Meet Pawel Achtel, a world-renowned professional in underwater cinematography with a career spanning over 35 years and more than 5,000 dives ranging from the equator to Antarctica. The filmmaker’s extensive diving experience informs his cinematographic work — which has captured the attention of industry leaders such as National Geographic, BBC and Discovery — providing a unique perspective on life underwater and highlighting his expertise in designing and producing advanced cinematography equipment. He was also involved in capturing 8K resolution underwater sequences for “Avatar: The Way of Water.”

Samsung Newsroom sat down with Pawel Achtel to dive into the details of underwater cinematography and explore how Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K lineup is reshaping the landscape for filmmakers and viewers at home.

How 8K Technology Transforms Underwater Filmmaking

In fields like underwater cinematography, where visuals matter most, Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K is indispensable. Not only does it help viewers feel immersed in the scene, but it is also vital for filmmakers to assess underwater footage.

Due to variables like ocean currents and light refraction, filming underwater in true 8K quality can be difficult. “But, when all the circumstances line up, the results are breathtaking,” shared Achtel.

While advanced technologies like submersible lenses assist in capturing these shots, Neo QLED 8K — known for its high resolution and clarity — allows filmmakers like Achtel to closely examine even the smallest details of underwater scenes. This close look helps improve sharpness and other aspects of image quality after filming, overcoming the challenges of underwater optics.

▲ Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K helps cinematographers closely examine details and improve picture quality

“The underwater world is elusive — and filmmakers have a rare opportunity to allow people to see it in great detail, in a way people may not see elsewhere,” said Achtel. “It makes these shots interesting and captivating as they reveal an environment completely foreign to us in stunning detail.”

Samsung made waves at CES 2024 by introducing the latest Neo QLED 8K with the new NQ8 AI Gen3 processor, delivering a cinematic experience at home. Impressed by its features, the filmmaker called the TV “a transformative advancement.”

He specifically praised features like 8K AI Upscaling Pro and AI Motion Enhancer Pro,¹ available on select Neo QLED 8K models, highlighting Samsung’s commitment to outstanding visuals. “Having witnessed the advanced features at CES 2024, I can confidently say they enhance realism and immersion,” added Achtel.

However, for this underwater cinematographer, the true power of 8K lies in the seamless integration of production and viewing technologies — charting a new course in content creation and consumption.

Diving Deep Into 8K Home Cinema

As the development and adoption of 8K filming equipment continues to grow, it’s also driving the creation of content that fully embraces the potential of 8K resolution. The unparalleled realism and captivating qualities of 8K make it an essential tool for storytelling, especially for content that demands a powerful visual impact.

Take underwater footage, for example, which is often played at a slower pace — giving audiences the time to absorb unfamiliar environments and take in details that might otherwise go unnoticed.

▲ Various factors including currents and light refraction present challenges for capturing clear, beautiful shots underwater

On the Neo QLED 8K, viewers can appreciate the “impressive color accuracy” and “nuanced portrayal of detailed scenes” of the ocean’s depths. From the calming blue water to the vivid and bright hues of fish and coral reefs, Achtel attributes the appeal of his 8K underwater imagery to the variety of striking colors and patterns. With Neo QLED 8K, the benefits now extend beyond just the content itself.

“On the viewing side, Neo QLED 8K plays a pivotal role in bringing the 8K ecosystem to life,” he explained. “It not only showcases content with remarkable clarity but also upscales lower-resolution footage to nearly 8K quality, ensuring an immersive viewing experience of the highest caliber.”

Given its advanced picture quality powered by increased neural networks and cutting-edge AI upscaling features, Neo QLED 8K elevates the viewing experience — even with content not initially captured in 8K. Combining advanced image quality with larger screen sizes also opens new possibilities for home viewing to offer an experience that rivals that of traditional big-screen setups.

In the ever-evolving landscape of visual storytelling, enhancing a TV’s ability to process non-8K content offers significant benefits and inspires filmmakers to strive for higher quality content.

“At the end of the day, having a device with an enhanced visual experience and immersive capabilities empowers cinematographers to craft and evaluate captivating content that resonates deeply with viewers,” said Achtel.

The role of 8K technology in underwater cinematography and home entertainment underscores its transformative potential to enhance visual storytelling and enrich the viewing experience for audiences around the world.

To learn more about Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K, visit samsung.com.

¹ 8K AI Upscaling Pro and AI Motion Enhancer Pro are exclusive features of the QN900D model.

To answer eight common questions about 8K, Samsung Newsroom reached out to Bill Mandel, President of the 8K Association and Vice President at Samsung Research America and Chris Chinnock, Executive Director of 8K Association. Read on to learn more about topics like the state of the 8K ecosystem, market prospects, leading industry players, 8K content production methods and what users can expect for the future of the technology.

Q: Who’s leading the creation of the 8K ecosystem?

In 2018, Samsung and a handful of other TV and panel makers planned the organization of a trade group focused on the evangelization and development of the 8K ecosystem. They approached Insight Media’s Chris Chinnock to discuss the future development of products and content. They also took concrete steps to establish the 8K Association (8KA) by developing the 8K Association Certified logo for 8K TVs and establishing consumer and industry-facing educational materials.

