Samsung’s QLED TVs recently became the first TVs to be certified burn-in free by video, an acclaimed German tech magazine.

The magazine’s comprehensive evaluation assessed vulnerability to burn-in and afterglow, which can permanently impair picture quality. The results of the test proved that Samsung’s TVs were as free of both, and demonstrated what makes QLED TVs some of the most durable displays on the market today.

The Details

‘Burn-in’ refers to the phenomenon in which static images (such as channel logos, or the health bar in a console game), displayed for an extended period of time, leave a permanent outline on a screen.

Examples of burn-in on conventional TVs

Conducted in conjunction with connect Testlab, a world-renowned testing lab, the 72-hour stress test evaluates a TV’s ability to stand up to the exacting levels of performance that we require in TVs today, focusing specifically on the portrayal of HDR (high-dynamic-range) video.

With some display technologies, memory effects will already keep glowing after one minute of TV use if static picture elements are shown on their screen in high luminosities. In the test, the TVs were therefore made to display a checkerboard pattern for deep black and very bright white values for longer periods of time. The test engineers added variable text elements and an intermittently blinking white frame to the test picture so that the automatic stills detection customary for modern HDR TVs could not spring into action. This helped the testers create similar conditions as in HDR games. In addition to the standard analysis the testers used dark gray images with brightness values of 10 nits– which will show if dark pixels are brightened up. The findings indicate that QLED TVs are unaffected by burn-in and afterglow, and that fixed images may be displayed on them without risk, regardless of duration.

Why Burn-in Matters

Assessing a TV’s susceptibility to burn-in is key to determining how long it will last – and ultimately whether it’s worth your money. Although all screens get dimmer with age, burn-in’s adverse effect on picture quality can significantly shorten a TV’s lifespan.

On average, based on typical use, consumers should expect their TV’s picture quality to remain roughly the same for anywhere from seven to ten years. What’s interesting to note is that the definition of that term – ‘typical use’ – has expanded in recent years with the rise of binge-watching video and the development of exciting ‘smart TV’ functionalities. Now, on a typical day, we may switch on the TV to watch the latest episode of a favorite show, start a gaming session with friends, or manage our home’s IoT appliances.

Speaking of enjoying dynamic content, these days, so many of our favorite shows and games feature HDR support, which means video that’s brighter and more immersive than ordinary content. As time goes by, however, HDR content can wear down a TV – accelerating burn-in and reducing its lifespan.

In addition, as illustrated by innovative functions like Ambient Mode, which allows QLED TVs to display beautiful, aesthetic-enhancing images when switched off, Samsung is constantly exploring ways to help people get more use out of their TV. Each new function results in TVs being utilized for longer periods of time, which makes durability issues like burn-in more important than ever.

How QLED TVs Deliver

The source of QLED TVs’ durability lies in Samsung’s use of inorganic Quantum dots. Unlike display technologies based on organic materials, Quantum dots do not degrade over time. This allows QLED TVs to offer exceptional picture quality that not only lasts much longer than other displays, but is guaranteed to be burn-in free.

The experts at video are not the first to put Samsung’s guarantee to the test. In fact, industry-trusted TV review site Rtings.com recently conducted a stringent series of tests that measured image retention in dozens of TVs from the market’s leading brands. The pivotal portion of the tests, which reflected typical use conditions, placed colorful logos on the TVs for 10 minutes and measured how many minutes, if any, it took for the imprinted images to disappear.

Samsung’s QLED TV passed with flying colors, earning a perfect score for image quality and lack of burn-in. When subjected to the same tests, however, other displays fared far less well – succumbing to burn-in, and in doing so, further confirming QLED TV’s industry-leading durability.

What it means for Samsung

Rtings’ assessment and video’s certifications are products of Samsung’s steadfast commitment to offering consumers the very best in terms of picture quality.

As Doochan Eum, Samsung Electronics’ Vice President of Visual Display Business, explains, “Consumers simply don’t want to put up with a display that’s not built to handle how we use our TVs today. Quantum dots’ longevity and ability to express 100 percent color volume allow QLED TVs to provide a level of picture quality that will remain consistent and captivating for many years to come.”

Samsung QLED TVs are certified as the burn-in free TVs by video, an acclaimed German tech magazine. Conducted in conjunction with the connect Testlab, a global testing lab, all 2018 Samsung QLED TV series were proved free of burn-in and afterglow reaffirming QLED TVs’ position as one of the most durable displays on the market today.

The requirements for TV displays are made ever more demanding by technologies such as High Dynamic Range (HDR). The risk of putative burn-in is of particular concern to TV customers in the premium segment. To see if displays stand up to the exacting performance requirements, the TV experts from video and connect Testlab carried out certification test based on the Information Display Measurements Standard (IDMS), an international norm for panel measurements, and concentrated on QLED TV’s HDR content display quality.

Samsung’s QLED TVs passed the stress test and received the certificate for ꞌno burn-inꞌ and ꞌno afterglowꞌ¹. In a 72-hour endurance test, the testers performed measurements on Samsung QLED TVs to check their putative burn-in effects, which may be caused by static picture elements. These effects, also referred to as ꞌmemory effectꞌ, ꞌghostingꞌ, ꞌimage retentionꞌ, ꞌsticky imageꞌ or imprecisely as ꞌburn-inꞌ, tangibly impair the picture quality of a television.

In the case of some display technologies, memory effects will start glowing after one minute of TV use if static picture elements are shown on their screen in high luminosities. In the test, the TVs were therefore made to display a checkerboard pattern for deep black and very bright white values for longer periods of time. The test engineers added variable text elements and an intermittently blinking white frame to the test picture so that the automatic stills detection customary for modern HDR TVs could not spring into action. This helped the testers create similar conditions as in HDR games. In addition to the standard analysis, the testers used dark gray images with brightness values of 10 nits– which will show if dark pixels are brightened up.

The measurements showed that the tested Samsung QLED TVs remained unaffected by the rigorous tests. The TV can thus theoretically be left on permanently without picture elements like network logos leaving an afterglow or burning in.

Taking into account that the quality of a TV screen is strongly impaired by afterglow and burn-in – especially after emitting HDR quality pictures with extreme brightness values – Samsung QLED TV is a product of choice among many other modern TVs for those planning to invest in a high-end TV. It guarantees powerful visual capabilities without potential memory effects or permanent damage.

“Anyone who is particularly sensitive to ghost images and unwilling to run any risks over many years of use will be on the safe side with LCD or QLED, respectively,”² conclude the test experts.

¹ All test criteria can be viewed at https://www.connect-testlab.com/.

² “Technik Extrem – Hilfe, es brennt (ein)”, video, issue 8/18, p. 58. All quotes are taken from this article.

Photo Courtesy of Russie Sanders @ 2018 New Revolution Media

Once a year, E3 – one of the world’s largest electronics and gaming conferences – brings the video gaming industry’s most innovative creators to Los Angeles to showcase the latest technology and products.

Samsung joins the excitement every year and this year, kicked off the QLED TV Gaming Experience on a tricked-out semi-truck, now on tour in the U.S.

The gaming rig features the newest line of QLED TVs, packed with next-generation features to deliver the ultimate gaming experience. They’re the first TVs to support AMD’s Radeon FreeSync Technology, with adaptive refresh technology for stutter-free gaming, less screen tearing, and more fun.

Samsung’s QLED TVs also have auto game mode and an ultra-fast motion rate, making them perfect for newer consoles with 4K resolution and HDR. E3 Attendees were invited to compete with each other for great prizes to see who can record the fastest lap while playing Forza Motorsport 7.

Photo Courtesy of Russie Sanders @ 2018 New Revolution Media

With Samsung’s FreeSync technology QLED TVs, extra smooth gameplay visuals have never been so accessible or in such an immersive format. Samsung’s 2018 QLED TV range is available at a variety of price points and screen sizes from 55” to 82”, so anyone can enjoy the QLED experience at home.

Source: US Newsroom

Abhijeet Solat, Samsung Display’s technical sales manager, presented the 8K market trends at QLED & Advanced Display Summit, held in Los Angeles on June 27, 2018.

“Samsung has built a reputation for its history of innovation and groundbreaking developments in the TV industry,” said Jongsuk Chu, Senior Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “We’re committed to maintaining that trend by bringing advancements of 8K and MicroLED technology to the consumers and continuing our investment in enhancing the viewing experience.”

The QLED & Advanced Displays Summit was co-hosted by Samsung and Insight Media, an advanced display consultant focusing on the display industry. During the event, Samsung demonstrated enhancements ranging from HDR10+ mastering workflows to Automatic Color Calibration and no burn-in on its 2018 QLED TVs, showcasing its leadership in the TV display industry.

Participants, including industry experts and influencers attended to experience live demonstrations and spark dialogue about the current state and challenges of TV technologies. Above all, the QLED TV demos highlighted Samsung’s efforts in pioneering HDR capability by applying next-generation enhancements for the benefit of consumers.

