Samsung Newsroom sat down with Chan Hyoung Park, Vice President of Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics, Mark Taylor, European Head of LED at Samsung Electronics, and developers Sanghoon Oh and Hyun Ji to learn more about the inspiration for the display and the future of film production.

Increased Content Immersion and Reduced Production Costs

Virtual production is a method of filmmaking that combines computer-generated imagery with live-action footage to create next-level content. The use of both physical and digital elements gives filmmakers the ability to visualize imaginative scenes in new ways.

As virtual production enables filmmakers to overcome the limitations of physical sets or environments, an increasing number of ultra-large, high-definition LED displays are being incorporated into production — saving time and cutting costs during post-production editing. Unlike chroma key green screens, which require image compositing and color correction during post-production, LED screens for virtual production can seamlessly display a breathtaking background behind moving actors.

LED walls, such as The Wall for Virtual Production, offer advantages against both these methods. With these screens, producers are able to efficiently make edits to video in real time, whilst actors experience better immersion because of the lifelike, ultra-high definition images.

▲ Mark Taylor underscores how virtual production screens increase the level of immersion for actors during filming.

Mark Taylor, European Head of LED, explained how these features make virtual production an attractive form of film production. “If producers were to add a lot of effects post-production, it takes a long time and the cost can be lot higher. But a lot of it’s actually being done in-camera. With LED walls, actors can crucially interact with the video behind them, making the experience much more immersive,” he said. “In addition, because LED is its own self-emitting light, you can put that in much brighter environments than projections, and you don’t have to use camera settings and lighting to compensate for that, resulting in more flexibility.

Adoption Throughout the Film and TV Industry

Virtual production techniques are becoming increasingly popular because of their specific advantages. Large-scale blockbuster films that require heavy visual effects began shifting to virtual production during the pandemic, and many studios have continued to use it since. Likewise, various OTT platforms have followed this trend to further market growth.

To usher in the era of virtual production, CJ ENM — a leading entertainment company in South Korea — teamed up with Samsung to install The Wall Virtual Production Stage in Paju, South Korea last May. Measuring over 1,000 inches, the custom oval display set a remarkable precedent for the next era of film and TV production and paved the way for future virtual production technology.

As adoption continues throughout the industry, annual growth of the market size is predicted to be around 18% through 2030. With applications expanding to advertising and live commerce, virtual production will set a new standard for production across various sectors.

▲ The Virtual Production market is expected to grow 18% YoY globally through 2030

Optimization of Virtual Production Studios

The Wall for Virtual Production is equipped with the latest visual technologies such as newly developed LED elements and ultra-anti-reflective film so the darkest colors show up clearly on screen even under the brightest production lights. Each screen module is built to a 4:9 ratio, slimmer than the conventional 16:9, to help reduce the angle between cabinets and thus prevent video distortion from light reflections.

“In the early stages of developing The Wall for Virtual Production, we wanted to ensure the product was suitable for diverse studio environments,” said Samsung developer Hyun Ji. “We accomplished this by creating a display that can be installed in numerous orientations such as being hung or stacked with other screens. This flexibility allows productions to adapt the screen to their sets. In addition, we’ve prevented screen distortions by reducing the product’s length and eliminating light reflection by applying ultra-anti-reflective film for more natural videos.”

▲ The Wall for Virtual Production modules are compatible with both hanging and stacking structures to fit production needs

The modular nature of The Wall for Virtual Production allows it to be constructed in a variety of forms ideal for any environment — from a perfectly flat screen to up to 6,000R curvature. Additionally, the width can be extended by any length while the height can range from 9m to 13.5m (up to 10 modules hung or 15 modules stacked). To keep the weight evenly distributed, Samsung developed a uniquely patented structure to ensure the display is stable.

“With the leveler-style supporting structure applied, the weight of the modules is evenly distributed among the cabinets,” explained Ji.

To minimize distortion when cameras are connected, The Wall boasts the highest industry refresh rate of up to 12,288Hz for unparalleled image quality. Samsung developer Sanghoon Oh explained how this refresh rate is ideal for studio production. “By achieving this impressively high refresh rate, we’ve minimized screen distortions that occur when subjects overlap or when horizontal lines form due to camera movement,” he said.

