Samsung Electronics recently unveiled the ViewFinity S8 (Model Name: S80PB), a high-resolution monitor adopting a wide range of features for creative professionals who rely on devices, such as monitors and mobile devices, to create new content. It’s a new benchmark for high-resolution monitors. Here, Samsung Newsroom unboxes the ViewFinity S8 to see how this new product can help emerging creators.

Power and Connect Devices Clutter-Free With USB Type-C

After opening the box, you can see that the package is comprised of the monitor, HDMI cable, USB Type-C cable and the power cable.¹ The simplicity of package is made possible thanks to the USB Type-C cable that easily connects the monitor to various devices without additional cables.

Fewer cables on the desk are what creators want as they use multiple devices, including a drawing tablet. A single USB Type-C connection not only displays the external devices to the monitor but provides fast charging with up to 90W power and 10Gbps data transfers without a separate power cable. Even with laptop without LAN port, you can use Ethernet² just by connecting wired LAN port to monitor instead, which transmit LAN signal to connected laptop.

Installation of the ViewFinity S8 is simple. First, connect the stand’s neck to its base and fasten the bolts. The work is already halfway done. Next, connect the assembled base to the monitor by pushing down until there is a click.

Once the power is on, the first thing you will notice immediately is the picture quality that stands out. Its UHD resolution (3840 X 2160) has four times more pixels than Full HD, revealing hidden details with greater depth. ViewFinity S8 offers a wide color gamut up to 98% of DCI-P3 for lifelike color. In addition, its 178° wide viewing angle delivers brilliant color and punchy images from various angles.

Contrast is as important as color accuracy, especially for videos, since it determines the content quality and realism. Specifically, ultra-fine contrast is critical in expressing scenes with a dark background and bright lights like a starry night sky. ViewFinity S8 meets the standard of Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) DisplayHDR 600, making bright areas brighter and dark areas darker, presenting true-to-life images.³

The Best Content Creation Environment With the Matte Display and Ergonomic Stand

Compared to conventional,⁴ glossy monitors, ViewFinity S8 minimizes glare and reflection. As the world’s first UL-verified Glare Free monitor, Matte Display is applied on the top of the panel, reducing distraction caused by glare.

Many creators use a monitor hood to prevent glare caused by indoor lighting and sunlight. To recreate this environment, we tried installing a monitor hood, and the process was not easy. The hood is heavy, has difficult screen positioning and it costs you extra money.

ViewFinity S8 dispels such concerns by adopting the Matte Display, which reduces light reflection and allows users to view images more clearly without an additional attachment. This also means you can use your desk space more efficiently.

▲ (left) 2021 ViewFinity S70A. (right) 2022 ViewFinity S80PB

ViewFinity S8 also introduces a whole new world of ‘deskterior,’ a portmanteau of ‘desk’ and ‘interior,’ allowing you to transform your desk into a perfectly customized working environment. Setting the monitor on a different spot or adding a décor item will not only boost your mood but also improve work productivity.

You can notice the true value of ViewFinity S8 when creating vertical content. Of course, there are monitors that can pivot, but often the rotation forces you to reinstall the monitor hood. In contrast, ViewFinity S8 users can freely switch the monitor horizontal or vertical, allowing you to create and edit vertical videos at the original ratio. You can also have the best view for vertical content like a long-scrolled text or digital comics.

Furthermore, ViewFinity S8 features a height-adjustable stand that can tilt and swivel. The monitor can also be installed on a wall. ViewFinity S8 offers the most optimal angle to give you the best working space and enhance productivity without having to adjust the height of your desk or chair.

Easy On the Eyes With Intelligent Eye Care

Working at night and for hours at a time, both can lead to eye strain. ViewFinity S8’s Intelligent Eye Care such as Adaptive Picture, Eye Saver Mode and Flicker Free features can help alleviate eye strain.

Adaptive Picture is a useful feature for content creators who work at night. Adaptive Picture, which automatically adjusts brightness and color temperature depending on the surroundings, and the ViewFinity S8 immediately optimizes picture quality. If you want to minimize the stress on your eyes, the Eye Saver Mode smartly reduces blue light emissions and the Flicker Free helps protect your eyes from flickering screens.

