Latest news with #QM7
Digital Trends
21-05-2025
- Business
- Digital Trends
Hurry! This 65-inch TCL won't be 33% off forever
TCL has garnered quite a reputation for making affordable TVs that deliver great picture quality. At times, these budget-friendly sets even rival the picture you'll get from brands like Samsung, Sony, or LG. One of these models is actually on sale this week. While the sale lasts, you'll be able to grab the TCL 65-inch QM7 Series 4K QLED for only $1,000. That's a $500 markdown from the TV's original $1,500 price. Why you should buy the TCL QM7 Series There's nothing like a QLED TV for a bright home theater space, and the TCL QM7 is no exception. TCL's QD-Mini technology brings impressive brightness levels to the table, so you won't have to worry about sunlight or lamps ruining your TV picture. And thanks to the TV's mini-LED backlighting, this LED-LCD has the kind of inky blacks typically found on top OLED TVs. That's on top of TCL's Halo Control System, which all but eliminates light bloom around darker objects. You'll also be treated to up to 2,500 local dimming zones and support for every HDR format, including Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The TCL QM7 has a native 144Hz refresh rate, on top of ALLM support for reduced input lag when hooking up a game console or PC. TCL's Auto Game Mode also gives you the fastest response times, ensuring you won't miss a frame of action in your next round of Call of Duty! Google TV OS is TCL's UI and smart hub of choice, the latter of which grants you access to all kinds of apps and free live TV stations. You'll even be able to use Google Assistant to search for movies and shows, and control smart home devices! Save $500 on the 2025 TCL 65-inch QM7 Series 4K QLED when you buy right now, and be sure to take a look at our lists of the best TCL TV deals, best QLED TV deals, and best TV deals for even more markdowns on top TCL sets. You may also want to have a peek at our collection of the best TVs under $1,000.
Business Mayor
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Mayor
You Asked: Best OLED for PS5, straight talk for oldies, and GTA 6 weigh-in
On today's You Asked: We're all in mourning after another delay to the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, but we answer your questions in anticipation. And, in a world of so many OLED TV choices, which one pairs well with a PlayStation 5? TCL QM7 TCL @LunaQueeniemon asks: My four-year-old LG CX 55-inch TV just went this past weekend. It does reboot loops and a long beep sound – because of this I'm afraid of getting a new OLED TV. So I'm stuck between LG B4 48-inch or a TCL QM7 55-inch TV. Which one should I choose? I think the first question you need to answer is: What's more important: size or OLED-level picture quality? If your space is set up for a 55-inch TV and your own viewing preferences lean toward that slightly larger size, I'd suggest the 55-inch TCL QM7 over the 48-inch LG B4. The QM7 is a great looking TV. And while you will lose out on contrast compared to the B4, not having the perfect blacks of OLED, you will have a significant leg up in terms of SDR and HDR brightness on the QM7. So in terms of HDR performance, there's still plenty of wow factor there. If price is weighing into the decision, we have seen the 55-inch LG B4 drop to $800 before. You may have to wait for that price to come around again, but if it puts the OLED more into the strike zone, it's probably worth the wait to get the ideal picture and size you like. You also mention being afraid of getting a new OLED TV since you just had an issue with your previous CX. Something going wrong with a product can push you away from purchasing another – I get it – but, as you likely know yourself, in the world of electronics, sometimes things just happen. LG OLEDs, especially newer and higher tier models, are pretty reliable. And other factors, like how hard you push your TV, can factor into the equation as well. So, in this case, try not to let that keep you from purchasing a B4 if OLED quality tops your priority list over size. Zeke Jones / Digital Trends @adiddy911 writes: I want an OLED, but there are so many makes and models. It's too complicated – I don't know what to go with anymore. Any recommendations? Which one goes well with the PS5? The C4? The G4? I need answers. Answers we have, and it sounds like you've already got your eyes set on a few. Lucky for you, the LG C4 and G4 are 2024 models, so if you haven't yet made a purchase you can probably get one of them at a solid discount this time of year. Technically they are both excellent with the PlayStation 5. Both have four HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 4K resolution with a 144 Hertz refresh rate and VRR. Both have low input lag, which is great for first person shooters where you want that quick response. And both look fantastic with rich, vibrant colors. LG G4 OLED Zeke Jones / Digital Trends Personally, I've always admired LG's C series OLED TVs – I've spent time with a few of them now. They deliver