[As we noted in our review of the TCL Roku TV 6-Series 8K (R648), TCL has finally launched its first 8K TV. It is a beautiful TV, an excellent game set, and a high-performance Roku Smart TV. It outperforms even the most affordable 8K TVs from Samsung and LG, and sells for less than $3,000, below even the more premium 4K TVs. [The era of relatively inexpensive 8K TVs has officially arrived, with 65- and 75-inch models selling for $2,199 and $2,999, TCL's 6 Series 8K sets are expected to be the most affordable 8K TVs for 2021. And even with the cheapest 8K set ever sold, it's hard to tell someone they should buy one.

Not that TCL is a bad TV. The narrow viewing angles are a bit disappointing, and for better sound, you'll want to pair it with a soundbar. Or if there is something you want to watch in 8K, you will.

First, there is not much that an 8K TV cannot offer that a great 4K TV cannot. The major difference is resolution; everything else is pretty much the same. Smart features, sound quality, connectivity, etc. are all comparable to current 4K models; the only instance where an 8K TV has something that a 4K TV does not is when a manufacturer intentionally downgrades a 4K Smart TV to make the 8K set more attractive.

Another issue is screen size: while 65-inch 8K sets are available (TCL is a good example), it is difficult to see the real benefits of 8K resolution at this size. For that, you need a TV at least 75 inches and ideally 85 to 100 inches. Most homes do not have the physical space for a TV that large.

But by far the biggest problem is the lack of 8K content; there are no programs offered in 8K. Currently, there are movies shot at that resolution, but they are cropped and mastered for 4K displays; 8K Blu-ray discs may prove to be too data dense for the limitations of the physical media format, and streaming in 8K will not be possible in most homes due It remains a daunting task that hits the limits of available broadband. (For more, see 8K TV: What Can You Actually See in 8K?)

The Olympics were initially touted as a chance for 8K to finally become widely known, and NHK offered more than 200 hours of games shot in stunning Ultra HD at 7680 x 4320. Now, however, as the games approach the halfway point, it appears that American viewers will not be able to enjoy such footage. Even on YouTube, currently the world's most accessible source of 8K footage, one cannot find 8K clips of the game.

And gaming is equally bad. The latest gaming consoles are still 4K gaming consoles, even though they have hardware that could theoretically handle 8K resolution. In addition, 8K-capable graphics cards that allow PC gamers to take full advantage of 8K displays are scarce and far more expensive than most people can afford to pay.

From the above, we are not recommending 8K TVs to shoppers, nor are we recommending the best 8K TVs; the TCL Roku TV 6-Series 8K (R648) is a gorgeous TV and the most affordable entry-level model for an 8K TV, but the main stream (or niche) 8K content, and is just one of many 8K sets that have come out ahead of the curve. The TV is great, but 8K is not ready yet

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