At the recent CES 2025, AV writers noted that there were a lot of large-screen TVs being exhibited including the Hisense 116-inch RGB-Mini LED TV and Hisense 163-inch Micro LED TV.
Hisense had earlier launched a 136-inch Micro LED TV for the consumer market to be available this year.
They posed the question of whether large TVs will replace projectors but the conclusion was that at this point in time these super-large TVs are still more expensive than projectors and screens. What will happen when the prices of these large TVs decline? Nobody knows…
But what is certain is that slightly smaller TVs ranging from 98-inch to 100-inch are likely to disrupt the Ultra Short-Throw (UST) segment of the projector market.
Right now, Malaysians can buy a TCL 98C655 98-inch 4K QLED Google TV for RM9,999 or a PRISM+ Q100 Ultra QLED Google 100-inch TV for RM12,999.
These are cheaper than a UST 4K PRO-UHD Smart Laser Projector that costs around RM16,499. A 100-inch ALR screen for UST projectors can cost from RM2,699.
So a 98-inch or 100-inch TV is cheaper than the UST projector plus ALR screen.
According to a distributor of projectors, the UST segment of projectors is likely to be affected. UST projectors have better image quality and are more relaxing to view, but the large QLED or Ultra QLED TVs perform better in a bright environment (like a living room), and they are cheaper. Most people use a UST projector in the living room and a 100-inch TV can easily replace it.
The serious home theater enthusiasts who have dedicated AV rooms still prefer projectors and screens as they use screens larger than 120 inches. A 100-inch TV would look small in an AV room.
However, it would be interesting to know what the situation would be like when the 136-inch and 163-inch TVs go down in price and cost less than projectors and screens.
