• QLED Has Taken On Competing Technology in A Big Way.
• 8K – Set to Change How We Experience Reality.
• The Content Experience Has Given Consumers More Choice.
• How Samsung is Different.

Samsung has been a pioneer in TV design for 50 years. Over that time, Samsung has researched what people love most about TV – the way it brings friends and families together and the many details that amplifies the viewing experience. This knowledge has led to innovation that has transformed how people watch TV and is one of the reasons it has been global number 1 for the 13 years. The 2019 QLED line-up builds on this legacy in a big way.

“Pictures that are as breath-taking as they are ground-breaking” is how Forbes Magazine described the Samsung QLED TV it reviewed in February this year. This is a sentiment that has been echoed by reviewers around the world. TechRader addressed the QLED versus OLED debate by citing the Samsung 65Q90R as ‘’Capable of competing with and often surpassing even the best OLED’s.” Powered by Samsung’s patented Quantum Processor, the 2019 QLED TV line-up features more screen size options, stunning picture quality enhancements, dazzling colours from every angle, exciting new design elements and intuitive smart TV upgrades.

QLED is Leading the Way

QLED TVs use quantum dots to enhance performance, delivering better brightness and a wider colour spectrum. That’s because the dots act like a filter when applied on top of an LED backlight. This produces a light purer than an LED can provide. Beyond TV viewing, QLED is also the best for gaming as it has the fastest refresh times, which could be the difference between victory and losing your last lifeline. QLED TVs are also far brighter than current OLED TVs. For example, the 65” Q90 can push out a peak measured light output (on a white HDR window filling 10% of the screen) of 2050 nits. That’s seriously impressive.

QLED Beats the Burn

And the innovation doesn’t stop at just the quality of the overall picture but on its impressive performance in another crucial area that requires everyone’s attention. Since QLED TVs don’t use organic elements, they are essentially immune to screen burn-in. This is a display issue in which certain facets of an image shown on a TV screen, such as a channel logo are either not shown properly, or fragments of that image remain on the screen. It then appears longer, as though it is embedded onto the display. This has been cited as one of the crucial flaws of OLED TV display technology. In fact, a quick search for “OLED Burn-in” on YouTube shows the high volume of criticism from those who have experienced the issue first-hand, as well as a number of burn-in tests, which compare Samsung’s QLED TV and OLED TV to demonstrate how the two displays differ on this very critical concern. Clearly, Samsung has mastered an area that can impact viewing in a big way.

8K Pushes the Boundaries of Possibility

Samsung has declared 2019 the year of the ‘ultra-high definition 8K era’. With Samsung 8K QLED every scene is amazingly vivid and real. It’s like 3D without the glasses. With more colours than the human eye can see, infinite details and optimised audio you see, feel and hear as if the scene has come to life in front of you. Of course, because 8K is still new technology, Samsung’s intelligent Quantum Processor 8K can convert what you watching, depending on the source content, into an enhanced version with improved details and sharpened definition. This means more crystal clear and precise images with reduced noise and sharpened definition. It’s like an instant upgrade of everything you’ve seen before. Together with 8K resolution, Samsung’s HDR technology delivers maximum brightness to the scenes’ settings and conditions in the room you’re watching in. And with fewer visible pixels, you enjoy the feeling of pure immersion—even when you’re closer to the TV. This means everyone in the room has the same incredible experience at the same time.

Consumers Now Have Access to More Content Than Ever

As announced at CES 2019, Samsung has taken the user experience to the next level by offering iTunes Movies and TV Shows and Apple AirPlay 2 support on 2019 Samsung Smart TV models. In an industry first, a new iTunes Movies and TV Shows app is available on the QLED range. It works seamlessly with Samsung’s Smart TV Services, the new Voice Command and Search, to create a consistent experience across Samsung’s platform. With AirPlay 2 support, Samsung customers will be able to effortlessly play videos, photos, music, podcasts and more from Apple devices directly to Samsung Smart TVs, including QLED 4K and 8K TVs as well as other Samsung UHD and HD models. Additionally, it works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Our 2019 QLED line is designed for users who want the best combination of picture quality, smart TV capabilities and design. This year’s line-up represents our largest screen size offering ever. It brings together innovative feature enhancements and exciting content and service partnerships to deliver a truly ground-breaking viewing experience and unprecedented value.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 23 April 2019 –  Samsung announced today that its 2019 TV line, including new QLED 4K and 8K models, are available at select retailers nationwide from May. Powered by Samsung’s proprietary Quantum Processor, the 2019 QLED TV line-up features more screen size options, stunning picture quality enhancements, dazzling colours from every angle, exciting new design elements and intuitive smart TV upgrades.

