Samsung Electronics has announced that its latest line-up of QLED TVs has received ‘Real Quantum Dot Display’ certification from TÜV Rheinland, an international certification organisation based in Germany. The certification verifies that Samsung’s QLED TVs meet global standards for quantum dot display structure, reinforcing the company’s top technological position in the premium TV market.

The certification confirms that Samsung QLED TVs comply with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 62595-1-6 standard, which defines the application of quantum dot (QD) light converting unit combined with blue light sources for standard QLED displays.

As part of the certification process, TÜV Rheinland analysed the light spectrum produced by Samsung QLED TVs and confirmed that it displayed clear separation between red, green and blue — an important marker of colour accuracy. This distinction is enabled by quantum dots and may not be as pronounced in displays using alternative materials, which can sometimes cause colour mixing or reduced clarity.

The results demonstrate how Samsung’s use of quantum dots contributes to delivering vivid and precise colour expression. With the latest certification, Samsung’s QLED TVs are officially validated as true quantum dot displays, further differentiating Samsung’s offerings and strengthening consumer trust in premium television technologies.

“This certification objectively validates that Samsung QLED TVs deliver true quantum dot performance built to international standards,” said Taeyong Son, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to drive innovation and strengthen consumer trust as we strive to dominate the premium TV market.”

The series that have received certification include the Neo QLED 8K (QN990F, QN900F), Neo QLED 4K (QN90F, QN85F, QN80F, QN70F) and QLED 4K (Q8F, Q7F, Q6F) series.

Quantum dots are ultra-fine nanomaterials, tens of thousands of times smaller than a human hair, renowned for their ability to reproduce precise and vivid colours depending on light wavelength. The method by which quantum dots are integrated into display panels has become a key indicator for evaluating technological advancement in the premium TV segment.

Separately, Samsung’s quantum dot technology has also been recognised by global testing organisation Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) for its excellence in cadmium-free design — an environmentally conscious approach that eliminates the use of cadmium, a toxic heavy metal known to pose risks to human health and the environment.

The academic world took notice. The successful commercialization of cadmium-free quantum dot TVs not only set a new direction for research and development but also played a pivotal role in the awarding of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots.

Following Part 1, Samsung Newsroom uncovers how Samsung has contributed to academia through groundbreaking advances in material innovation.

▲ (From left) Taeghwan Hyeon, Doh Chang Lee and Sanghyun Sohn

Why Cadmium Was the Starting Point for Quantum Dot Research

“I was truly impressed that Samsung succeeded in commercializing a no-cadmium quantum dot display product.”

 — Taeghwan Hyeon, Seoul National University

Quantum dots began attracting scientific interest in the 1980s when Aleksey Yekimov, former Chief Scientist at Nanocrystals Technology Inc., and Louis E. Brus, a professor emeritus in the Department of Chemistry at Columbia University, each published their researches on the quantum confinement effect and the size-dependent optical properties of quantum dots.

Momentum accelerated in 1993 when Moungi Bawendi, a professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), developed a reliable method for synthesizing quantum dots. In 2001, Taeghwan Hyeon, a distinguished professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Seoul National University (SNU), invented the “heat-up process” — a technique for producing uniform nanoparticles without the need for size-selective separation. In 2004, Hyeon published a scalable production method in the academic journal Nature Materials — a discovery widely regarded as a potential game changer in the industry.

▲ Taeghwan Hyeon

However, these efforts did not immediately lead to commercialization. At the time, quantum dots relied heavily on cadmium(Cd) as a core material — a substance known to be harmful to humans and designated as a restricted material under the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive.

“Currently, the only materials capable of reliably producing quantum dots are cadmium selenide (CdSe) and indium phosphide (InP),” explained Hyeon. “Cadmium selenide, the conventional quantum dot material, is a compound of group II and group VI elements, while indium phosphide is formed from group III and group V elements. Synthesizing quantum dots from group II and VI elements is relatively straightforward, but combining group III and V elements is chemically much more complex.”