an incredible picture at a price that's a little easier to stomach. If the TV will be used primarily for gaming, say in an office or game room, and doesn't need to be 65 inches – what I prefer in a living room space – a smaller size can really be a great deal. The LG C4 is available at 42 and 48 inches, while the G4 starts at 55 inches (at a significantly higher price). To answer your question and provide a little clarity on the differences, several report that in its Game Optimizer mode, the HDR Brightness with the C4 is dimmer than the G4. We did not test that side-by-side, so I can't confirm definitively how big a difference there is, but wanted to point that out. However, if you only put eyes on the C4 and didn't have anything side-by-side to compare it to, do you think you would notice? If the answer is no, I'd go with the C4. But if you want that extra bit of brightness, not just for gaming, but SDR and HDR content viewing as well, then I think it's the G4. 2024 TCL QM8 John Higgins / Digital Trends Kathy writes: I've been watching your videos and at 75 years old, I don't have a clue what you are talking about – or I'm just very confused. I'm sure this will be close to our last TV. We want one for watching movies, Netflix, Hulu, Prime, etc. Our seats are 75 inches from the TV. From what you said, I think we need to get an OLED to have a great picture and maybe 55 or 65 inches. We would like to keep it under $1,500 with a sound bar since we just don't hear as well as we used to – hence, subtitles on everything. You seem to like Sony the best. Would you please do a video for us oldies? Leave out the technical and just tell us what to buy. Make it very simple and make it plain. There are thousands of us out here that would watch that video because we need major help. We all would appreciate it. I appreciate this question because I agree: Sometimes, we just need to shut up and get to the point, right? I'll do my best. 75 inches is almost exactly how far I am from my own 65-inch TV at home. So I would recommend a 65-inch TV. It's the perfect blend between giving you a nice, big screen to enjoy your favorite shows without being too big. However, with a $1,500 dollar budget, including a soundbar, an OLED might be a little tough to pull off. Some of the less expensive models might not be bright enough to satisfy you. If you must go OLED, I'd recommend the LG B4 at around $1,200 dollars. Once again, there will be a slight step back in brightness, but it's OLED, and in a dark room, it's going to look great. John Higgins / Digital Trends For a potentially better bang for your buck, consider some mini-LED options. They have beautiful image quality, and are generally a bit brighter than OLED. I think you will love the experience. Also, mini-LEDs tend to be less expensive. I suggest the 65-inch TCL QM851G. The 2024 model comes in around $900. At the time of publishing, the 65-inch TCL QM7K (2025 model) is on sale for $1,100 dollars. I'd also recommend the Hisense U8N, another 2024 model that's a direct competitor to TCL's QM8 and with similarly strong high performance. I recommend these options from Hisense and TCL because, in addition to great picture quality, they both use the Google TV operating system, which I find is easiest to work with. It's a clear layout for all the apps, the remotes are simple, and the setup isn't too difficult either. Read More Baldur's Gate 3 on the Steam Deck plays better than it looks Yes, I provided four options and most of them are not OLED, but like you said, let's keep it simple. These are excellent TVs. For soundbars in the $300-$500 price range we recommend the Bose Smart Soundbar, Yamaha YAS-209 and Klipsch Flexus Core 200, among others. If you need more options check out our Best Soundbars video and our list of soundbars under $500. Digital Trends @rachmartinmedia writes: I'm a professional photographer. I edit a lot, and mainly wedding imagery, so it's high volume. What current MacBook Pro would you recommend? Great question, and one I can relate to. I do a bit of photography on the side, and for event shoots, yes, lots of editing can really start taxing your computer. I do my work on a MacBook Pro M2 Max, usually in Lightroom, sometimes popping into Photoshop at the same time, and often with too many Google Chrome tabs open. The M2 Max certainly handles that workload, but if I start to open a lot of files in Photoshop at the same time, I need to close a few tabs or other programs to keep things snappy. All that to say, I'd recommend going with an M3 Max or M4 Max option. The latter will ensure you're future-proof, however, with my M2 Max, I feel no need to upgrade anytime soon. I think you're good with the M3 Max if you want to save some money. If you use an external monitor for editing, don't be afraid to go with a 14-inch MacBook Pro. It's still powerful, but more portable for work on the go. If you do save some money with the M3 Max option, consider spending it on some extra SSD space. (I have a 1 TB drive, but I wish I had more.) Lightroom and PhotoShop cache files and previews are stored on the internal drive, so you'll need a little extra space there to keep things running smoothly. Now we have the latest on Grand Theft Auto VI with Senior Gaming Editor Giovanni Colantonio. Why are we talking about GTA 6? Because it's been a surprisingly busy month for a game that's not coming out for a while. In case you missed the news: Grand Theft Auto VI is no longer coming out in 2025 as originally planned. It's now slated for a May 26, 2026 release date. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news if you hadn't heard that yet, but here's some good news — we at least got a new trailer. It's the first look at GTA VI we've had since December 2023, and it was a much-needed and impressive update. The trailer has racked up millions of views across social media and sparked a lot of conversation – including from you, our community. Here are some of those comments: Rockstar Games @ineedabreak_rip writes: As a pureblood Florida man, this game got me smiling from ear to ear, bruh. James Moses writes: Way too realistic. I had a trauma response because it reminded me of family reunions back in the day. James, I totally get that: I have family in Florida and been to Miami a lot, and this trailer really captures something specific about that area. That's a big takeaway: While we didn't learn much about gameplay, we got a better idea of what the game looks like. Honestly, it really does look next-gen. This isn't just GTA V scaled up. Rockstar seems to have gone all out. The level of visual detail is incredible – it looks like a real city, and not a bunch of copied-and-pasted assets. Of course, we're seeing a very directed slice of the game, but the effort on display is clear. What stood out to me more than the photorealistic characters or detailed spaces was the lighting. Florida has a very specific quality of light – it is the Sunshine State, after all – and this trailer nails that warm, golden-hour tone. It's something I don't see often in games. That kind of tone gets me really excited. It's unique. Maybe something like South of Midnight captures that vibe, but this one has a grounded, cinematic feel that really pops. Tone in general is something I'm excited about with this trailer, and a lot of you noticed it too. Rockstar Games Noah Sessler writes: I really love the grunginess of it. To me, GTA V got a bit too clean and glitzy too fast. I totally agree. There's a grit and a sexiness to this trailer – almost like a Michael Mann movie. You never know what kind of tone a GTA game is going to take. Going into this, I wondered if it would be jokey and irreverent or grounded and gritty. I love that they're dialing into that crime-thriller vibe. Here's the thing: I've been excited for GTA VI for a while, like everyone else. But I'm not sight-unseen excited for any game. I need a reason. You can't just say 'It's GTA VI' and expect me to be hyped. That first trailer? Sure, it looked cool, but it didn't give me much. This one? It gives me a reason. I get the tone. I get the cinematic crime feel they're aiming for. That's something I'm genuinely excited about. Rockstar Games But there's still a lot we don't know. A lot of your questions brought that up too. Two big ones came up: Alex writes: Is that actual gameplay or just video fillers? Andy followed up with: When do we get to see gameplay? This trailer is definitely more cinematic. Rockstar clarified afterward that it's a mix of cinematic and gameplay footage. It was captured on a PlayStation 5, but it's hard to tell what is actual gameplay versus cinematic camera work. So yes, technically some of it is gameplay – or at least in-engine – but we still don't know what it's like to play the game. What does it feel like to drive around? What's the structure of the missions? What does a story beat actually look like? Rockstar Games That leads into another good question we received, asking whether the map is all connected or if you have to load into each location. The blog post that came with the trailer mentioned several distinct Florida locations, but Rockstar hasn't said how it works. We can guess that it's mostly one interconnected open world – that's how GTA usually works – but who knows? There could be fast-travel segments or separate mission areas like in Red Dead Redemption 2. We just don't know. And that's what's going to make this wait until May 26, 2026, a little tough. We want to see how it plays. We want gameplay. We want to know how the world functions. But even with all that uncertainty, I actually feel like this trailer gave me something to latch onto. I like the tone. I like the visuals. I'm excited to meet the characters and explore this Bonnie and Clyde-style story. And based on your comments, it seems like a lot of you are too. So we'll all wait together for May 26, 2026. Hold on everybody – it's coming. Just another year… hopefully. Let's not jinx it.
Business Insider
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
TCL's QM6K is an impressive budget TV, but you shouldn't buy it just yet. Here's why.