This was how the 8K Association was created in 2019 to benefit users, content creators and technology developers alike. Since then, the 8KA has put out a variety of materials to teach people about 8K technology, including a detailed “State of the 8K Ecosystem” report, educational seminars and webinars, and a weekly news service called The 8K Monitor. The Association also has a number of committees involved in developing new 8K TV specs and testing methods, along with encoding and decoding activities, content creation, marketing and promotion and more, with the goal of expanding the 8K ecosystem. Moreover, the 8KA continues to work with several standards development organizations to help create 8K specifications and support the technology’s certification.

Q: What kinds of companies have joined the 8KA?

When the 8K Association was created in 2019, it featured just five member companies. Having focused its efforts on expanding the 8K ecosystem over the last three years, the Association now features 30 members in all, which include not just TV brands but also panel makers, chip makers, content creators, streaming service providers and equipment providers, among others. Global companies like Google, IMAX, and Intel are some of the leading brands that have joined the 8K Association and are helping to bring consumers the best 8K experiences across as many devices as possible. (See the 8KA’s full list of partners.)

Q: What makes 8K-enabled devices different from others?

In addition to announcing Test Specifications at IFA 2019 and CES 2020, the 8K Association has established common industry standards, including an 8K certification program, to enable consumers to enjoy consistent, high-quality 8K experiences.

The certification program is enhanced each year through the addition of specific criteria, and strict evaluations are conducted based on various requirements. The program is composed of elements that provide users with more three-dimensional, highly immersive experiences. These include video decoding and multi-channel surround sound that supports a wide variety of 8K streaming content, as well as resolution, brightness, color and connectivity, which ensure high performance on large screens.

Q: How many 8K-enabled devices are currently on the market?

The number of 8KA Certified TV models is increasing each year. With the launch of its 2019 QLED 8K displays, Samsung became the first manufacturer in the industry to feature a complete lineup of 8KA Certified TVs. As of August 2021, 47 Samsung 8K TVs have received the 8KA Certified logo. Today, Samsung, Hisense and TCL have introduced more than 70 8KA Certified TVs to the market.

Q: How is 8K content typically produced and distributed?

A great deal of 8K content is captured using cinema-grade 8K HDR cameras. However, most of this content is finished in 4K or HDR resolution before being distributed to consumers.

That said, it is clear that the amount of 8K content available continues to expand. Content platforms YouTube and Vimeo also feature a great deal of short-form 8K content, which is mostly focused on nature and travel. This is quite similar to the way that 4K content was introduced to the market. The 8K Association is working to put the pieces in place to enable more 8K movies and shows to become available to consumers.

Q: Will 8K TV users be able to freely enjoy high-quality video even if native 8K content is not widely available yet?

8K devices’ AI-assisted upscaling technology allows users to overcome the issue of not having enough native 8K content. Samsung’s 8K TVs in particular are capable of improving resolution and picture quality using deep learning AI technology. The technology precisely analyzes various elements of every frame of content, including lines, details and noise levels, in order to upscale low-quality images to 8K.

Q: Will we be able to game in 8K?

Major gaming consoles are expected to support 8K playback through the HDMI 2.1 interface, and 8K gaming will also be possible with 8K TVs’ upscaling technology. On the PC gaming side, high-end graphics cards from manufacturers like Nvidia and AMD may include support for 8K output, even with features like ray tracing and upscaling enabled on the GPU. Although the 8KA has not yet introduced an 8K certification program for games, it is closely monitoring this area and exploring various options.

Q: What is the outlook for 8K’s adoption and expansion?

8K’s expansion is centered around users who long to test out and adopt the latest display technology. If this trend continues among these users who have historically led the widespread adoption and acceptance of new technologies, over time, this will lead to both reductions in cost and the establishment of a larger content experience ecosystem. This was the path for HD’s adoption, and 4K followed a similar route. We are seeing a similar pattern when it comes to 8K’s adoption, which has been aided by the work of organizations like the 8K Association.

For more information on the 8K Association, visit https://8kassociation.com/.

Using some of Samsung Electronics’ most innovative devices, Samsung Global Newsroom followed the everyday lives of the twelve giraffes that live in Everland, from the story of the world record-breaking head of the giraffe family to the surprisingly belligerent nature of giraffes, and finally their charming yet subtle characteristics. Read on and take a look at the videos below to learn more about these gentle yet surprising creatures, and see if you can work out how the Galaxy S21 Ultra and The Sero TV made their way into the footage as you do.

The Most Famous Giraffe in South Korea

Giraffe matriarch Jang-Soon is living the life of a superstar who cannot escape the spotlight. Since making it into the Guinness Book of World Records for a special reason and becoming the most prominent giraffe in Everland, Jang-Soon’s conjugal harmony, silver wedding and other events have been reported on the news. The next giraffe to likely continue Jang-Soon’s legacy in the giraffe family has also come to the forefront. Who is this next contender for the leader of the superstar Everland giraffe family? Let’s find out by following a day in the life of Jang-Soon and her family.