▲ A comparison of cadmium-based quantum dots with ionic bonds and indium-based quantum dots with covalent bonds

Cadmium, an element with two valence electrons, forms strong ionic bonds^[1] with elements like selenium (Se), sulfur (S) and tellurium (Te) — each of which has six valence electrons. These combinations result in stable semiconductors, known as II–VI semiconductors, materials that have long been favored in research for their ability to produce high-quality nanocrystals even at relatively low temperatures. As a result, the use of cadmium in quantum dot synthesis was considered an academic standard for many years.

In contrast, indium (In) — an alternative to cadmium with three valence electrons — forms covalent bonds^[2] with elements such as phosphorus (P), which has five valence electrons. Covalent bonds are generally less stable than ionic bonds and have a directional nature, increasing the likelihood of defects during nanocrystal synthesis. These characteristics have made indium a challenging material to work with in both research and mass production.

“It is difficult to achieve high crystallinity in quantum dots made from indium phosphide,” Lee noted. “A complex and demanding synthesis process is required to meet the quality standards necessary for commercialization.”

 No Compromise – From Breakthrough to Mass Production

“There is simply no room for compromise when it comes to consumer safety.”

— Sanghyun Sohn, Samsung Electronics

Samsung, however, took a different approach.

“We had been researching and developing quantum dot technology since 2001,” said Sanghyun Sohn, Head of Advanced Display Lab, Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics. “But early on, we determined that cadmium — which is harmful to the human body — was not suitable for commercialization. While regulations in some countries technically allow up to 100 parts per million (ppm) of cadmium in electronic products, Samsung adopted a zero-cadmium policy from the start. No cadmium, no compromise — that was our strategy. There is simply no room for compromise when it comes to consumer safety.”

▲ Sanghyun Sohn

Samsung’s long-standing commitment to its principle of “No Compromise on Safety” came to the forefront in 2014 when the company successfully developed the world’s first no-cadmium quantum dot material. To ensure both durability and image quality, Samsung introduced a triple-layer protective coating technology that shields indium phosphide nanoparticles from external factors such as oxygen and light. The following year, Samsung launched the world’s first commercial SUHD TV with no-cadmium quantum dots — a paradigm shift in the display industry and the culmination of research efforts that began in the early 2000s.

“Indium phosphide-based quantum dots are inherently unstable and more difficult to synthesize compared to their cadmium-based counterparts, initially achieving only about 80% of the performance of cadmium-based quantum dots,” said Sohn. “However, through an intensive development process at the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), we successfully raised performance to 100% and ensured reliability for more than 10 years.”

▲ The three components of quantum dots

Quantum dots found in Samsung QLEDs are composed of three key components — a core, where light is emitted; a shell, which protects the core and stabilizes its structure; and a ligand, a polymer coating that enhances oxidation stability outside the shell. The essence of quantum dot technology lies in the seamless integration of these three elements, an advanced industrial process that spans from material acquisition and synthesis to mass production and the filing of numerous patents.

“None of the three components — core, shell or ligand can be overlooked,” added Lee. “Samsung’s technology for indium phosphide synthesis is outstanding.”

“Developing a technology in the lab is a challenge in itself, but commercialization requires an entirely different level of effort to ensure product stability and consistent color quality,” said Hyeon. “I was truly impressed that Samsung succeeded in commercializing a no-cadmium quantum dot display product.”

Setting the Quantum Dot Standard

“Research trends in the academic community shifted noticeably before and after the release of Samsung’s quantum dot TVs.”

— Doh Chang Lee, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

The optical properties of quantum dots are being applied to a wide range of fields, including solar cells, medicine and quantum computing. However, the quantum dot display remains the most actively researched and widely commercialized application to date — with Samsung emerging as a pioneer.

Building on years of foundational research and the introduction of its SUHD TVs, Samsung launched its QLED TVs in 2017 and set a new standard for premium displays. In 2022, the company pushed innovation further with the debut of QD-OLED TVs — the world’s first display to combine quantum dots with an OLED structure.

▲ A comparison of LCD, QLED and QD-OLED structures

QD-OLED is a next-generation display technology that integrates quantum dots into the self-emissive structure of OLED. This approach enables faster response times, deeper blacks and higher contrast ratios. Samsung’s QD-OLED was awarded Display of the Year in 2023 by the Society for Information Display (SID), the world’s largest organization dedicated to display technologies.

