Samsung Electronics has played a part in shaping the history of television through the development of its technological innovations, from FHD and 4K through to 8K, thanks to its far-sighted strategic vision and an endless passion to bring new technologies to the market.

In order to learn more about the achievements made so far in the field of TV technological innovation, as well as the future of display technologies in the age of UHD screens, Samsung Newsroom sat down with the TV experts.

(From left) Sangmin Lee, Head of the Picture Quality Solution Lab, Hyunchul Song from the Product Development Group and Youngseok Han from H/W Platform Lab of Samsung’s Visual Display Business

Pioneering the Future of TV Through Endless Innovation

These days, picture quality has become one of the most crucial factors consumers consider when choosing a TV. In 1977, Samsung succeeded in the development and mass production of a colour TV, the Colour Economy TV, for the first time in Korea, ushering in the era of colour television for the country. Samsung earned the title of the first colour TV manufacturer in Korea thanks to its steadfast dedication to innovation, and the company was never complacent about the colossal success of its black and white TV model, the Econo TV, which took the lion’s share within the monthly TV market at the time[1].

Samsung’s first LED TV, launched in 2009, wowed the world as a breakthrough in TV technology[2].

Next to be developed was the LCD TV, and, in 2009, Samsung unveiled its breakthrough model – the Samsung LED TV. The LED TV was the culmination of all the innovative technologies available at the time, allowing for unrivalled picture quality brought about by light-emitting diodes. All components of Samsung’s LED TV were designed anew, and the number of patents acquired for this model exceeded 3,000.

Samsung’s QLED TV made its global debut at CES in 2017.

In 2017, Samsung then went on to introduce the world’s first QLED TV based on cadmium-free quantum dot technology at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The company’s innovative TV was at the centre of attention that year, boasting superb picture quality.

A year later, the company brought to the market a QLED 8K model that incorporated 8K resolution into Samsung’s proprietary quantum dot technology. It featured Direct Full Array, a backlight technology able to precisely control the lighting balance across virtually every part of the picture on-screen, as well as 8K AI Upscaling, an upscaling technology designed to intelligently upgrade lower-quality videos into vivid 8K resolution.

Pictured: Hyunchul Song from the Product Development Group

“In 2020, Samsung unveiled the world’s first[3] virtually bezel-less TV that practically eliminates the bezels from around the display,“ said Hyunchul Song from the Product Development Group. “A year later, we further solidified our position as an industry leader by introducing our Neo QLED technology based on Quantum Mini LED displays. From FHD through to 8K, we have undertaken ceaseless efforts to develop innovative products that offer differentiated experiences based on consumer needs.”

Striving for Superior Picture Quality Through In-Depth Research Into Human Behaviour

Samsung continues to strive to offer the best possible viewer experiences by delivering incredible picture quality. However, what does “good picture quality” mean to someone who works on its development?

Pictured: Youngseok Han from H/W Platform Lab of Samsung’s Visual Display Business.

“Picture quality is considered good when it delivers a sense of reality to the viewer that feels as if you are witnessing the images on-screen first-hand,” explained Youngseok Han, a developer from the H/W Lab. “To ensure good picture quality, display performance indicators such as high resolution, high luminance and excellent colour expression are essential. What also matters is how well-balanced the other cutting-edge technologies of the display are, including the chip design, the picture quality algorithms and the sound.”

Han went on to provide further insight into the importance of balance to the corresponding picture quality. “The factors that impact picture quality the most are how well you organise the various relevant technologies. These include those designed to reduce distortion and any image transmission noise, those that reproduce colours precisely and richly and create sharp contrast for more vivid, clear images and those motion technologies that ensure the movement of objects on-screen appears smooth and fluid.”

It would be difficult to develop good picture quality with just one singular technology, no matter how great that technology is. This is why Samsung is committed to developing innovative technologies through all kinds of different approaches without resting on their laurels as a leader in the industry. Recently introduced on the 2023 Neo QLED TV, Real Depth Enhancer is one of the new features that has been developed to the end of further improving picture quality.

Real Depth Enhancer. Image simulated for illustrative purposes.

When human eyes are focused on an object, attention is directed onto the object by optimising sharpness, clarity and texture, all while also maintaining the background scene. Samsung’s Real Depth Enhancer technology was developed based on an understanding of this human behaviour, and harnesses AI to automatically separate an object from its background to create a greater sense of depth and make the images truly pop.

Furthermore, Neo Quantum Matrix Pro technology improves the playback of fine details through precise control of the quantum mini LEDs. This meticulous adjustment further adds dimension and a sense of reality to the images on-screen.

“Our Real Depth Enhancer technology is the result of an optimisation of all the relevant technologies in a way that takes human psychology into account, instead of focusing only on improving resolution,” noted Han.

From 8K Games to Artworks on Samsung TVs in the Age of 8K Technology

These days, users are being bombarded by new content. Tens of thousands of new pieces of media and content are being published every day across all manner of platforms – but does the same apply to those contents being made in 8K?

Pictured: Sangmin Lee, Head of the Picture Quality Solution Lab.

“Following the recent growth of 8K devices including smartphones, anyone is able to create 8K content and view it in ultra-high resolution,” said Sangmin Lee, Head of the Picture Quality Solution Lab. “High-performance graphics cards also now make it possible for users to play 8K games, meaning that we are already living in the age of 8K UHD.”

Image simulated for illustrative purposes.

