When you're looking to create a truly immersive home entertainment experience, few things can match the impact of a massive display. Today, we're comparing two of the most impressive options available: the Hisense L9H TriChroma Laser TV ($5,499) and the Samsung 98" QN90D Neo QLED TV ($12,999). While both deliver spectacular images approaching 100 inches, they take fundamentally different approaches to achieve this.
Let's start with what makes each of these displays special. The Hisense L9H is what's called an Ultra Short Throw (UST) projector, which means it sits just inches from your wall and projects upward onto a special screen. This isn't your old-school projector that needs to be mounted on the ceiling or placed across the room. Instead, it uses advanced laser technology - specifically three separate lasers for red, green, and blue - to create incredibly accurate colors.
The Samsung QN90D, released in early 2024, represents the latest in Mini LED technology. Think of it as thousands of tiny lights behind the screen that can be precisely controlled to create stunning contrast. It's like having the precision of OLED with the brightness capabilities of LED, thanks to Samsung's Neo QLED technology that uses quantum dots (microscopic particles that enhance color) combined with these mini LEDs.
Having tested numerous displays, I can tell you that both of these units excel, but in different ways. The Hisense's triple laser system produces colors that literally pop off the screen - it can display 107% of the BT.2020 color space (that's tech-speak for "it shows more colors than most TVs can"). In a properly darkened room, the image is spectacular, especially with movies.
The Samsung, however, has a distinct advantage in bright rooms. Its 4,000+ nit brightness (a measure of light output) means it can combat even direct sunlight while maintaining vivid colors and deep blacks. This makes it more versatile for all-day viewing.
For gaming, the Samsung generally takes the lead with lower input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen) and support for all the latest gaming features like VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode).
At $5,499, the Hisense L9H including its specialized ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen represents solid value for a premium large-format display. You're getting 100 inches of viewing area for less than half the price of the Samsung.
The Samsung QN90D at $12,999 is undeniably expensive, but it delivers uncompromising performance and reliability. There's no need to worry about laser life spans or screen maintenance - it's simply plug and play.
Here's where the real-world differences become apparent. The Hisense requires careful installation - the screen must be mounted perfectly flat, and the projector needs precise alignment. But once set up, it can essentially disappear into your décor when not in use.
The Samsung, while simpler to set up, is a permanent presence in your room. It weighs about 167 pounds and requires solid wall mounting or a sturdy entertainment center. However, its slim design (just 1.2 inches deep) helps it maintain a sleek appearance.
For dedicated home theaters, both options have merit. The Hisense excels in controlled lighting conditions, offering a more cinema-like experience with its projected image. Its Dolby Vision support and excellent color accuracy make movies look fantastic.
The Samsung brings IMAX-like brightness and contrast to home theaters, making it excellent for both movies and sports. Its anti-reflection screen and wide viewing angles mean every seat gets a great view, even in rooms with ambient light.
The Hisense's laser light source is rated for 25,000 hours - that's about 8 years of viewing at 8 hours per day. After that, you might need to replace the laser module. The ALR screen is permanent but should last indefinitely with proper care.
The Samsung has no consumable parts to replace but does use more electricity during operation. Its LED backlighting should last well beyond a decade of normal use without significant degradation.
Choose the Hisense L9H if:
Choose the Samsung QN90D if:
Both technologies continue to evolve. UST projectors are becoming brighter and more resistant to ambient light, while Mini LED TVs are getting larger and more affordable. The Hisense L9H represents the current peak of consumer UST technology, while the Samsung QN90D shows us where premium direct-view displays are headed.