“Samsung has not only led the market with its indium phosphide-based quantum dot TVs but also remains the only company to have successfully integrated and commercialized quantum dots in OLEDs,” said Sohn. “By leveraging our leadership in quantum dot technology, we will continue to lead the future of display innovation.”

▲ Doh Chang Lee

“Research trends in the academic community shifted noticeably before and after the release of Samsung’s quantum dot TVs,” said Doh Chang Lee, a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). “Since its launch, discussions have increasingly focused on practical applications rather than the materials themselves, reflecting the potential for real-world implementation through display technologies.”

“There have been many attempts to apply quantum dots in various fields including photocatalysis,” he added. “But these efforts remain in the early stages compared to their use in displays.”

Hyeon also noted that the successful commercialization of Samsung’s quantum dot TVs helped pave the way for Bawendi, Brus and Yekimov to receive the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

“One of the most important criteria for the Nobel Prize is the extent to which a technology has contributed to humanity through commercialization,” he said. “Samsung’s QLED represents one of the most significant achievements in nanotechnology. Without its commercialization, it would have been difficult for quantum dots to earn Nobel recognition.”

Samsung’s Vision for Tomorrow’s Displays

Since the launch of its QLED TVs, Samsung has accelerated the growth of quantum dot technology in both industry and academia. When asked about the future of quantum dot displays, the experts shared their insights on what lies ahead.

“As a next-generation technology, we are currently exploring self-emissive quantum dots,” said Sohn. “Until now, quantum dots have relied on external light source to express red and green. Going forward, we aim to develop quantum dots that emit light independently through electroluminescence — producing all three primary colors by injecting electrical energy. We are also working on the development of blue quantum dots.”

“As electroluminescent materials make it possible to reduce the size of device components, we’ll be able to achieve the high resolution, efficiency and brightness required for virtual and augmented reality applications,” said Lee, predicting a major transformation in the future of displays.

“A good display is one the viewer doesn’t even recognize as a display,” said Sohn. “The ultimate goal is to deliver an experience that feels indistinguishable from reality. As a leader in quantum dot display innovation, we will proudly continue to move forward.”

With its continued leadership and bold technological vision, Samsung is shaping the future of displays and rewriting what’s possible with quantum dots.

^[1] An ionic bond is a chemical bond formed when electrons are transferred between atoms, creating ions that are held together by electrical attraction.
^[2]  A covalent bond is a chemical bond in which two atoms share electrons

Quantum dots — ultra-fine semiconductor particles — emit different colors of light depending on their size, producing exceptionally pure and vivid hues. Samsung Electronics, the world’s leading TV manufacturer, has embraced this cutting-edge material to enhance display performance.

Samsung Newsroom sat down with Taeghwan Hyeon, a distinguished professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Seoul National University (SNU); Doh Chang Lee, a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST); and Sanghyun Sohn, Head of Advanced Display Lab, Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics, to explore how quantum dots are ushering in a new era of display technology.

• Understanding the Band Gap
• Quantum Dots – The Smaller the Particle, the Larger the Band Gap
• Engineering Behind Quantum Dot Films
• Real QLED TVs Use Quantum Dots To Create Color

Understanding the Band Gap

“To understand quantum dots, one must first grasp the concept of the band gap.”

— Taeghwan Hyeon, Seoul National University

The movement of electrons causes electricity. Typically, the outermost electrons — known as valence electrons — are involved in this movement. The energy range where these electrons exist is called the valence band, while a higher, unoccupied energy range that can accept electrons is called the conduction band.

An electron can absorb energy to jump from the valence band to the conduction band. When the excited electron releases that energy, it falls back into the valence band. The energy difference between these two bands — the amount of energy an electron must gain or lose to move between them — is known as the band gap.

▲ A comparison of energy band structures in insulators, semiconductors and conductors

Insulators like rubber and glass have large band gaps, preventing electrons from moving freely between bands. In contrast, conductors like copper and silver have overlapping valence and conduction bands — allowing electrons to move freely for high electrical conductivity.

Semiconductors have a band gap that falls between those of insulators and conductors — limiting conductivity under normal conditions but allowing electrical conduction or light emission when electrons are stimulated by heat, light or electricity.