▲ Hyun Ji (left) and Sanghoon Oh who worked on the development of The Wall for Virtual Production

Aside from the impressive scale of the display, Samsung applied innovative software solutions to The Wall for Virtual Production to ensure visuals are replicated seamlessly on screen. The company equipped the display with Generator Locking (Genlock) to synchronize the screen and camera’s video signals as well as Phase Offset to adjust any delays between the camera and screen.

Oh explained how Samsung’s industry and technological expertise has helped the company perfect its products. “Samsung can respond to various market demands efficiently because the company designs and produces its own hardware — including LED modules, cabinets and S-Box (a dedicated video player) — as well as its own software solutions — such as LED Signage Manager (LSM) for LED operation control and Virtual Production Manager (VPM) for virtual production,” he said.

The Next Era of Content Production

Unveiled earlier this year, The Wall for Virtual Production has already garnered attention from industry professionals and creatives alike. “Although we’ve just begun, we’ll work to strengthen the product’s competitive market edge and lead the industry,” said Oh.

Equipped with industry-leading technologies, The Wall for Virtual Production will enhance not only the production process but the production environment as well.

“The Wall for Virtual Production maximizes digital effects while also simplifying and speeding up the video production process,” said Chan Hyoung Park, Vice President of Visual Display (VD) Business. “The display has the potential to change the film and TV landscape by reducing costs and creating a more efficient industry.”

▲ Chan Hyoung Park explains how The Wall for Virtual Production will redefine industry standards for production.

Combining extraordinary technological features with imaginative digital and visual effects, The Wall for Virtual Production is poised to lead a new era of content production.

[1] Samsung has been the No.1 selling digital signage brand for 14 consecutive years by Omdia (IHS) 23 Q2 Smart Signage History+Forecast report. (Note: Consumer TVs, along with Commercial Lite and Hospitality TVs used for signage, are excluded.)

“Micro LED technology is set to define the future of display innovation. From the luxury industry to hospitality and travel, the potential of Micro LED is endless in enabling businesses to achieve more,” said Hyesung Ha, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “ISE is the largest show of its kind in the world and we are excited to unveil our expanded lineup of The Wall. The next-generation technology of The Wall will deliver benefits beyond expectations, transforming any business and unlocking new opportunities.”

2022 The Wall – Introducing the Slimmest Ever Pixel Pitch

At ISE this year, Samsung will unveil its 2022 model of The Wall (Model name: IWB) – an innovative modular Micro LED display that delivers immersive viewing experiences in a high-resolution, large screen format. The IWB will be available in 0.63 and 0.94pixel pitches, with 0.63 being the slimmest ever pixel pitch in The Wall lineup. The new display is now available to preorder globally.

The micro pitch feature of the IWB demonstrates Samsung’s most detailed picture and dynamic range expansion with the screen’s 120Hz frame rate, HDR10/10+ and LED HDR. Following installation, The Wall provides a variety of screen sizes, accommodating 4K movies for 110-inch and up to incredible 8K quality for 220-inch to meet any consumer or business needs. This resolution capability is enhanced by the powerful Micro AI (Artificial Intelligence) Processor, which analyzes every second of content instantly and optimizes picture quality while removing noise.

The overall size of the cabinets has been increased, allowing businesses and consumers to install only four cabinets to configure the UHD screen, meaning faster and more cost-efficient operation. The display’s improved cabinet strengthens the large, high-resolution screens and improves the mechanical quality for immersive viewing while enhancing seam adjustment. In fact, the installation time has been reduced offering significant benefits to businesses compared to conventional LED signage.

The Wall is also packed with industry-leading technology. Firstly, with Multi View, The Wall enables simultaneous multi-source playback from up to four sources, all on one screen, without any additional splitter required for dynamic content display. Secondly, Black Seal Technology built into the display creates a seamless canvas for purer black levels, with an ultra-low reflective film that has been applied to minimize external light reflection. Plus, with 20-bit processing, The Wall delivers outstanding image quality and a smooth viewing experience, supported by a peak of 2,000 nits providing clearer images.

The Wall All-in-One – Innovative and Convenient Installation

Also being unveiled in Barcelona this year, is The Wall All-in-One (Model name: IAB) available in three different models: 4K 146-inch, 2K 146-inch and 2K 110-inch. This incredible, next generation display brings innovation to the installation, not just the viewing experience. The standard resolution of The Wall All-in-One is a 16:9 form factor. The product, which is only sold by screen, will be available globally following ISE 2022.

