T3 India

TV

TCL unveils P8 4K TV series

by

Today TCL has launched P8, its latest Android television range at an event in New Delhi. The range consists of 3 models namely P8S, P8E and P8 coming with 4K and AI capabilities.

The company is the first in India to launch televisions with Android 9 Pie OS out of the box. They are powered by a quad-core CPU and triple-core GPU paired with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage. As the P8 series is certified by Google, users can download various apps from the Play store as well as sideload them via external sources. Chromecast comes pre-installed on it as well as certain streaming apps like YouTube, Netflix, Hotstar, Voot and a few more.

Google Assistant can be summoned without holding the remote in your hand. Amazon Alexa also comes integrated working without any issues. The dedicated AI chip inside can turn the TV into a hub of sorts for controlling their smart home devices and appliances. It also helps with AI Voice Interaction with far-field voice technology and AI Picture Engine to control with voice commands.

The flagship P8S comes in 2 sizes of 55″ (Rs.44,990) and 65″ Rs.64,990 while P8E Elite has 4 sizes 43″ (Rs.29,990), 50″ (Rs.33,990), 55″ (Rs.41,990) and 65″ (Rs.59,990). Finally P8 is available in 43″ (Rs.27,990), 55″ (Rs.39,990) and 65″ (Rs.59,990). All the models will be sold on both online and offline channels.

Sony refreshes Bravia range with A9G and A8G

by

Sony has launched their new OLED TV series for the year at an event in the capital today. This includes two series in the Bravia range: A8G and A9G.

Billed as the successor to A9F from last year, Sony A9G is powered by the latest X1 Ultimate picture processor from the company. The chip controls 8 million self-illuminating pixels that can be dimmed and brightened individually for deeper blacks as well as more vibrant colours. The 4K OLED panels have a native resolution of 3840×2160 pixels coming with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support for HDR content. There is also a Netflix Calibrated mode that shows the colours of Netflix original shows as intended by the creators.

Coming to audio, A9G uses Acoustic Audio Surface+ that makes the screen vibrate to produce sound. This 2.2 channel setup features 20W+20W speakers plus 10W+10W subwoofers that produce very loud yet clear sound. It can also be paired with a home theater system making it act as the centre speaker. They also come with Dolby Atmos and DTS Digital sound. There are plenty of ports on the left side like eARC HDMI to connect the latest audio devices but they are positioned in a slightly inconvenient area.

Running on Android TV OS, Chromecast is built-in for casting from smartphones and Google Play Store can be accessed to download various apps or games. It can work with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Airplay 2 and Homekit. Voicing AI commands doesn’t require the smart remote to be in the hand which can also control all the HDMI-connected devices. Bundled inside is a Flush Wall mount that makes the TV stick to the wall like a poster but it can also be extended and moved a bit to the side to adjust the viewing angle.

The A9G series is priced at Rs.2,69,900 for 55″ and Rs.3,69,900 for 65″ while A8G costs Rs.2,19,900 for 55″ and Rs.3,19,900 for 65″. A8G is currently being sold at all Sony retail stores, online and offline partners but A9G will be sold from 1 August 2019. Screen sizes larger than 65″ are slated to be coming soon.

Sony HT-Z9F delivers Ultimate Cinematic Experience

by

Vertical Sound Engine: Sony’s Vertical Surround Engine lets you enjoy surround sound in a single unit. This means no ceiling speakers are required to emanate sounds from all directions. The “vertical” sound ensures that it delivers amazing audio you without additional paraphernalia surrounding you.

True Theatre Experience: Combined with the S-Force PRO Front Surround technology that improves the existing surround sound now recreates the feeling of being surrounded by speakers from all directions with 5.1ch* cinematic 4K soundbar with Dolby Atmos.

4K HDR Quality: The visual quality works for you in every way you’d dream of in a home theatre environment as it is made for the latest home cinema formats including HDR10, Dolby Vision and Hybrid-Log Gamma (HLG).

Dolby Atmos ensures you’ll not miss a single beat or music effect while watching your favourite movie. It’s like experiencing the movie in a theater but right in your home.