Evolution Towards Sustainability

ViewFinity S8 is also built with the environment in mind. Samsung used recycled ocean-bound plastics in the rear covers of ViewFinity S8. Samsung’s Eco Savings Plus technology reduces power consumption by utilizing its built-in photo resistor to adjust optimal brightness and color temperature. You can reduce the power consumption up to 10% by setting the Eco Savings Plus Mode. Samsung ViewFinity S8 is recognized industry-wide with EnergyStar, TCO⁵ and EPEAT sustainability certifications.

Monitors are one of the most important gadgets for content creators to pay more attention to the details in their work. To elevate the quality of their content, first they must create the optimal working space that is distraction-free, ergonomic and equipped with devices that meet the demands. The Samsung ViewFinity S8 is the perfect fit that will help creators unleash their creativity and full potential.

* Some of the images shown are for illustration purposes only.

¹ Accessories may vary by country or region.
² Requires ViewFinity to be plugged into internet modem via a LAN cable. Internet speeds vary by provider and region.
³ It refers to the 32-inch model. 27-inch model supports VESA Display HDR 400.
⁴ Previous Samsung monitors without the Matte Display (e.g. 2021 ViewFinity S80A).
⁵ TCO Certified, generation 9. TCO Certified is a global sustainability certification for IT products, available for computers, mobile devices, display products and data center products. Criteria cover both social and environmental sustainability and enable circular solutions. Compliance with criteria is independently verified. TCO Certified is a third-party certification in accordance with ISO 14024.

However, glare can occur in many circumstances. For professionals like designers or video editors who rely on computer monitors to create their work, glare can be enemy number one. If their screen is constantly disturbed by glare, the colors on their monitor may not be accurately displayed.

So, as the saying goes, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Understanding the types and causes of glare will help you better reduce it. Samsung Newsroom takes a look at the definition of glare, a hidden enemy of creators, and explores ways to solve the problem.

Not All glares Are the Same — Get To Know the Differences

‘Bright light led to temporary blindness,’ ‘My vision is blurry,’ ‘The view was obscured by lights’ — All three scenarios could be caused by glare. But not all glares are the same. Glare can be categorized into three types: Disability Glare, Discomfort Glare and Reflection Glare.

▲ Disability Glare

Disability glare refers to a reduction of visual acuity caused by a bright light in the field of vision in the dark. A classic example is sudden blindness due to oncoming headlights when driving at night.

▲ Discomfort Glare

Contrary to disability glare that causes sudden blindness, discomfort glare does not necessarily impair the vision of objects. However, it can lead to discomfort or eye fatigue. For instance, you might suffer discomfort glare when a soccer or baseball stadium suddenly turns on a strong light. The pain levels vary by where you are and how bright the light is, and even if the light does not directly enter your eyes, it can cause emotional discomfort.

▲ Reflection Glare

Lastly, reflection glare obscures a monitor or a certain object by reflecting light from the ceiling. This includes the reflection of fluorescent light on an office monitor or a situation where you can barely see your screen in sunlight. You are most likely to be caught in glare within a 45-degree field of vision called the ‘Glare Zone’.

You should not take glare lightly. Glare blurs a screen, making it difficult to recognize accurate colors.

Reduce Distracting Glare With Samsung’s Matte Display

ViewFinity S8 (Model name: S80PB) helps users to view accurate colors even in bright daylight. This is possible thanks to the Matte Display applied on ViewFinity S8 which reduces distraction caused by glare. Users can edit and review content clearly with consistent levels of brightness and colors even without a monitor hood.

▲ Matte Display on ViewFinity S8 reduces glare and reflection¹

In recognition of its technology, ViewFinity S8 is the world’s first ‘Glare Free’ monitor verified by UL (Underwriters Laboratories), a global safety certification company. UL’s ‘Glare Free’ verification is awarded based on UGR (Unified Glare Rating) certified by CIE (Commission Internationale de l’éclairage). ViewFinity S8 met the standard of UL’s ‘Glare Free’ verification in Disability Glare, Discomfort Glare and Reflection Glare.