The event featured a number of prominent experts in the display industry – ranging from academia experts in the MicroLED technology sector and consultants specializing in HDR cinema integration to renowned professionals in display and mastering tool industry. Speakers and influencers from the following organizations also attended to discuss TV technology-related topics that included:

• 8K Ecosystem: Insight Media, Panavision, Samsung Display Company, and Display Supply Chain Consultants
• Quantum Dots: Palomaki Consulting, Nanosys, Nanoco, and Samsung Advanced Research Institute
• Display and Mastering Tools: FF Pictures, Samsung Research America, Portrait Displays, and ColorFront
• HDR Cinema: Samsung Research America, LightView, and MKPE Consulting
• MicroLEDs: Fuzhou University, Samsung Electronics, Tesoro Scientific, PlayNitride, Sungkyunkwan University, JBD, Lumiode, and N-Tech Research

Martin Fishman, CEO of SpectraCal, described the Automatic Color Calibration program (left) and Florian Friedrich of FF Pictures explained the HDR10+ mastering workflows (right) at the demonstration of the summit.

For more information about Samsung’s QLED TVs and the QLED & Advanced Display Summit, including speakers and sessions, please visit: www.displaysummit.com/2018-qled-and-advanced-display-summit-at-hollywood.

About Insight Media

Insight Media is a technology consultancy focused on emerging technology in the ProAV, cinema, broadcast, consumer electronics and display industries. The company authors white papers and articles on these topics, provide technology and market assessment services and hosts events to discuss key technology trends in these market segments.

Samsung Electronics announced a partnership with Dezeen, a leading design and architectural magazine, inviting designers to create graphics for the Ambient Mode feature on Samsung’s QLED TVs. Held from June 25 to August 3, the contest will reward 29,500 euros in total prize money. To enter the contest, designers need to submit their best Ambient Mode designs using either static or animated images.

Samsung’s Ambient Mode does away with the mundane black screen that dominates a room when the television is not in use. Built into the 2018 QLED televisions, Ambient Mode makes the screen appear transparent by mimicking the appearance of the wall behind it, while also enhancing its environment by overlaying additional imagery and information – such as the weather – if desired.

“Ambient Mode creates a useful and innovative experience for users, even when their television is turned off. Knowing that this experience is unique to every user, the Ambient Mode design competition is meant to develop imagery that resonates with each of our consumers,” said Jongsuk Chu, Senior Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “We hope that designers will take this opportunity to show off their creativity and help us grow the library of designs available to consumers on Ambient Mode.”

To enter, contestants must pick one of the four backgrounds provided by Samsung and develop concepts that build on both the television’s environment and the time of day in which the feature would be utilized. Designers can base their entry on one of Samsung’s existing Ambient Modes – décor, information or personal photos – or they can propose a completely novel mode. Further, as Samsung and Dezeen are looking for concepts that highlight how Ambient Mode can mirror the environment and blend into the aesthetic of consumers’ homes, entrants will need to specify a particular lifestyle for their design.

The competition’s judging panel includes esteemed designers Neville Brody and Erwan Bouroullec, as well as members of Samsung’s and Dezeen’s design teams – Dontae Lee, Executive Vice President and the Head of the Corporate Design Center at Samsung Electronics and Amy Frearson, editorial director of Dezeen.

The competition will reward 29,500 euros in total prize money. The grand prize winner will receive 8,000 euros while two runners-up will receive 3,000 euros, respectively. 1,500 euros will be awarded to the other seven shortlisted entrants and 1,000 euros will be given to five longlisted designers. Dezeen will interview the finalists and publish a story about each of them.

The competition entry is free of charge. However, entrants must be over 18 years of age with the ability to present their work to a panel of English-speaking judges. For more information on how to enter, please visit dezeen.com/Samsung.

This is the second contest in which Samsung and Dezeen have partnered to organize. In 2017, the two companies cooperated to host a TV accessory design competition for Samsung QLED lineup’s TV stands and received a total of 1,200 works from 83 countries. The contest participant Fulden Denheli received a grand prize and later was also named the winner at IFA 2017 for her adaptable, Scandinavian-inspired concept.

At the 2018 Electronic Entertainment Expo (‘E3’) in LA this June, Samsung QLED TVs were exhibited as part of Microsoft’s Xbox booth. The 75-inch QLED TV screens caught the attention of keen gamers, with a long queue forming in order to enter the showroom. Players enjoyed an unparalleled 4K HDR gaming experience, featuring stunning graphics and quick response times, with the QLED.

Samsung’s 2018 QLED TVs have evolved to merit the title of the ‘monster’ of the gaming industry. They offer gamers a low input lag of no more than 15ms (0.015 seconds), a rich viewing experience achieved by 100% color volume and High Dynamic Range (HDR) 2000, and Radeon FreeSync for the seamless playing of even the most demanding games.

Fighting Input Lag in FPS Games

Input lag can be a critical issue for those players who want to enjoy fast-paced games like first-person shooters (FPS) or fighting games. Input lag, or input latency, is the delay between the TV or monitor receiving a signal and it being displayed on the screen, or the delay between pressing a controller button and seeing the game react. It is important in gaming because even a 0.01 second reaction difference can determine the difference between a winning and losing move in an FPS game.

Samsung’s QLED TVs have input lag reduced to 15ms (1ms = 0.001 seconds), faster than conventional TVs which have a 20-30ms lag on average. Gamers can fully immerse themselves in games on their QLED TVs with minimal lag. QLED TV’s Auto Game Mode also changes features including response speed for game optimization. When users start a game on a console such as Xbox, the TV automatically recognizes the game and sets the correct game-related settings.

Optimized Picture Quality for Immersive Gaming

Today’s games are characterized by feature film-quality storylines, cinematography and graphics. Game characters and avatars are becoming more and more lifelike, as are the landscapes around them, often offered in full 360-degree rotation to the player for the most immersive experience possible.

In order to deliver this virtual realism to gamers, game platforms feature the latest in color, contrast and imaging technology, as well as 144Hz refresh rates for high frame-rate gaming. Samsung’s 2018 QLED TVs are the first in the TV industry to use Radeon FreeSync in collaboration with global graphics card maker AMD. Radeon FreeSync puts an end to choppy gameplay and broken frames, bringing smooth gaming and the fluidity of gaming monitors to the big screen.

With the Samsung QLED TV, gamers can experience the cutting-edge display performance they are used to. The QLED TVs feature HDR10+ for crisp and detailed images, as well as 100% color volume for greater image depth in both the day and nighttime, at any brightness level. Samsung’s Anti-reflection technology is another bonus for reducing eye strain and optimizing gameplay.

Enjoy Over 15,000 PC games with Steam on TVs

As well as their favorite console games, users can also play Steam games on their QLED TV. Steam is an online game platform with over 120 million users globally.

In order for QLED users to enjoy the full offering of the Steam platform, all they need to do is head to the Samsung Smart Hub and download the free Steam Link app. No supplementary hardware is necessary for users to be able to access the 15,000+ games offered by Steam on the large-inch QLED screen.

In addition, gamers don’t need to bother with changing the settings on their QLED TV in order to access their favorite console games. Just turn on Auto Game Mode and start your console.

No Screen Burn-In, Guaranteed

TV screens suffer from performance decline over time, with static images and fixed interfaces leading to image retention and consequently the burn-in issue. With Samsung QLED TVs, however, you no longer need to worry about burn-in.

Rtings, an industry-trusted US TV Reviewer, ran a test for permanent image retention. Different kinds of TVs were kept on for 10 minutes, running a test pattern in a loop. The 2017 QLED TV scored 10/10 for image quality and lack of burn-in, while some screens achieved a mere 5/10.

The durability of the QLED TV screen is due to groundbreaking Quantum Dot technology. Quantum dots are made of inorganic materials, which translates to longer-lasting displays that do not develop the burn-in issue. Displaying the same image or scene for long periods of time will not leave unpleasant ghost images on your QLED TV, enhancing the gaming experience.

“Today’s TVs are like all-round players. More and more, people are enjoying everything on TV such as games, the internet, or smart functions provided by IoT,” said Jongsuk Chu, Senior Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “The huge-screen QLED TV with best performance and durability will take the gaming experience to the next level.”

Viewing Assisted by AI

With so much sport available to watch this summer, viewers might need a little help locating the events they want to watch. Samsung 2018 QLED TVs are furnished with Bixby and a Universal Guide, two intelligent features which make browsing for content even easier.

Bixby, the intelligent assistant, allowed the Newsroom to search for the team or game they wanted to see using a simple voice command, without scrolling through the schedules of every TV channel looking for content. So when viewers pressed the microphone button on their remote control and said, “Find Channels Showing Brazil Games”, a list of matches played by Brazilian teams appears on the screen.

The Universal Guide is equipped with a specialized Sports tab that recommends relevant content provided by the TV’s cable and satellite connections, as well as online streaming content, in a single place and prominently displays the titles of on-air sports games at the top of the screen.

Full Immersion at Home

When the grand stadium appeared on the 75-inch screen, the Newsroom gasped with delight. As they sat back to watch the TV, the green grass spread out lusciously before their eyes and all had the feeling that they were present at the live event. A big screen is critical to this sense of immersion. That’s why 2018 QLED TVs offer a full lineup of large screens – up to and including an 82-inch model.