Slow Yet Stealthy: the Hidden Abilities of Giraffes

“If you encounter a giraffe in the wild, don’t look back and run for your lives!” noted Jun-Yeong Park, Everland zookeeper who has been working with Lost Valley’s giraffe family for over 10 years. In fact, the giraffe is one of the top 10 strongest fighters among African land animals. ‘Cheong-Ryong’, the heaviest and strongest member of the giraffe family of twelve, in fact weighs 1.5 tons. If a giraffe harnesses its heavy body and starts kicking with full strength to defend itself, it is enough to break the skull or spine of a lion into pieces.

What’s more, their big eyes, each of which is the size of a tennis ball, grants them excellent eyesight and a visibility range of 4 to 7km, meaning that giraffes are very good at escaping from their enemies. Let’s learn more about some of the surprising physical characteristics of giraffes that are disguised behind their beatific eyes and relaxed gait.

The Longer the Neck, the Higher the Blood Pressure

One of a giraffe’s most characteristic features is its long neck, which is hard to see in one go even if you tilt your head as far as you can. Male giraffes engage in fights using their necks, known as ‘necking’, in order to compete for females, meaning that it is more advantageous to have a longer neck as it increases a fighter’s overall centrifugal force.

That said, as giraffes have to pump blood all the way to the top of their heads which sit 3m above their hearts, giraffes inevitably have high blood pressure, with their normal blood pressure being 270/180 mmHg. The blood pressure of the giraffe is two times that of the human, which is 120/80 mmHg, but nevertheless, giraffes manage to eat, drink, sleep and play with ease. So what is their secret?

Top Tips for Filming Giraffes

1) Harness Single Take for Those Funny Moments Featuring a Precocious Giraffe

When paying a visit to the zoo, it is difficult to predict when and where a giraffe might turn its head directly toward you for a picture, and you might end up with dozens of shaky or blurry photos taken in a failed attempt to capture that fleeting moment. This is when Single Take on the Galaxy S21 comes in handy. By filming up to fifteen seconds, you can then enjoy various media, including photos, videos, GIFs and hyperlapses, with just one shot. Single Take’s AI will also recommend you the best cuts, making it easy for you to capture and share the perfect giraffe moment.

2) Record 8k Videos on the Galaxy S21 for Those Subtle Yet Detailed Giraffe Features

Just as every person has a different appearance, every giraffe has a different pattern on its body. With the Galaxy S21 Ultra, you can clearly observe even the finest details, such as the unique patterns on a giraffe, as the device comes with a 108-megapixel camera. The resolution of videos can also be adjusted to up to 8K, which enables you to see even the most delicate textures of a giraffe’s fur. Another good way of observing a giraffe on the Galaxy S21 Ultra is using its Super Slow Mo mode when you witness a special sight, such as a giraffe lowering its head for drinking water or curling up its long neck to sleep.

3) Viewing a Giraffe from Head to Toe in One Go? Try The Sero

The giraffe is the tallest animal in the animal kingdom, boasting an average height of around 4.8 to 5.5m including its horns; even new-born calves can be as tall as 180cm. With its portrait mode that allows the user to rotate the landscape display to a vertical orientation, The Sero allows you to enjoy all your favorite content in portrait mode – just like watching it on your phone, but with the benefits of the big-screen experience. With The Sero, you can enjoy your vertically oriented giraffe videos and pictures in an entirely new way – just as giraffes were meant to be seen.

Giraffes that group with others live longer than less sociable individuals, according to the team of researchers led by Professor Barbara König at University of Zürich. World Giraffe Day was designated to promote collaborative efforts to the end of preventing the extinction of giraffes. After enjoying this dynamic tale of Everland’s giraffe family captured in the Galaxy S21 Ultra and The Sero, let’s be sure to pay more attention to protecting these gentle giants.

¹ One of the twenty-four solar terms, the summer solstice has the longest day and the shortest night of the year.

Packed with Samsung’s best photography and video features, the Galaxy Note20 Ultra’s pro-grade camera is perfect for capturing stunning shots of your furry friends. Galaxy user Jiyoon Kim has been using the device to record life with her two dogs, Miso and Ara, and sharing tips and memorable moments with viewers on social media. Let’s take a look at how the varied features offered by the Galaxy Note20 Ultra have helped Kim capture Miso and Ara’s most adorable sides.

① Professional-Grade Pet Portraits

Many pet owners like to visit specialty studios to have high-quality photos taken of their four-legged companions. However, it can prove challenging to make your pet look natural and comfortable in an unfamiliar setting. With the Galaxy Note20 Ultra, you can now take high-quality pet portraits and create amazing video recordings of your furry friend from the comfort of your home.

You only need three items to create incredible pet photos – a suitable backdrop, a tripod, and your Galaxy Note20 Ultra. A conveniently placed patch of colored wallpaper at home works great as a backdrop. Alternatively, you can purchase some colored paper in your preferred tone and carefully fasten it to your wall to establish your backdrop. Another trick is to add cute costumes and props and shoot from a range of angles to give variety and character to your pet portraits.

Miso’s ears perk up when he’s happy. He loves photo time.

Ara makes people smile – an authentic, happy aura is captured when shooting in a familiar space

The Galaxy Note20 Ultra comes with a 108-million-pixel, ultra-high-resolution camera. It can capture amazing details and textures, such as patterns in the fur or the color of the eyes.