“Our 2019 QLED line is designed for users who want the best combination of picture quality, smart TV capabilities and design,” said Reginald Nxumalo, Director of Consumer Electronics at Samsung South Africa. “This year’s line-up represents our largest screen size offering ever. It brings together innovative feature enhancements and exciting content and service partnerships to deliver a truly ground-breaking viewing experience and unprecedented value.”

A More Pristine Picture

The 2019 Q80 and Q90 feature ‘Ultra Viewing Angle’ technology, which restructures the TV’s panels so the backlight passes through the panel with lights evenly onto the screen. Engineered to reduce glare and enhance colour, Ultra Viewing Angle provides a vibrant picture regardless of the viewing position. In addition, Q70, Q80, and Q90 models offer Direct Full Array technology that uses a panel featuring concentrated zones of precision-controlled LEDs. These LEDs adjust automatically to display deeper blacks and purer whites, delivering stunning images with pristine contrast.

A More Intelligent Quantum Processor

Q900 Series 8K TVs incorporate Samsung’s proprietary Quantum Processor 8K, which up-scales lower resolution content to stunningly crisp 8K while also allowing for playback of native 8K content. This year’s models also utilise the Quantum Processor 8K that optimises audio and video to the specific content on the screen. It can create an even more detailed sound experience by tailoring the audio settings to the specific layout of the room.

Samsung’s new QLED 4K models also feature their own proprietary Quantum Processor 4K, which can use AI upscaling to deliver improved brightness, picture quality and sound optimised for each scene.

As announced at CES 2019, Samsung will take the user experience to the next level by offering iTunes Movies and TV Shows and Apple AirPlay 2 support on 2019 Samsung Smart TV models. Support on 2018 Samsung Smart TVs will be made available via firmware update. In an industry first, a new iTunes Movies and TV Shows app will debut on Samsung Smart TVs in more than 100 countries. AirPlay 2 support will be available soon on Samsung Smart TVs in 190 countries worldwide.

Using the new iTunes Movies and TV Shows app on Samsung Smart TVs, Samsung customers can access their existing iTunes library and browse the iTunes Store to buy or rent from a selection of hundreds of thousands of movies and TV episodes — including the largest selection of 4K HDR movies. iTunes Movies and TV Shows will work seamlessly with Samsung’s Smart TV Services, the new Voice Command and Search, to create a consistent experience across Samsung’s platform. With AirPlay 2 support, Samsung customers will be able to effortlessly play videos, photos, music, podcasts and more from Apple devices directly to Samsung Smart TVs, including QLED 4K and 8K TVs as well as other Samsung UHD and HD models.

A More Convenient Content Experience

2019 Samsung Smart TVs offer even more ways for users to discover and watch content. It features an improved AI algorithm that leverages a user’s subscription services, favourite content, and TV viewing habits to offer customised recommendations about what to watch. Users will be able to leverage the new Voice Command on 2019 QLED TVs and soon use Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant to easily control their TVs and access their content through voice commands. They can quickly and easily navigate their content with Samsung’s OneRemote. And with the addition of Far Field Voice Capability on the OneRemote, users can use voice commands to control their TV even if they are across the room from their remote.

A More Immersive Gaming Experience

Real Game Enhancer optimises the gaming experience through a unique set of gaming features. This year, Real Game Enhancer features AMD Radeon Freesync variable refresh rate technology, which helps prevent tearing and stuttering, as well as Game Motion Plus, which removes motion blur and judder. Real Game Enhancer combines these technical innovations with Auto Game Mode, which minimises input lag on compatible devices. It also includes AI-based audio and video enhancements that optimise the settings to delivering cinematic sound and smooth, lifelike visuals that can remain clear even during bright and dark scenes. Ambient Mode complements any living space by turning a blank screen into a decorative or informational display when the TV is not in active use.  It can display artistic content like photos and works of art. This year, Ambient Mode offers users an even greater variety of artistic and decorative pieces for the home, through new decorative patterns, photos, and artwork and mattes, as well as new ways to display information on the TV.