When watching TV together with family or friends, people sitting at the edges of the group can often feel left out of the action, unable to see the full picture due to glare. To ensure that there are no more elbow-fights for a prime spot on the couch, Samsung QLED TVs have adopted Anti-reflection technology, making every seat the best spot for taking in the game. Anti-reflection also reduces the TV’s reflection of surrounding room lights when watching in the evening, so that viewers can see everything comfortably. The screen even captivated the audience from a distance and viewing was uninterrupted from any position around the room.

Vivid Pictures in Any Condition

The QLED TV’s 4K resolution gave the Newsroom a dynamic view of players’ movements. When watching sports on conventional TVs, the picture can appear blurred or broken because of the fast movements on the screen. However, the QLED TV guarantees clean picture quality with a 4K Q Engine, which automatically improves image quality and expresses hidden details.

Even viewed in the dark, Samsung 2018 QLED TVs fully expressed every small detail, like the sweat dripping from players’ foreheads, the players’ feet deftly maneuvering the ball around the field and the texture of a patch of turf flying from the ground. Direct Full Array technology ensured accurate and solid picture quality by controlling the individual brightness of the numerous tiny cells that light the screen, thus enhancing contrast around bright colors.

Under bright lighting, quantum dot picture quality shined through. Samsung 2018 QLED TVs are equipped with 100% Color Volume, which rendered the vivid realism of the stadium, regardless of ambient brightness. In addition, HDR (High Dynamic Range) 2000 technology expresses up to 2000 nit of brightness, which allowed viewers to clearly see the trajectory of the ball against a backdrop of bright colors from the sun, spectators and signs, or distinguish the back number of a distant athlete.

Optimized Sound for Heart-Racing Moments

At a live sporting event, layer upon layer of sounds from all around the stadium create a rich tone that is utterly unique. The melodic chants of the crowd, the sharp blast of the referee’s whistle, the shouts between players and the quiet hush before a crucial moment all blend to create an electric atmosphere.

QLED TVs up the intensity of sounds by automatically optimizing sound mixing according to the content displayed. The viewers put away their remote controls and were fully immersed. Understanding the difference between the spectators’ roars and commentators’ voices, the automated technology helps users focus by lowering the volume of surround sound when commentators are speaking, but raising the volume of the crowd at moments of excitement.

In sport, winners and losers can be decided in a split second. Watching sports on a Samsung 2018 QLED TV, viewers can enjoy every minute and every second, as if they were really there.

* Product specifications may vary depending on models and locations.

For decades, the TV has been a static object, confined to sit on the outer edges of a room or inside a cupboard, never moving from a single space as we attempt to hide away the cables that bring it to life. Yet Samsung Electronics believes that the TV should be an agile and dynamic device, with the flexibility to be positioned anywhere within in space and moved whenever desired. Combining cables into a single line, the One Invisible Connection was thus conceived to eliminate clutter and free the TV from its past.

Recently the Newsroom sat down with the One Invisible Connection managers to take a closer look at the journey from product planning to development, as they created this innovative solution.

Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display Division, who planned and developed the One Invisible Connection. (From left) Junghwa Choi, Mingu Roh, Duhee Jang, and Seungbok Lee.

First-of-its-kind Flexibility

The first development in Samsung’s dramatic reduction of cable clutter was the One Connect Box, a hub for connecting various A/V components to the TV, introduced in 2013. Building on this work, in 2017, the company debuted the Invisible Connection, which combined all data and A/V lines into a forked cable. This year, it unveiled a first-of-its-kind innovation: a new One Invisible Connection that integrates everything – data and power – into a single cable.

“Invisible Connection” for 2017 QLED TVs (left) and “One Invisible Connection” for 2018 QLED TVs (right) Last year, there was a separate power line, but it was completely integrated into one cable this year.

The new One Invisible Connection is the culmination of the team’s combined efforts to overcome numerous obstacles. “Last year, we focused more on the appearance to create a design that seems invisible. But this year, while developing the newer version, we looked closely at real households to see how the cables were actually installed,” remarked Mingu Roh from the Product Strategy Team. “People would twist and mold the cables to hide a power line out of sight. So, we thought integrating the lines into one single cable would be fundamental to increasing the TV’s freedom.”

The greatest technical hurdle was to allow a customer to freely change the location of their TV around a room, without being hindered by bulky power or data cables. Junghwa Choi from the R&D Team explained, “We developed a solution which uses high-speed SerDes, optical communication, and error compensation technology to integrate the power and data lines into one thin cable.” Seungbok Lee from the R&D Team added, “We decided on this route after careful deliberation.”

The cable provided with the TV is 5 meters in length, but if needed, the line can be extended up to 15 meters, with the separate purchase of a longer One Visible Connection.

This is how Samsung 2018 QLED TVs were freed from spatial restrictions. With the One Invisible Connection, users can easily move their TVs, avoiding the tiresome process of reorganizing tangled lines and unplugging the powerline from the outlet. No longer required to be positioned close to sockets or in front of a sofa in the living room, the TV can be enjoyed anywhere in the room.

Safety First

The One Invisible Connection has piqued public curiosity and raised certain questions concerning safety for small children and animals. Keeping these considerations at the forefront of their minds, the R&D Team undertook the sizable task of designing an ultra-thin cable that safely allows high-voltage transmission.

Customer safety was the team’s top priority in any situation. Focusing on the management and reduction of various safety risks led them to develop a new piece of technology: an over-current protection circuit that shuts off power in the rare case of overheating. In risky situations, the One Invisible Connection immediately cuts off power. “If it is unplugged or disconnected, power is cut off within two seconds for safety purposes,“ said Duhee Jang from the R&D Team.

Samsung was approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL)*, guaranteeing the safety of the One Invisible Connection. Nevertheless, the certification process itself was challenging, as there were no pre-existing standards to measure the new development against. In fact, Samsung created a new standard.

“We worked closely with UL from the beginning of the project to define customer needs and standards. Given the time constraint, the Planning and R&D Teams had to work simultaneously and these profound efforts are why the successful development and optimization of the One Invisible Connection are particularly meaningful,” said Lee. “UL Marks are the most widely recognized safety certification marks in the world. We are proud of the fact that we were able to present these new standards,” he added.

First Impressions

Resolving the shortcomings of traditional cables, the developers of the One Invisible Connection paid close attention to consumer preferences. On their home visits, they had also gained insights about consumer perception of cable thickness.

Roh said, “There was feedback that thin cables seem vulnerable and unstable. People even asked me, ‘Is it OK to have a cable this thin?’ So the team began its research and verification process to find an optimal thickness that would also assure users.”

As the product evolved into a hybrid cable containing both power and data lines, the team enhanced durability by swapping materials. “The major changes include switching the cable material from Kevlar to the more durable Teflon on the outside,” Choi elaborated. “It successfully integrates several important technologies.”

In their desire to blend it seamlessly into the home, the team went beyond the traditional boundaries of the TV. Some may doubt the importance of a cable, but Samsung’s One Invisible Connection is at the forefront of the evolution of the TV from simple audio-visual medium to a lifestyle product.

In consideration of the growing trend of consumers seeking greater convenience from their products, maximizing mobility is the future of TV design. The team hopes it will soon be the norm that people move their TVs anywhere around their homes.

^*UL is a global safety consulting and certification company, approved to perform safety testing by the U.S. federal agency Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Gather Together

As the buildup to the match begins, gradually more and more people begin to congregate around a screen. Yet those playing host might still be in the kitchen preparing snacks and drinks for their guests right up until kick-off. There is no need for anyone to miss a moment, as the seamless links between Samsung’s IoT devices mean that everyone stays connected.

Before the game begins, hosts can search for recipes to serve their guests by utilizing the Family Hub refrigerator’s function, which aids food preparation by suggesting dishes based on the contents of your fridge and users’ preference*.

To heighten connectivity, people can share their reactions by uploading images from their Galaxy smartphones to view on their Family Hub refrigerator or Samsung Smart TV using the Gallery app. What is more, the connected touchscreen on the door of the Family Hub smart refrigerator can mirror the screen of a Samsung Smart TV or smartphone using the Smart View app, so that even in the kitchen, people can see and hear when the game begins.

Kick Back and Relax

When it comes to watching a big match amongst family and friends, the bigger the TV, the better. As everyone gathers round to watch the game unfold, a larger screen ensures everyone can see the game. Samsung 2018 QLED TV range in size from 55-inch to 82-inch models, offering the large-screen viewing experience. In addition, the match can be enjoyed from almost any angle with advanced Anti-reflection technology.

The stunningly sharp picture quality of Samsung’s 2018 QLED TVs is engineered to make the beautiful game look even more beautiful. The 4K Q Engine feature harnesses AI to analyze and optimize content, ensuring that the movement of the grass during play is clearly defined and without blur, providing a more vivid experience. Viewers can take in every pass and tackle with accurate color and contrast thanks to 100% Color Volume expression and Direct Fully Array Elite technology, which adjusts the brightness of each finely arrayed dot.

In the stadium, both sights and sounds blend to create the atmosphere of the game. For viewers at home, true immersion is achieved when they hear the sound of a player kicking the ball into the net and the crowd roaring with delight. On Samsung 2018 QLED TVs, sound is optimized for a wide variety of content, so that sports fans can hear the action on the field and the voices of commentators with crystal clarity.

