Some of the improvements came through upgraded industry standards. For example, the entertainment industry has gradually increased screen resolution to make clearer images; from Standard Definition (SD) to High Definition (HD) and now Ultra High Definition (UHD). Another recent advancement is High Dynamic Range (HDR), which allows production studios, content distributors, and TV manufacturers to offer brighter and more colourful video.

Some of the improvements come from innovations provided by each company. For example, when Samsung first introduced the LED TV, consumers were able to enjoy images several times brighter than conventional LCD TVs.

In 2015, Samsung started to apply quantum dot technology to its flagship SUHD TVs. Now with more and more industry partners gearing towards HDR, the marriage between Quantum Dots and HDR offers viewers a whole new era of home entertainment.

HDR1000: Jack It Up to 1,000 Nits

Although there are many devices that can show HDR content, not all HDRs are equal. Colours are perceived by light; and with the wider range of both luminance and colours for HDR, it is important that the TV can cover the brighter side of the spectrum. HDR1000 means the device is capable of showing at least 1,000 nits* at peak brightness. This intensity of luminance is considered an industry-top level.

Dealing with higher brightness levels poses challenges as it normally means the display device consumes more energy. Higher brightness levels can also cause the device to generate more heat and without proper measures, excessive heat could pose a threat on the product’s lifespan.

With SUHD TVs that feature Quantum dot technology, however, Samsung has an answer that allows TV sets to hit those brightness levels of up to 1,000 nits without the pain points. This is in part thanks to the photo-active property of quantum dots, which makes them very energy-efficient. Samsung was actually able to improve the overall energy efficiency of its 2016 SUHD TVs while enabling the set to hit 1,000 nits. 

One Billion Colours

Quantum dots also emit a very pure colour, which helps quantum dot displays show much more accurate colours. And by using these accurate reds, greens, and blues, it is able to display broader range of colours. On the other hand, light from conventional fluorescents tend to get mixed with adjacent colours, dropping the range of colours conventional TVs can show. In fact, Samsung’s 2016 SUHD TVs with Quantum Dot technology are able to show up to one billion colours – 64 times more colour than the average TV.

This broad range of colours, along with the level of brightness quantum dot allows SUHD TVs to show, allows Samsung to offer richer pictures – closer to the real world than ever.

This requires collaboration from across the industry. Cameras need to record more accurate video; post production studios need to control the brightness, contrast, colour, and highlights to allow their intended image to be shown on the screen; distribution channels need to find a way to relay all that information in an agreed standard; set manufacturers need to make better panels and algorithms to recreate what the previously mentioned partners handed over.The final image or video you see on your screen is usually only as good as the worst link in the aforementioned chain.

There are many ways to improve picture quality; one example is UHD (or 4K), where the industry came together to present more pixels in a given screen. Another one of the latest developments in this regard is High Dynamic Range (or HDR) which, in a nutshell, helps produce ‘better’ pixels.

 

HDR Allows for Improved Brightness and Colour Accuracy

Many TV standards are stuck at an outdated 100 nits* – defined in the days of CRT TVs. In producing video for these standards, a lot of details in the dark and colours were lost. We’ve come a long ways since. Following numerous advances in technology, the collective industry has found ways to convey more of the original, or intended, video.

The range of luminance levels have been increased so that whites are whiter and blacks are blacker. The range of colours has also been increased so even colours can be more detailed. We call the previous range Standard Dynamic Range (or SDR), and the new broader range is called High Dynamic Range.

… And It’s A World of A Difference

For years, with each new TV, you’ve heard that colours are better than the previous set. But as HDR threads the efforts from across the industry, the difference is really self-evident. The details, previously lost in the shadows or glares, really stand out. Below is an example:

Look For the UHD Alliance Premium Certification

As previously mentioned, the industry needs to work together to bring about meaningful improvements in picture quality. In a joint effort to find ways to provide better picture quality, over 30 members from around the industry came together to form the UHD Alliance including production studios, content networks, tech companies, and TV manufacturers.

The UHDA has created Ultra HD Premium, a certification program that sets out the technical standards TV sets, contents, and distribution channels have to meet if they are to deliver the highest levels of picture quality. TVs bearing the Ultra HD Premium logo (such as Samsung’s SUHD TV) support HDR content. Meanwhile, compatible video material including streaming and Blu-ray releases likewise carry the label, certifying that their contents also meets the group’s standards.

In technical terms, this means that TVs needs to meet standards of the likes of HDR10 (colour depth based on 10-bit signal), peak brightness/black level combination (at least 1000 nits peak brightness and less than 0.05 nits black level), etc. But all in all, the average consumer need only look for the UHD Premium logo.

Gaining Momentum

A range of content providers have been quick to climb aboard the HDR boat. Major providers have already started to provide premium streaming services with HDR.

And there is more to follow. The Samsung Ultra HD Blu-ray Player was released this year, and is compatible with SUHD TV devices. Distributors also say they are planning to release more and more HDR10 Blue-ray disc titles in 2016.

Considering it has been only around a year and a half since Samsung unveiled its first HDR solution at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2015, the technology’s progress has been nothing short of extraordinary.

For users, the true difference comes with the viewing experience. HDR works in tandem with the human eye, concentrating on contrast in dark areas and creating distinguishing subtle colour differences in brighter areas.

Breakthroughs come think and fast in the world of TV, but with HDR now seemingly taking the fore, the way we watch is about to change forever. Television viewers could be standing on the verge of a future brighter than anyone has ever foreseen.

* A nit is a standard unit of luminance, frequently used in measuring the brightness of display devices. One nit is the luminous intensity of a candle lighting an area of one square meter.