tcl

tcl-tvs-will-use-films-made-with-generative-ai-to-push-targeted-ads

TCL TVs will use films made with generative AI to push targeted ads

ads, AI, culture, films, generative ai, movies, streaming, tcl, Tech, TVs / /

Advertising has become a focal point of TV software. We’re seeing companies that sell TV sets be increasingly interested in leveraging TV operating systems (OSes) for ads and tracking. This has led to bold new strategies, like an adtech firm launching a TV OS and ads on TV screensavers.

With new short films set to debut on its free streaming service tomorrow, TV-maker TCL is positing a new approach to monetizing TV owners and to film and TV production that sees reduced costs through reliance on generative AI and targeted ads.

TCL’s five short films are part of a company initiative to get people more accustomed to movies and TV shows made with generative AI. The movies will “be promoted and featured prominently on” TCL’s free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service, TCLtv+, TCL announced in November. TCLtv+has hundreds of FAST channels and comes on TCL-brand TVs using various OSes, including Google TV and Roku OS.

Some of the movies have real actors. You may even recognize some, (like Kellita Smith, who played Bernie Mac’s wife, Wanda, on The Bernie Mac Show). Others feature characters made through generative AI. All the films use generative AI for special effects and/or animations and took 12 weeks to make, 404 Media, which attended a screening of the movies, reported today. AI tools used include ComfyUI, Nuke, and Runway, 404 reported. However, all of the TCL short movies were written, directed, and scored by real humans (again, including by people you may be familiar with). At the screening, Chris Regina, TCL’s chief content officer for North America, told attendees that “over 50 animators, editors, effects artists, professional researchers, [and] scientists” worked on the movies.

I’ve shared the movies below for you to judge for yourself, but as a spoiler, you can imagine the quality of short films made to promote a service that was created for targeted ads and that use generative AI for fast, affordable content creation. AI-generated videos are expected to improve, but it’s yet to be seen if a TV brand like TCL will commit to finding the best and most natural ways to use generative AI for video production. Currently, TCL’s movies demonstrate the limits of AI-generated video, such as odd background imagery and heavy use of narration that can distract from badly synced audio.

TCL TVs will use films made with generative AI to push targeted ads Read More »

tcl-accused-of-selling-quantum-dot-tvs-without-actual-quantum-dots

TCL accused of selling quantum dot TVs without actual quantum dots

tcl, Tech, TVs / /
Many playing video games on TCL C655 Pro

Enlarge / TCL’s C655 Pro TV is advertised as a quantum dot Mini LED TV.

TCL has come under scrutiny this month after testing that claimed to examine three TCL TVs marketed as quantum dot TVs reportedly showed no trace of quantum dots.

Quantum dots are semiconductor particles that are several nanometers large and emit different color lights when struck with light of a certain frequency. The color of the light emitted by the quantum dot depends on the wavelength, which is impacted by the quantum dot’s size. Some premium TVs (and computer monitors) use quantum dots so they can display a wider range of colors.

Quantum dots have become a large selling point for LCD-LED, Mini LED, and QD-OLED TVs, and quantum dot TVs command higher prices. A TV manufacturer pushing off standard TVs as quantum dot TVs would create a scandal significant enough to break consumer trust in China’s biggest TV manufacturer and could also result in legal ramifications.

But with TCL sharing conflicting testing results, and general skepticism around TCL being able to pull off such an anti-consumer scam in a way that would benefit it financially, this case of questionable colorful TVs isn’t so black and white. So, Ars Technica sought more clarity on the situation.

Tests unable to detect quantum dots in TCL TVs

Earlier this month, South Korean IT news publication ETNews published a report on testing that seemingly showed three TCL quantum dot TVs, marketed as QD TVs, as not having quantum dots present.

Hansol Chemical, a Seoul-headquartered chemicals company, commissioned the testing. SGS, a Geneva-headquartered testing and certification company, and Intertek, a London-headquartered testing and certification company, performed the tests.

The models examined were TCL’s C755, said to be a quantum dot Mini LED TV, the C655, a purported quantum dot LED (QLED) TV, and the C655 Pro, another QLED. None of those models are sold in the US, but TCL sells various Mini LED and LED TVs in the US that claim to use quantum dots.

According to a Google translation, ETNews reported: “According to industry sources on the 5th, the results of tests commissioned by Hansol Chemical to global testing and certification agencies SGS and Intertek showed that indium… and cadmium… were not detected in three TCL QD TV models. Indium and cadmium are essential materials that cannot be omitted in QD implementation.”

The testing was supposed to detect cadmium if present at a minimum concentration of 0.5 mg per 1 kg, while indium was tested at a minimum detection standard of 2 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg, depending on the testing lab.

These are the results from Intertek and SGS’s testing, as reported by display tech publication Display Daily:

Testing Lab TCL Model Measured Indium Cadmium Indium Minimum Detection Standard (mg/kg) Cadmium Minimum Detection Standard (mg/kg)
Intertek C755 Sheet Undetected Undetected 2 mg/kg 0.5 mg/kg
Intertek C655 Diffusion Plate Undetected Undetected 2 mg/kg 0.5 mg/kg
SGS C655 Pro Sheet Undetected Undetected 5 mg/kg 0.5 mg/kg
SGS C655 Pro Diffusion Plate Undetected Undetected 5 mg/kg 0.5 mg/kg
SGS C655 Pro Sheet Undetected Undetected 5 mg/kg 0.5 mg/kg

TCL accused of selling quantum dot TVs without actual quantum dots Read More »

tcl-announces-new-brand-slogan,-144-hz-mini-led-tvs-&-all-new-mobile-devices

TCL Announces New Brand Slogan, 144 Hz Mini LED TVs & All-New Mobile Devices

#4k, Highlights, Home Tech, smarttvs, tcl / /

TCL Electronics (1070.HK), a leading consumer electronics brand, held a series of virtual press events today, where its chairperson and senior executives shared the company’s latest brand slogan “Inspire Greatness” and business developments. The audience was able to see TCL’s smart home products in action, as well as a preview of TCL’s 2022 Mini LED TVs and latest mobile devices.