During a major sporting competition or tournament, several events can take place at the same time, so finding exactly what you want to watch can be time-consuming. Samsung’s 2018 QLED TVs are equipped with a Universal Guide, which shows a selection of content updated in real time. Based on users’ preferences and the latest local trends, the Universal Guide recommends content, compiling TV broadcasts and streaming content, viewers to easily locate their favorite games. Viewers can also use the TVs’ intelligent assistant, Bixby*, to search for sport content via voice command.

Go Mobile

With competing nations in multiple time zones, it’s likely that many viewers will need to catch a game or two on the go. Busy people who still want to get the most out of their experiences can keep on top of their scheduled viewing with the Galaxy S9 and S9+.

The Super AMOLED screens and Infinity Displays of the Galaxy S9 and S9+ maximize definition and space allowing viewers to see more. The HDR-capable display provides impeccable accuracy and Adaptive Contrast Enhancement achieves clear definition, even in direct sunlight. With an aspect ratio of 18.5:9, viewers are further captivated by the ever-so-slim top and bottom bezels so that the overall experience is like holding the green field in your hands.

Fans will be pulled even further into the game by the stereo speaker sound system of the Galaxy S9 and S9+, tuned to meet the high standards set by AKG. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ also integrate Dolby Atmos® 360-degree surround sound technology, which benefits all content through enhancements to sound quality and consistent playback volume, bringing entertainment to life through both regular stereo headphones and the device’s built-in speakers.

For the true multitasker, Multi-Window** allows users to simultaneously manage two windows on their screen, meaning on-the-move sports fans can keep an eye on the game in one window and use another app in the other window. For even greater flexibility, users can enable Landscape Mode and view the two windows side by side horizontally.

No matter how or where people watch an event, their viewing experience will be crystal clear and fully immersive, as Samsung’s IoT devices, TVs, and smartphones work together to create the dream team for this summer’s sporting events.

*Availability may vary by region.

**The Multi-Window feature may or may not be supported depending on the apps.

Researchers, who had previously focused only on how to improve functions of the TV when it is on, began to think outside the box. The black screen of the TV when turned off is an eyesore to many. Some users even hide their TV sets in a cabinet. These observations prompted TV developers to act.

Concentrating their attention on the TV screen, they eventually came up with the inspired idea of making the screen “transparent” when not in use. Users can choose to use this transparent screen to display pictures, news or weather forecasts, or make it seamlessly blend with the background. Creators from Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display Division explain how they developed “Ambient Mode” below.

Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display Division who planned, designed, and developed Ambient Mode. (from left) Dongheon Shin, Yoojin Choi, Suwon Shin, Hana Kim, Soohong Kim

The TV is Gone! The TV Screen Blends in with the Background

At the First Look 2018 New York, held on March 7 (local time) at the American Stock Exchange, the SmartThings app was used to take a picture of the wall in front of which a QLED TV was positioned, and then the TV disappeared. It was now in Ambient Mode, one of the features of 2018 QLED TVs. When this simple but innovative feature was revealed for the first time in the world, the audience burst into applause.

Ambient Mode analyzes the pattern and texture of the wall where the TV is mounted and displays the result on screen, leaving only the TV frame visible. Contrast and brightness can be adjusted for the best result.

Ambient Mode can also display news and weather forecasts in real time. It is a far cry from a simple screensaver, which uses images to cover the blackness of the screen. “Bringing the data in real time, Ambient Mode puts truly ‘live’ content on the screen. This is what differentiates Ambient Mode,” said Suwon Shin from the R&D team.

This innovative change was born through observing customers continuously. “My team researched lots of customers’ behaviors. Many users did not want to see the black screen in their living rooms when the TV was off. That’s when we came up with this idea.” said Yoojin Choi, a UX designer at Samsung Electronics. The division developed an algorism that generates patterns after analyzing the background.

This is not the only thing they learned through consumer research. According to Samsung Electronics’ survey, about 70 to 80 percent of households had bright wall colors without complicated patterns. They therefore added various plain background options so that customers could just choose one of them, fine-tune the color and brightness, and enjoy Ambient Mode.

Ambient Mode combines varied content on the transparent screen. In order to make the home more comfortable, developers built around the concept of nature. At six o’clock in the morning when the sun rises and lightens the house, the white luminance display level increases. When indirect lighting, such as a fluorescent lamp, is turned on, yellow has the highest luminance value. Birds sing at noon and crickets chirp in the evening. It is perfection down to the smallest detail.

Hana Kim from the Product Strategy Team said, “Ambient Mode, which has become part of the house, will show you useful information in the busy morning or in the evening when you are home from work. It doesn’t require any user interference. Ambient Mode does it on its own.”

Only 10 out of 900 Sketches Survived… An Endless Struggle for Agreement

The process of creating an unprecedented experience, including content moving as if it were alive, was a series of twists and turns. In addition to developing technology that could read and respond sensitively to every situation, the engineers had to figure out what customers have in common. “A still picture would not work. We had to make it seem alive and in harmony with its surroundings. Over the past year, I made more than 900 sketches. Only 10 of them survived. It was such a difficult a mission,” said Choi.

The Ambient Mode sensor stylishly hidden in the bottom logo of the 2018 QLED TVs

There were many technical hurdles. Soohong Kim, a hardware developer at Samsung Electronics recalled the days struggling to satisfy both engineers and designers. “Sometimes function and design do not go hand in hand. The sensor had to be placed in front for fine readings of the TV’s surroundings, but it didn’t look very good. Eventually, I put the sensor in the “Samsung” logo at the bottom of the screen. It is not visible to the naked eye.”

How to reach a consensus among planners, developers and designers was another hurdle to overcome. Since they were going where no one had gone before, endless meetings and discussions between departments became routine. “We were all greedy because we were taking the first step in a new field,” said Donghun Shin, a UX designer at Samsung Electronics. “We spent a lot of time in development and also made a lot of changes. We combined all the creative things together. It was a bumpy road, but we ended the journey satisfied.”

Ambient Mode Connects with Users, Complementing Lifestyles

Conventional TVs consume electricity while not in use. However, in Ambient Mode, 2018 QLED TVs detect when users are not around or when the lights are off using Bluetooth Low Energy and turn themselves off. The key is connectivity between the TV and the user. This function reduces energy consumption and extends the life of the TVs.

They look forward to seeing how Ambient Mode changes in the future. Hana Kim (pictured above) said, “There are various devices such as smartphones and tablets, but the TV has its own unique value in that it has a big screen for content sharing. Ambient Mode can encourage the media market to craft a range of content.”

“The Ambient Mode created an opportunity for the TV to be a warm and welcoming hub at the center of the living room,” said Yoojin Choi. “We will develop it so that families can communicate more and share a pleasant atmosphere in their living space.”

“Now the market is seeing the thinnest and largest TVs ever. We need new values to open a new market and I think Ambient Mode is the answer. 2018 QLED TVs with Ambient Mode bring the family together in the living room to have quality time. We don’t know where the end of the journey is, but one sure thing is that we will not stop here. We’re already wondering what the next innovation will be.”

With Ambient Mode, the creators realized what was only a wild imagination to someone else. And the team will continue their endeavor in bringing the unimaginable to reality.

As TVs get bigger, their design has become ever more important. According to a Samsung Electronics survey of US consumers last year, almost eight out of ten (77%) of the respondents who plan to purchase premium TVs over $2,000 answered that they consider ‘design’ to be important.

Continuing its design innovation for TVs since the launch of the Bordeaux TV in 2006, Samsung has once again created something beautiful in the QLED TV. The QLED TV is a work of art that naturally melts into a living space. Of its features, Ambient Mode, which turns the “off” screen into a new display, and the Invisible Connection, which combines power and data lines into one, best accentuate the TV’s beauty and its harmony with the surrounding environment.

1. ‘Ambient Mode’, the Revival of the Black Screen

TVs are turned on for only five hours a day on average, yet they occupy a large space on the wall in the living room. This means TVs hang on the wall just as a black screen for more than 19 hours every day. With a TV turned off, it is easier to see dust or fingerprints on the screen – especially when the screen is large.

This year, Samsung Electronics unveiled Ambient Mode for the QLED TV, turning an empty screen into a display that depicts images and information. Ambient Mode is unique and unparalleled as it literally allows the TV to blend seamlessly into the room.

“See the Sun in the Morning and Hear the Raindrops – All via TV”

Using just a picture of the wall taken by SmartThings, a mobile app which connects IoT home appliances, and a pattern generator to square the color with the wall’s texture, Ambient Mode can mimic the pattern behind the TV to complement the consumer’s home styling with a chameleon-like visual camouflage. Details of the photo, such as contrast and brightness, can be adjusted and further edited to make the display more authentic. What’s more, users can display family pictures on their TV screens, blending naturally with the patterns of their walls, like a picture in a frame.

The new model arrives along with features that sense the conditions of the outside surroundings such as weather and brightness, and changes decorative content to deliver valuable information throughout the day. For example, the TV display can show sunrise at six in the morning and play chirping sounds of crickets in the evening. If it rains, users can even hear the sound of rain via the QLED TV.

