TCL Lawsuit Investigation for “Fake” Refresh Rates
Last Updated on August 16, 2022
Important Information
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are no longer investigating this matter. The information here is for reference only. A list of open investigations and lawsuits can be viewed here.
Case Update
- August 16, 2022 – Settlement Site Is Now Live
- The official website for the settlement detailed on this page is now live and accepting claims.
Visit HZClassAction.com to learn more about the deal, or click here to file a claim online.
The deadline for filing a claim is October 7, 2022. - July 19, 2022 – Settlement Receives Preliminary Approval, Notices to Be Sent
- A slightly revised version of the settlement described below has received preliminary approval from the judge overseeing the case. According to the approval order, the deal will cover all individuals who between April 24, 2016 and December 31, 2021 bought a new TCL television marketed as “having a ‘Hz’ rating twice as high as its native panel refresh rate (Hz)” in California.
Those covered by the settlement are expected to be sent emails regarding the deal and how to submit a claim; individuals with the TCL Home App or T-Cast app should also receive a one-time push notification. Notice of the deal should go out by August 8, 2022. The defendant will also place a banner notice on the TCL.com homepage, and a separate website for the settlement is also expected to be established.
Consumers who submit valid claims under the deal, which is now estimated to be worth $2.9 million, are expected to receive $15 each, an amount that may increase to $40 or decrease depending on how many claims are submitted.
Under the settlement, TCL must refrain from labeling new TCL-branded television models as “120Hz CMI” or “120Hz Clear Motion Index.”
Don’t miss out on settlement news like this. Sign up for ClassAction.org’s free weekly newsletter here. - February 16, 2022 – Proposed Settlement Reached, Awaits Judge’s Approval
- A proposed settlement has been reached and will provide $2.5 million in cash to certain consumers who purchased new TCL televisions marketed as having a “Hz” rating twice as high as its native panel refresh rate. To be eligible for the settlement, the televisions must have been purchased in California between April 24, 2016 and the date notices of the settlement are sent out.
Under the deal, the defendant has also agreed not to label any new television as being “120Hz CMI” or “120Hz Clear Motion Index” for four years.
Those eligible for the deal should expect to receive notice via email with information on how to claim their award, which is estimated to be up to $15 per consumer, should the deal receive preliminary approval. A settlement website is also expected to be established.
Don’t miss out on settlement news like this. Sign up for ClassAction.org’s free weekly newsletter here. - January 21, 2022 – Deadline for Submitting Settlement Details Extended
- The deadline for the parties involved in the litigation described below have been given an extension to submit their settlement details to the court. The parties now have until February 11 to submit a motion for preliminary approval of their deal.
- December 15, 2021 - Investigation Closed, Settlement Expected
- Thank you to everyone who contributed to this investigation! At this point, attorneys no longer need to hear from consumers who purchased TCL televisions. This is because a proposed class action has been filed and, according to court documents, a settlement is expected soon. No details are available on what the settlement could entail; however, attorneys for both sides have a deadline of January 28, 2022 for submitting specifics of the proposed deal to the court for preliminary approval.
Stay tuned to this page for updates and make sure to sign up for our free newsletter for the latest in settlement news. You can also check out this article to find out why you generally don’t need to do anything to “join” a class action lawsuit. (In most cases, you will only need to take action – typically, by filling out a claim form – when and if a case settles.)
The information below was posted when the investigation began and remains for reference only.
At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Anyone who purchased a TCL television advertised as having 120Hz CMI or “Natural Motion 240.”
- What’s Going On?
- Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are looking into whether TCL is misleading consumers about the true refresh rates of its televisions. They’re looking to hear from people who own these televisions to help determine whether a class action lawsuit can be filed.
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org would like to speak to anyone who owns a TCL television advertised as having 120Hz CMI or “Natural Motion 240.”
They're looking into whether the company made misleading claims about the refresh rates of its televisions and, if so, whether a class action lawsuit can be filed. But first, they need to hear from people who own these televisions and suspect their refresh rates are much less than what's being advertised.
You may be able to get a class action lawsuit started to help yourself and other TCL customers get their money back.
Refresh Rates: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?
It is important to first explain that what we’re seeing on television is simply a series of still photographs that are being displayed in rapid succession. A television’s “refresh” rate refers to the number of times per second a unique image is displayed on the screen and is usually presented in “Hertz” (Hz). If a television has a refresh rate of 60Hz, the screen will display sixty unique images per second. The higher the refresh rate, the better the picture quality – and, in general, the higher the price tag.
Fake Refresh Rates & TCL Televisions?
It’s possible that TCL is deliberately concealing the true refresh rates of its televisions and using meaningless metrics to mislead consumers into thinking they’re getting a better product than they actually are.
TCL is advertising some of its televisions alongside claims of a 120Hz CMI – that is, “clear motion index” – and “Natural Motion 240.” Reports have surfaced that phrases like “clear motion index” and “natural motion” are fake marketing terms used to inflate true refresh rates.
The problem is that some manufacturers are failing to list the actual refresh rates of their televisions in the specifications.
In this case, it’s suspected that despite marketing claims, TCL’s televisions can only actually deliver a refresh rate of 60Hz – something that’s not being disclosed to consumers. In fact, one report claims that “all TCL TVs currently available have 60Hz panels…it doesn’t really matter what marketing terms they use.”
Both LG and Vizio have been sued over fake refresh rates and now attorneys think TCL has engaged in similar dishonest marketing practices.
Signs of Low Refresh Rates
Signs that your television has a lower refresh rate than it claims include:
- Juddering, jerking or jittery motion
- News scrolls that can’t keep up with the text being displayed
- Movement/motion in movies or sports that isn’t as fluid or smooth as it should be
How a Class Action Can Help
If successful, a class action lawsuit could help TCL customers get back some of the money they spent on their televisions. It could also require the manufacturer to change the way it advertises the refresh rates of its televisions.
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