“You can take great pet portrait photos with your dog looking towards the camera,” says Kim. “An important tip for taking this kind of picture is to grab your pet’s attention with fun toys while using your S Pen as a remote controller to take the photo. These kinds of tricks can help you take professional-quality pictures and really have a lot of fun with your shoot. The Galaxy Note20 Ultra can take pictures with very high resolution, which means you can get them developed and hang them up at home.”

The perfect puppy portrait!

Take pet portraits with the Galaxy Note20 Ultra and hang them up at home.

② Record Special Moments in 8K

Filming a video is the best way to record your pets’ unique characteristics. The Galaxy Note20 Ultra enables you to capture memorable moments with your pets in 8K UHD video. Just take a look at this adorable video of Miso and Ara jumping over rows of toilet paper and weaving between paper cups.

It’s easy to miss photo opportunities when you’re busy having fun with your pets. With the Galaxy Note20 Ultra, you can easily turn your favorite scenes from a video clip into high-resolution photos. Screenshots captured with the device’s 8K video function are vivid and extremely detailed, which means you can isolate memorable images from longer videos.

Ara pokes her face through a hole in the tower of toilet paper. Cropping screenshots brings vivid image quality to life.

Getting the timing just right can be challenging. With high-resolution screenshots, you can easily isolate your favorite images from longer videos.

“I used to film memorable moments when I was too busy to take individual photos. But it was hard getting high-resolution screenshots from these videos,” says Kim. “With the Galaxy Note20 Ultra, I can create high-resolution screenshots from the 8K videos. The picture quality of these shots is comparable to still photos. This feature lets me have fun with my dogs while capturing everything on camera.”

③ Transform Ordinary Scenes Into Epic Moments

Some moments with your pets can only be captured properly when they are slowed down. The Galaxy Note20 Ultra’s Super Slow-mo feature makes it possible for you to transform fleeting scenes into epic videos. With this feature, you can catch every detail of your pets splashing around in water or can even turn ordinary scenes, like taking a bath or blow drying hair, into fun and memorable experiences.

You can also try inserting a Super Slow-mo clip into one of your 8K videos to make your pet videos stand out even more.

“I love this clip of Miso’s hair blowing in the wind. I just want to watch it over and over again,” says Kim. “The quality of the video is amazing and I can just post it on my pet’s social media account without much editing.”

④ Capture Everything All at Once  

For those who love recording their pets but find themselves missing the mark when capturing just the right moments, the Galaxy Note20 Ultra has a solution in the form of the AI-powered Single Take feature. Single Take provides you with a wide range of photo, video, and even ‘meme’able mode results based on just one shot. Once you have selected the mode and captured a short clip, Single Take harnesses AI to analyze the background and subject in order to recommend the best cuts of your picture or video, removing the need for manual scrolling of the different results.

 

Single Take captures Ara’s various sides, providing a range of picture options. The ‘best cut’ is enlarged at the top of the screen or highlighted with a crown

 

Features like Single Take are particularly useful for those who are video production beginners. Single Take also provides results that apply background music and immersive video effects for a professional feel. In a video of Ara running and striking a pose, for instance, the application of a lively melody in addition to a time-lapse effect changes the feel of the clip completely. The combination of all these effects can enhance the experience of revisiting some of your favorite moments.

 

 

What’s more, users of the Galaxy Note20 Ultra can also harness various features and lenses including ultra-wide, Live Focus, and time lapse while filming. From there, they can pick and choose their preferred outcomes from among a broad range of results. Those who prefer still cuts can choose individual images, while those who like watching short clips of cute-looking dogs can apply other, more meme-worthy effects. “As a person who enjoys filming, I was fascinated by the AI-powered Single Take feature,” said Kim. “I find myself using the feature regularly as it enables me to capture my dogs from a range of different perspectives.”

 

An image captured through Single Take, which delivers steady, well-structured images

 

Pets bring a lot of joy to our lives and the Galaxy Note20 Ultra is the perfect companion for recording all the amazing moments you spend with them.

 

“I have had my dogs since they were puppies. I often think it’s a shame that I wasn’t able to take more photos and videos of them growing up,” says Kim. “With the Galaxy Note20 Ultra, I can now capture every moment I spend with Miso and Ara.”

The global market for large screen televisions is on a surge. According to global market research firm Omdia, global shipments of TVs with displays over 75-inches are expected to increase by 17% compared to 2019 and 8K TVs are set to increase by 110% this year as well.

Given the market demands, Samsung is doubling down on its efforts to give consumers large screen TVs that not only offer the best picture quality but also the best sound experiences.

At the heart of that is Samsung’s AI Quantum Processor.

The AI Quantum Processor is a high-performing chip developed using Samsung’s proprietary technologies that can process complex algorithms quickly using machine learning-based upscaling. That gives consumers the ability to stream 8K content in real-time paired with dynamic, location-based acoustics.

Samsung is peeling back the secrets of the AI Quantum Processor to share on how it brings these experiences together to get better resolution, better sound and better picture integrity.

One of the leading questions consumers continue to ask about large screen TVs is how to watch ultra HD content in 8K resolution given that it isn’t widely available yet. That’s where Samsung’s AI upscaling technology comes in.