“The Freedom from Burn-in”

Ambient Mode also increases the QLED TV’s operation efficiency significantly with energy-saving functions that turn off the screen if users are not nearby. The SmartThings app detects mobile signals (Bluetooth Low Energy) and passes on the information to the TV. With an auto-dimming sensor, the TV’s brightness and color can be adjusted according to the viewing environment. In the dark, Ambient Mode is automatically turned off to prevent unnecessary power consumption.

In addition, the QLED TV’s inorganic quantum dot technology is free from burn-in, letting users appreciate Ambient Mode as much as they want without seeing afterimages, even after a static picture has remained on screen for an extended length of time. Samsung Electronics is the only company in the industry that offers a 10-year burn-in warranty.

2. Invisible Connection, Integrating TV Cables into One

As the number of TV peripherals increases, messy cables are exposed around the TV – and are often hidden inside the wall for aesthetic reasons. To gracefully harmonize the device into its surroundings, Samsung devised the One Visible Cable for its QLED TVs. Following the introduction of ‘Invisible Connection’ which combines complex connection lines into a single cable last year, Samsung unveiled the first-of-its-kind innovation by merging power lines into one line.

“The First TV to Integrate Power and Data”

With high-speed SerDes and optical communication technology, the Invisible Connection transmits audiovisual signals and data as well as power. Often, transmitting sensitive data at high speeds through an optical cable with a power line is likely to cause interference and noise. This, however, can be reduced by Samsung’s error compensation technology.

Made of inconspicuous transparent materials, the Invisible Connection is the perfect solution to tidy up the area around the TV and eliminate visual distractions. The cable offered is 5 meters in length, but if needed, the line can be extended up to 15 meters with separate purchase of a longer One Visible Cable. Thanks to the cable’s color and material easily blending in with the wall, users can now truly appreciate minimalism in interior design in their living rooms.

Accentuating safety as a key aspect of the Invisible Connection led Samsung Electronics to develop a new piece of technology. The over-current protection circuit cuts off power automatically as soon as users unplug or disconnect the cable. Samsung successfully stabilized high-voltage transmission and was approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a global safety testing and certification company.

“Ambient Mode makes the invisible visible, and the Invisible Connection makes the visible invisible. Despite the two features’ roles being seemingly different, they both share the same purpose: to maximize spatial value and alter the lifestyles of consumers,” said Taeyoung Huh, Vice President of Samsung Electronics. “Samsung’s QLED TV and its technologies remains at the heart of creating a better-than-ever TV experience for all of our users.”

* Product specifications may vary depending on models and locations.

Samsung Electronics is leading the change by strengthening the intelligent function of its 2018 QLED TVs with artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). This year’s QLED TVs have dramatically simplified the consumer process for utilizing their TV, from the first set-up to connection with other devices. What’s more, the TVs are now able to share content with, and control, connected devices. These are the result of Samsung’s efforts to innovate the user experience based on the company’s understanding of consumer usage and by incorporating the intelligent assistant Bixby and the SmartThings IoT platform.

Effortless Set-up

The first step, of course, is to get the system set up – by taking just a few simple steps. When setting up for the first time, the TV will automatically connect to a user’s Samsung smartphone, or any mobile device with the SmartThings app installed, and take the user to the set-up step. The network information on the user’s smartphone will be shared, instantly connecting the TV to the Wi-Fi network it is connected to. If the user’s mobile is already linked to a Samsung Account, that information will also be shared with the TV.

Users can also select their apps of choice from their smartphones to enjoy them on Smart TV, and their favorites can also be added to the launcher for easy access. Once set up is complete, users won’t have to worry about it again. Unlike in the past where users had to sign in to each app on the TV, the Effortless Login feature will share and store the login information from a users’ mobile in the 2nd half of this year. The QLED TV allows users to instantly access their favorite social networking or music streaming apps.

IoT Devices Connected by a Single App

According to a survey by business solution provider CSG, 9 out of 10 consumers already own IoT devices, and half of consumers expect IoT to make tasks easier around the home. But, the process of connecting the TV to the peripherals tends to be a hassle for many. The 2018 QLED TV has tackled such challenges once and for all with ‘SmartThings,’ an integrated IoT platform that’s available now.

Users can run the SmartThings app on their smartphone and click ‘Add Device’ to automatically find all the IoT devices in the house that users can connect to. When turned on, SmartThings detects IoT devices at home ranging from traditional home appliances like washing machines and air conditioners to baby-cam, lights, doorbell, and locks. Device information in these connected homes can be viewed at a glance on the TV using the SmartThings Dashboard. The TV immediately becomes the control tower of the living room. Users can, for example, operate the air conditioner after checking the home temperature. Or check the remaining laundry time on the washing machine. Users can also choose to charge or run the PowerBot robot cleaner, and take a look at what ingredients are in the Family Hub refrigerator.

New Family Messenger in the Living Room

TV has made it easier than ever to review the pictures and videos taken on a smartphone through the Gallery app. Photos and video clips can be uploaded on Samsung Cloud which is connected to the user’s Samsung account, ready to be viewed on a big screen. When you take a picture on your mobile while you are traveling, you can immediately share your memories with your family as soon as a notification is uploaded to the TV. The Gallery app enables users to share the same content on the family hub.

The QLED TV will play the role of a special mediator in the living room to help family members communicate easily on a deeper level.

No More Multiple Remote Controls. Just Speak to Bixby.

The QLED TV has been equipped with ‘One Remote Control’ function which can control various peripherals with one remote control. In particular, this year, it supports not only game consoles, OTT (Over the Top) boxes and speakers, but also audio products connected with optical cables.

Bixby Voice also helps make navigating the QLED TV easier. By pressing and holding the remote control voice recognition button, it is possible to search content as well as set up a TV without having to operate it several times. It is a strength that users can find various VOD (Video on Demand) contents such as Amazon, Hulu, and HBO as well as the contents of the set-top box. Users can also get additional information like the soundtrack while watching TV. For example, say “What is this song” to find out what music is playing in the background.

Also, devices connected on SmartThings are voice-controlled. With Bixby, users can have a home IoT experience where everything flows smoothly.

“This year’s smart features of QLED TV have made it easier for users to enjoy the TV experience more conveniently.” said Heeman Lee, Vice President of Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display Business. “We will realize home IoT that changes the lifestyle by various connected devices communicating organically.”

^* The SmartThings app is supported on Android 7.0 and above and iOS 10 and above (On Galaxy smartphones, the SmartThings app is available from Android 6.0 and above)

^**Specific features and availability may vary by region and market

No matter how big the TV screen is, if it doesn’t have the necessary picture quality, users won’t be able to realize the power of the screen. That’s why large-sized TV has inevitably led to the increase in demand for Ultra High Definition (UHD). UHD is a 4K (3,840X2,160) picture quality, which is applied to TVs that measure over 65 inches. The technology is about to take yet another step up as 8K (7,680X4,320) TVs are ready to be commercialized.

But this is an era whereby even the number of pixels isn’t enough in isolation. To produce the best picture quality possible, it’s also important to consider the environment this content will be viewed in and the quality of the original content itself. The paradigm is shifting and it’s vital that all considerations are taken into account to produce an experience that everyone will enjoy.

UHD TV Beyond FHD TV

Worldwide UHD TV sales surpassed FHD (Full High Definition) TV for the first time last year, according to market researcher IHS Markit. It is expected to ship more than 100 million units this year, which is about 45% of the total TV market. In 2022, the proportion of UHD TV is expected to reach 60%.

Samsung UHD TV sales volume is also on the rise. Sales of Samsung UHD TVs in the fourth quarter of last year already exceeded 50% of the total Samsung TV units sold globally. In the first quarter of this year, Samsung UHD TV sales also increased by more than 35% compared to the same period last year.

What is the Standard for Ultra-High-Definition?

In the ultra-high-definition TV market era, standards for judging picture quality are further developing. For example, is a TV able to reproduce colors with real-life brightness, particularly when the normal TV viewing environment is brighter than many would expect? According to the DOE survey, consumers in the U.S. and Europe usually watch TV in a bright environment with an average home illuminance level of 79 lux. Can a TV react and provide an accurate picture in these, and other common viewing use cases?

Experts advise consumers to look beyond the high resolution to see the different factors that cause the difference in brightness, contrast, and content when consumers watch TV. The way consumers view TV and the way experts gauge a TV’s ability to deliver is much more sophisticated than it ever has been. The TV needs to be more versatile because it’s used to do more things. That means Samsung has to be stringent to make sure its QLED products perform not just according to the specifications but also according to real life usage.

Blacks and Colors Transformed

A new criterion for picture quality is color volume, which can measure minute color changes, three-dimensionally, according to varying degrees of brightness. Recently, Verband Deutscher Electrotechnischer (VDE), a well-regarded certification institution in Germany established in 1893, certified QLED TV for 100% color volume for two consecutive years, which is the world’s first and only time a TV has received such a distinction.

QLED TV, based on the metal quantum dot technology, can accurately represent detailed colors that can be hidden from dark or bright images. Brightness can be expressed up to 2,000 knits, which is 3 to 4 times that of conventional TVs, giving a more vivid look to scenes such as sunlight reflecting texture and white snowy landscapes.

