Hisense has launched the 75-inch U800GR 8K LCD TV, which is powered by Roku with access to the first 8K HDR channel. It supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

Hisense 8K TV
Hisense has been focusing on "ULED" 4K LCD TVs with quantum dots for several years and more recently launched 4K OLED TVs. The Chinese company is now expanding its line-up to include 8K LCD TVs.

- "As a member of the 8K Association and a leading TV brand, Hisense is thrilled to bring the U800GR, our first 8K television, to the U.S. market this year," David Gold, President of Hisense USA, told the 8K Association this summer. "Alongside growing screen sizes, the prospect of enjoying the best possible picture is intriguing to many consumers. Bringing an 8K option to the U.S. is a step toward broader adoption of 8K, as well as one that’s pushing the entire industry forward."

First announced in May, the 75-inch U800GR has a 120Hz LCD panel with 180 local dimming zones and support for HDR (HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision). It is specified as delivering up to 1000 nits peak brightness but with just 180 zones we would not expect it to reach that level very often. The TV is powered by Hisense's Hi-View picture engine. It is not clear if Dolby Vision is supported at 8K either.


 Hisense 75-inch U800GR

There is no mention of HDMI 2.1 bandwidth for 8K60 input but the TV does support a couple of HDMI 2.1 features that are backwards compatible with HDMI 2.0, specifically ALLM, which allows any brand to advertise HDMI 2.1 compatibility.

The TV is powered by Roku, which provides access to popular streaming services like Amazon, Disney+, HBO Max, and Netflix. The first 8K HDR service, The Explorers, also recently came to 8K Roku TVs. Hisense U800GR also supports Apple AirPlay 2.

LG, Samsung, Sony, and TCL have already launched 8K TVs but there is not much traction in the market. Analyst firm Omdia recently said that "8K will grow very slowly, even slower than we thought". Omdia has down-revised its forecast for 8K TV sales several times already.

Hisense's 75-inch 75U800GR is available now in the US for $2400 from amazon.com.

Hisense U800GR – specifications
Display
Screen size: 74.5 in
Screen type: LCD
Class: 75" class

Type of TV
Smart TV: Yes, Roku platform
Google Assistant built-in: Yes
Works with Alexa: Yes
App Store: Yes (Roku Channel Store)

Picture Quality
Screen resolution: 8K ULED and UHD, 7680x4320
Local dimming: Yes, 180 Zones
Backlight type: Full Array
Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Brightness level: Up to 1000 nits peak brightness
Wide color gamut: Yes, Quantum Dot
HDR compatible: Yes (Dolby Vision/HDR10/HDR10+/HLG)
Motion rate: 480
Display aspect ratio: 16:9
MEMC: Yes
Contrast: 150,000:1 (Ratio w/ Local Dimming)

Audio
Audio output power: 15W x 2
Audio technologies: Dolby Atmos

Power
Power consumption: 450W
Standby consumption: <0.5W

Connectivity
WiFi built-in: Yes (802.11ac 2.4GHz/5GHz)

Ports
HDMI: 4
Ethernet: 1
USB: 1x USB 2.0
HDMI ARC: Yes
HDMI CEC: Yes
RCA composite: 1
L/R audio input composite: 1
RCA component video input: 1
Digital audio output: 1x Optical
Earphone/audio output: 1
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