Today, the technology transforms not only 4K content into 8K, but it also works for lower-resolution SD, HD and FHD-quality content as well. The AI Quantum Processor 8K combines the advantages of existing machine learning capabilities with new deep learning technologies to analyze and deliver content at some of the most granular levels possible.

This hybrid approach helps to remove unnecessary noise and creates life-like textures and smooth edges on upscaled 8K content that only Samsung can deliver. It also adjusts content brightness and darkness levels according to the light and living room conditions the display is set up in.

AI Quantum Sound for the Most Suitable Audio Experiences

Adding a truly effective audio experience to high-quality picture quality serves to bring about an even deeper sense of immersion to viewers. Samsung’s AI Quantum Sound, bolstered by artificial intelligence, provides a listening experience similar to that of a movie theater right in your living room.

Samsung’s new innovative sound technology Object Tracking Sound+ follows movement on-screen to match the direction of the sound to the action. The technology recognized and analyzes the recorded audio synced to the content in real-time and evenly distributes the audio tracks to the six speakers embedded in the TV.

And due in part to the Active Voice Amplifier (AVA), users will never miss a word of dialogue, regardless of what is happening around the TV. The feature monitors the sound environment so that if there is noise louder than the TV’s audio, it will increase the volume of just the dialogue audio so as not to overwhelm users while ensuring no word goes unheard. Also, sound will be delivered seamlessly thanks to real-time deep learning audio separation technology, high-performance NPU (Neural Processing Unit).

AI Streaming for Minimal Data Loss

Thanks to the widespread use of the Over the Top (OTT) streaming services, more and more users are taking advantage of their large screen TVs and stream 8K content. However, existing network infrastructures cannot always guarantee image quality that meets users’ high-resolution expectations. This is why at the Samsung Developers’ Conference in 2019, Samsung introduced its AI Scalenet technology, designed to overcome these infrastructure limitations and support effective 8K streaming and low-latency livestreaming.

AI Scalenet is a CES 2020 Innovation Award-winning AI codec technology that generates resolutions four times higher than conventional technologies without any change to the network infrastructure. It minimizes the data loss that may occur during the compression and playing of videos through deep learning technologies, meaning users can enjoy 8K-quality content regardless of their network infrastructure. Even during peak usage, AI Scalenet dramatically improves image quality and content speed according to the network status and reduces picture breaking and ambient noise.

These days, more content than ever can be enjoyed on our TVs, meaning that the expectation for immersive viewing experiences in the home has increased, too. Samsung plans to continue to use a range of innovative technologies, starting with artificial intelligence, to bring the best experience 8K content and audio experiences to living rooms across the world.

The “Sero,” which means vertical in Korean, automatically syncs to your Galaxy phone to mirror the content you’re watching on your mobile device and matches the landscape or portrait orientation for the ultimate viewing flexibility.

On Monday, Samsung presented its Keynote, where HS Kim, President and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Division declared the company’s mission: To enable experiences with technology “to create unforgettable moments that make your lives better, that make a difference to humanity and create a better world for us all.”

This is Samsung in the “Age of Experience,” Kim said, working to accommodate diverse and evolving lifestyles while also meeting the needs of modern living spaces, smart buildings, smart cities and creating a better world for everyone. We are not looking to spend money on things… We are looking to experience life. This must drive our innovation.

Ballie is Samsung’s concept for the future of personal care. A small, rolling robot designed to be an all-around life companion that understands and supports you, your family – and can even help you keep an eye on your pets.

Samsung’s answer to customized solutions for wellness played a big part of its presentation at CES 2020 – from launching Samsung Health on all of its TVs later this year with exclusive content from leading fitness partners, to an evolved version of GEMS – an exoskeleton connected to Samsung’s augmented reality glasses. The Gait-Enhancing & Motivating System, still a future concept, integrates with a Galaxy smartphone and watch to provide and immersive workout experience that is tailored to your fitness needs.

GEMS is also an assistive device for people with disabilities, supporting them in exercise and helping them achieve new physical goals.

When the tech conference officially opened, all of Samsung’s innovations using AI, 5G and IoT were on full display.

Using sophisticated sensors, AI and robotics, Samsung showcased how a fully connected appliances can make lives simpler by becoming cooking partners in the kitchen.

A future concept of a robotic food prep assistant, Bot Chef that can help chop, stir, season and plate your favorite dishes.

A Family Hub refrigerator using Whisk for guided cooking suggestions.

And a future concept refrigerator – Planta – for growing your own garden-fresh ingredients.

And after all that help in the kitchen you’ll have more time for meditation as many of the Samsung booth ambassadors did on Day 2 of CES with Samsung Health and meditation guidance from Calm.

At the mobile computing section of Samsung’s CES 2020 booth, visitors were able to interact with the Galaxy Fold 5G and the expanding portfolio of 5G devices Samsung offers as well as the latest in mobile computing: Galaxy Chromebook, Galaxy Book Flex α and Odyssey curved QLED gaming monitors G9 and G7 for an even more immersive gaming experience.

Finally, the latest features in Samsung’s connected car of the future – Digital Cockpit 2020 — co-developed with HARMAN International, showcased how V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) technology underpinned by 5G connectivity links features inside and outside the vehicle to provide connected experiences for drivers and passengers alike.

