Hyesung Ha, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics

Last month I had the opportunity to travel to Barcelona, Spain to attend Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) for the first time in two years. It reminded me that the world is returning to routines and norms. At the same time, it will be a fundamentally different world moving forward.

I can also apply these observations to Samsung’s digital signage business. In 2022 and beyond, Samsung will deliver a variety of solutions that were and still are important to businesses today, as well as new technologies designed to meet the needs of the modern world.

It’s clear that we will never fully return to what we used to think of as “normal” life. We’ve already reimagined offices, classrooms, entertainment and so much more within our daily routines. It’s my job not only to keep up with these trends, but to fundamentally reimagine the role of digital signage moving forward. That’s why Samsung is focused on redefining our most common spaces, reconnecting the world through new experiences and re-emphasizing the importance of digital signage in our daily lives.

Redefining Learning and Collaboration in a New Era

One of the largest shifts of the past few years is the role technology plays within common environments such as classrooms in schools and meeting rooms in offices. These environments saw an increasing demand for digital transformations and now new considerations are required to ensure every student and professional has the same high-quality collaboration experience regardless of whether they attend in-person, online, or in a hybrid manner. In other words, learning and collaboration spaces have been redefined with an increased emphasis on inclusivity in any scenario.

Samsung is addressing this need with the new Samsung Flip Pro. It provides students and professionals with high-quality collaboration experiences whether they are in-person or remote with enhanced usability and specialized features to meet ever-changing business and education needs. With a focus on seamless and intuitive interactions, it’s easy to set up and easy to use. The newly added intuitive control panel enhances the overall classroom or meeting room experience along with the industry’s fastest touch latency, enhanced multi touch features and the ability to simultaneously connect devices to the display wirelessly for enhanced collaboration.

Reconnecting Through New Outdoor Experiences

As consumers return to public shopping malls, sporting events and other forms of entertainment, businesses are competing now more than ever for their attention. With more outdoor activities, signage has become a bridge between consumers and brands while helping people enjoy digital art. In other words, signage reconnects consumers with the world.

LED signage also helps create unforgettable experiences inside sports stadiums. Delivering the best viewing angles for fans was one of Samsung’s highest priorities. As part of these efforts, Samsung designed the largest videoboard ever created for sports, the Infinity Screen in SoFi Stadium as a part of the Hollywood Park Technology Alliance. Measuring 70,000 square feet, the incredible curved, 360-degree, dual-sided screen greets fans and provides a state-of-the-art way to experience the game.

Another trend where we see a major opportunity for growth is the electric vehicle industry. As demand for electric vehicles surges, carmakers, governments and local businesses are rushing to build more electric vehicle charging stations. This provides a new outlet to serve information and deliver promotions to electric vehicle owners, and Samsung outdoor signage is the perfect solution for this scenario. With ultra-bright picture quality and durability with certified IP56-rated protection, the outdoor signage can excel in a variety of weather conditions and environments, hence businesses can create engaging visual experiences while customers top up their batteries in charging stations.

Re-emphasize the Vision of ‘Screens Everywhere’ With Unmatchable Micro LED Technology

Micro LED technology is set to define the future of display innovation. From the luxury industry to hospitality and travel, the potential of Micro LED is endless. The Wall is Samsung’s state-of-the-art display technology, which features even more options for businesses looking to transform their spaces with next level picture quality and immersion.

Samsung is the leader in Micro LED displays, which contain smaller LEDs, and allow incredible LED density, enabling bright and detailed colour expression inside a slim display profile. To create our cutting edge Micro LED technology, we have focused on three key areas: Samsung developed fully integrated ultra-fine Micro LED chips; such densely populated LEDs result in stunning brightness; and we continue to secure processing know-how for ultra-fine semiconductor chips to improve mass production.

These incredible technologies helped Samsung’s 2022 lineup of The Wall (IWB) open up new possibilities. The micro pitch feature of the IWB delivers the most detailed picture with 0.63 pixel pitch, the slimmest ever, in addition to providing a variety of screen sizes to meet any consumer or business need. Meanwhile, The Wall All-in-One (IAB) has transformed the installation process with a pre-adjusted seam and a ‘Pre-Assembled Frame Kit’ which makes the whole process as simple as a consumer TV. The Wall All-in-One not only helps save valuable time but can lower the total cost of ownership while delivering a great viewing experience.

