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Hisense Rolls Out ‘Disruptive’ 4K TVs With HDR

Hisense rolled out a major portion of its 2016 TV lineup, including a pair of H8-series HDR-enabled 4K Ultra HD TVs that it calls disruptively priced.

The two TVs are the 50-inch 50H8C at a suggested $599 and the 55-inch $699 55H8C. Both feature Open HDR high-dynamic-range (HDR) technology. Although Vizio has begun offering 4K TVs in the same two screen sizes and at the same prices as Hisense, the Vizio models lack HDR and lack over-the-air TV tuner.

Hisense has also begun shipping the H5, H4 and H3 series of FullHD and 720p TVs to retailers nationwide. With the H4 launch, Hisense is doubling its selection of 1080p Roku TVs to four SKUs from two. All of the new models feature built-in Wi-Fi. All but the H3 series are smart TVs.

These and other Hisense TVs not yet shipping were unveiled at 2016 CES.

The two H8 models play HDR video content from USB-connected devices and from 4K Blu-ray players connected via HDMI 2.0a. They also feature full-array local dimming with an unspecified number of dimming zones. The HDR range in nits also wasn’t disclosed. Both smart TVs feature 4K streaming of Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube Yes, UltraFlix and Toon Googles. Neither comes with preinstalled HDR streaming services.

The H5 series of smart TVs consists of five SKUs, with the opening-price $199 32-inch model featuring 720p resolution. The others feature FullHD resolution. They are priced at $279, $329, $399 and $499 for 40-, 43-, 50- and 53-inch models, respectively. All feature full-array direct-lit LED backlighting but no local dimming.

The four Hisense H4 series models with Roku TV OS also feature full-array backlit lighting without local dimming. They start with a $199 32-inch 720p model and go to 1080p resolution in the 40-, 48- and 50-inch models. All feature IR remote, not a Wi-Fi remote, as some Roku TV models offer. They’re priced at a respective $299, $399 and $429.

The H3 series of 720p and 1080p TVs previously shipped. Its prices range from $99 for a 20-inch model to $249 for a 40-inch model.

Still to come this year are the H7, H9 and H10 series of 4K TVs. The H7 series features a $399 43-inch model, $549 50-inch model, $649 55-inch model, and a $1,299 65-inch model. The H9 series will consist of the $999 55-inch 55H9B with second-generation ULED technology, a portfolio of picture-enhancing technologies.

The top 4K model will be the curved $2,799 H10 series 65H10B ULED 3D TV, due in the second half. That model will feature quantum-dot technology, a wide color gamut reaching 91 percent of Rec. 2020 levels, 1,000-nit peak brightness, 300 zones of local dimming, and Open HDR. The company did not say whether the TV will meet the performance requirements of the UHD Alliance.

Hisense also reported that its current 65-inch 65H10 curved TV, sporting second-gen ULED technology, received a firmware update earlier this year to add HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2.  Picture performance was also tweaked, though not to the requirements of the UHD Alliance, the company said.  It launched last year at a suggested $2,999, positioned as offering the performance of Korean-brand TVs retailing at $4,500 and $7,000.

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