To help you catch up with these and other exciting updates from San Jose, here’s a handy list of the top themes on display at SDC19.

Held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in sunny California, this year’s Samsung Developer Conference is a showcase of the hottest topics in tech.

Expanding the Bixby and SmartThings Ecosystems

This year at SDC, Samsung is showcasing strides it’s made to integrate Bixby into a wide range of devices. The company is also introducing enhancements that will make it easier for developers to enrich Bixby and the SmartThings IoT platform with useful services, and in doing so, create more ways for users to infuse intelligence into everything they do.

Outlining Samsung’s efforts to offer developers more ways to work with Bixby, Eui-Suk Chung, EVP, Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics, discusses the AI platform’s expansion. “In 2019, we made it even easier to use Bixby,” Chung explains. “We added new capabilities not only on our flagship devices, but also on most of our A-series devices, on more Galaxy tablets and watches, TVs and home appliances. Just to give you countless new ways to integrate intelligence into everything you do.”

Samsung demonstrates how enhancements to the Bixby Developer Studio, including new Bixby Templates and Bixby Views, will streamline the development of capsules that work across Bixby’s ever-growing ecosystem of devices.

In addition to unveiling a new Rules API that will spur the creation of more automated smart home experiences, Samsung introduced a SmartThings Device SDK beta program – set to launch early next year – that will help third-party manufacturers build SmartThings-supported devices.

New Devices and Experiences

Those visiting SDC19 are treated to first looks at some of the latest and greatest products of Samsung’s innovation. Spanning categories like mobile devices, UX design and more, the devices and experiences showcased at the conference hold the power to transform the way people live, work and connect.

Also on display at SDC is the new, Bixby-enabled Galaxy Home Mini, which fosters continuous IoT experiences when managing connected devices, and offers powerful pound-for-pound audio quality.

The launch of Samsung’s Galaxy Fold established a brand-new product category – one that opens the door to a new era of mobile experiences. To help realize its vision of a foldable future, Samsung is demonstrating its commitment to developing a variety of foldable form factors at SDC19. Enriching the category with more options will help Samsung and developers explore new use cases and user experiences.

Seeing is believing: An SDC attendee examines how Samsung’s AI ScaleNet technology makes it possible to stream high-quality 8K videos on networks with lower bandwidth capabilities.

Peeks at Cutting-edge Blockchain and Enterprise Solutions

SDC19 offers partners and developers a chance to learn more about one of the hottest trends in technology today: blockchain. Speakers and sessions discuss how enterprises and developers can utilize Samsung’s latest blockchain-powered services to capitalize on the technology’s incredible potential.

The conference also offers attendees an opportunity to see how Samsung is leveraging its years of experience leading innovation in a variety of industries – ranging from retail and manufacturing to transportation and healthcare – to provide enterprises with customized services tailored to their needs.

Seungyun Lee, Principal Engineer, Knox Platform for Enterprise, Samsung Electronics, discusses Samsung’s commitment to advancing blockchain technology – a commitment that’s seen the company produce one of the first smartphones with blockchain technology built-in, and streamline data and cryptocurrency management with the launches of the Samsung Blockchain Keystore and the new Samsung Blockchain Platform SDK. “Together,” Lee explains, “all of these innovations mark a new beginning for the blockchain ecosystem – with Samsung at the forefront.”

SDC attendees eagerly explore the various blockchain innovations being displayed at SDC19. Included among these is the new Samsung Blockchain Platform SDK, which opens up exciting opportunities for developers by 1) offering them more options for securely storing private keys, 2) supporting cryptocurrency transactions, and 3) enabling apps to be smoothly integrated into a mobile space.

Samsung’s SDC19 booth also includes exhibits that illustrate why enterprises in a variety of fields – including industries known to employ the strictest security standards – trust Samsung to help them customize solutions.

But Wait, There’s More!

At the end of the day, SDC is about inspiring people to pursue meaningful innovation. Which is why those visiting the conference are also exposed to projects and initiatives that are making a tangible difference in the world, like the Samsung Global Goals app.

Created to support the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the educational and donation-based mobile app offers a simple way for the Galaxy community to support the causes they care about. To help maximize the app’s impact, Samsung has announced that it will match proceeds generated through the app and donate the same amount.¹

That’s all for now, but there’s plenty more to come as SDC19 enters its second day. For more information on the topics and innovations being discussed at the event, be sure to check out Samsung Newsroom’s ongoing coverage. And don’t forget to check back here for more updates on Samsung’s latest AI, IoT and developer innovations.

¹Samsung has pledged to match donations with ad proceeds generated through the Global Goals app; up to $5 million annually.

CES 2019 has officially begun, and Samsung’s booth is abuzz with people eager to get a closer look at the company’s latest groundbreaking innovations. Located in the heart of the Las Vegas Convention Center, ‘Samsung City’ is a must-see site for attendees of the tech industry’s biggest event. With ‘districts’ showcasing the company’s newest TVs, monitors, appliances and more, this innovative hub allows visitors to experience, firsthand, Samsung technologies that are taking AI, IoT and connectivity to the next level – and changing the way people live, work and connect.

If you won’t be able to make it to CES to see the company’s innovations in person, don’t fret. Here’s a handy roundup of five key themes that sum up this year’s showcase.

