When you're looking for a truly immersive home entertainment experience, going big is often the answer. Today, we're comparing two impressive large-format displays: the Samsung 98" Q80C QLED TV ($7,998) and the Hisense L9H TriChroma Laser TV ($3,999). Both offer massive screens around 100 inches, but they take very different approaches to delivering your favorite content.
The market for huge displays has evolved significantly in recent years. Traditional TVs have gotten bigger while becoming more affordable, and ultra-short throw (UST) projectors have emerged as a compelling alternative. These technologies serve the same basic purpose - showing your content on a massive screen - but each has distinct advantages.
Both of our contenders were released in 2023, representing the latest in their respective technologies. The Samsung Q80C builds on years of QLED development, while the Hisense L9H showcases how far UST projection has come.
Mounting a 98-inch TV isn't like hanging your typical flatscreen. The Samsung Q80C weighs a substantial 145 pounds and requires serious wall reinforcement or a very sturdy entertainment center. You'll need professional installation unless you're particularly handy. The upside? Once it's mounted, you're done - no adjustments or calibration needed.
The Hisense L9H offers more flexibility in setup but requires more attention to detail. You'll need to position the projector unit precisely to align with its included 100-inch ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen. The screen installation is similar to mounting a TV, but the projector itself sits on furniture below. This arrangement can actually save wall space since the unit sits closer to the wall than you might expect - that's what "ultra-short throw" means.
The Samsung Q80C shines here - literally. Its QLED technology (which uses quantum dots to enhance color and brightness) performs consistently regardless of room lighting. Having tested similar models, I can say it's perfectly watchable even with sunlight streaming in.
The Hisense L9H, while bright for a projector at 3,000 ANSI lumens, still works best in controlled lighting. Its ALR screen helps tremendously, rejecting overhead light, but it can't quite match a TV's brightness in challenging conditions. However, in a home theater or during evening viewing, the difference becomes minimal.
Both displays offer 4K resolution, but they achieve it differently:
For gamers, the Samsung holds the advantage. Both displays support 4K/120Hz gaming, but the TV's input lag is noticeably lower - around 10ms compared to the projector's 30ms. While both are fine for casual gaming, competitive players will prefer the TV's responsiveness.
The price difference here is substantial - nearly $4,000. The Hisense L9H includes its ALR screen in the package, making it an even better value. For the price of the TV alone, you could get the projector setup plus a high-end sound system.
However, value isn't just about price. The Samsung's superior brightness and gaming performance might be worth the premium for the right user. It's also likely to have a longer lifespan, though the projector's laser light source is rated for 25,000 hours (that's about 8.5 years at 8 hours per day).
In a dedicated home theater room, both options excel but in different ways:
For mixed-use spaces:
Consider these key factors:
Both the Samsung 98" Q80C and Hisense L9H represent impressive achievements in large-format displays. The TV excels in brightness, gaming, and ease of use, while the projector offers better value and a more cinema-like experience.
For most users, the decision will come down to room conditions and budget. If you have a bright room and the budget isn't a major concern, the Samsung TV is the safer choice. If you have some control over lighting and want to maximize value, the Hisense projector delivers an amazing experience at a significantly lower price point.
Remember: either way, you're getting a massive, cinema-like display that will transform your home entertainment experience. The key is matching the technology to your specific needs and environment.
| Samsung 98" Q80C QLED TV ($7,998) | Hisense L9H TriChroma Laser TV ($3,999) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Affects image quality, longevity, and room placement | |
| QLED panel with direct LED backlight | Triple laser UST projector with ALR screen |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for daytime viewing and HDR impact | |
| 2,000+ nits (excellent for any lighting) | 3,000 ANSI lumens (good with controlled lighting) |
| Color Gamut - Determines how vibrant and accurate colors appear | |
| 100% DCI-P3 | 107% BT.2020 (wider range, more cinema-like) |
| Installation Requirements - Consider your room and setup flexibility | |
| Wall mount only, 145 lbs, requires reinforcement | Screen mount + furniture placement, more flexible |
| Gaming Performance - Important for responsive gameplay | |
| 9.7ms input lag, ideal for competitive gaming | 30ms input lag, fine for casual gaming |
| Lifespan - Long term value consideration | |
| 100,000+ hours typical LED lifespan | 25,000 hours laser life (8+ years at 8hrs/day) |
| Smart Features - Ease of use and content access | |
| Tizen OS with Samsung ecosystem integration | Google TV with broader app compatibility |
| Sound System - Built-in audio quality | |
| 40W 2.2CH (adequate but likely want external) | 40W Dolby Atmos (better built-in solution) |
| HDR Support - Impacts contrast and color in HDR content | |
| HDR10+ with excellent peak brightness | Dolby Vision, good but limited by max brightness |
| Total Cost Consideration - Initial investment plus extras needed | |
| Higher initial cost, mount required | Includes ALR screen, lower total cost |
For dedicated home theaters, the Hisense L9H TriChroma Laser TV ($3,999) typically offers a more cinema-like experience with its softer, film-like image quality and Dolby Vision support. However, the Samsung 98" Q80C ($7,998) provides better HDR performance and deeper blacks. Both are excellent choices, but the projector's value and more theater-like image give it a slight edge for movie enthusiasts.
The Samsung Q80C delivers significantly higher peak brightness for HDR content and maintains consistent performance in any lighting. The Hisense L9H outputs 3,000 ANSI lumens, which is good for a projector but still requires some light control for optimal viewing.
The Samsung Q80C is superior for gaming with its 9.7ms input lag and excellent HDR gaming features. While the Hisense L9H supports gaming at 4K/120Hz, its 30ms input lag makes it better suited for casual rather than competitive gaming.
Yes, both require careful installation. The Samsung TV weighs 145 pounds and needs professional wall mounting. The Hisense projector requires precise alignment with its ALR screen, but offers more flexible placement options.
The Samsung Q80C performs significantly better in bright rooms due to its QLED technology and high brightness capability. While the Hisense L9H includes an ALR screen, it still works best with some light control.
The Hisense L9H costs $3,999 including the ALR screen, while the Samsung Q80C is priced at $7,998. The projector offers better value, especially considering it includes the screen, but the TV provides superior brightness and gaming performance.
The Samsung TV's LED technology typically lasts 100,000+ hours. The Hisense projector's laser light source is rated for 25,000 hours (about 8.5 years at 8 hours daily use).
The Samsung Q80C uses Tizen OS with excellent integration into the Samsung ecosystem. The Hisense L9H uses Google TV, offering broader app compatibility and easier content discovery.
Both include 40W speaker systems, but for a true home theater experience, external speakers are recommended. The Hisense has a slight advantage with Dolby Atmos support in its built-in speakers.
The Samsung Q80C handles fast motion better and maintains brightness in any lighting, making it superior for sports viewing. Its higher peak brightness also helps with daytime sports viewing.
The Samsung TV requires traditional wall mounting. The Hisense projector's screen mounts on the wall, but the projector unit sits on furniture below, potentially offering more placement flexibility.
For mixed-use spaces, the Samsung Q80C is generally more versatile due to its consistent performance in varying light conditions and superior gaming capabilities. However, if budget is a primary concern and you have some light control, the Hisense L9H offers excellent performance at a significantly lower price point.
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: techradar.com - samsung.com - rtings.com - abt.com - trustedreviews.com - billsmith.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - images.samsung.com - samsung.com - youtube.com - projectorreviews.com - shop.hisense-usa.com - projectorcentral.com - hometheaterhifi.com - shop.hisense-usa.com - projectorcentral.com - 2001audiovideo.com - projektoren-datenbank.com - content.syndigo.com