In a constantly changing world, Samsung will continue to deliver breakthrough innovations to realize the vision of “Screens Everywhere” based on cutting-edge Micro LED technology.

Reimagining the Role of Digital Signage

Our digital signage solutions, including the 2022 Smart Signage, have received certified energy efficiency grades that rise to new industry standards, such as ENERGY STAR and EPEAT. Samsung also has incorporated eco-conscious packaging featuring recycled materials in all signage products since 2021 and became one of the first businesses in the industry to achieve the reducing CO2 label, certified by the Carbon Trust for its display portfolio.

In recognition of our eco-conscious efforts for our sustainability initiative, we won the ‘Sustainability Innovation of the Year’ at the AV News Awards in ISE. As we are grateful for the recognition of our efforts, we plan to make each step count while we collectively change production practices for a sustainable future.

The return to routines combined with new customer expectations and habits provides businesses with a rare opportunity to reimagine their offerings and practices. By considering a new role for digital signage moving forward, we’re helping our customers reimagine what’s possible to keep them ahead of the curve.

I’m excited for this next chapter for digital signage. At Samsung, we’re passionate about bringing game-changing innovation and value to our enterprise customers. We will continue to innovate, reimagining the role of digital signage in new and conventional spaces, all while increasing our customers’ possibilities in this new era.

New flagship combines premium design, sophisticated picture quality, AI and an immersive sound experience

Samsung Electronics introduced today its next-generation QLED 8K line at CES 2020 in Las Vegas, offering a glimpse into the future of display technology. It combines cutting-edge innovations that make the viewing experience more immersive with new connected features and consumer lifestyles more integrated in order to deliver the ultimate home entertainment experience.

The 2020 QLED 8K lineup provides consumers with an unprecedented viewing experience and superb smart home integration. It leverages the power of enhanced AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology to improve audio, video and smart capabilities. Plus, it offers a range of smart features powered by Tizen, making it now easy for consumers to use voice commands and access new features like Tap View, Digital Butler and Samsung Health.

The ultimate expression of these different innovations is the new, flagship Q950TS QLED 8K TV which features surround sound audio, lifelike 8K resolution and a stunning, ultra-thin form factor.

“8K resolution is reshaping our industry. The demand for 75” + screens is increasing faster than any other segment in the market, and this is where 8K resolution matters the most,” Pat Bugos, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Home Entertainment, Samsung Electronics Canada. “Our 2020 8K lineup showcases the potential for 8K to transform the way we experience TV. Its innovative smart features empower consumers to immerse themselves in their passions more seamlessly than ever before.”

Reinventing TV Design

The Q950 practically eliminates the bezel around the display to create a screen-to-body ratio of nearly 99 percent, the largest in the market. When watching from about ten or fifteen feet away, consumers experience a stunning Infinity Screen effect where the bezels seem to disappear. The result is an even more immersive viewing experience that eliminates the boundaries between the TV and its surroundings.

In addition, the Q950 is only 15 millimeters thin across the entire display. In combination with a completely flat back panel, the Q950 can lay flush against the wall or create a striking silhouette when placed on a media stand.

Redefining Picture Quality

The 2020 QLED 8K lineup reflects Samsung’s commitment to leading the industry in the implementation, adoption, and playback of 8K resolution. Every model in the lineup will meet the requirements of the 8K Association’s Certified Test Specifications as well as the CTA 8K Ultra HD Display Definition.^[1][2]

At the same time, the QLED 8K lineup is among the first in the industry to support the playback of native 8K content. In 2020, consumers will be able to enjoy and stream AV1 codec videos filmed in 8K on QLED 8K TVs. All Samsung TVs in the 2020 8K line will have this capability built-in.

And, Samsung is working with partners like YouTube to create pathways for streaming native 8K content.