#1 Appliances Get Better with Bixby

Many of the innovations on display in the booth demonstrate dynamic ways that the latest version of Samsung’s intelligent platform, Bixby, will change how people manage daily life.

Housework is a breeze with Bixby-enabled appliances, which allow users to easily automate common household tasks and take the guesswork out of others. For example, when users place their clothes into Samsung’s new Air Dresser, Bixby helps the device select the optimal setting to treat them. It can also help users find the perfect cycle to finish their laundry with the new WF6300R Front Load Washer. Once the laundry load is done, Bixby will automatically set the dryer to the appropriate setting.

In the kitchen, Family Hub’s Bixby integration allows users to streamline everything from meal prep to entertainment. Whether you want to preheat the oven or find a delicious new recipe, with Bixby’s voice support, all you have to do to is say the word.

And thanks to its deep integration with Samsung’s 2019 QLED TVs, you can also command Bixby to tell you more about a particular show or film you’re watching, manage playback controls, and help you find more content you’ll love.

#2 Samsung’s Steering the Future of Display Technology

Speaking of TVs, Samsung kicked off CES 2019 with the reveals of a number of innovative displays that demonstrate how the company is leading the future of this technology – setting new standards for immersion, and making the screen ‘the center of the AI era‘.

Perhaps the most eye-catching addition is the new, 219-inch, 6K version of Samsung’s modular Micro LED display, The Wall. The follow-up to last year’s debut model seamlessly blends into any space – whether it be as a 219-inch 6K screen, a 16:9, 146-inch 4K display, or a 21:9 aspect ratio wide screen. It also features a fresh new user interface, as well as Samsung’s Quantum Processor 8K chip – the industry’s first AI-powered picture-processing engine.

With the push of a button, visitors to the interactive exhibit can see for themselves how the revolutionary processor, which is featured throughout Samsung’s 2019 QLED 8K lineup, upscales any content – regardless of the native resolution – to near-pristine 8K quality.

The combination of pristine QLED picture quality and likewise beautiful aesthetics allow Samsung’s newest lifestyle TVs, The Frame and Serif TV, to offer a TV experience unlike any other. Both feature award-winning designs that elevate the décor of any living space, as well as enhanced smart features that offer users greater control over their content.

#3 Taking Gaming to the Next Level

Visitors to Samsung City will find plenty of fun and excitement, especially when they see what Samsung has in store for gamers.

When gaming, a monitor’s performance can mean the difference between experiencing the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Samsung optimized its new, 49-inch CRG9 gaming monitor with gamers’ needs in mind, combining standout specs – including HDR10 support, a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and a 5120 x 1440 resolution – to offer users an edge over the competition.

The result of the company’s efforts is the world’s first Dual QHD super ultra-wide gaming monitor, and an official Honoree in the CES 2019 Innovation Awards’ Gaming and Computer Peripherals product categories, respectively. Visitors to the booth can see for themselves how the monitor’s premium performance, immersive design and comfort-enhancing features elevate the entire gaming experience.

Also featured in the showcase is the latest addition to Samsung’s powerhouse lineup of gaming laptops: the newNotebook Odyssey. This year’s model is packed with enhancements that foster next-level gaming experiences, including a flawlessly smooth 144 Hz G-Sync display, an innovative Jet Blade cooling system that ensures smooth performance during heavy gameplay, and other performance-minded enhancements.

#4 Shifting the Connected Car from Concept to Reality

Samsung’s CES 2019 lineup demonstrates exciting ways that the company is steering the future of connected technologies. And perhaps no single exhibit encapsulates Samsung’s role as a driver of innovation quite so effectively as the demo for the latest version of its Digital Cockpit platform.

This year, Samsung is inviting CES 2019 attendees to experience for themselves how the company’s latest advancements in 5G, AI and IoT technologies have allowed it to create a connected car experience that not only adds new layers of comfort to users’ daily routines, but is also seamless, intelligent, and above all, safe.

Hands-on demos illustrate how the platform’s Bixby and SmartThings support offers users seamlessly control over their home’s IoT devices when they’re in the car, in addition to enabling them to easily manage key vehicle functions from home. The platform also takes personalization to the next level – tailoring seat, temperature and entertainment settings to each passenger – and is compatible with a front-facing camera and driver-monitoring system that helps drivers focus on the road and drive safely.

The exhibit also includes an eye-catching diorama that allows guests to see exactly how Samsung’s connected driving and C-V2X (Cellular-Vehicle to Everything) technologies will transform cities just like theirs, helping people commute more safely and efficiently.

#5 Robotic Companions Are on Their Way

The robotic companions that Samsung is showcasing at this year’s event were created to enrich users’ lives, and help make a positive impact in the world by offering solutions for societal challenges affecting the ageing population, and even the environment.

Samsung City hosts a total of four different types of robots, which are being developed for use in fields ranging from elder care to retail. Enlightening demonstrations introduce the first exciting products of the company’s ‘Samsung Bot’ robotics platform, as well as the mobility-focused Samsung GEMS.

(From Left) Samsung Bot Retail, Samsung Bot Care, Samsung Bot Air. The three Samsung Bots were debuted at CES 2019.

