AWE SPEAKS TVs

THE TVs YOU NEED TO WATCH

AWE has built its reputation on supplying the best, most pioneering brands in the CI market. With TV technology taking some unexpected turns this year, Stuart Tickle, Managing Director of AWE, explains why AWE is proud to work with the industry’s most exciting innovators.

At AWE, we’ve been in this game for over 80 years, so we have seen every major advancement in TV manufacturing during the company’s lifetime. However, I have been blown away by the incredible innovations we’ve seen come to launch in 2022. These are solutions that meet the real needs of integrators while satisfying the high expectations of customers too.

We know that it’s not one-size-fits-all when it comes to professionally installed smart home technologies, especially as clients now look for solutions that can adapt with their lifestyle. Clients want to invest in technology that can multitask, and today’s TVs often need to tick multiple boxes when it comes to flexible installation options.

So, this is where we get quite excited. We’ve launched several ground-breaking technologies into the CI market this year, but there are two TV’s that have really stood out for me – the Sony QD-OLED and the Hisense L9. Both exceptional problem-solvers, and super cool too.

MEET THE SONY QD-OLED

This outstanding TV is brand new and available now at AWE. It’s in a class of its own and ticks so many boxes – I challenge you not to be impressed. Here’s why…

The Sony OLED (QD OLED) panel on the XR-65A95K delivers the sharpest OLED colours yet. Combined with Sony’s XR OLED Contrast Pro technology, this TV delivers up to 200% as much colour brightness as conventional OLED TVs. For colour quality, QD-OLED (quantum dot OLED) technology is in a whole new league!

The force behind this product is its revolutionary Cognitive Processor XR, which understands how humans see and hear and can reproduce the content in a way that truly feels real. Every detail is enhanced on this 4K TV, the self-illuminating OLED (QD-OLED) panel keeps constant luminance, so the billion+ shades from the XR Triluminos Max colour palette stay true from all viewing angles. For full sensory immersion, the screen is also the speaker. Acoustic Surface Audio+ combines large actuators, as well as left and right subwoofers, for truly immersive audio that matches exactly what’s on-screen.

These remarkable picture and sound technologies are wrapped up in a dazzling One Slate design. The television can be styled in two different ways to suit the surroundings. The front position style with One Slate design offers

the most immersive experience possible, while the back position style sets the TV close to the wall – great if space is limited.

Gone are the days of losing the remote! A premium backlit remote is included and with Google Assistant you can use the built-in Voice Search to find new entertainment and control other smart home devices. With the supplied BRAVIA CAM, customers can also enjoy sound optimisation technologies, Gesture Control, video chats with friends and family on the big screen, and more.

With IP integration, this Google TV allows you to browse 700,000+ movies and TV episodes from across multiple streaming services, all in one place and organised into topics and genres. BRAVIA CORE is also included, with hundreds of movies included. Gamers haven’t been forgotten – the QD OLED provides a competitive edge with ultra-responsive, smooth gameplay, made possible by the Auto Low Latency Mode in HDMI 2.1, a Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and more specialist gaming features.

This marvellous Sony QD OLED Smart TV is available in two sizes, the 55in retails at £2699 and the 65in at £3699 - both available at AWE now.

INTRODUCING PREMIUM HISENSE L9 LASER TVS

Media rooms have seen a huge surge in demand, so big screen family entertainment is high on a every installer’s agenda. Conventional projection is the most popular option for installers, but not everyone has either the money or space for a dedicated projection system or 100in TV.

This is where Hisense comes riding into battle. We are really excited to partner with Hisense to bring their new Laser TVs to installers. The L9 models boast ease of installation and use, combined with a great quality 4K HDR picture at a superb price point. It opens the door to a new end-user segment in our market, providing an amazing big screen experience for under £4,500! Sounds exceptional, right? Here’s how the clever folk at Hisense have achieved this impressive feat.

The Hisense L9 Laser TV comes in twoparts - an ultra-short throw laser projector and a 100in, or 120in, ambient light rejecting screen. So, customers get a large screen TV at a fraction of the cost of a similar-sized traditional flat panel, which currently top out at 100in. It’s an ideal option for bright, multi-purpose spaces like media rooms, living rooms or games rooms – where you want that large screen experience but don’t want a dedicated, blackedout cinema room.

It works exactly like a normal Smart TV. It has a built-in Freeview tuner, integral streaming services - using Hisense’s very responsive VIDAA operating system, and integral 40W ‘Dolby Atmos’ speakers. Even the remote control looks like a normal TV remote.

Let’s talk picture quality. The projector is actually a single chip DLP projector and creates a 4k image using advanced pixel shift technology. What makes it different from other DLPs is that three lasers – one red, one green and one blue - produce the bright, punchy colours instead of a colour wheel. In fact, Hisense state that they can exceed the BT.2020 colour gamut!

Coming in at 3,000 lumens, the triple Laser engine offers consistent colour and brightness over a 25,000-hour lifetime. To ensure a bright image in most lighting conditions, there are two options of ambient light rejecting screen available - the 100in hard screen and the 120in soft screen.

The 100in is a fixed rigid screen, with no assembly required. It’s a Fresnel screen that pushes the light from the projector directly forward, whilst rejecting most other ambient light. This means that it can be used in any room even if there’s no light control.

The 120in is a soft screen that comes flatpacked and so requires assembly and, featuring a wide 150 degree viewing angle.

And installation? The Hisense L9 Laser TV requires precise positioning to ensure the highest viewing quality. Each of the projectors has a fixed focal length and the lens matches the screen. Care must be taken when positioning the height of the projector and its distance to the screen. To ensure this is adhered to for the best experience, Hisense offer a free installation option with every TV in a consumer’s home. Alternatively, AWE will be training and approving Hisense Laser TV Installers who will benefit from a contribution towards the cost of installer level installation.

There you have it, two fantastic options for media rooms and cinema rooms alike. These are just a couple of the latest TVs making an impact at AWE – to find out more about how we can support your next install or to book a visit to the AWE show apartment to view the full product range, visit www.awe-europe.com.