“To understand quantum dots, one must first grasp the concept of the band gap,” said Hyeon, emphasizing that a material’s energy band structure is crucial in determining its electrical properties.

Quantum Dots – The Smaller the Particle, the Larger the Band Gap

“As quantum dot particles become smaller, the wavelength of emitted light shifts from red to blue.”

— Doh Chang Lee, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

Quantum dots are nanoscale semiconductor crystals with unique electrical and optical properties. Measured in nanometers (nm) — or one-billionth of a meter — these particles are just a few thousandths the thickness of a human hair. When a semiconductor is reduced to the nanometer scale, its properties change significantly compared to its bulk state.

In bulk states, particles are sufficiently large so the electrons in the semiconductor material can move freely without being constrained by their own wavelength. This allows energy levels — the states that particles occupy when absorbing or releasing energy — to form a continuous spectrum, like a long slide with a gentle slope. In quantum dots, electron movement is restricted because the particle size is smaller than the electron’s wavelength.

▲ Size determines the band gap in quantum dots

Imagine scooping water (energy) from a large pot (bulk state) with a ladle (bandwidth corresponding to an electron’s wavelength). Using the ladle, one can adjust the amount of water in the pot freely from full to empty — this is the equivalent of continuous energy levels. However, when the pot shrinks to the size of a teacup — like a quantum dot — the ladle no longer fits. At that point, the cup can only be either full or empty. This illustrates the concept of quantized energy levels.

“When semiconductor particles are reduced to the nanometer scale, their energy levels become quantized — they can only exist in discontinuous steps,” said Hyeon. “This effect is called ‘quantum confinement.’ And at this scale, the band gap can be controlled by adjusting particle size.”

The number of molecules within the particle decreases as the size of the quantum dot decreases, resulting in weaker interactions of molecular orbitals. This strengthens the quantum confinement effect and increases the band gap.

^[1] Because the band gap corresponds to the energy released through relaxation of an electron from the conduction band to the valence band, the color of the emitted light changes accordingly.

“As particles become smaller, the wavelength of emitted light shifts from red to blue,” said Lee. “In other words, the size of the quantum dot nanocrystal determines its color.”

Engineering Behind Quantum Dot Films

“Quantum dot film is at the core of QLED TVs — a testament to Samsung’s deep technical expertise.”

— Doh Chang Lee, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

Quantum dots have attracted attention across a variety of fields, including solar cells, photocatalysis, medicine and quantum computing. However, the display industry was the first to successfully commercialize the technology.

“One of the reasons Samsung focused on quantum dots is the exceptionally narrow peaks of their emission spectrum,” said Sohn. “Their narrow bandwidth and strong fluorescence make them ideal for accurately reproducing a wide spectrum of colors.”

▲ Quantum dots create ultra-pure red, green and blue (RGB) colors by controlling light at the nanoscale, producing narrow bandwidth and strong fluorescence.

To leverage quantum dots effectively in display technology, materials and structures must maintain high performance over time, under harsh conditions. Samsung QLED achieves this through the use of a quantum dot film.

“Accurate color reproduction in a display depends on how well the film utilizes the optical properties of quantum dots,” said Lee. “A quantum dot film must meet several key requirements for commercial use, such as efficient light conversion and translucence.”

▲ Sanghyun Sohn

The quantum dot film used in Samsung QLED displays is produced by adding a quantum dot solution to a polymer base heated to a very high-temperature, spreading it into a thin layer and then curing it. While this may sound simple, the actual manufacturing process is highly complex.

“It’s like trying to evenly mix cinnamon powder into sticky honey without making lumps — not an easy task,” said Sohn. “To evenly disperse quantum dots throughout the film, several factors such as materials, design and processing conditions must be carefully considered.”

Despite these challenges, Samsung pushed the boundaries of the technology. To ensure long-term durability in its displays, the company developed proprietary polymer materials specifically optimized for quantum dots.

“We’ve built extensive expertise in quantum dot technology by developing barrier films that block moisture and polymer materials capable of evenly dispersing quantum dots,” he added. “Through this, we not only achieved mass production but also reduced costs.”

Thanks to this advanced process, Samsung’s quantum dot film delivers precise color expression and outstanding luminous efficiency — all backed by industry-leading durability.