Samsung Bot Care is the healthcare-specialized robot, which can measure user’s blood pressure, heart rate, respiration and sleeping state, and is even capable of reminding them when it’s time to take their medicine. The Samsung Bot lineup also includes Samsung Bot Retail, which streamlines ordering and payments and offers a personalized retail experience and Samsung Bot Air, which uses sensors to detect the precise source of pollution and purify the air.

Short for “Gait Enhancing and Motivating System,” Samsung GEMS assists users with walking, and can also help them strengthen their muscles and improve their mobility and balance.

And thus concludes our roundup of Samsung’s key themes for CES 2019. If you happen to be attending this year’s event, be sure to stop by the company’s booth to experience these and other dynamic innovations for yourself. And don’t forget to stay tuned to Samsung Newsroom for more updates on the company’s latest technologies.

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

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.”

The new AI technology achieves close to 8K resolution and enhanced sound quality by aligning with the unique characteristics of the specific content, a step up from typical upscaling technology used to improve image quality. So how exactly does it work? Let’s take a closer look.

Enjoy any content in 8K through Machine Learning

The world’s first 8K AI Technology that realizes a definition nearly the equivalent of 8K is based on Machine Learning. Computers or smartphones run according to directive values that humans enter. In contrast, Machine Learning refers to the way AI learns certain patterns and gives optimized answers based on various examples.

Samsung’s Machine Learning Super Resolution (MLSR) utilizes AI technology to compare low and high-quality versions of the same content to learn the technological differences between the two and form a vast database. It analyzes millions of pieces of video content and finds a correlation. Based on its analysis, it can select the optimum filters that support brightness, the level of blackness, spread and other errors from all inputs, and transform low-definition content to close to 8K high definition.

The input content is recognized as ‘real-time’ based on a frame and is enhanced by scenes, which makes it possible to upgrade image and sound quality immediately, regardless of whether the video source is live streaming or OTT (Over The Top).

8K picture quality through AI, what’s the difference?

Other upscaling techniques require human input to compare low-resolution and high-resolution scenes and find ways to reconstruct them. However, Samsung’s AI Technology enables it to self-study millions of images on its own using MLSR, allowing much-improved accuracy compared to conventional technologies.

There are three elements to improving picture quality on displays. First is ‘Detail Creation’ that sharpens the detail of expression and improves the texture to areas with low definition that have become blurry after compressing the file. Second, ‘Edge Restoration’ defines the edges of text, people or objects in a video, moving pixels on the borders to thin them down to increase legibility and visibility. For example, if text context is spreaded along the edges, the video will be adjusted around the text for clarity. In a video that shows the moon, Edge Restoration improves details of the moon’s shadow and enhances the darkness of the background for a clear distinction. Lastly, ‘Noise Reduction’ gets rid of static noises generated during high compression or recompression of files. In order to transmit an image, it is necessary to compress the image. In this process, various ‘noises’ such as a jiggling point or a squared dot can be effectively removed according to the image characteristics.

AI delivers immersive sound effects

When watching dramas or movies, realistic, immersive sounds are as important as picture quality. Samsung’s AI technology not only transforms low-definition into high-definition, but also optimizes the sound quality of content.

Conventional TVs provide multiple view settings such as movie mode and sports mode according to the genre of content. With Samsung’s new AI technology, content can be automatically analyzed by characterizing scenes to provide optimum sounds.

For example, let’s say you were watching a movie that includes musical performances. AI technology can highlight the music in a way that allows you to experience the sound as the actual characters would. When the crowd applauds after the performance is over, you would hear the clapping the same way as if you were in the crowd in the movie. When characters are speaking, AI adjusts the sound to make sure the lines are communicated clearly.

Imagine you were watching a relay broadcast of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics that started last week. AI will enhance the voice of the announcer so that you don’t miss who’s up next. When a game has started, AI will increase the background sound to deliver the liveliness of the actual game. With this tailored sound adjustment scene by scene, audiences can enjoy the best sound quality for any genre of content.

Samsung developers plan to continue to improve sound quality according to the preferences of individual viewers so that each viewer can enjoy the best TV viewing experience, right for them. Because volume patterns differ for every user, and the viewing environment can change according to the time of day and other factors, the sound will be accordingly adjusted and optimized to provide the most enjoyable experience to each individual viewer.

Why does 8K AI technology matter?

As customer needs for high-definition TVs and content increases, some terrestrial broadcasting stations have committed to working towards UHD delivery, and various IPTV and cable channels have initiated 4K UHD (3,840 × 2,160) services. However, even as the TV industry begins to launch 8K (7,680 × 4,320) TVs, the reality is that 4K content is, as of yet, still not fully utilized in homes.

In this context, Samsung has proposed a new direction for TV technology by combining 8K UHD display technology and premiere content through AI. Samsung has developed an AI algorithm that automatically enhances picture quality to solve the problem of limited high-quality content. As example, AI technology plays a key role in the 85-inch 8K QLED TV technology that Samsung introduced at CES 2018.

Samsung will begin the process of applying AI technology to its 8K QLED TVs from the second half of this year, and viewers will soon be able to enjoy UHD quality video that is nearly 8K in resolution and delivers optimized sound for any type of content. A genuine 8K era is now on the horizon, and Samsung will continue to lead the way.