In addition to building out the 8K ecosystem across the industry, the QLED 8K lineup helps consumers to experience the power of 8K resolution even when they are watching lower resolution content. Based on powerful Samsung semiconductor technology, the Q950’s next-generation Quantum Processor 8K features improved AI upscaling capabilities that use neural network deep learning to analyze and identify the characteristics of individual pixels. It then restores different elements of the image to create a pristine near-8K picture, regardless of the content source.^[3]

The Q950 also leverages the power of AI to ensure that nothing distracts viewers from their content. While traditional TV sensors can only adjust screen brightness based on the ambient light within the room, Adaptive Picture accounts for the distribution of light within the particular scene, ensuring that the TV can maintain a clear picture in both bright or dark rooms while still maintaining contrast.

Another common issue for consumers streaming content is the speed of their internet connection. AI ScaleNet ensures a smooth streaming connection by optimizing the available network bandwidth. It compresses content as it leaves the content provider and then restores it after it reaches the TV to effectively cut in half the bandwidth needed for consumers to stream content. Samsung Electronics is continuing to work with Amazon on this feature, utilizing AI ScaleNet from standard definition to 4K in Prime Video.

Reinvigorating Sound Performance

Since audio is as important as video when it comes to an immersive streaming experience, the Q950 delivers incredible TV audio. It features speakers on every side of the display, as well as sub-woofers in the back. When combined with Object Tracking Sound+, which uses AI-based software to match the movement of audio sound with the movement of objects on the screen, the Q950 can deliver crisp and clear 5.1 channel surround-sound.

The Q950 can also adjust the volume of dialogue in response to common sounds like a blender or vacuum cleaner. Active Voice Amplifier (AVA) helps to limit distracting sounds while watching TV by detecting these noises and automatically enhancing voice clarity for consumers.

Finally, the Q950 is uniquely capable of using its built-in speakers as an additional audio channel when connected to a 2020 Q Series soundbar like the Q800, a 2020 CES Best of Innovation honoree. Q-Symphony pairs the audio from both devices together to create a dynamic and multi-dimensional soundscape.

Reinventing the Viewing Experience

Consumers today have access to—and are consuming—more streaming content than ever before. That’s why the 2020 QLED 8K TV line offers unique features that help consumers to better enjoy their content and interact with their different devices.

In 2020, Bixby, the Samsung’s AI assistant, is getting even smarter. Consumers can use their TV to change the mood of a room. For example, if they tell Bixby to create a calm atmosphere, the TV will then display a relaxing backdrop on the screen. In addition, Samsung will offer multiple voice assistant options in order to provide consumers a choice by integrating Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant into Samsung’s 2020 QLED 8K line. Now, users will enjoy easier access to the content they love with expanded smart home and TV control capabilities.

Reimagining Connected Living

The 2020 QLED 8K lineup accounts for the evolving ways in which consumers use screens today through innovative new features that integrate into modern lifestyles.

In addition, more consumers are using their mobile devices while watching content on their TVs, even though it can be difficult to see everything happening on both devices. Multi-View ensures that these consumers won’t miss a thing on either screen by projecting the screen of the consumer’s mobile device onto the TV alongside a separate window for their TV content. With 14 different layouts, users can customize their viewing experience from side-by-side viewing to picture-in-picture viewing together with several other options.

To create an even more streamlined experience for consumers, the Q950 also offers novel ways of mirroring your mobile device and controlling your home devices. Tap View empowers consumers to mirror their phone screens to the TV just by touching the two devices together. And with Digital Butler, consumer can now control more devices by using infrared technology to detect and control non-IoT devices within the home.

^[1] The 8K Association (8KA) is a cross-industry group focused on facilitating the growth of the 8K ecosystem The 8KA created performance criteria in concert with the association’s membership for 8K televisions. The 8KA currently has 16 members and expanding. Member companies like Samsung Electronics are able to promote 8K certified TVs after they are validated by the 8KA.

^[2] The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) is the trade association representing the consumer technology industry. The CTA currently has over 2000 members and expanding. Member companies like Samsung Electronics are able to promote product standards once certified by CTA.

^[3] 8K AI Upscaling enhances content to near-8K picture quality. Based on laboratory testing. Viewing experience may vary according to types of content and format. 8K AI Upscaling may not apply to PC connection, and certain conditions of Game Mode.