“Brightness is typically measured in nits, with one nit equivalent to the brightness of a single candle,” explained Sohn. “While conventional LEDs offer around 500 nits, our quantum dot displays can reach 2,000 nits or more — the equivalent of 2,000 candles — achieving a new level of image quality.”

▲ RGB gamut comparisons between visible light spectrum, sRGB and DCI-P3 in a CIE 1931 color space

* CIE 1930: A widely used color system announced in 1931 by the Commission internationale de l’éclairage
* sRGB (standard RGB): A color space created cooperatively by Microsoft and HP in 1996 for monitors and printers
* DCI-P3 (Digital Cinema Initiatives – Protocol 3): A color space widely used for digital HDR content, defined by Digital Cinema Initiatives for digital projectors

By leveraging quantum dots, Samsung has significantly enhanced both brightness and color expression — delivering a visual experience unlike anything seen before. In fact, Samsung QLED TVs achieve a color reproduction rate exceeding 90% of the DCI-P3 (Digital Cinema Initiatives – Protocol 3) color space, the benchmark for color accuracy in digital cinema.

“Even if you have made quantum dots, you need to ensure long-term stability for them to be useful,” said Lee. “Samsung’s industry-leading indium phosphide (InP)-based quantum dot synthesis and film production technologies are testament to Samsung’s deep technical expertise.”

Real QLED TVs Use Quantum Dots To Create Color

“The legitimacy of a quantum dot TV lies in whether or not it leverages the quantum confinement effect.”

— Taeghwan Hyeon, Seoul National University

As interest in quantum dots grows across the industry, a variety of products have entered the market. Nonetheless, not all quantum dot-labeled TVs are equal — quantum dots must sufficiently contribute to actual image quality.

▲ Taeghwan Hyeon

“The legitimacy of a quantum dot TV lies in whether or not it leverages the quantum confinement effect,” said Hyeon. “The first, fundamental requirement is to use quantum dots to create color.”

“To be considered a true quantum dot TV, quantum dots must serve as either the core light-converting or primary light-emitting material,” said Lee. “For light-converting quantum dots, the display must contain an adequate amount of quantum dots to absorb and convert blue light emitted by the backlight unit.”

▲ Doh Chang Lee

“Quantum dot film must contain a sufficient amount of quantum dots to perform effectively,” repeated Sohn, emphasizing the importance of quantum dot content. “Samsung QLED uses more than 3,000 parts per million (ppm) of quantum dot materials. 100% of the red and green colors are made through quantum dots.”

Samsung began developing quantum dot technology in 2001 and, in 2015, introduced the world’s first no-cadmium quantum dot TV — the SUHD TV. In 2017, the company launched its premium QLED lineup, further solidifying its leadership in the quantum dot display industry.

In the second part of this interview series, Samsung Newsroom takes a closer look at how Samsung not only commercialized quantum dot display technology but also developed a cadmium-free quantum dot material — an innovation recognized by Nobel Prize-winning researchers in chemistry.

^[1] When a semiconductor material is in its bulk state, the band gap remains fixed at a value characteristic of the material and does not depend on particle size.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 26 September 2018 – Mickey Mouse is celebrating his 90^th anniversary this year. With his universal appeal and ability to emotionally connect with generations all over the world, no other character quite occupies a similar space in the hearts and minds of a global fan base. In order to commemorate the beloved character’s 90^th Anniversary, Samsung is collaborating with Disney on an exhibition that will travel to 3 South African cities and delight fans and families alike, as they journey with Mickey over the years.

“Icons don’t get much bigger than Mickey Mouse. The unfettered joy he’s brought to generations of South Africans, is aligned with our own mission to create human-driven innovation that defy barriers to progress, such as integrated mobile devices like the Galaxy Note9 and visual devices like QLED TVs and VR, all focussed on delighting and connecting people,” says Justin Hume, Director: Integrated Mobility at Samsung South Africa.

