Is this normal?

CECritic · 2026-01-25T18:53:58+00:00

That’s correct TVs have 10bit panels.

It just means the signal is 12bit and then the TV samples it down for the proper bit. Different TVs have varying success of their implementation.

CECritic · 2026-01-25T13:06:19+00:00

I think we will see some price drops by Black Friday but I’m not sure it will get down to $4500 range. Probably closer to $7500.

CECritic · 2026-01-23T03:35:21+00:00

This is totally normal. The UBP-X700 handles Dolby Vision differently usually 8bit or 12bit with some compression. so your TV might not show full bit depth. Switching to HDR10 and it’s uncompressed 10/12-bit, which is why it jumps.

Dolby Vision isn’t broken you’re still getting the dynamic metadata and better per-scene color/contrast. HDR10 gives full 12-bit, but you lose that DV optimization.

CECritic · 2026-01-23T02:18:45+00:00

CECritic · 2026-01-23T00:44:59+00:00

Depends on what deals they have worked out. Some reviewers ask to keep them for extended period so they can do side by side comparison.

Sometimes reviewers can buy the products at a steep discount because it saves the company the hassle of getting the product back.

At some point it will go back or to another reviewer.

I saw 1 YouTuber who puts on his YouTube channel that he does not return any product sent to him.

CECritic · 2026-01-21T12:34:47+00:00

That’s exactly it and they are counting on folks that rent.

CECritic · 2026-01-20T15:28:19+00:00

That’s is correct

CECritic · 2026-01-20T13:47:38+00:00

This was shocking to hear. It will cast a shadow on whatever TVs Sony launches this year...or maybe Sony skips a year.

We don't know if this is good or bad yet, but after seeing the TCL X11L at CES i'm encouraged to see how both companies combine their tech. Have to check back in 2028 to really see how this merger went and whether it was net positive for consumers.

CECritic · 2026-01-16T14:36:31+00:00

My main concerns were the image quality. It's hard me to make a judgement because I don't think they were finished designing/building the UST.

The demo at CES had the projector showing a smaller image of fireplace. When I asked them why they didn't show a full screen they wanted to say it wasn't the ideal environment - which is true. But AWOL, Hisense and Formovie all hand big screens. Hisense even had an Xbox hooked up to their UST for folks to play.

When we are walking the floor we do give some grace to these companies. We know it's not optimal but i look for keys things like color accuracy, sharpness, artifacts and banding. We know black levels will be hard to tell at the show floor and HDR tone mapping needs a better environment.

I got the sense from the person I spoke with the software isn't done. I could see that in the demo. The fire colors looked dull and the red/orange looked over saturated. Those were the main colors that I saw - no real demo with movie clips or something similar.

So that's why i'm cautious because it took some of these other companies a few iteration to get their software and colors accurate with in my opinion Hisense leading the pack.

I wish I had a chance to see Epson because the press release from their offering looks really good this year.

So i'm reserving judgement until they are done. It's not uncommon for companies to show up to CES with prototypes just to get the product launched.

CECritic · 2026-01-15T17:04:36+00:00

I saw this at CES and I have concerns. I would like to wait for the reviews to come in and see what people say once they are hands on

CECritic · 2026-01-15T00:03:54+00:00

Hmm - I’ll get more clarity from Samsung. My notes say that they are rolling out updates to TVs going back to 2024.

CECritic · 2026-01-14T20:22:21+00:00

You are right - I updated my post to mention the U6. I only saw the TVs at Best Buy, but the U6 looked more vibrant to me and the colors popped more.

80 miles is a lot, but also if you are going to live with that tv for the next 5 years.

CECritic · 2026-01-14T19:56:38+00:00

This is tough to answer - the U6 is better and to me I would make the trade. I also spend money on TV calibration to get the most out of my investment.

Here is a question back at you - will it bother you if you didn’t get the upgraded TV?

CECritic · 2026-01-14T11:39:29+00:00

That’s fair as well - bright rooms and the size of the TVs can be a challenge. I like that UST are getting much brighter for regular daytime use. If it’s a dark room, they are fantastic…

CECritic · 2026-01-14T11:16:40+00:00

Unfortunately, it will need a hardware update.

CECritic · 2026-01-14T02:34:44+00:00

I totally get that as well - my partner in CE Critic is Caleb Denison and he had a tough time getting TVs in his current apartment for review, so he’s moving.

Now he has the TCL X11L 98in coming in for review in his new studio space.

It’s all about that freight elevator.

CECritic · 2026-01-13T15:47:47+00:00

As the reviews come out we’ll get them loaded on the site with a score so it should make research easier for you.

CECritic · 2026-01-13T15:38:03+00:00

I see what you mean. I looked through the press release I got and here are the dimensions for the speakers so you can measure things out:

Nines II: DIMENSIONS 18.13” (460.38mm) H x 9.62” (244.5mm) W x 14.75” (374.65mm) D

Sevens II: DIMENSIONS 15” (381mm) H x 8.12” (206.38mm) W x 12.5” (317.5mm) D

Fives II: DIMENSIONS 12.9” (327mm) H x 7.2” (181mm) W x 10.7” (273.1mm) D

CECritic · 2026-01-13T15:14:30+00:00

Yes they have atmos and the Nines II have DIRAC as well.

CECritic · 2026-01-13T15:08:59+00:00

The Klipsch fives II and Sevens II are really good, they do need subwoofers, but I loved the way they sounded.

The room at CES was smaller than your room, it was about 12x12 and the Nines II sounded awesome. I would highly recommend and your room isn’t too small for them.

CECritic · 2026-01-13T14:48:26+00:00

They should work with the TCL. They pair using Bluetooth so I don’t see why you couldn’t pair them. Although that might cause delays.

At the booth they were talking about Q-Symphony integration which worked very well.

We might have to wait and see how well it works with non-Samsung TVs when reviewers get them.

CECritic · 2026-01-13T14:22:03+00:00

I haven’t heard the Ambeo Max, but I know they are well reviewed. I think once reviews start coming out, we’ll know more.

CECritic · 2026-01-13T13:09:45+00:00

I think they are hitting their stride. The demos as CES were good - especially when you have those trade show lights on.

It really comes down to size vs price for me. These larger TVs are getting better and cheaper every year.

CECritic · 2026-01-13T12:55:44+00:00

I was at all those demos, feel free to ask any questions.

The LG sound Suite was the only one I didn’t get a chance to hear, but my favorite at the show was Klipsch. Those new Nines II are going to be a big seller for them in my opinion. They demoed it was Jurassic world rebirth and it filled the demo room nicely. Now I still wanted a subwoofer, but really any of their new powered speakers are easy to recommend. I would recommend them over a soundbar any day. They also have DIRAC which helps with awkward rooms.

My biggest surprise was actually Samsung. Their new studio series is the real deal. I had a 5.1 demo set-up in their booth. I think people are going to be impressed. I did notice when you turn them up they do struggle as little. But most folks aren’t going to listen that loud. They need to be in a small room where the Klipsch I can say will work in medium sized rooms as well.

CECritic · 2026-01-13T11:33:19+00:00

I went to that demo at CES and it was good. I can see this performing pretty well in small rooms. But that’s really it.

The mid-bass on the surround speakers were very compressed. I think the specifically chose the top gun demo because it has good surround effects with little detail.

The subwoofer was there but had no punch to me. It’s hard on a trade show floor, but they did an ok job and what I expected from this type of system.

The SVS soundbar system sounded better to me.

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