Super Bowl TVs: Do you have any idea what a QD or QLED TV is?

Mind-numbing jargon from TV manufacturers

You’ve probably heard that Super Bowl weekend is one of the top times of the year, if not the biggest, to buy a big new TV.

The game looks better in big bright colors, and TV manufacturers would love to take advantage of that by upgrading you from 50 inches to 75, 85 or maybe as high as 100 inches. They want you to upgrade from LED TV to one of the new technologies that make your TV brighter and more colorful.

The thing is, even though these companies know how to churn out beautiful TVs, selling them in a way that we understand is another story.

Do you know the difference between a QLED, Quantum Dot and Mini-LED set? I’m guessing that’s a no, so I’m going to explain it in today’s edition, but first, let’s take a look at the horrible marketing. Remember, the idea is to help you understand what you’re buying and make you want to buy it.

• Best Buy: Hisense - 100” Class QD6 Series Hi-QLED 4K UHD HDR Smart Fire TV $1,299

Translated, that’s a 100 inch TV in the QLED class. Next question, class—what’s a QLED? It’s a regular LED TV, which are the most affordable, but with the addition of “quantum dots” that the companies say will improve color and brightness. The set has 4K resolution (ultra-high definition) shows programming in HDR (richer color) and uses the Amazon First TV platform, so smart TV apps, like Netflix, Hulu and Scripps News, are built in.

• Costco: TCL 85" Class - QM6K Pro Series - 4K UHD QD-Mini LED Smart TV, $999.

Translated: 85 inch TV from no. 2 TV manufacturer TCL, QM6K is the model name. Shows programming in 4K ultra high definition resolution on what it calls the QD-Mini LED set. QD are those quantum dots we mentioned, which produce better color and brightness than standard LED, but on a “MINI-LED” set, which are said to offer better backlights, contrast and deeper blacks than standard LED.

• Amazon: LG 55-Inch Class OLED AI 4K B5 Series Smart TV w/Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, HDR10, AI Super Upscaling 4K, Wow Orchestra, $996

Translated: OLED is considered the best picture quality you can buy in a TV, especially with all the lights out at nighttime. It broadcasts in 4K ultra-high definition, has improved audio from Dolby and video boost from Dolby’s “Vision” enhancements and “upscales” older programming to make it look cooler in 4K. The “Wow” orchestra connects LG’s speakers to the soundbar for enhanced sound.

The good news if you shop at big box retailer like Target: they market their TVs in English. In the picture above, this is a 65-inch TV from manufacturer LG with 4K resolution and built-in smart TV apps. It’s a basic LED TV.

TV sales have been flat or falling in the past year, as manufacturers rode past the COVID boom in more home entertainment with reality. How often do you swap out a new TV? Imagine if the companies that made the TVs might take a moment to explain their jargon to us.

Prices on the gobbley-gook sets (Hi-QD, OLED) remain high, although they are lower than in the past. Traditionally prices drop after Super Bowl demand—I’ll be sure to stay on top of it over the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, how to go about buying a new TV? Here’s the method I like: walk into a store and look. How’s the picture? Does it impress you? Then look at the price tag. If you’re not shocked, but pleased, and can imagine the TV at home, you’ve got a sale.

My two cents: the last set I bought was a 70 inch, an upgrade from my old 50 inch. When I got home, I kicked myself—why didn’t I buy an 85 inch? I still had lots of room on the wall. I wish I had sprung for the bigger set. I still do!

(I paid $550 for the 75 inch standard LED a few years back.)

From my research, here’s the model I would buy this weekend:

An 85 inch QLED from TCL at Costco, selling for $679.

A long as Ruth doesn’t kill me.

(Note: My inspection at Costco proved that OLED TVs are truly more impressive, as colorful and bright as can be. But I’m not ready to spring $2,000 and up for one.)

Can an iPhone Film a Surfer?

You generally want a big camera with a massive zoom lens to pick up surf shots, but check out what I picked up here with the iPhone 17 Pro Max at the 8x (240mm) setting this week. Looks pretty rad to me! (That’s Manhattan Beach photographer and surf enthusiast Bo Bridges out on the wave. Thanks for letting me tag along Bo!)

That’s a wrap for today’s edition. Thank as always for taking the time to watch, read and listen. I’ll be back at you tomorrow to tell you all about the final episode of our 5-part America Turns 250 series, from Washington, D.C., which debuts Sunday at 10 a.m. on Scripps News.

Jeff