Indeed, this year’s Samsung QLED TVs achieves the highest level of contrast ratio by improving the quality of blacks on-screen while maintaining brightness. To create an even more stunning contrast ratio, the TVs feature new Direct Full Array technology, which puts backlit LEDs behind the panel for precise brightness control. By making the LED blocks more than ten times the number of conventional TVs, the light can be adjusted individually to create a subtler difference in black colors. Moreover, it applies the black algorithm that perceives and precisely adjusts black colors, successfully delivering the original detail even in particularly dark scenes.

When watching a dark scene in a bright environment, the reflection of objects around the screen can cause discomfort. QLED TV solved this problem by using Anti-reflection technology. Even under daylight or bright lighting, an anti-reflective screen dramatically reduces glare, allowing one to be more immersed in images regardless of the surroundings.

Along with this, Samsung is also working to expand the ecosystem to upgrade HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology, which is an integral function of ultra-definition TV. Since last year, Samsung has been developing HDR10+, which is one step more advanced than HDR10, a standard for realizing HDR video. HDR10+ is a technology that shows optimal contrast ratio for each scene through ‘Dynamic Tone Mapping’ technique which applies different contrast to each scene. The company is expanding its HDR10+ content in cooperation with global companies such as Amazon, 20^th Century Fox, Panasonic and Warner Bros.

AI Upscaling the Content

High quality content is as important as the ultra-high definition TV specification.

Many of the most recognizable names in video content such as Netflix, YouTube and various cable companies already provide UHD content. However, due to the burden of production cost, consumers are not able to enjoy 4K UHD broadcasting content on TV unrestrictedly yet.

The problem here is that if low-quality content is shown on a big screen, the pixels are usually enlarged artificially, causing the picture to shake or lose clarity. Samsung Electronics has solved this problem by installing the ‘4K Q Engine’ based on semiconductor technology on its QLED TV.

‘4K Q Engine’ is a technology that upgrades SD (400,000 pixels) and FHD (2 million pixels) class image to 4K (8 million pixels) class. Based on artificial intelligence, it applies a 5-step algorithm (Image Signal Analysis ▷ Noise Reduction ▷ Improved 1st Detail ▷ 4K Upscaling ▷ Improved 2nd Detail) to improve image quality and express hidden details. In actual comparison, in the FHD image, the part where the light in the night view of the city is clearly separated by the ‘4K Q Engine’.

What’s more, 8K AI Technology will be introduced in the latter half of the year and will offer an even better picture and sound expression.

QLED TV’s dramatically improved picture quality this year has been widely praised by many media outlets including Tech Radar, What Hi-Fi, and AVS Forum. Trusted Reviews gave Samsung’s QLED the Highly Recommended mark and said: “The Samsung QE65Q9FN is the most impressive TV I’ve reviewed in years. It effectively combines the strong brightness and colour of Quantum Dot LED (QLED) with the deep blacks and almost the lighting precision of OLED. That’s a huge deal in a world where you generally choose one or the other.”

“As TVs gradually get larger in size and the competition for premium picture quality becomes fiercer, detailed and subtle image rendering performance is growing in importance,” said Doochan Eum, Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “With Samsung QLED TV’s enhanced brightness, contrast, content, we are continuing to provide consumers with a superb immersive viewing experience.”

Rapid Growth of Large-sized TV Market

While growth in the overall global TV market has plateaued, sales of larger screen TVs 65-inch and over has grown by more than 30 percent in recent years. According to research firm IHS Markit, the market volume of 65-inch and over TVs was 8 million in 2016 and increased to 11.4 million in 2017. This year, market volume is expected to reach 16 million units.

The market for extra-large, or above 75-inch, TVs is expected to experience even more pronounced growth of 47% this year, a key reason why Samsung has made this segment a core focus area. In the first quarter of this year, the company’s global sales of 65-inch and larger TVs increased over 35% year over year. In the same period, sales of Samsung TVs in the South American market spiked nearly four times, and the demand for large-sized Samsung TVs almost doubled in Korea.

Almost Half of 75-inch TVs Sold Worldwide Made by Samsung

In 2017, Samsung Electronics maintained its top ranking in the worldwide TV market for the 12th consecutive year, with more than 20% market share last year.

Samsung’s presence is even more noticeable in the fast-growing, large-sized TV market. The company is leading the worldwide market of 65-inch and over TVs, with 31.1% share of total number of units sold and 34.1% share for total sales last year, according to IHS Markit.

The share is even higher for 75-inch and larger TVs, reaching up to 47.4% share based on number of units sold. This means that one out of every two extra-large TVs sold worldwide is a Samsung TV. The popularity of Samsung TVs is particularly noteworthy in Europe and Latin America, where the company holds almost 60% of market share.

For the overall 75-inch and larger TV market, there was almost three times sales growth in the first half of this year, as compared to the same period last year. To meet and hone in on the growing customer demand in this segment, Samsung has strengthened its 75-inch and larger TV lineup in the four series lines (Q6F, Q7F, Q8C, Q9F) of the 2018 QLED TV portfolio.

QLED Leads Larger TV Market with Aims to Double its Growth

Samsung’s 2018 QLED TV lineup has received strong reception since its global launch in March this year, for example experiencing a sevenfold increase in number of units sold in the first four weeks following launch in the United States compared to last year. In China and South Korea, sales volume doubled in the first quarter of 2018, compared to the fourth quarter of last year.

Samsung will continue its growth in both sales and innovation involving QLED TV.  Samsung’s 2018 QLED TV lineup has incorporated various additional functions to optimize high-resolution content for a very large screen, delivering a mesmerizing, immersive experience. Among other standout features, Samsung’s QLED TV is the world’s only TV delivering 100% color volume, and has been upgraded with technologies such as ‘Anti-reflection’ so users can enjoy pure blacks without reflection. ‘HDR 2000’ enhances the level of brightness and expressed detail, and 4K Q Engine, automatically upscales content to 4K resolution, optimizing the content for the big screen.

Samsung QLED TV has also been designed with convenience in mind and reflecting consumer needs with features such as artificial intelligence based on Bixby and SmartThings App, the One Invisible Connection that combines complex connection lines into a single cable, and Ambient mode which enables the TV to depict images and information, even when the TV is off.

“With the very full major sporting events line up this year, including 2018 World Cup Russia and the Asian Games, we expect the demand for large-sized TVs to grow rapidly,” said Jongsuk Chu, Senior Vice President of Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics. “This year, for QLED TVs, we aim to double growth, as well as continue our leadership in the global TV market by driving the ultra-large TV market.”

In 2006, the beginning of Samsung’s market-leading run, the company laid the foundation for a new era of TV design with the unveiling of the Bordeaux, an LCD display with an elegant, wine glass-inspired form. Since then, Samsung TVs have become synonymous for pairing refined designs, like the Bordeaux’s, with first-of-their-kind innovations that take the viewing experience to new heights.

For example, in 2009, Samsung launched the world’s first edge-lit LED TV, which, in addition to being incredibly thin, introduced consumers to a new level of picture quality. That groundbreaking development was followed up, in 2010, by the world’s first 3D LED TV, which opened the door to a world of immersive 3D entertainment. That same year, Samsung unveiled the world’s first smart TV app store, and in 2011, the company launched Smart Hub, its intuitive smart TV user interface.

Other pioneering developments that demonstrate Samsung’s position ahead of the curve include the launches of the world’s first OLED TV, in 2013, and the first curved and bendable UHD TVs, in 2014.

Samsung’s new QLED TVs represent the pinnacle of this innovative history. The TVs’ combination of premium aesthetics and lifelike visuals has prompted many consumers to rethink how they assess a TV’s immersive qualities.

Featuring new Bixby integration and powered by quantum dot technology, QLED TVs offer a viewing experience defined by seamless controls and immersive visuals. The TVs’ ability to provide 100 percent color volume enables them to produce much brighter and deeper colors, allowing content to be displayed in the manner that producers intended.

QLED TV’s engrossing visuals are complemented by a minimalist design that eliminates distractions to enable users to be utterly immersed in their content. This aspect of the design is bolstered by both the One Invisible Connection, which seamlessly combines the AV and power cords, as well as those of peripheral devices, into a single, transparent cable, and the new Ambient Mode, which allows the TVs to display ambient images that enable them to seamlessly blend in with their surroundings.

Going forward, Samsung will continue to innovate with exciting TV technologies that will foster even more enriching and immersive viewing experiences. These include quantum dots, as well as the self-emitting MicroLED modules that the company debuted at CES 2018. Look forward to more updates on that milestone development in the latter half of this year.

Check out the infographic below to learn more about Samsung’s recent landmark TV technologies.

Samsung Electronics designed its 2018 QLED TVs to help redefine ‘immersion’ as it relates to TVs. The devices feature a finely polished design that naturally blends in with its surroundings, fostering captivating viewing experiences when on, and enabling users to remain completely immersed in their daily activities when off.

Introducing the new, intricately refined QLED TV – a TV whose engrossing visuals and boundless, 360° design offer users the unprecedented experience of total immersion.