Visit here to learn more about TCL at CES 2022 and view a recap of the livestreamed announcement.

Message from the Chairperson

Ms. Juan Du, Chairperson of TCL Electronics, speaking at the global virtual press conference, addressed the core philosophies of TCL.

“At TCL, we always put our customers first. Everything we do is focused on bringing value to people by improving their lives and experiences with our products and services. But we can’t do this alone,” said Ms. Du. “We depend on our creative and pioneering employees, on the long-term support of our trusted partners, with whom we work tirelessly together, and most importantly, on our business ethics of integrity and honesty.”

She also shared highlights of the brand’s global business results in 2021 and the innovations that have driven the success of TCL.

Pushing the limits of what’s possible with display technology, TCL founded TCL CSOT in 2009 and has invested nearly US$31 billion to provide consumers with the best quality screens. And caring deeply for the environment, TCL has entered the photovoltaic sector to produce cleaner and greener energy.

Over the years, TCL has been creating a connected smart home ecosystem guided by its AI x IoT strategy. Large-screen TVs should be the entry point to a ‘smart life’ and TCL is continuously innovating and developing new home appliances and mobile devices to help make people’s lives more convenient by inspiring greatness.

“We hope our technology will create solutions so people worry less day-to-day, but also allow them to spend more time having fun with their family and friends,” added Ms. Du. “At TCL, with our products and services, we want to make people’s lives safer and healthier. Ultimately, we wish to inspire and empower people to pursue greatness in their lives.”

Ms. Juan Du, Chairperson of TCL Electronics (top) ; Tiago Abreu, Head of Smart Home Appliance X-Lab, TCL DIC (bottom left); Stefan Streit, CMO of TCL Communication (bottom right)

2022 TCL Mini LED TVs

Since 2018, TCL has been investing in Mini LED TV technology and is aiming to become the top player in Mini LED TVs within five years.

In 2022, TCL is taking another step forward by applying 144Hz refresh rate to its 2022 premium Mini LED TV models, providing faster responsiveness, sharper imagery, and smoother gameplay. Both competitive gamers who want to experience demanding high FPS games and casual gamers who want to enjoy extra responsiveness in gameplay will appreciate this upgrade. TCL’s 144 Hz Mini LED displays will hugely benefit from faster reaction times and fluidity, giving gamers an important edge, especially in multiplayer games.

In addition to being powered by TCL’s Mini LED technology, this new generation of TVs will elevate the enjoyment of the visuals in games and other action-packed content. With over 1,000 local dimming zones, 2022 TCL Mini LED TVs offer stunning brightness performance, achieving striking contrast and revealing even more details for a truly immersive viewing experience. More details of 2022 TCL Mini LED TVs will be disclosed later in this quarter.

2022 TCL Portable and Smart Devices

As part of its commitment to providing accessible 5G connectivity for all, TCL will launch TCL 30 XE 5G and 30 V 5G, exclusively in the US later this month. These smartphones come with enhanced NXTVISION technology, so customers will enjoy gorgeous visuals and fantastic imagery.

Several new tablets will also be displayed at CES 2022. This includes the TCL NXTPAPER 10s, which comes with a paper-like display that features eye protection at its core; the lightweight TCL TAB 8 4G, ideal for learning and creativity; and the TCL TAB 10L, an immersive tablet perfect for entertainment and productivity. Additionally, a trio of tablets designed with children in mind, the new TCL TKEE series: TCL TKEE MINI, MID, and MAX, will be showcased at the TCL booth.

TCL is excited to expand its product range to laptops for the first time with the launch of the TCL BOOK 14 Go. It’s slim, lightweight, has excellent battery life, and is a great fit for anyone who is constantly moving and traveling since it supports LTE connection.

At CES, TCL will also introduce the next generation of its wearable display glasses, the TCL NXTWEAR AIR. It’s portable, light and slim, with an emphasis on comfort and style. With an exchangeable front lens and much lighter body weight, the NXTWEAR AIR will bring a better experience than the previous generation of wearable display glasses.

To bring about TCL’s connected vision, it will soon launch the LINKHUB 5G router, whilst continuing to deliver high-quality 4G solutions with the LINKZONE LTE Cat4 Mobile Wi-Fi, a compact personal mobile hotspot.

*Devices will be available in selected markets throughout the year.

TCL AI x IoT Smart Home

At TCL, large screen TVs are the entry point to a ‘smart life’. Users can activate the TV TCL Home with just one button on a remote control, making it easy to manage entertainment as well as smart appliances and devices.

Besides the TV, the mobile TCL Home App enables users to control their smart home appliances, such as a TCL air purifier or robot vacuum cleaner, then sit back and enjoy a fresh, clean home.

TCL AI x IoT products and services make your life, work and play more enjoyable and bring you creative inspiration every day.

TCL Announces New Brand Slogan, 144 Hz Mini LED TVs & All-New Mobile Devices Read More »