Song further detailed the growth of 8K content in today’s viewing market. “There is a growing amount of 8K content available on social media channels, and artists are creating digital artworks in 8K,” he explained. “We added in ‘YouTube Videos in 8K’ feature to the 2023 Neo QLED TV to allow users to peruse the 8K content available on YouTube and explore digital artworks, such as an image in NFT^[4] form, at a single glance.”

Samsung is also taking the lead in expanding the 8K content ecosystem by being at the helm of the 8K Association, a global non-profit organisation established in 2019 with the aim of establishing 8K standards and expanding 8K content. As of February 2023, the association has 33 members, including Samsung, TV panel producers, SoC chip makers and leading content creators. Last year, Samsung released a teaser for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power series in 8K developed in collaboration with Amazon Prime Video, another member of the 8K Association.

Developing Optimal Picture Quality That Takes Viewing Experiences to the Next Level

In order to learn more about the next steps for Samsung, an industry leader in terms of picture quality in the age of 8K technology, Samsung Newsroom asked the three TV professionals what their goals are.

“As a developer, I feel the most accomplished when I hear the feedback that viewers think the images on-screen seem real to them,” said Han. “My goal is to further improve our algorithms by optimising a range of components in order to deliver picture quality that is ‘more real than real’ to viewers.”

For Song, creating technologies that bring real value to users is of the utmost importance. “While the development department works to create the best picture quality through technological innovation, I am more involved in optimising products to bring high-quality experiences to as many viewers as possible,” said Song. “I will continue to deliberate on what other kinds of user value we can bring to our viewers.”

Finally, from Lee’s perspective, the goal is and always has been to provide users with experiences that go beyond simply watching content. “The most important value that a display can provide is to present images that seem more real than reality itself,” explained Lee. “Through the best picture quality algorithms and leading sound performance, the optimal picture quality that is delivered then allows users to enjoy their favourite content without having to worry about adjusting the settings. Our ultimate goal is to offer superb picture quality that enables users to thoroughly enjoy their viewing experiences that go beyond simply watching content.”

Stay tuned to Samsung Newsroom for the second and final part in this series highlighting the role of the 8K TV and the innovative technologies Samsung has been developing to provide the best possible viewing experiences to its users.

[1] For more information, visit: https://news.samsung.com/global/history-of-samsung-electronics-3-meeting-demands-for-energy-efficiency-19751976

[2] For more information, visit: https://news.samsung.com/global/15-years-of-tv-leadership-1-samsung-tvs-a-legacy-of-innovation

[3] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7841467/Samsung-set-unveil-worlds-bezel-free-TV-week-CES-Las-Vegas.html

[4] SAVAGE is not currently available for users in Australia and is expected to launch in April 2023 however this may be subject to delays. SAVAGE is a high quality NFT marketplace featuring 4K/8K video and photography. With over 50 titles expected at launch, SAVAGE is expected to expand throughout the year with more new pieces from top creators and brands.

This year’s Neo QLED 8K lineup includes features that produce its most “real life” images yet, taking its picture quality to another level. Between the updated Neural Quantum Processor 8K, the new AI upscaling feature and the new calibration app, a consumer’s on-screen experience becomes virtually true to life, allowing them to easily manage their on-screen experience in a much more personal manner.[1]

To fully grasp the technologies and features behind the 2022 Neo QLED 8K range, Samsung Newsroom is showcasing them in a dynamic graphic format for easy comprehension.

14-bit Contrast Mapping

Image simulated for illustrative purposes.

The 2022 Neo QLED 8K panels are built to provide extreme details in all types of scenes with the newly added 14-bit contrast mapping, building on top of the existing 12-bit control offered in 2021. The result is a new 8K screen that is capable of showing extraordinary picture quality with more contrast and control over details.[2] As shown above, 14-bit contrast mapping allows us to see the fine details on the surface of the water as well as the granular texture of the rocks under water.

Real Depth Enhancer

Compared to Samsung’s Crystal UHD TV range. Image simulated for illustrative purposes.

When the eye is focused on the object, it directs its attention to the object, focusing on the sharpness, clarity and texture of the object while maintaining the background. The 2022 Samsung Neo QLED 8K’s Neural Quantum Processor 8K acts quite similarly through its new feature, the Real Depth Enhancer, which increases overall contrast and definition of the object — creating a sense of depth and making the images pop.

As you can see in this example, the Real Depth Enhancer naturally guides the consumers’ eyes to focus on the object in front of them, creating depth and allowing the rhinoceros to truly stand out from the background.

Smart Calibration

Image simulated for illustrative purposes. Sequence shortened.

With a new year of image quality improvements, comes a new sense of control for Samsung Neo QLED 8K. Now, viewers can calibrate and optimize their display from the menu bar or through the Smart Calibration on the Smart Things app on their smartphone.[3] With Basic Mode, the app offers calibrated images in as little as 30 seconds, while Professional Mode offers thorough image calibration and optimization within 5 to 8 minutes. Both modes require a simple one-step process from the users’ part to optimize the on-screen image. As shown here, the Professional Mode’s enhancement is very apparent, allowing Neo QLED 8K viewers to take advantage of its premium hardware and AI upscaling technology.[4]

[1] Compared to Samsung’s 2021 Neo QLED lineup.

[2] Compared to Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K Smart TV – QN900A.

[3] Requires Galaxy S, Note, Z Flip or Z Fold series models released after January 2019, or an iPhone that supports Face ID. Supported models may differ depending on the situation. For more information, please check the product manual at samsung.com/support

[4] Picture quality of upscaled content will vary depending on the quality and resolution of source content.