• Disability Glare, which determines whether a screen is overly bright when watching screen in a dark room
• Discomfort Glare, which determines whether a screen is too bright
• Reflection Glare, which determines whether the objects on a screen are visible even when external light is reflected on the surface

This is the first time that a monitor satisfies the standard in all three areas, showing the excellence of the Matte Display.

Optimized for All-Day Creativity

ViewFinity S8 not only provides creators accurate viewing experience but also offers an optimal environment for creating content.

ViewFinity S8’s ergonomic monitor stand allows you to customize the monitor’s height, tilt and horizontal position. In addition, the screen can be rotated up to 90° and installed on a wall, providing more options to personalize your work environment. The Matte Display on the top of the panel reduces light reflection even without a monitor hood, allowing you to freely adjust the screen.

ViewFinity S8 protects users from eye strain with major eye care features, including Adaptive Picture, which automatically adjusts brightness and color temperature for creators who use their monitor for long period of time. Additionally, Eye Saver Mode reduces blue light, a main culprit of eye fatigue, and Flicker Free protects eyesight by reducing screen flickering.

ViewFinity S8 offers a Matte Display for comfortable viewing, an ergonomic design for a customized work environment and various features to increase eye protection. As a result, ViewFinity S8 is the best choice for creators who want to showcase their creativity without distraction.

¹ The image shown is for illustration purposes only to compare S80PB with the one without the Matte Display (e.g. 2021 ViewFinity S80A). The S80PB adopts the Matte Display.

In light of this, Samsung Electronics has introduced The Terrace, a TV that is designed for use in outdoor living spaces. To talk about how The Terrace was brought from the planning stage to the development stage, and then on to being rolled out, Samsung Newsroom met with the product experts who were responsible for bringing The Terrace to fruition.

Below, Samsung Newsroom talks to Giuk Ted Lee (Marketing), BeomEun Kim (Product Planning), Dongoh Kim (Mechanics R&D), Juyong Kim and, Seunghun Lee (Enterprise R&D), to hear exactly what went in to realizing premier outdoor viewing with The Terrace.

Taking the Viewing Environment Outdoors

Research conducted by Samsung Electronics has shown that around 50 percent of American households have an outdoor living space such as a terrace or yard. What’s more, across a range of territories, the habit of watching sports and movies outdoors has been becoming more popular.

Speaking to this trend, BeomEun Kim, who was in charge of product planning for The Terrace, said, “Outdoor living spaces in which people can relax and entertain have been gradually growing more prominent. It was this trend that inspired us to come up with The Terrace, which offers the most optimal QLED viewing experiences in a range of outdoor conditions.”

BeomEun Kim (Product Planning)

And the outdoor TV market has been developing as well. As reported by market research publisher QY Research, global figures for outdoor TV sales – which stood at around 170,000 units in 2018 – are expected to hit 440,000 units by 2024. Giuk Ted Lee from The Terrace marketing team explained that, “When compared to the indoor TV market, the outdoor TV market previously sold more models that were smaller than 40 inches. However, from this year, the uptake of mid-to-large-sized TVs that are 55 inches or larger is expected to grow rapidly.”

Optimal Outdoor Picture Quality Through Synergy With Global No.1 Digital Signage Technology

Juyong Kim (Enterprise R&D)

When it comes to the outdoor viewing experience, few factors are more important than picture quality. According to Juyong Kim, who was responsible for picture quality development, when viewing a TV outdoors it is difficult to make out what is on the screen with a brightness level lower than 1,000 nits. He emphasized that The Terrace delivers a maximum of 4,000 nits and an average brightness of 2,000 nits, which is three times brighter than the brightness levels offered by indoor TVs. This allows users to enjoy vivid images with original picture quality, even when the TV is viewed in broad daylight.

