As a seasoned TV reviewer, I’ve had the opportunity to unbox and set up countless displays over the years. However, nothing could have prepared me for the sheer scale and magnitude of TCL’s latest offering – a truly mammoth 115-inch television that arrived at our CNET TV lab.
The first challenge we faced was simply getting the TV out of its massive, oversized box. Measuring over 9 feet wide and nearly 6 feet tall, and weighing a staggering 220 pounds, this was no ordinary television delivery. It took the combined efforts of three strong delivery personnel and a large freight elevator to transport the behemoth into our New York facility.
Unboxing this colossal display taught me a few valuable lessons. Firstly, you’ll need a room with exceptionally high ceilings to accommodate a TV of this size. Secondly, the importance of proper lifting techniques cannot be overstated – always remember to lift with your legs, not your back. Fortunately, TCL has included a clever solution to aid in the setup process: four metal handles that can be attached to the sides of the TV, making it easier to maneuver and lift onto its stand.
With the help of my colleagues Ty Pendlebury and Laura Michelle Davis, we were able to carefully position the TV on a series of apple boxes, bringing it to a comfortable viewing height from our couch.
Once the setup was complete, it was time to experience the true power of this colossal display. As expected, the picture quality was nothing short of impressive. The TV’s mini-LED technology and advanced lighting control capabilities resulted in exceptional brightness and contrast, delivering a truly immersive viewing experience.
Even the most discerning viewers would be hard-pressed to find flaws in the image quality, as the sheer size of the screen allowed us to appreciate the finest details in high-quality content, such as Netflix’s “Bridgerton” in 4K HDR.
We couldn’t resist the temptation to have a little fun with this massive TV. Watching videos from CNET’s YouTube channel and even a virtual fireplace video made us feel like we were part of the action, as our co-workers and the flickering flames appeared larger-than-life.
It’s important to note that this level of grandeur comes at a price – the TCL 115-inch TV carries a hefty $20,000 price tag. While there are slightly smaller options available at more affordable prices, this particular model stands out as the largest consumer television currently on the market.