The QM6K is TCL's most affordable Mini LED TV for 2025, and it delivers a big jump in performance over the model it replaces, the 2024 Q65. This set boasts a brighter picture, deeper black levels, and a higher refresh rate, all of which help redefine what a TV in this class can deliver. Compared to other 2025 TV models, the QM6K is a true standout for the money. But despite all that praise, I can't fully recommend it. At least, not yet. The reason? You can still find 2024 TVs with better picture quality that are selling for less money. For instance, TCL's 65-inch QM7 from last year is often discounted to $680, which is more than $100 less than the 65-inch QM6K is selling for. Though the QM6K has a few benefits over that older model, the QM7 is a better TV overall. This makes assessing the QM6K's current value a little tricky. TCL models like this typically lower in price as the year goes on. Tariffs could impact costs, but I still expect this TV to get good discounts. Likewise, the QM7 will eventually sell out. In time, I'm confident the QM6K will become one of the best budget TVs of 2025, but right now, you're better off grabbing a step-up model from last year while they're still in stock. Setup is simple, as long as you use your Google account The QM6K is available in 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-, and 98-inch screen sizes. A 50-inch model is also set for release this year, but is not yet available. Small differences in brightness and contrast are expected across each size, but general specifications are the same. For this review, I tested the 65-inch model. The TV's design is basic yet perfectly serviceable for this class. The build quality and aesthetics aren't as sturdy or elegant as those of pricier models that use heftier metal materials, thinner bezels, or flush wall mounts. Still, I don't have any specific complaints. Though pedestal stands look nicer, the QM6K's simple left and right feet work well and provide ample space to place a soundbar. At 2.2 inches, the screen is a bit thicker than the super-slim panels found on pricier OLED TVs, but this depth is in line with that of other Mini LED TVs. Mini LED panels typically have deeper profiles than other types of TVs to accommodate the components needed for their advanced backlights. The QM6K's setup process is straightforward. Since it uses the Google TV operating system, it's especially simple to get up and running if you use an existing Google account. The TV displays a QR code you scan to pull up the Google Home app on your mobile device. This process automatically connects the QM6K to the same WiFi network as your phone without entering any network details or passwords. The mobile app then guides you through some other housekeeping items. Setup can also be done manually on the TV screen without the app or a Google account, but it's a bit more cumbersome and requires typing in more details. Likewise, without logging into your Google account, you won't be able to use any of the display's Google services, like the Google Play Store. So, though technically functional without a login, I don't recommend buying a Google TV unless you plan to sync it with a Google account. Once the setup is done, I suggest using the TV's Filmmaker Mode picture preset for the most accurate out-of-the-box image. I also recommend disabling Auto Brightness, which is turned on by default. This feature adjusts brightness levels based on the ambient light in your room, but you can get a more stable picture by just manually choosing a brightness level you like and sticking with it. The QM6K delivers good entry-level HDR performance, but it's dimmer than pricier TVs The QM6K is positioned as the entry-level model in TCL's premier lineup of QLED TVs. And within that context, its picture quality is impressive. Brightness and contrast can't match that of the brand's step-up QM7 or QM8 series, but for this tier, the QM6K is a great performer. I evaluated the QM6K's image performance using a mix of test patterns and real-world content from 4K Blu-ray discs and streaming services, all curated to highlight features like contrast, local dimming, black levels, color, and upscaling. I also used a colorimeter to measure the display's peak brightness, an essential component of a TV's high-dynamic-range (HDR) capabilities. With the TV set in Filmmaker Mode, I recorded a peak of 557 nits on a 10% HDR test pattern (a white box that takes up 10% of the screen). The brightest the TV got was with a larger 50% test pattern, which put out about 736 nits. Those are both decent numbers for an entry-level HDR TV like this, and they're a nice step up from last year's Q65, which could only hit about 400 nits. However, the QM6K's brightness is still notably lower than that of midrange TVs, which are capable of about 1,000 to 1,500 nits, and high-end sets that can offer 2,000 to 4,000 nits. In practice, the QM6K's brightness leads to good but not great HDR image quality. Vivid movies like "Aquaman" appear relatively vibrant with rich colors, but highlights like explosions, shimmering armor, and sunsets lack some of the boldness and overall pop they offer on higher-end TVs with more intense brightness. "Mad Max: Fury Road" reveals similar limitations. Lightning bolts and rippling flames look duller than on step-up TV models, lacking the extreme impact that the movie's exaggerated style demands. Don't get me wrong, the QM6K still offers a solid HDR picture, especially for