The most innovative feature of The Wall All-in-One is the convenient installation that features a pre-adjusted seam and a ‘Pre-Assembled Frame Kit.’ This kit, which makes the whole process simple as a consumer TV, includes the 16:9 form factor display’s internalized deco bezel and an embedded media player S-box, also lowering the total cost of ownership.

The Wall All-in-One offers a sleek design with display thinness of just 49mm, which is ultimately 59mm in total installation when measured from wall to screen. This slim, bezel-less infinity design provides a direct input connection on the screen without a separate device – creating a clean and convenient setup.

Additionally, together with 20-bit processing, Black Seal technology and Micro AI Processor, two 4K 146-inch screens can be installed side by side to create a 32:9 form factor model with a detachable feature creating an entire wall of outstanding image quality.

Versatile Display Lineup Adapting to a New Era – From EV Charging Station to Hybrid Classroom

Along with industry-leading Micro LED technology, Samsung is showcasing various new display products at ISE that will meet the constantly evolving needs of this new era. The new lineup will exemplify Samsung’s ongoing innovation in building solutions that include the likes of contactless communication and enhanced safety features.

Samsung’s latest 2022 outdoor line-up (Model Name: OHA 55’’, 75’’) has been verified for outdoor visibility by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), while the slim composition enables easy installation and long-term performance through certified IP56-rated protection. With its durable and high-performing hardware, the OHA can perform in a variety of conditions. One use case is electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, which are increasing in demand as the sales of electric vehicles continue to rise worldwide.

In education, Samsung continues to deliver hybrid learning experiences with its innovative product and solutions. The new 2022 Samsung Flip Pro (Model Name: WMB), available in two large 75- and 85-inch models, is an interactive whiteboard that can provide both teachers and students, with enhanced usability and specialized features to meet ever-changing education needs.

Samsung Flip Pro’s newly added USB Type-C connectivity provides integrated video control and power (65W charging), while industry-leading touch latency and multi touch features allow simultaneous collaboration for up to 20 people[1]. The newly added intuitive control panel, brightness control sensors, and the four front- and rear-facing speakers enhance the overall classroom experience and enable seamless video communication in a remote or hybrid classroom environment. Lastly, with SmartView+, up to 50 devices can be simultaneously connected to the display wirelessly, in addition to enabling multi-view on up to four screens, ideal for larger meeting rooms as well as digitized classrooms. The technology works seamlessly in the background making the product easy to use by teachers and students alike.

The ISE 2022 Virtual Experience site allows visitors to virtually experience innovative display products and solutions that will be showcased onsite.

For more information about Samsung’s impactful digital signage and solutions, please visit https://displaysolutions.samsung.com/showcase/virtual-experience/ise-2022

[1] When connecting to WorkSpace, Web browser and external devices are required.

Samsung’s signage solutions are designed to meet the real-world needs of modern businesses of all sizes. From retail and corporate, to education and control room displays, Samsung’s signage provides the quality and versatility needed to create cutting-edge customer experiences.

Samsung will launch its new ISE site to showcase this year’s event theme and share further details a month before the opening of ISE 2022. Those who cannot attend this year’s ISE can take a virtual tour at Samsung’s ISE 2022 Virtual Experience (VX), which will open on May 10 when ISE 2022 begins. The ISE 2022 VX site allows visitors to virtually experience innovative display products and solutions that will be showcased onsite. For more information about Samsung’s impactful digital signage and solutions, please visit this link.

Samsung Electronics today announced a new partnership with The Forestias by MQDC — Thailand’s biggest property development project, combining forest with residences and commercial areas.

Through this partnership, Samsung will supply its state-of-the-art display technology, The Wall, to The Forest Pavilion located at the heart of the project in Bangkok to showcase the most immersive cinematic experience. The Wall is the world’s first modular MicroLED technology that delivers incredible definition, without restrictions to size, resolution, or form. This innovation enables a 360-degree theater in The Forest Pavilion that lets the audience enjoy a one-of-a-kind visual experience.

The Wall’s high-definition, MicroLED display measures 38.707m x 3.628m (126.99ft x 11.90ft) for a total surface area of 140.43m² (1,511.18ft²). The video screen is composed of 384 cabinets that are arranged in a line to produce one single 360-degree continuous image consisting of 4 sides, with a resolution of 46,080 x 4,320 pixels (or approximately 200 million pixels)[1].