Thanks to Samsung’s leadership in digital signage market, in which it maintained the number one position globally for 11 straight years – The Terrace team was able to deliver an optimal outdoor viewing experience. Seunghun Lee, who was in charge of overall product development, related that, “Digital signage, by its nature, must be equipped to maintain its performance while being subjected to a range of different environmental factors. Our experience in developing digital signage has proved extremely helpful in identifying and applying the optimal brightness levels for outdoor TVs.”

Seunghun Lee (Enterprise R&D)

The Terrace additionally includes the ‘Adaptive Picture’ feature, which allows users to enjoy optimized picture quality that adapts to the surrounding environment. With Adaptive Picture, artificial intelligence analyzes illumination levels in real-time and automatically adjusts screen settings, increasing brightness during the daytime and reducing glare at night and on cloudy days.

The Terrace is also equipped with anti-reflection technology. When watching TV on sunny days, sunlight reflected by the display panel and other surfaces can cause discomfort for viewers, and glare can distort color and picture quality. Thus, The Terrace was designed to minimize discomfort caused by glare even in environments where light is coming from multiple directions. Seunghun Lee explained that this improvement in visibility was achieved by equipping the screen with surface-treated film to reduce glare.

Durability That Withstands the Elements – Water, Dust and Heat Protection

When developing an outdoor television, the issue of exposure to the elements is a key concern. Hence, The Terrace had to undergo rigorous testing during its development phase. Giuk Ted Lee reiterated that, “The Terrace was initially launched in North America, and will be released in a host of other markets soon. Because the outdoor TV will be expected to withstand a broad range of environmental factors, our simulations tested it in the harshest conditions and a range of climates.”

Particular attention was given to water and dust protection, which are essential features for an outdoor TV, as small particles and liquids can enter the device through even the tiniest gaps if it is not properly sealed. Certified with IP 55 water and dust protection, The Terrace maintains its performance even in rainy or dusty conditions.

Dongoh Kim (Mechanics R&D)

Dongoh Kim from the R&D team said, “All areas where individual parts connect were protected with special materials. We have also sealed all of the gaps in the enclosure with waterproof tape and rubber seals. To facilitate the open cell structure, a thin layer of special adhesive was applied between the front of the enclosure and the cell that composes the TV screen.”

Heat resistance is equally crucial for outdoor TVs, given that they are exposed to direct sunlight. Thus, the development team enacted numerous ways to ensure that The Terrace remains heat resistant, even under infrared and ultraviolet light. Although one of the most common means of protecting a TV from heat is through the use of a vent, the team had to explore different solutions, given that the inclusion of vents could have impacted the TV’s water and dust resistance.

The team considered multiple heat resistance solutions for the outdoor television. This led to the development of The Terrace’s sealed enclosure technology, which distributes internal heat over the entire product without the need for a heat sink. The result? An outdoor TV that maintains the highest standard of performance up to an external temperature of 50°C.

Smart Features to Deliver Unique Viewing Experiences

So how was the user feedback following The Terrace’s launch? Giuk Ted Lee commented that, “The Terrace has been garnering great feedback from consumers in the North American market. Sales levels are good, and the reviews from users are positive as well.”

While this feedback is encouraging, many markets still exist in which consumers are unfamiliar with outdoor televisions. We asked for tips on how to leverage The Terrace to empower users in every market to use the product to its full potential. BeomEun Kim noted that, “One of the advantages of The Terrace is that it can be easily connected to a smartphone. For instance, users can connect their phones via Bluetooth while listening to music, and the ‘Music Wall’ feature will display a series of patterns on the TV that complement the music. The ‘Multi-View’ feature also allows consumers to continue using their phones while also using them to watch content on their televisions, delivering a whole new experience.” She added that the ‘Tap View’ feature allows mobile content to be mirrored on the TV screen with a single tap of the bezel.

Despite being pioneers when it comes to the new outdoor television segment, the team responsible for bringing The Terrace to fruition is already up for a new challenge.

“The level of interest in outdoor TVs has been steadily growing. Our next goal is to introduce an outdoor TV that is portable, and can be brought along for activities such as camping trips,” the team related.

We look forward to seeing what is next for Samsung Electronics as they look to continue expanding the definition of what a TV can be.