A More Comprehensive Line-up

Samsung’s QLED line-up offers 4K and 8K models in a range of sizes from 55” to 98” to suit the needs of every home and every lifestyle.

For a limited period, from 24 April to 5 May 2019, you will receive a Samsung soundbar with every 2019 QLED TV purchase. This offer will be available from your nearest participating retailer. All QLED purchases come with Samsung Signature Service which includes delivery and installation. Stock is limited. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information on Samsung’s 2019 QLED TV line-up, please visit SSA Newsroom

If you enjoy browsing the newest TVs when visiting your local big box store or are among the millions who subscribe to streaming movie and TV services, it’s very likely you’ve come across the term 4K HDR by now.

As definitions, 4K refers to a screen resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels, or four times the level of full high definition (Full HD) at 1,920 x 1,080 pixels. HDR, which stands for high dynamic range, is a recently introduced technology that dramatically enhances contrast ratio (or how bright and dark a TV can get) as well as a TV’s ability to express many more brilliant colours to display content perfectly true-to-the-source. In fact, with the significant difference that HDR provides, many experts have taken to calling it the ‘future of TV’.

While both 4K and HDR are advancements in their own rights, combined together, 4K HDR content takes picture quality to a whole new level and is simply jaw dropping in terms of the utter realism, brilliant colour, and immersive experience it provides. With no hyperbole intended, 4K HDR delivers a TV viewing experience which simply hasn’t been seen before.

Given the expectations for how 4K HDR will re-shape the industry, major content services like Amazon, Netflix, YouTube and others are already providing content in 4K HDR, with the number of titles expanding daily. New 4K HDR TVs and HDR media players are also being introduced to the market at a rapid pace.

Choosing the Right 4K HDR TV

In line with this trend, if you’re currently on the market for a new TV, it makes sense to consider one that is 4K HDR enabled. However, with people still learning about this new technology, how do you choose the ideal 4K HDR TV that will display 4K HDR content in the way it deserves?

The easiest way will be to look for the ULTRA HD PREMIUM logo which is issued by the UHD Alliance for products and services that meet or exceed strict performance levels for 4K resolution, HDR, and wide colour spectrum.

To provide, however, further understanding of a TV able to do justice to 4K HDR content, it’ll be helpful to look at the example of Samsung’s new QLED TV. Introduced at this year’s CES, and quickly capturing industry attention, the new QLED TV provides insights into three key criteria when it comes to choosing the best 4K HDR TV for 4K HDR content:

• What is the TV’s colour volume?
• Does the TV utilize advanced HDR (at least 1000nit image source)?
• How is the TV’s brightness and contrast?

Let’s explore each of these criteria more deeply.

Key Criteria #1: Colour Volume

To display 4K HDR content at its best, it’ll be important to become familiar with the concept of colour volume, and to look for a TV that offers 100% colour volume.

While Samsung Newsroom has covered colour volume in-depth in a previous post, this exacting standard of colour expression measures two elements of the TV with three-dimensional space – the colour gamut and the brightness level. The colour gamut looks at the amount of colours that can be displayed physically. The peak brightness represents the display’s maximum brightness level. The larger the colour gamut and the higher the brightness, the bigger the colour volume of the TV.

For its part, Samsung’s new QLED TV combines quantum dot light and RGB colour for 100 percent colour volume expression—the first TV to be validated as such by the world-class testing and certification association, Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker (VDE).

QLED is able to achieve 100% colour volume and precise colours through the unique combination of quantum dot light and a pure RGB colour filter

What this means for 4K HDR content is that Samsung QLED will display the content with absolutely precise colour accuracy, as realistic as it gets, and exactly as the director intended

Key Criteria #2: Advanced HDR Utilization

While HDR, as mentioned earlier, is a relatively recent advancement, it’s important to understand that there are already variations to this new technology in particular involving the nit level (or visible-light intensity) a particular HDR-type is able to capture.

When it comes to 4K HDR content, the key will be to keep in mind the requirement of 1000nit. In short, a TV that cannot capture a 1000nit image source will not be able to depict content, particularly 4K HDR, completely true-to-the-source.

Different from other sets being introduced to the market, Samsung took the initiative to integrate HDR capabilities able to express a peak brightness of up to 1500-2000nit (surpassing the 1000nit requirement) into its QLED TV. Samsung QLED TV’s advanced HDR capability ensures it is able to depict 4K HDR content with perfect true-to-the-source accuracy, just as the directors intended.

