The first of the 2020 Hisense Q8 4K ULED and S8 4K UHD/LED televisions will be arriving in-store in May.
The naming convention for the Hisense Q8 4K ULED and S8 4K UHD/LED is different than the 4K Quantum Dot (QLED) Series-7 (R7) and Series-8 (R8). For the most part, the model name reflects the key features you’ll get such as next-generation panel features such as full-array local dimming (FALD) PRO.
Q8 4K ULED
Available in 55/65/75 and 85” sizes at $1,799/$2,499/$3,699/$5,499
What is FALD PRO on the Q8?
A typical LCD TV has edge lighting – usually a row of LEDs along the bottom edge of the screen and optics that distribute that light around the panel. If you see the term ‘local dimming’ on its own, you know it’s the edge-lit type. The downside is that you can’t get sufficient brightness (nits) or contrast (the difference between pure black and white measured as a ratio like 1000:1) across the panel, so its really hard to support proper High Dynamic Range (HDR), let alone HDR10/+ or the ultimate – Dolby Vision.
Full-Array Local Dimming (FALD PRO), on the other hand, uses hundreds of LEDs (and Hisense will not reveal how many) behind the panel, rather than on its edge. The image processor chip addresses each one and can turn it on/off (some can dim as well). The result is increased brightness, higher contrast (LCD can not do pure black) and more dimming zones to help HDR and Dolby Vision.
What is Quantum Dot on the Q8?
Technically it’s a layer of different sized nano-crystals (immensely small) that reside over the LCD gates. As light hits the different size crystals, they glow in a specific colour (wavelength). Samsung pioneered it, and its high-level QLED TVs are excellent – giving OLED a run for its money.
Using this technology, the 2020 Hisense Q8 can create over 1 billion colours/shades. This and FALD PRO together means it is fully Dolby Vision approved. It also uses dynamic metadata to optimise the colour, contrast and brightness settings of what you’re watching automatically — frame by frame (older versions used static metadata, adjusting only once for the show).
And Hisense has improved the anti-glare screen claiming to absorb 98% of incoming light – a criticism we had of the 2019 models.
VIDAA 4 – on Q8
Hisense developed its own TV operating system. It would be trite to say that Samsung Tizen, Sony Android TV, LG WebOS are better – or worse. TV OS is what they is! We had a first look at VIDAA 4.0 at CES Las Vegas earlier this year, and found it to be cleaner (more organised), with enhanced AI/universal search and streaming including Netflix, YouTube, Stan, Amazon Prime Video and ABC iView.
For more, check out our Hisense 2020 TV range wrap up in the video below, or fast forward to the 5 minute mark to see VIDAA in action.
We are yet to review the range so we can’t comment on the next-gen QLED (Quantum Dot) FALD panel except to say that we were pretty impressed with lower specified, edge-lit 2019 R8 (GadgetGuy review here). The R9 had FALD but never made it to Australia.
It has Dolby Vision (backwards compatible with HDR/10), Dolby Atmos (decoding on TV to downmix to its speakers or passthrough to an Atmos soundbar).
Other features include (we are yet to receive a spec sheet):
- 200 Smooth motion rate (Hisense uses Motion Estimation and Motion Compensation as well as Black Frame Insertion that reduces brightness, but for most purposes apart from sport or gaming you will leave this setting off)
- Bluetooth/Wi-FI
- Google Assistant and Alexa support
GadgetGuy’s take:
4K at a very reasonable price!
S8 4K UHD/LED
Available in 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, 85 and 100” at $899/$999/$1,199/$1,699/$2,499/$3,699/14,990 from May.
Hisense’s new UHD family of TVs are more value-focused but still come with features you’d find on more expensive models. We’ve listed these below. The 85 and 100” variants also get Dolby Vision HDR and will be available from mid-June/July rather than May.
- Edge-lit allowing HDR 10 (not Dolby Vision)
- VIDAA 3.0
- Support voice assistants
- 100 Smooth motion rate
- BT and Wi-Fi
- DTS Sound (not Dolby Atmos)
- PVR/USB record and play
GadgetGuy’s take:
The S8 4K UHD/LCD is more like the 2019 Series-7
Good value for a mainstream 4K unit. But I suspect TV aficionados will go straight to the Q8 4K QLED for a superior picture and sound experience.
We’ll be sure to update this article once more specs and features become available.
For more, visit Hisense’s website here
Hisense claims the S8 is direct lit, but you say it is edge lit? Can you clarify which it actually is?
As far as we can tell the 85/100″ models are back-lit (standard FALD – not PRO). But as far as the specs we have seen the smaller S8s are edge-lit with ‘local dimming Pro’. The Hisense spec sheet calls the 65″ LCD/LED Direct-Lit whereas they use the term FALD or FALD Pro on the Q8 series.
We will check when we review it. Sorry I cant be of more help today.
What is the point in writing a review when you have only seen specs, that’s ridiculous
First its not a review. A review requires real-world use and a full suite of tests and was done sometime later by Thomas Bartlett. https://www.gadgetguy.com.au/hisense-65q8-ultrahd-tv/
TV is an important category for our readers and we like to cover all TV brands announcements and give readers as much info as we can gather (which is often way more than you find on their website). Reviews are not possible on all brands and models.