Eliminating Distractions

The 2018 QLED TVs’ clean-cut design enables users to be utterly immersed in their favorite content. Because convoluted cables are distracting, the TVs feature the One Invisible Connection, which combines the AV and power lines, along with the cables of peripheral devices (via the One Connect Box), into a single, transparent cable that eliminates visual distractions and keeps the area around the TV tidy. This first-of-its-kind innovation can also be extended up to 15 meters, so users may freely position their TV without worrying about its proximity to a power source.

QLED TV’s minimalist styling is bolstered by its No Gap Wall-mount, which allows the display’s sleek metal frame to be neatly and easily installed flush against the wall. Each TV is also compatible with an array of stylish stands. Designed to blend in with a wide range of living spaces, the stands ensure that the displays look stunning from any angle, and offer users the freedom to position their TV wherever suits their lifestyle.

Built to Blend In

* The image shown is for illustration purposes only. The details in the screen may differ from the actual product, and product specifications may vary depending on region and model.

When crafting the TVs, Samsung carefully contemplated a design that would gracefully harmonize with its surroundings even when the TV was turned off. This ultimately led the design team to develop QLED TV’s new Ambient Mode, which makes it seem as if the TV is projecting the wall behind it. This design element creates a sense of spatial consistency by enabling the TV screen to seamlessly blend in with the wall.

The SmartThings app features an array of built-in images to suit a wide range of living spaces, and also allows users to take a picture of their own wall to set as their Ambient Mode image. Useful day-to-day information, such as the time, weather or news, can also be also displayed in real time, and accessing the feature is simple, thanks to the addition of a dedicated Ambient Mode button on QLED TV’s One Remote Control.

In addition, thanks to Samsung’s energy-efficient technology, Ambient Mode is easy on electricity bills. When activated, the screen brightness is automatically adjusted according to the viewing environment to minimize power consumption. And because Samsung’s QLED technology is guaranteed to be burn-in free, users may enjoy the feature without worry.

Illuminating the Essence of the QLED TV Experience

*Onscreen images are not embedded in the product.

Samsung’s 2018 QLED TVs completely redefine the viewing experience. Rather than describing that experience with a plethora of words, Samsung has chosen to express the product’s concept with a variety of images.

Samsung has crafted Onscreen images that offer users unique visual encounters, taking ordinary things such as a flower, a butterfly or a feather, and transforming them to create visually extraordinary experiences. These visually rich Onscreen images showcase colorful splendor, effectively setting the stage for QLED TV’s vibrant images and exceptional picture quality.

As the new ‘face’ of Samsung’s 2018 QLED TVs, Onscreen images are both points of intersection between the user and the product, as well as channels through which Samsung conveys its design values of injecting the sheer joy of viewing into everyday life.

1. Extra-large 75-inch TV, Presence in All Lineup

The TV is getting bigger. Regardless of the size of the living room, large-size TVs tend to be preferred, and TVs in this category (over 75 inches) are expected to grow by more than 30~40% each year. That’s why the 2018 QLED TV lineup features more models over 75 inches than in previous years.

Each QLED TV offers truly immersive visuals that have been optimized by Samsung’s Q-Engine technology to reduce or eliminate issues that can affect other large TVs, such as noise and juddering. This allows the TVs to provide superior image quality compared to other large displays and makes fast-paced action in a sport or scene appear smoother and more realistic.

What’s more, the 8K QLED TV to be launched in the second half of this year is equipped with high-definition conversion technology that uses artificial intelligence to upscale the picture up to 8K. As a result, users will be able to immerse themselves in the content on a large screen regardless of the image source.

2. Deeper Contrast in Any Environment

When it comes to producing accurate images, contrast is key. In 2018, Samsung QLED TV dramatically improved contrast ratio and deep color with its 100% color volume.

Samsung’s QLED TVs feature a new ‘Direct Full Array’ that carefully regulates brightness. This cutting-edge technology employs a full grid of LED backlights to ensure that each section of the screen is accurately illuminated in order to deliver the best possible image quality. This feature allows the QLED TVs to darken specific areas of the screen while simultaneously illuminating others. This creates dazzling contrast – with brighter brights and darker darks – and allows content that’s been optimized to feature rich, nuanced color, such as HDR10+ video, to really shine.

Additionally, ‘Ultra Black Elite’ is a new anti-reflection technology that makes on-screen blacks perfect. It eliminates screen reflection to ensure that images remain sharp and vibrant at any angle.

3. Bixby Support, Easy Connect & Content Share

Many people feel a hassle to install a separate app and use the cloud. The 2018 QLED TV is based on a new platform called ‘SmartThings’, a cloud solution called ‘SmartThings Cloud’ and a single AI called ‘Bixby’. It automatically recognizes devices and provides the convenience of connecting and managing all devices through a single cloud.

The new Samsung QLED TV can easily connect with other devices simply through a click on the mobile app. In addition, ‘Bixby’ can be used to recognize complex search queries and perform entertainment functions, as well as control other home appliances in the house. The ‘One Remote Control’ function, which handles all devices connected to the TV, and the ‘Universal Guide’, which collects and displays the content that consumers usually like on one screen, make it easier and faster for users to get straight to their favorites.

4. Ambient Mode Without Burn-in

The TV is the hub of home entertainment. However, except for four to five hours of TV viewing a day, it stays on the black screen all day, providing little additional value. Now, Samsung has rebuilt the off screen of its QLED TV into a display that provides a beautiful and practical experience.

‘Ambient Mode’ allows you to view information such as weather, time, and news, or to display pictures and videos on the screen even when you are not watching TV. The TV screen completely melts into the surrounding space, eliminating the monotony of a black screen and providing a new TV experience. Notably, the 2018 QLED TV can operate in ambient mode for 24 hours a day without burn-in. The burn-in free technology means the TV does not fade or suffer from image retention – even after long periods.

5. One Invisible Connection Makes More…

Cables and peripherals that are connected to a TV in a complex way tend to interfere with the overall aesthetic of the interior. The 2018 Samsung QLED TV provides a solution that takes into account the space where the TV is installed. It’s called One Invisible Connection and it combines data and power lines to make sure the limited space around the TV isn’t obstructed by multiple wires.
One Invisible Connection integrates everything from the last year’s Invisible Connection, which connects the complicated lines of peripheral devices with a single data cable, to the power line of the TV. It is the first in the industry to simultaneously transmit large capacity AV data and power over a single cable. In addition, it can be extended up to 15m, so you can freely position the TV regardless of where the power source is. Users can also control various peripherals through ‘One Connect Box’ which means the infra-red signal from the remote control can be directed at just one device.

*Specific features may vary by region and market

The launch of Samsung’s 2018 QLED TVs has ushered in a new era of Intelligent Display. QLED TVs achieve crisp details, seamless connection to users’ favorite content via smart features, and a beautifully simplified design that discreetly harmonizes with any space or lifestyle.

In Samsung’s first TV launch of the year, the company unveiled the 2018 QLED TVs to media representatives, partners and invitees at the First Look event, hosted at the American Stock Exchange in New York on March 7. The event not only introduced Samsung’s future vision for the TV, but also gave attendees the opportunity to get hands-on with the newest range of 2018 QLED TVs. The exhibition featured interactive experience zones where visitors could enjoy true-to-life picture quality, Ambient Mode, SmartThings integration with Bixby, and an ever-so-subtle Invisible Connection.

Take a look at the event highlights below.

Jonghee Han, President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics, introducing the new 2018 QLED TVs. “It’s time for a new definition of visual display. The most beautiful screen that is easy to use and offers complete immersion without any distractions: this is the promise of Samsung QLED TV in 2018.”

Julien Jae Lee, Vice President of Visual Display Business UX Team at Samsung Electronics, announces the end of the big black screen. With Ambient Mode, Samsung’s QLED TVs integrate with your living space, giving the TV a new purpose in life.

Pedro Freitas (right), Senior Manager of Samsung Electronics America Service Innovation, demonstrates intuitive TV connection with SmartThings alongside Sarah Nelson (left), Senior Manager of Business Development. “Samsung QLED TV will provide you with an easy, seamless user experience where you can find, access and share the content you want.”

The Wall, Samsung’s 146-inch modular display, fully immerses visitors, presenting a bigger vision for the future. It will be launched in the second half of this year.

Competitors race head-to-head in the XBOX Competition Event. The game, shown on a QLED TV that enhances the immersive experience, was broadcasted live on YouTube.

The QLED TVs’ Ambient Mode blends seamlessly into backdrops of wood, brick and paint. Ambient Mode can harmonize with the TV’s backdrop, showcase a beautiful picture or display useful information.

An Invisible Room shows off the advantages of Samsung’s single-cable One Invisible Connection. The thin and transparent cable links the TV to a One Connect box that connects to all your media devices and can be hidden neatly out of sight.

A guest explores SmartThings, which effortlessly connects a user’s TV to multiple devices, with seamless syncing and control.

Integration with Bixby also allows people to control all the main functions of their Samsung QLED TV with just their voices.

