How I optimized the most cost effective 98-inch TV obtainable to look and sound unimaginable (and it is $1,000 off)

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• TCL’s 98-inch Class S5 Collection TV is likely one of the most accessibly-priced TVs of its dimension, and it is at present on sale for $1,000 off.
• Watching films and TV exhibits on such a giant show is as near a theatre-like expertise as one can get at dwelling.
• With such a big TV, the setup could be a battle, particularly if you do not have a sufficiently big console or wall area.

TCL makes some spectacular TVs utilizing superior show applied sciences, specs, and optimizations for the very best image high quality doable. But generally, they put all that apart and say, “Hey, let’s simply make a extremely massive TV for the sake of constructing a extremely massive TV.” And that is what this 98-inch set is all about.

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This TV, a member of TCL’s lower-end S5 sequence, is at present on sale for $1,000 off its regular value of $2,999, bringing the associated fee all the way down to $1,999. TCL was variety sufficient to let me learn about this deal in an e-mail just a few weeks in the past, and I used to be wildly intrigued, to say the least. “A 98-inch TV for lower than $2,500?” I assumed to myself. That appeared unattainable.

Over the previous three weeks, I have been dwelling with the 98-inch TCL S5 Collection, and here is how the expertise has been.

Establishing a 98-inch TV

The largest problem this TV poses is becoming it in your house. This factor is gigantic; it is 85.7 inches extensive, 49.1 inches tall, and the ft are 68.5 inches aside. If in case you have a wall sufficiently big to mount it on, you then’re all set. However in the event you do not, you may be scrambling to search out an leisure middle sufficiently big to accommodate this behemoth.

The latter was me, by the best way — I used to be the one scrambling. My brothers helped me unbox the TV (which felt unattainable since our drop ceilings stopped us from lifting the lid straight up within the air), and after we ripped by way of all of the Styrofoam and plastic wrap, we wanted to determine a spot to set it up in our comparatively small front room. 

My first thought was to go away it on the bottom, however who needs to look down to look at TV? Then we thought of ditching our present leisure middle and shifting our 65-inch LG TV someplace else to caddy nook it (once more, on the bottom), however that meant we would need to dismember our whole front room.

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So, we got here up with a compromise: we arrange two folding catering tables, pushed our sofa and loveseat towards the wall, and plopped the 98-inch mammoth proper in entrance of our hearth. Is it good? Not likely, however it works for the sake of this evaluation.

Probably the most immersive expertise obtainable (except you discover one greater)

None of us had been fairly ready for simply how massive this TV is. Certain, I had a way of how massive it was earlier than we plugged it in, however as soon as that 98-inch display lit up, we had been all shocked. Many individuals dream of getting a movie show of their dwelling to get pleasure from their favourite cinema flicks and video games, and shopping for a TV like TCL’s 98S550G will get you as near that actuality as doable.

Possibly it is as a result of we’re sitting so near it, perhaps it is the swap from watching on a 65-inch TV for thus lengthy, however regardless of the motive, the sensation of immersion you get from watching this 98-inch TV by no means appears to fade away. The whole lot you tune into will really feel extra lifelike than you’ll be able to think about — that goes for films like “Oppenheimer” and “Spider-Man: No Approach Dwelling” to cable TV like “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives”. 

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My solely want is that I had gotten to see Tremendous Bowl LVIII on it. That being mentioned, I can already inform this TV would be the good match for anybody who makes use of multiview by way of NFL Sunday Ticket.

I imply it once I say that your jaw can drop at any second when watching this TV. If in case you have a favourite film or TV present, it merely makes it higher because it’s simply so massive. It is simple to see irrespective of the place you might be within the room, and it ensures there is not a nasty seat in the home.

Abnormal specs, however stable image high quality nonetheless

Past its magnificent 98-inch dimension, the remainder of the 98S550G is fairly primary, at the least relating to high-end TVs. It makes use of a QLED panel which helps ship brighter colours and higher distinction, and I can confidently say it is among the finest LED TVs I’ve ever seen. Nonetheless, you will not get the identical luxuries as one thing like an OLED or Mini LED TV with native dimming, richer distinction, and elevated brightness. On the intense aspect, you will not get any gentle haloing round your content material because it makes use of one big backlight.

The TV has a 4K decision and helps refresh charges as much as 120Hz, which is a pleasant contact for any avid gamers who need to get pleasure from silky-smooth gameplay on the panel. I’ll say although, 4K on a 98-inch panel does not really feel the identical because it does on a 65-inch panel; pixel density is not practically as excessive since they’re scattered throughout a a lot bigger canvas, and in the event you get near the TV, you’ll be able to undoubtedly see particular person pixels. It is not a difficulty by any means, however I discovered it fascinating nonetheless.

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The image high quality is first rate total. “Oppenheimer” appeared nice enjoying off the 4K HDR DVD I bought, whereas 1080p upscaled cable exhibits weren’t too shabby, both. You’ve got loads of choices to regulate how every part appears within the settings menu, and when you set it up, I would extremely advise turning off movement smoothing. On 98 inches of tv, the added frames doesn’t do most content material justice.

With the 98-inch S5, TCL made certain to incorporate loads of specs and options prospects may be fascinated with, together with HDR Extremely (consisting of Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ, Open HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG), a devoted Sport Accelerator 240 for 240 VRR help, Dolby Atmos, AirPlay, Chromecast, voice assistant integration, and even dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi. There are 4 HDMI ports to reap the benefits of, together with optical audio and Ethernet ports. 

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Sound high quality can be stable. At increased volumes, mids and highs can begin to screech, however the built-in subwoofer helps anchor every part with a shocking quantity of bass, one thing that may be tuned within the settings if you would like kind of growth throughout your films. I would nonetheless go for a devoted sound system if you would like a real movie show setup, however my household and I had been proud of what the TV kicked out.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

At $1,999, it is laborious to disregard TCL’s 98-inch Class S5 Collection TV for very lengthy. If in case you have a spot in your house the place you’ll be able to match a TV of this dimension and magnitude — and you do not thoughts dropping $2,000 — I can see this TV making loads of sense for an immersive leisure setup. Granted, you will not get the very best image high quality on the market, however it’s essential to do not forget that something higher than what TCL provides you’ll run you at the least $5,000 to $10,000.

Ultimately, I had loads of enjoyable reviewing this big 98-inch TV, however I am able to ship it again. For our dwelling, it’s kind of too intrusive and will get in the best way as a rule. (Let’s do not forget that it is blocking my whole hearth.) However when you’ve got the area for it, a part of me needs to inform you to hurry out and seize one whereas the deal’s taking place. I believe you may dig it, and your whole family will likely be hooked on taking a look at it. And on the finish of the day, is not that what we’re all after when shopping for a brand new TV?