The TCL 65C8K is a really substantial upgrade on its already impressive 65C855K predecessor. This is the answer from our rsident TV expert to a query from Michael, one of our loyal, regular website visitors.
The new C8Ks are built on essentially completely new LCD panels that introduce a whole host of significant hardware improvements with a particular focus on improving contrast and image uniformity. There’s always a worry when a brand throws as many new innovations at the wall in a single generational leap as TCL has done with its new WHVA ‘CrystGlow’ panels that some elements will mess things up or cause conflicts with other new features, but this really doesn’t happen with the 65C8K.
Dramatic tech improvements
TCL’s new tech for the 65C8K delivers three main areas of improvement over the C855K.
First, so-called backlight haloing, where extraneous light encircles very bright objects if they appear against a dark backdrop, has been almost eliminated. This instantly makes dark scenes more immersive.
TCL’s new panel has been able to achieve this important leap, too, without having to dim down the intensity of bright highlights - even though the 65C8K’s peak brightness has been increased by almost a third over that of the C855Ks, delivering a more spectacular high dynamic range effect.
Dark scenes also look more stable on the 65C8K than they did on the C855Ks, with hardly any distracting brightness flickers or visible local dimming zone adjustments disturbing your viewing on the newer model.
Bolder, brighter, better
Colours look bolder and brighter in the 65C8K’s punchy Standard mode, but just as importantly the Filmmaker Mode picture preset achieves significantly more picture accuracy than its predecessor, giving you an excellent approximation of ‘creative intent’.
The 65C8K carries all the major UK catch-up apps out of the box while the C855K does not, and finally, the 65C8K switches from the Onkyo-designed sound system in the C855K to a Bang & Olufsen-designed system which, while not delivering as much bass as its predecessor, sounds much more detailed, clean, open and ‘hi-fi’.
On the 65C8K’s availability, finally, TCL is set to release the 65C8K widely this month. Fingers crossed!
read John's review of the TCL 65C8K here.