Whatever you choose, both options offer spectacular viewing experiences that were unimaginable just a few years ago. The decision ultimately comes down to your specific room conditions, budget, and viewing preferences. Either way, you'll end up with a display that will impress anyone who sees it.
| Hisense L9H TriChroma Laser TV $5,499 | Samsung QN90D Neo QLED TV $12,999 |
|---|---|
| Display Size - Larger sizes create more immersive viewing | |
| 100" (fixed screen size) | 98" (no screen needed) |
| Technology Type - Affects image quality, setup complexity, and room integration | |
| UST Laser Projector with ALR Screen | Direct View Mini LED TV |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for daytime viewing and HDR impact | |
| 3,000 ANSI lumens (good for moderate lighting) | 4,000+ nits (excellent for any lighting) |
| Installation Requirements - Consider your room and setup preferences | |
| Complex setup, requires wall space and precise alignment | Simple setup, but needs strong wall mount or stand |
| Gaming Performance - Important for competitive or serious gamers | |
| 30-35ms input lag at 4K/60Hz | 9.6ms input lag at 4K/120Hz |
| Color Coverage - Affects vibrancy and accuracy of colors | |
| 107% BT.2020 (exceptional color range) | 95% DCI-P3 (excellent but slightly narrower range) |
| Ongoing Considerations - Factor these into total cost of ownership | |
| Laser rated for 25,000 hours, may need replacement | No replacement parts needed, higher power consumption |
| Room Impact When Off - Consider aesthetic preferences | |
| Screen remains visible but projector can be hidden | Large TV remains prominent in room |
| Viewing Angle - Important for group viewing | |
| Best viewed straight-on, some screen hotspotting | 178° viewing angle, consistent from any position |
| Sound System - Built-in audio quality | |
| 40W Dolby Atmos (good for casual viewing) | 2.2ch 40W with Atmos (better spatial separation) |
For a dedicated home theater, the Hisense L9H TriChroma Laser TV ($5,499) is often the better choice. Its projected 100" image provides a more cinema-like experience, and in controlled lighting conditions, its triple laser system delivers exceptional color accuracy. However, if ambient light control is challenging, the Samsung QN90D ($12,999) offers superior brightness and contrast.
For optimal viewing, you'll want to sit between 10-15 feet from either display. The Hisense L9H requires about 15 inches of depth for projector placement, while the Samsung QN90D needs only its 1.2-inch depth plus mount clearance.
The Samsung 98" QN90D significantly outperforms in bright environments due to its 4,000+ nit brightness and anti-reflection screen. While the Hisense L9H includes an ALR screen, it's still more susceptible to ambient light interference.
The Samsung QN90D is essentially plug-and-play, requiring only wall mounting or stand placement. The Hisense L9H needs precise screen mounting and projector alignment, typically requiring professional installation for optimal results.
The Samsung QN90D offers superior gaming performance with lower input lag (9.6ms) and 120Hz refresh rate support. While the Hisense L9H supports gaming, its 30-35ms input lag makes it better suited for casual rather than competitive gaming.
Both handle motion well, but the Samsung QN90D has an advantage for daytime sports viewing due to its superior brightness and anti-reflection properties. The Hisense L9H performs well for evening sports viewing in controlled lighting.
The Hisense L9H uses a laser rated for 25,000 hours (about 8-10 years of typical use) before potentially needing replacement. The Samsung QN90D has no replacement parts but higher power consumption.
At $5,499, the Hisense L9H offers better value purely in terms of price-per-inch. However, the Samsung QN90D at $12,999 provides superior versatility and performance without installation complexities.
Both excel at movie playback, but the Hisense L9H offers a more theater-like experience with its projected image and superior color gamut coverage. The Samsung QN90D provides better HDR performance and deeper blacks.
Both feature 40W speaker systems with Dolby Atmos support, but the Samsung QN90D generally provides better audio separation and clarity. However, for proper home theater use, external speakers are recommended for either display.
The Samsung QN90D is better suited for multipurpose rooms due to its superior bright-room performance and simpler setup. The Hisense L9H works best in rooms where lighting can be controlled.
The Samsung QN90D offers superior contrast, brightness, and consistency in picture quality. While the Hisense L9H provides excellent color accuracy and a larger image, its picture quality is more dependent on room conditions and screen quality.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: projectorreviews.com - shop.hisense-usa.com - projectorcentral.com - hometheaterhifi.com - shop.hisense-usa.com - projectorcentral.com - 2001audiovideo.com - projektoren-datenbank.com - content.syndigo.com - rtings.com - rtings.com - youtube.com - youtube.com - fullcompass.com - digitalhomecreations.com - jeffsappliance.com - bestbuy.com - displayspecifications.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - image-us.samsung.com - youtube.com