To create even more stunning picture quality, the TVs feature new Direct Full Array backlighting technology that ensures that the screen is illuminated accurately. This reduces blooming and halo effects and enables deeper contrast, with inky blacks and brilliant whites. Advanced Anti-reflection technology ensures that the TVs’ spectacular picture quality can be enjoyed from almost any angle, and also helps boost contrast. Aligned with the new products, which include models wider than 75 inches, Q Engine technology automatically upscales on-screen content to UHD levels to further enhance viewers’ immersion.

Samsung’s 2018 QLED TVs’ style changes based on innovative technologies are also noticeable. Ambient Mode is an energy-saving function that allows the TV to elegantly display images as well as real-time information such as the weather or news. Samsung has also introduced a simple solution to eliminate cable clutter, called the One Invisible Connection, which integrates power cables and data lines that were previously separated to allow the TVs to harmonize with their surrounding aesthetic.

Samsung’s intelligence platform, Bixby, is making its TV debut in the 2018 QLED lineup. Bixby¹ allows users to use their voice to ask Bixby a question, issue a command, and activate a range of useful functions including simple controls over their TV and smart home appliances. The new QLED TVs are also designed to seamlessly connect with SmartThings-compatible devices to offer users even greater control over their home’s smart technology. In addition, the TVs’ Universal Guide service curates content from the TV and connected sources to offer users a customized viewing experience that they can enjoy at any time.

Check out the infographic below to learn all about the 2018 QLED TV lineup’s exciting new features.

¹Bixby is available in the US and Korean markets

Samsung Electronics today unveiled its 2018 home entertainment lineup at the company’s First Look in New York event. Samsung highlighted details about its flagship QLED TV models and its expanded lineup of UHD, Premium UHD and Ultra-Large Screen TVs. With groundbreaking design elements, enhanced picture quality, and intuitive smart capabilities, Samsung’s 2018 QLED line empowers consumers to enjoy content without distractions – even when viewers are not actively watching.

“Our 2018 lineup of televisions are truly our most innovative and sophisticated yet, designed for today’s consumer who is mindful of the aesthetics of their space,” said Jonghee Han, President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “We are excited for consumers to experience our new TV lineup and features that offer more freedom to decide where and how the TV can be best enjoyed within the home.”

Samsung’s 2018 line features new innovations that enrich the lives of consumers by reimagining how TV integrates into the living room, how consumers enjoy their content, and how they interact with their devices.

Highlights of the 2018 lineup include:

Ambient Mode

Ambient mode provides useful information throughout the day – even when consumers aren’t actively watching movies and TV. It can play music as well as display news headlines, traffic reports, and weather updates. For wall-mounted TVs, Ambient Mode can mimic the pattern on the wall behind the TV to create an astonishing visual effect in which the TV blends seamlessly into the wall.

One Invisible Connection*

The new One Invisible Connection is one slim cable that combines both consumer’s power and AV data to the TV. Available up to 15 meters, it frees consumers from having to place their TV near data or power outlets.

Smart TV, Featuring Bixby

The QLED line’s smart capabilities offer revolutionary ways to set up the TV and find content. Effortless Login uses the new SmartThings app* to drastically reduce the time it takes to set up a new TV. The new Universal Guide enables consumers to navigate across supporting streaming services and live TV through one intuitive menu. And with Samsung’s intelligence platform, Bixby,** consumers can use voice commands to bring up their favorite shows and control compatible devices.

Direct Full Array

The Q8F and Q9F QLED TVs deliver stunning images with pristine contrast through Direct Full Array (DFA) technology. Direct Full Array uses a panel with zones of smartly controlled backlighting that adjust automatically to deliver deep blacks and pure whites.

Audio Lineup

Samsung offers four new audio products that offer clear and immersive sound tailored to the different ways that individual consumers set up and use their home theater systems.

• HW-K950: With front-firing, up-firing and new side-firing speakers, the HW-K950 Dolby AtmosÒ soundbar creates an extraordinary cinematic experience that delivers 7.1.4 surround sound.
• HW-N650: Designed for gamers, the HW-N650 soundbar features Acoustic Beam Technology that puts consumers at the center of the action.
• HW-NW700: The HW-NW700 soundbar features a wall-mounted design that perfectly complements QLED TVs so that they both blend beautifully into any home environment.
• VL550: The VL550 includes a unique metal dial that consumers can attach to any metallic surface and use to control music with the sound of their voice.

Samsung 2018 TV Line Details***

In response to rising consumer demand, Samsung is reinforcing its commitment to ultra-large screen televisions. The 2018 Samsung TV line features 9 series across the QLED TV, Premium UHD, UHD and Ultra-Large Screen display range, available in a variety of sizes. Models in the 2018 lineup feature both flat and curved display options.

• QLED TV: Models in the 2018 QLED TV lineup include – Q9F (65”, 75”, 88”), Q8F (55”, 65”, 75”), Q7C (55”, 65”), Q7F (55”, 65”, 75”) and Q6F (49”, 55”, 65”, 75”, 82”). The QLED TVs feature enhanced color and contrast, HDR10+ compatibility, Ambient Mode, Smart TV enhancements with Bixby Voice, One Remote Control and the One Invisible Connection.****
• Premium UHD: Models in the 2018 Premium UHD TV lineup include NU8500 and NU8000. The Premium UHD TVs include features such as dynamic crystal color, HDR10+ compatibility, clean cable solutions, and Smart TV enhancements with Bixby Voice and One Remote Control.
• UHD: Models in the 2018 UHD TV lineup include NU7100 (75”, 65”, 55”, 50”, 43”, 40″) and NU7300 (65”, 55″). These UHD TVs include features such as 4K UHD and HDR picture capabilities, clean cable solutions, slim design and Smart TV capabilities.

Samsung’s 2018 home entertainment line will be available in stores beginning March 2018. For more information and pricing on Samsung’s TV and Audio products, please visit www.samsung.com.

*SmartThings is available on iOS and Android-powered devices.

** Bixby service ability may vary by country or carrier. Voice Command recognizes English (U.S.), Mandarin Chinese and Korean. Not all accents, dialects and expressions are recognized. The list of features that can be controlled by voice commands via Bixby will continue to expand. Mobile functionality compatible with Samsung Galaxy 8 series or higher with Bixby function. Samsung Account log-in and data network (wifi or internet connection) required to fully operate Bixby features.

***The product line, details and availability vary depending on the region.

****One Invisible Connection applies to Q7 and higher models except Q8F. One Remote Control applies to NU7400 and higher models.

During the keynote presentation, Samsung Electronics President of Visual Display Jong-hee Han and other Samsung executives explained how the 2018 flagship TV line offers an unmatched home entertainment experience, meant to remove barriers to setting up and displaying the TV and streamlining access to content in a way that enables consumers to spend more time doing the things they love.

“With our 2018 TV lineup, we are changing the definition of visual display to Intelligent Displays,” said President Jonghee Han. “Designed for total immersion and to enhance the daily lives of consumers everywhere, all while being incredibly easy to use, the new QLED TV lineup provides users with the best viewing experience.”

President Han was joined on stage by executive partners from The New York Times, who discussed some of the new consumer benefits of the 2018 QLED TV lineup. In announcing a new partnership with Samsung, Mark Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer of The New York Times Company, said, “QLED TV’s Ambient Mode is an exciting new way for viewers to experience The Times’s unrivaled, deeply reported and visual journalism.”

The First Look New York event featured an exhibition for guests to experience the 2018 product line and its features hands-on through a series of zones and displays. The exhibition included:

• The large-screen zone, which showcased the stunning picture quality of Samsung’s new line-up with enhanced color and contrast for a variety of situations, such as gaming and watching movies or sports. Samsung also displayed its acclaimed 146” The Wall, Micro LED technology-based modular screen, to be commercialized for home use.

• The movie zone featured Samsung’s multi-dimensional N950 soundbar with Dolby Atmos®, slated to become available later this year. The soundbar demonstrates how vibrant, powerful surround sound can enhance the home entertainment experience.

• The Ambient Mode zone showcased how the QLED TV redefines what it means to be “off” with new technology that transforms the TV into a beautifully functional screen which provides a multitude of information including news, weather and traffic, and which can also play music or completely blend into the wall behind it.

• The new 5-meter (included with QLED TV purchase) and 15-meter (available as an option) One Invisible Connection, with power cord and data cables merged into one durable cord – an industry first – enabling users to place the TV where they want, how they want, without a tangled mess of cords.

• Samsung’s 2018 Smart TV set-up is simple and can be done on the consumer’s most used device – their mobile phone, via the SmartThings app. Demonstrations also illustrated how consumers can use their voices to control their entertainment and viewing with the introduction of Bixby on Samsung’s TVs.

The 2018 QLED line will be available this month in the US. For more information, visit www.samsung.com.

*SmartThings is available on iOS and Android-powered devices.

** Bixby service ability may vary by country or carrier. Voice Command recognizes English (U.S.), Mandarin Chinese and Korean. Not all accents, dialects and expressions are recognized. The list of features that can be controlled by voice commands via Bixby will continue to expand. Mobile functionality compatible with Samsung Galaxy 8 series or higher with Bixby function. Samsung Account log-in and data network (wifi or internet connection) required to fully operate Bixby features.

***The product line, details and availability vary depending on the region.

****One Invisible Connection applies to Q7 and higher models except Q8F. One Remote Control applies to NU7400 and higher models.