When it comes to getting a truly cinematic display for your home, we're living in exciting times. Let's dive into two very different but equally impressive options: the Hisense L9H TriChroma Laser TV ($5,499) and the TCL 98" QM8 Series ($2,999). Both released in 2023, these displays represent the latest in their respective technologies.
Remember when a 65-inch TV seemed enormous? Now, we're regularly seeing 85-inch+ displays in homes, and the technology has evolved to make these sizes both practical and surprisingly affordable. We've come a long way from the days of dim projectors and chunky plasma TVs.
The key development has been the convergence of two technologies: ultra-short throw (UST) laser projectors and quantum dot mini-LED TVs. Both can now deliver bright, colorful images at sizes that truly rival commercial cinema screens.
The Hisense L9H uses three separate lasers (red, green, and blue) to create images, bouncing light off a special screen that rejects ambient light. Think of it like three perfectly synchronized flashlights, each contributing its color to build the final picture. This TriChroma technology is relatively new, replacing older single-laser systems that used color wheels.
Meanwhile, the TCL QM8 uses thousands of tiny LED lights behind the screen, grouped into zones that can brighten or dim independently. This mini-LED technology, combined with quantum dots (tiny particles that enhance color), represents the current peak of LED TV evolution. It's like having thousands of precisely controlled spotlights working together.
Having tested both types of displays, I can tell you each has distinct advantages:
The TCL QM8 absolutely dominates bright rooms with its 5,000-nit peak brightness (that's roughly equivalent to five high-end HDR TVs combined). I've seen it clearly even in sunlit rooms where most displays would wash out.
The Hisense L9H, while bright for a projector at 3,000 ANSI lumens, works best in controlled lighting. However, its included ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen helps significantly. This screen is like having a pair of sunglasses for your projector - it blocks room light while reflecting the projector's image.
For movie watching, both deliver excellent experiences but in different ways:
For gamers, the TCL QM8 takes the lead with:
The Hisense L9H isn't bad for gaming, but its 30-35ms input lag might be noticeable to competitive players.
Here's where your living space becomes crucial to the decision:
The Hisense L9H requires:
The TCL QM8 needs:
Looking at pure dollars-per-inch, the TCL QM8 at $2,999 seems like the clear winner. However, remember the Hisense includes a specialized ALR screen that would cost $1,000+ if purchased separately.
Consider also:
After spending time with both systems, here's my practical advice:
Choose the Hisense L9H if:
Choose the TCL QM8 if:
Both technologies continue to evolve. We're seeing brighter lasers, better ALR screens, and more efficient mini-LEDs each year. The Hisense L9H and TCL QM8 represent the current state of the art, but expect improvements in brightness, color accuracy, and price points to continue.
The exciting part is that both approaches have plenty of room for advancement. While they serve similar purposes, they're different enough that both will likely continue to develop in parallel, giving consumers excellent options for creating their perfect home theater setup.
Remember, the "best" choice depends entirely on your specific situation - room setup, viewing habits, and what aspects of performance matter most to you. Either way, you're getting a spectacular display that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.
| Hisense L9H TriChroma ($5,499) | TCL 98" QM8 ($2,999) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Determines core performance characteristics | |
| TriChroma Laser with ALR Screen | Mini-LED with Quantum Dots |
| Brightness - Critical for daytime viewing and HDR impact | |
| 3,000 ANSI lumens (good for most lighting) | 5,000 nits peak (exceptional brightness) |
| Screen Size - Impacts immersion and viewing distance | |
| 100" fixed size with ALR screen included | 98" fixed panel |
| Color Gamut - Wider gamut means more vivid, accurate colors | |
| 107% BT.2020 (class-leading) | 98% DCI-P3 (very good) |
| Gaming Performance - Lower is better for competitive gaming | |
| 30-35ms input lag @ 4K/60Hz | <10ms input lag, 144Hz VRR support |
| Installation Requirements - Consider room constraints | |
| Needs 14" from wall, screen mounting, alignment | Simple wall mount, no calibration needed |
| Room Flexibility - Affects long-term usability | |
| Can be moved, screen is removable | Permanent installation recommended |
| HDR Support - Better HDR means more dynamic range | |
| Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Audio Solution - Built-in sound quality | |
| 40W Dolby Atmos (good for casual use) | 60W multi-speaker array (better built-in) |
| Maintenance - Long term ownership costs | |
| 25,000 hour laser life, periodic alignment | No maintenance needed |
For a dedicated home theater, the Hisense L9H TriChroma ($5,499) typically offers a more cinema-like experience with its 100" screen and superior color range. However, if your theater has ambient light, the TCL 98" QM8 ($2,999) might be the better choice due to its higher brightness and better HDR performance.
The TCL QM8 is more affordable at $2,999, while the Hisense L9H costs $5,499. However, the Hisense includes a specialized ALR screen worth over $1,000, making the real price difference smaller than it appears.
The TCL 98" QM8 performs significantly better in bright rooms with its 5,000 nit peak brightness. While the Hisense L9H includes an ALR screen that helps with ambient light, it still performs best in controlled lighting conditions.
The Hisense L9H comes with a required 100" ALR screen included in the price. The TCL QM8 is a complete TV that doesn't need any additional screen.
The TCL QM8 is superior for gaming with its 144Hz refresh rate and lower input lag. The Hisense L9H has acceptable gaming performance but isn't optimal for competitive gaming.
The TCL QM8 requires standard TV mounting, though professional installation is recommended due to its size. The Hisense L9H needs more complex installation, including screen mounting and projector alignment.
The Hisense L9H offers superior color range with 107% BT.2020 coverage, while the TCL QM8 provides excellent but slightly lower color coverage. For most viewers, both will offer outstanding color performance.
The TCL QM8 requires no specific maintenance. The Hisense L9H has a 25,000-hour laser life and may need occasional realignment and screen cleaning.
The Hisense L9H can be relocated more easily, though it requires careful setup each time. The TCL QM8 is designed for permanent installation and moving it requires significant effort.
The TCL QM8 features a more powerful 60W multi-speaker array, while the Hisense L9H includes a 40W Dolby Atmos system. However, for a proper home theater, external speakers are recommended for both.
The TCL QM8 has typical LED TV longevity of 50,000+ hours. The Hisense L9H laser engine is rated for 25,000 hours, which is about 8-10 years of typical use.
The Hisense L9H requires specific room dimensions and benefits from light control. The TCL QM8 is more flexible but needs sufficient wall space and viewing distance for its 98" screen.
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 - camelcamelcamel.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - avsforum.com - bestbuy.com - greentoe.com - tcl.com