“This is one of the most exciting, world-class collaborations between leaders in novelty and sustainable living. I would like to congratulate all those involved for the strong partnership between Samsung Electronics and Thailand’s largest property development project — The Forestias by MQDC,” said Hyesung Ha, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics.

Keerin Chutumstid, President of The Forestias by MQDC, said the strong partnership with global technology leader Samsung Electronics secures its commitment to achieving its vision. The Forestias by MQDC aims to develop the best sustainable and innovative housing projects under ‘sustainnovation’ for all well-being.

“The Forestias is a sustainable, innovative forested district under MQDC`s founding principle of ‘For All Well-being’ to benefit all life on Earth. Our ‘Chamber of Secrets’ is a world-class, 360° animated theater created by our main partner T&B Media Global Co., for our visitors to experience Thailand’s first community designed for health and happiness of nature, animals and humans. Samsung’s The Wall, a state-of-the-art MicroLED modular technology, enables The Forestias by MQDC to immerse visitors in an experience that feels as close to reality as possible,” said Chutumstid.

The ‘Chamber of Secrets’ is the highlight inside The Forest Pavilion which delivers an amazing wrap-around experience surrounding the viewer with vivid images in vibrant-yet-natural colors, enhanced by the cutting-edge innovation of The Wall’s industry-leading picture quality engine which delivers true-to-life imagery.

Samsung’s The Wall is the sole innovation in the 360° animated theater that helps convey a mesmerizing immersive experience showing The Forest Pavilion, which currently functions as the sales gallery and will soon be transformed into a shared learning center for its residents.

(From left) Ruedeekorn Onsawat, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited., Apirada Puapornpong, Head of Display Business at Thai Samsung Electronics, Jennifer Song, Executive Vice President of Consumer Electronics at Thai Samsung Electronics, Keerin Chutumstid, President, Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited

About The Forestias

The Forestias is the “Enchanted Community District in The Forest”, the world’s first project where nature, animals, and people live together in a healthy, high-quality environment. The 398-rai district at Bangna-Trad KM7 addresses the world’s social and environmental challenges with ecofriendly utilities and extensive green spaces and forest. Amenities include residential projects, a business district, a 6-star boutique hotel, a community and family center, movie theaters, shops, restaurants, offices, a medical and healthcare center, an innovation center, a community area, a museum and learning center, and an extensive forest ecosystem.

For more information, visit www.theforestias.com.

[1] Exact amount of pixels is 199,065,560.

Through this partnership, Samsung will supply its state-of-the-art display technology, The Wall, to CJ ENM’s virtual studio, a part of its television and film production studio complex scheduled to open in Paju, Korea later this year. The custom virtual production volume studio will be the first in the world to leverage The Wall’s boundless LED technology, unlocking new possibilities for video content production operations and virtual production solutions. The main display will be installed in an oval shape with a diameter of 20 meters and a height of seven meters or more, creating a seemingly endless backdrop to capture content.

“We are excited to collaborate with CJ ENM to build a virtual production studio featuring Samsung’s most cutting-edge display technologies,” said Jong-hee Han, President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “With this partnership, Samsung is launching a new virtual production industry initiative with a commitment to deliver innovative products and solutions that offer the optimal environment for next-generation content production.”

This virtual production studio will use LED displays and connected cameras to create virtual settings in real-time. This solution will save time and reduce image compositing and on-location production costs while helping filmmakers to see the camera on the live-action set in any direction.

The Wall’s modular technology allows creators to design environments to their specific requirements, enabling a variety of installation options such as ceiling installation and convex or concave design, depending on the internal studio design.

The 2021 model of The Wall (Model Name: IWA) with Micro LED technology enhances visual expression with ultra-deep blacks and wide viewing angles, giving filmmakers and content creators the ultimate canvas to fulfill their visions. The modular screens are ideal for studios thanks to their precise color expression, HDR10+ and cinema LED picture quality technology and optimized frame rates for production houses. A new molding process is also applied to the modular surfaces of The Wall to minimize any moiré patterns from forming, a nuisance typically associated with filming standard LED screens.

The Wall’s massive screen measures over 1,000 inches, producing vibrant colors and details supporting up to 16K high-resolution¹ content. Dedicated frame rates for studio production, a new addition to this year’s model, allows producers to run content at frame rates such as 23.976, 29.97 and 59.94Hz, ensuring seamless videos sync with the most widely used camera framerates. Frame Rate Sync technology further reduces screen disruptions for true-to-life accuracy. With thoughtful dust and contamination-resistant LED protective films, plus a variety of easy-to-use solutions, such as remote management and color adjustment, The Wall is built for convenient management in any environment.