Advanced HDR technology expresses every detail just as the director intended

Key Criteria #3: Brightness and Contrast

The final criteria to consider in choosing the ideal 4K HDR TV is the TV’s brightness and contrast, specifically the peak levels of brightness the TV is able to achieve. In addition to deep blacks, many experts consider a TV’s brightness levels to be key to outstanding picture quality given the significant difference of varying brightness levels to the human eye. Brightness is also critical given the different lighting conditions of many home and other environments, and will be a decisive factor in ensuring that 4K HDR content is getting the best expression possible.

Samsung QLED TV’s brilliant light source, based on quantum dot, also helps it produce exceptional brightness and contrast in any setting ensuring 4K HDR content will get the play it deserves in diverse home and other environments.

As the year continues, it’s no doubt you’ll be hearing much more about 4K HDR – from new content and titles to TV and media hardware. The dawning of the 4K HDR era promises to be an exciting one, and we hope you stay tuned as Samsung continues to introduce further innovations in this area.

Samsung Electronics’ new QLED TVs provide insight what makes for a great gaming TV, for example being free from the troublesome issue of image retention (commonly referred to as “burn-in”) which can occur after longtime game play. Here are the specific requirements that make for a great gaming TV:

Free from Image Retention (Burn-In)

One of the serious problems plaguing gamers is image retention. Image retention is a phenomenon that occurs when a static image gets imprinted on a TV screen after being displayed for an extended period. When this imprint becomes permanent, it is then referred to as “burn-in.” As a well-known consumer tech publication RTINGS has pointed out, it is a problem for gamers because they often have parts of the screen that are static, which are more likely to cause burn-in.

While image retention is not an issue for QLED TVs, OLED TVs where each pixel is individually controlled continue to suffer from the problem. Since a thread on OLED screen’s burn-in problem was posted on AVS Forum, an online community and platform focused on home-based audio and video entertainment, there were hundreds of postings actively discussing issues of image retention. For OLED, each pixel has different lifespans because they are lit individually. The longer the pixel is turned on, the shorter its lifespan, compromising the brightness of the light and causing part of the image to be retained.

Recently, articles, images, and videos on OLED TV burn-in are easily found on Google, AVS Forums and other online outlets.

High Peak Luminance

OLED TVs provide a high contrast due to their ability to render deep blacks in a dark room. However, while this quality may be an attractive option for watching movies in darkness, it is less of a concern for gamers. Unlike people who primarily use their TVs to watch movies, gamers tend to use their devices in rooms with some ambient lighting.  QLED TVs on the other hand offer better performance in terms of peak luminance. Most OLED TVs offer peak luminance levels in the 600-700 nit range while QLEDs can get significantly brighter, with the latest models reaching 1500 nits and even 2000 nits.

Low Input Lag (Latency)

Input lag is the delay between performing an action (pressing a button or moving a joystick) to the intended affect occurring on screen. When measuring input lag, a high number means the more sluggish the game will feel, especially first-person shooter or racing games. Too much latency can literally kill your videogame character if the TV is too slow to process the action. Samsung QLED TVs consistently deliver the lowest input lag, with times measuring between 20ms and 25ms once Game mode has been engaged whereas current-generation OLEDs are hampered by high input lag when compared to QLED displays.

Enhanced Colour Volume

Many video games are more colourful than movies, so gamers should look for TVs that can provide enhanced colour volume for better picture quality. QLED TVs can provide higher levels of color saturation in highlights compared to OLED TVs. Samsung’s 2017 QLED TV unveiled at CES 2017 received verification from world-class testing and certification association, Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker (VDE), for its ability to produce 100 percent color volume, meaning it can capture even the subtlest differences in color pertaining to brightness.

Game-specific Optimization

Additionally, Samsung has also made it easier for users to activate Game Mode – a feature that optimizes image settings when connected to a PC or a game console by disabling the standard image processing the TV normally performs and allows the game itself to adjust the settings to provide the best picture for that game. Previously, Game Mode was buried deep in the user menu, making it difficult to activate. Samsung’s 2017 models have made it more accessible, placing it within the Picture menu.

At Samsung, we strive to deliver products that reflect a consumer’s lifestyle. For gamers, we are proud to create a variety of QLED TVs that meet their needs and provide crisp, bright and colorful images for the next generation of video games.