For years, the dream of a true home cinema meant a dedicated projector room – a luxury many households simply couldn’t justify. Fast-forward to today, and the landscape has changed dramatically. Super-sized TVs, now pushing well beyond the 100-inch mark, have stepped in to deliver that big-screen, lights-down magic without the need for a separate space. They’re not just changing how we watch; they’re reshaping how we design and experience residential and commercial environments, ushering in an era where immersive viewing can live almost anywhere.
The Big Picture
Many years ago, at a CEDIA Expo, an AWE team member spoke with a TV representative about some market research their company had conducted. The question was simple: “What size TV do people want?” The reply was even simpler: “As big as they can afford.” Demand for larger, more cinematic screens has only climbed, and today that trajectory is accelerating as these displays become a realistic, desirable option for an ever-wider range of clients.
It’s not just consumer appetite driving that momentum; manufacturers are investing heavily at the top end of the market. Hisense, for instance, now leads the global 100-inch TV category and holds the No.2 TV brand ranking worldwide for 2024*. Yet as these massive screens become more common, the real challenge – and opportunity – lies in integrating them seamlessly into real-world spaces.
Design, Placement, and Infrastructure Challenges
With great size comes great responsibility. Integrating these displays into real-world environments presents a host of challenges that go far beyond needing a big enough wall.
- Structural Demands: 100” TVs weigh under 100kg so with the correct fixings, brick or block walls should be able to hold these. But with stud walls, not originally designed for huge displays, they may require structural reinforcement or specific mounting solutions that account for both weight and panel dimensions. These projects rely on thorough pre-install surveys and coordination with designers and builders so that the technology is well integrated to ensure safe, lasting installations.
- Power and Heat: Ventilation and heat management are equally important, particularly where the display sits within a media wall or integrated cabinetry. As screens get brighter and more capable, installers must ensure that enclosures do not trap heat or compromise long-term reliability.
- Aesthetic Integration: Today’s clients expect more than just a big screen; they want it to blend seamlessly with their interiors. This means flush mounting, concealed cabling, and often, bespoke joinery or architectural features that turn the TV into a design statement.
Navigating the Change
Installers are at the forefront of a revolution, where success hinges on anticipating and overcoming a range of practical hurdles. The Hisense 100”U8 weighs just over 70kg so can be manually wall mounted, proven recently by our MD and his brother saying “It’s heavy, but doable.”
However, The sheer weight of panels over 110” exceeding 100kg introduces the need for specialist equipment, and every installation is shaped by factors such as wall type, room layout, and the individual requirements of each client.
Achieving seamless integration relies on early collaboration among AV professionals, builders, electricians, and designers, ensuring that critical infrastructure, including power supply and ventilation, is in place before the screen arrives.
Advances in display technology have brought improved brightness and sophisticated anti-glare features, granting greater freedom in where screens can be placed. Durable panels also now support longer operating hours with minimal degradation, making these installations not just impressive, but reliably resilient too.
Technology in Focus
The latest wave of super-sized TVs is a showcase of technological innovation – available at AWE to help turn ambition into reality.
- Hisense MX Series – MicroLED: The 136MX, a huge 136” display, delivers up to 10,000 nits peak brightness, ultra-wide colour gamut, and Pantone Validated accuracy. Ultra-wide viewing angles and MicroLED anti-glare ensure clear, vibrant visuals from any seat, while VIDAA Voice, Alexa, and Google Home integration add intelligent control.
- Hisense UXQ Series – RGB MiniLED: Delivering up to 8,000-nit brightness with thousands of RGB local dimming zones for unmatched colour, contrast, and precision. Paired with 165Hz panels, Hi-View AI Engine X, Anti-Reflection PRO, and Dolby Atmos 6.2.2, this display brings cinematic visuals and immersive sound to any environment.
- Hisense MiniLED X Series: The 110UXNQTUK delivers an impressive 110” display with 10,000-nit brightness and 40,000 local dimming zones, perfect for daylight viewing. Its Dynamic X Display ensures stunning visuals from any angle, while the Hi-View Engine X with AI PQ provides ultra-precise brightness and image processing. CineX Sound with Dolby Atmos 4.1.2 completes the cinematic experience with immersive audio.
- Sony C-LED: Sony’s modular MicroLED design enables precise scaling to client requirements and close-viewing suitability with crisp detail and ultra-high contrast. Advanced processing keeps motion smooth, and visuals refined, while bezel-free tiling and lightweight panels make installation far more flexible than their scale suggests at over 200kg. Front-access maintenance and quiet, fan-less operation round it out as a smart fit for premium home cinemas and showpiece spaces.
Where Next? The Future of Super-Sized Displays
The trajectory is clear: screens will continue to get bigger, brighter, and smarter. 116-inch and 136-inch models are already available, with modular, bezel-less tiles promising even greater flexibility. Plus, integration with smart home ecosystems, AI-driven features, and sustainability considerations are set to define the next wave of innovation.
Super-sized and integrated TVs are redefining the possibilities of both home and commercial environments. The challenges are real, but so are the rewards – people interact with their spaces in ways that weren’t imaginable before. With the right planning, expertise, and technology, rooms can be transformed into experiences leaving a lasting impression long after the credits roll.
For more on the latest models, visit AWE Europe.
*Hisense TV Retains Global No.2 Ranking in 2024 and Leads the 100-Inch TV Market Worldwide
More from Features
AWE90 Wrapped: Reflecting On 90 Years Of Partnership & Progress
Reaching 90 years in business is a significant milestone, and one that speaks to long-standing relationships, adaptability, and a continued …
Dirac Live Active Room Treatment – Now On Marantz & Denon
Staying competitive in the audio sector of custom-install increasingly includes staying ahead of the curve on room optimisation. As customers …
RAY Lighting: Illuminating The Future With Circadian-Friendly Technology
In today’s-built environments, lighting goes beyond illumination - it’s a powerful tool for enhancing human performance and wellbeing. RAY Lighting …