CJ ENM Virtual Studio Concept Visual

Both companies expect this collaboration to improve content production possibilities while satisfying a variety of customers by reimagining content production for today’s fast-paced entertainment environment.

“The strategic partnership with Samsung will allow CJ ENM to push forward the creation of a new powerhouse of the next-generation content,” said Ho-sung Kang, CJ ENM CEO. “While CJ ENM is investing $4.4 billion over the next five years in entertainment content, we are taking the lead in building a global No. 1 production studio to become a world leading entertainment company.”

About CJ ENM
CJ ENM is Asia’s leading entertainment and lifestyle company headquartered in Seoul, Korea. Since 1995, the company has engaged in a wide array of businesses across the industry spectrum including media content, music, film, performing arts, and animation, providing its top notch original content to various media platforms. CJ ENM has created, produced and distributed globally acclaimed contents including Cannes-winning film Parasite, Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots, record-breaking Korean box office hits Roaring Currents, Extreme Job, Ode to My Father, along with sought-after television series such as Crash Landing On You, Mr. Sunshine, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, Grandpas over Flowers, I Can See Your Voice and more. To offer the best K-Culture experiences worldwide, CJ ENM presents KCON/KCON:TACT, the world’s largest K-culture convention & festival celebrating Hallyu and Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), Asia’s biggest music awards. With regional offices in Asia, Europe and the U.S., CJ ENM currently employs over 3,600 people.

¹ 16K resolution is only available for horizontal layouts with a 15,360 x 2,160-pixel arrangement.

“Samsung is dedicated to creating the most innovative displays for those at the forefront of video creation and brand experiences,” said Hyesung Ha, Senior Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “The 2021 The Wall is our most immersive and versatile display yet, giving businesses complete control to create their dream environments.”

A new Micro AI Processor instantly analyzes and optimizes every frame of the video to deliver the best picture quality possible. By using up to 16 different neural network models, each trained in AI upscaling and deep learning technology, the Micro AI Processor can optimize picture quality up to 8K resolution, enhancing contrast and removing noise.

The Wall’s Black Seal Technology blankets the screen with perfect uniformity, creating a seamless canvas for purer black levels with enhanced depth delivering unparalleled contrast and immaculate detail. With 1,600 nits peak brightness, The Wall provides clear images that stand out even in bright room environments. Ultra Chroma technology produces narrower wavelengths that create RGB colors twice as pure¹ and more accurate than conventional LEDs. Each LED is now up to 40% smaller,² increasing the pure black space between pixels for enhanced color uniformity and higher picture contrast.

This year’s model is easier to install thanks to new wireless docking connections and a bezel-less design, resulting in a cabinet depth half as deep as before.³ With modular technology, The 2021 The Wall can be installed in a variety of positions, including concave, convex, ceiling, hanging, inclined and L-type. In addition, users only need to adjust once per cabinet with Factory Seam Adjustment, eliminating module-by-module adjustment and saving time.

The 2021 model offers its most detailed picture yet with the industry’s first 8K resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate and Simple 8K playback. The Wall can be configured horizontally for up to 16K resolution with a 15,360 x 2,160-pixel arrangement.⁴ Its massive screen measures in at over 1,000 inches, creating a completely expansive canvas for showcasing content.

The Wall comes built with Micro HDR and Micro Motion features, featuring 20-bit processing to deliver a consistent picture quality that is suitable across commercial environments for a smooth viewing experience regardless of location. The screen also includes four picture-by-picture screens (PBP), allowing for four different content sources, all of which can be displayed simultaneously in 4K resolution. The 4-PBP function can be used for business purposes where multi-screens are needed.

All of The Wall’s features are delivered with safety top of mind. TÜV Rheinland awarded its Eye Comfort Certification for minimized blue light emission, while its EMC Class B certification minimizes electromagnetic waves for safe installation in homes.

Samsung’s 2021 The Wall is available in select markets around the globe starting today. For more information, please visit: https://displaysolutions.samsung.com/the-wall.

¹ Figure is based on internal testing standards against Samsung’s conventional LED Signage.

² Compared to 2020 model.

³ Compared to 2020 model.

⁴ For a regular design, 16:9 ratio, 8K resolution (7,680 x 4,320) is supported.