Connectivity: The HT-Z9F boasts a host of connectivity options that allows to enjoy audio via multiple ways. It supports HDMI, LAN, USB and Wi-Fi! Not just that, you can even stream music wirelessly via Bluetooth or cast via the built-in Chromecast.

More Immersive: Enhancing its immersive cred is the ability to connect to rear wireless speakers for a better surround sound experience.

Smart Assistants: The HT-Z9F is friends with Amazon Alexa and Google Home so that you can control it via voice.

Left: Sony HT-Z9F Subwoofer and Soundbar | Right: Sony SA-Z9R speakers

For more information on HT-Z9F, check out the Sony website here. For SA-Z9R, click here.

Thomson unveils their affordable Android TV range

by

Thomson TV has launched their latest range of televisions for the Indian market that are being locally manufactured under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The lineup consists of 4 sizes starting from 43″, 50″, 55″ going all the way upto 65″.

Powered by Android OS, the Android TVs support the Google Ecosystem including integration of the AI Assistant. Running on Android 8.1 Oreo, it is pre-loaded with apps such as NetFlix, YouTube, Google Store and more. The panels have a resolution of 4K and comes with HDR10 having a brightness of 550nits while sound is enhanced by Dolby Audio and DTS TruSurround sound systems. The range is powered by a a quad core processor with 2.5GB RAM and 16GB internal storage. The voice enabled remote control will have dedicated keys for NetFlix and Google Play.

The pricing of the flagship 65″ model is Rs.59,999 while the 55″ and 50″ models will cost Rs.38,999 and Rs.34,999 respectively. The entry level 43″ model has a price of Rs.29,999. The entire range will be available for sale exclusively on Flipkart.

“We are honoured to be part of Android tv journey in India, we need to thank Google for all the support. We are proud to announce Thomson 65 inches Android tv, which will be India’s first 4K official Android that echoes the ‘Make in India’ initiative. It is a great feeling especially when you have seen the evolution of smart TVs; we had launched Thomson tv with open source 4.4 version and today we are launching an official Android with the latest Oreo version. This tv will change the whole ecosystem in India as it comes with some great features like Google Assistant, Netflix, some 5000 more TV apps/games, an inbuilt Chrome-Cast, Dolby sound, 2.5 GB RAM, 16 GB ROM and much more. This will be our first premium tv at a super affordable price starting from 29,999/- for 43 inches, to a never before seen price, 65 inches at 59999/-.” said Avneet Singh Marwah, CEO of SPPL, Exclusive Brand Licensee of Thomson TVs in India.

Samsung unveil world’s first QLED 8K range

by

Samsung announced the launch of the ‘world’s first QLED 8K TV’ in India at an event in the capital. The Korean headquartered company is targetting luxury homes with their offering who want the latest technology and are ready to pay for it.

The main highlight of the 8K range is their real 8K resolution (7680×4320) coupled with 8K AI Upscaling, Quantum HDR and the new Quantum Processor 8K. The 8K AI upscaling is powered by proprietary Quantum Processor 8K ensuring that content from any source be it HDMI, USB, gaming console or Set-Top Box will be upscaled in native 8K resolution regardless of the original source resolution. This will be very helpful as right now there are not too many native 8K videos out there.

Voice commands are supported that enable consumers to control their TV from across the room. An OTA update will enable Far Field voice capability on the TV remote so it doesn’t have to be close to the user to register voice commands. The bundled no-gap wall mount and a single discreet cable help in making it blend in with the home interior. A special Ambient Mode turns it into an art piece akin to a painting that is hanging on the wall.

The QLED 8K range will be available in four sizes: 65″ (TBA), 75″ (Rs. 10,99,900), 82″ (Rs. 16,99,900) and 98″ (Rs.59,99,900). The largest model will be made to order and not kept in stock for ready buying. Additionally, the existing QLED lineup has also been refreshed with Q90 (65″ : Rs.3,99,00) , Q80 (55″ : Rs.2,09,900 and 65″ : Rs.6,49,900), Q70 (55″ : Rs.1,69,900 and 65″ : Rs.2,79,900) and Q60 (43″ : Rs.94,900 and 82″ : Rs.7,49,900). These models will be made available for purchase in the coming weeks.

Click here to find out what Twinkle Khanna had to say in a rapid Q&A session.