly speaking, both models do not need additional calibration.
SDR / HDR Color Volume (QM6K vs U8K):
~ 84% DCI-P3 & 58% BT.2020 / 68% DCI-P3 (1,000 cd/m²) & 30% BT.2020 (10,000 cd/m²) vs 97% DCI-P3 & 80% BT.2020 / 90% DCI-P3 (1,000 cd/m²) & 50% BT.2020 (10,000 cd/m²).
The color volume is a three-dimensional indicator that measures the change in color depending on the brightness. In fact, a display with 100% color volume ensures color accuracy at any brightness. Testing shows a significant advantage of the U8K in this indicator.
In addition, U8K with semi-gloss screen finish provides better reflection handling.
Unfortunately, both models have below-average viewing angles and are not suitable for wide seating arrangements.
Conclusion
Overall, the price difference is quite consistent with the difference in specs.
The Samsung DU9000 is inferior in brightness and contrast due to the lack of QD technology and mini LED backlit. But only $ 2,000 for a 98-inches monster is very impressive.
In fact, it displays slightly worse in fairly bright ambient light, and provides worse detail in dark scenes. For example, the image quality of a dark-skinned detective wearing black glasses, a black cape and black gloves in a cave will be so-so. However, such content can hardly be positioned as dominant. But for SDR content from cable or satellite TV in the evening and with not very bright lighting, it’s ideal.
More expensive 98-inches TCL QM6K and Hisense 100U8K TVs use innovative QD technology and mini LED backlit, providing superb brightness and contrast. Objectively, Hisense is brighter, has a higher contrast and a wider color gamut, which is quite consistent with the $ 500 difference ($ 2,200 vs $ 2,740).
Considering the prices and specs, all models offer approximately the same price-quality ratio. Therefore, the choice depends on the budget and secondary factors, including personal attitude to brands, service and, of course, discounts. But in general, hard times are ahead for UST projector manufacturers. Today, the price-quality ratio of their products is significantly inferior to huge TVs, especially considering the prices of CLR screens.
This video introduces the new Hisense U8K mini LED Pro ULED 4K TV.