this tier, but the set's dimmer image is noticeable when watching high-contrast HDR movies. The QM6K uses a Mini LED backlight with local dimming to control its light output. This enables the TV to brighten and darken specific areas of its screen across multiple zones. Last year's Q65 didn't have local dimming at all, so the QM6K offers a huge jump in contrast performance. The QM6K doesn't have as many zones to work with as pricier models, but TCL's dimming algorithm works well to produce solid black levels and very minimal blooming (halos around bright objects). The TV's dimming behavior favors slightly raising black levels to preserve shadow detail and avoid halos. Though this often prevents the QM6K from producing black levels that completely disappear into a dark room, it does help to create a more even image that's free from the patchy brightness that sometimes plagues dark scenes on TVs with more aggressive dimming. The burning church scene in the film "1917" is a great example. Though I've seen deeper black levels and brighter highlights on other Mini LED TVs, those displays tend to create a vignetting effect around light sources. The QM6K has lighter black levels and dimmer highlights overall, but it presents more seamless transitions between this sequence's dark and light portions. The QM6K isn't completely free from blooming, as I did notice some faint halos around lights during panning shots in "The Matrix" and an episode of "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina." But these instances are subtle, and the QM6K actually handles blooming a bit better than brighter Mini LED TVs I've tested, like last year's mid-tier QM7 and Hisense's premium U9N. Overall, color smoothness and stability are also great. I didn't encounter any egregious signs of banding or false contouring (blocky and pixelated colors) when watching various sources. I ran into this problem when testing last year's Hisense U6N, which offers similar specs, so it's nice to see a TV in this class avoid this issue. The QM6K slightly improves upon another area where many QLED TVs falter: viewing angles. The TV's colors and contrast still noticeably fade and distort when you sit off-center from the screen, but this effect is less severe than I've seen on some other entry-level sets. However, OLED TVs and pricier Samsung QLEDs still have a big edge with viewing angles, so this remains a factor to remember when deciding between a budget-friendly TV and a more expensive model. On the plus side, the QM6K's gaming capabilities are a nice upgrade from previous-generation models in this class. Sets in this tier used to max out at 60Hz, but the QM6K supports up to 144Hz with variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low latency mode (ALLM). This means the TV can receive 4K/120Hz signals from a PS5 or Xbox Series X, enabling you to enjoy the smoothest gameplay possible on those systems. The TV's interface works well, with fewer glitches than previous TCL models The QM6K uses the Google TV operating system, and this interface has become one of my favorites. It does a nice job of highlighting your downloaded apps at the top of the homepage while still offering useful rows of content recommendations below. Unlike some other platforms (like Fire TV), which put too much emphasis on sponsored content, Google TV does a solid job of curating picks you might actually want to watch. Though Google TV tends to be a bit sluggish on entry-level displays, that's not the case here. The QM6K offers smoother navigation and snappier app selection than competing Hisense Google TVs that I've tested in this class. I also ran into fewer glitches than I have on other TCL and Hisense sets. In the past, I've run into odd quirks like incorrect picture modes activating and certain settings applying incorrectly on some TCL TVs. But on the QM6K, none of those issues popped up. This is a promising sign that TCL may have finally solved some of its most prevalent software bugs. That's not to say the system is completely without hiccups. I encountered lag when playing 4K HDR videos on YouTube (a common issue on many entry- and mid-tier smart TVs), and moving through various services and menu screens isn't quite as seamless as it is on the best streaming devices. But in general, most people should be more than satisfied with the built-in interface. The included back-lit remote supports Google Assistant voice search with a button press, and the TV is also capable of hands-free commands after speaking the wake phrase "Hey Google." For those with privacy concerns, hands-free control can be manually disabled via a physical switch at the bottom of the TV's front bezel. Should you buy it? The TCL QM6K is poised to be one of the top budget TVs in 2025. It offers a big upgrade over last year's Q65, and easily rivals direct competitors in this performance tier. However, it's hard to recommend this model while older 2024 TVs with better picture performance are still in stock for less money. Specifically, last year's QM7 QLED 4K TV remains available in several sizes at a big discount. The QM7 can get much brighter and offers higher contrast, resulting in a better HDR image. The QM6K does handle blooming better, but its black levels aren't as deep. The QM7 will eventually sell out (some sizes are already getting hard to find), and the QM6K will likely go down in price as the year progresses. But until that happens, the QM7 remains the better value of the two.