Mickey’s status as a ‘true original’ and his global impact on popular culture will be showcased in the Mickey the True Original South African Exhibit in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. Featuring 4 sections highlighting Mickey’s innovation, his evolution, influence on fashion and also pop culture, the exhibition is brought to you by Samsung and in association with Edgars, and will visit:

• Sandton City, Centre Court: 28 September – 14 October 2018
• Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Expo Explore Court: 19 October – 11 November 2018
• Canal Walk Shopping Centre. Centre Court: 16 November – 26 November 2018

Samsung is also pleased to collaborate with Disney nationally at all Samsung and Edgars Stores in the Unlocking the Imagination campaign, fans are encouraged to visit Samsung stores, take a selfie with their giant Mickey plush toy on their Samsung Galaxy Note9 to stand a chance to win not only one of the giant Mickey plush toys, but also a family trip to New York. Visit www.samsung.com for more information.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 08 August 2018 – Samsung is proud to present its latest innovation in design at its must-view stand at Decorex 2018. The launch of the breakthrough QLED 2018 TV range will give the public a great opportunity to interact with the future of television.

Justin Hume, Chief Marketing Officer for Samsung South Africa, says, “The TV isn’t just a TV anymore – it’s a hub – for entertainment, gaming and even conferencing. Samsung Electronics is leading the change by strengthening the intelligent function of its 2018 QLED TVs with artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.”

The new, 5-star rated and award-winning QLED TV offers an unprecedented viewing experience that delivers complete immersion and myriad options for installation. The best way to be the first to fully experience the extraordinary features and exciting benefits of the QLED is at the Samsung stand at Decorex 2018.

Design and interior fundis will love the Ambient Mode that can literally make the television disappear when not in use, by emulating the background of where it’s placed. It’s a must-see. As for the advanced cabling that integrates the power source and can be extended to 20 metres, there’s simply no end to where you can place the TV.

Decorex 2018 is at Gallagher Estate from 8^th to 12^th August. Visit the Samsung stand in Hall 2, stand M24.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 20 June 2018 – The shift in the way people communicate, access knowledge or entertainment and keep up to date with what’s going on in the world means that television has become a highly sophisticated window into the human mind. While many people watch television as a stress-relieving mechanism, research also suggests that watching can have a positive impact.

Long before written language, storytelling was an important aspect of everyday life and a new study has confirmed that it’s just as important today. According to research, “storytelling is a powerful means of fostering social cooperation and teaching social norms, and it pays valuable dividends to the storytellers themselves, improving their chances of being chosen as social partners, receiving community support and even having healthy offspring.”’^[i] How does this affect modern society, though? One of the interesting aspects is the ability for immigrants to more easily assimilate into their adopted country by observing social norms through TV series, news and local programming.^[ii]

Numerous studies have been conducted on the influence of television programming on social change. One such study has focused on the advent of satellite television programming in rural India. Within a year of programmes other than those aired by a public broadcaster being available, there were significant changes in gender attitudes. Women were less likely to accept domestic abuse and there was an increase in school enrolment for younger children. In fact, the differences in attitudes between women in rural areas and those in urban areas decreased from seventy to forty-five percent.^[iii]

Lyle Mitchley, Head Product Manager for TV at Samsung South Africa says, “You’d be hard pressed to find a home without a television these days, but it’s the quality of the viewing experience that makes all the difference. Samsung’s range of superlative QLED TV’s ensures that whatever you’re watching becomes a fully immersive experience.”

While putting a child in front of the TV for extended periods of time has always been a contentious issue, the content they consume is more important than the time spent. A research study showed that children in Finland scored higher than most of the rest of the world in their reading skills. One reason for this, concludes the research, is that they are often served American shows and have to read the captions in their own language.^[iv] Understanding the narrative of their own local society and learning about other societies, as well as interesting or fundamental facts about the world is also a highly value aspect of watching TV. So, while sitcoms can teach societal intricacies, its usually best to ensure children are watching age-appropriate programmes that are geared to teach. In fact, a whole new aspect of psychology has arisen from the advent of the internet – media psychology. Reports show that there are a number of positives garnered from viewing or leaning online, such as rising IQ’s due to media-assisted learning and interactive game playing; advancement of women in science; people are learning more about learning itself; communication across cultures is increasing public understanding of numerous crucial issues^[v]

“The connected home and Internet of Things (IoT), means that you can remotely control most of what goes on in your home electronically from your smartphone – and TV is one such example,” adds Mitchley.

With on-demand television programming and streaming services, researchers have been able to track viewer behaviour even more effectively across the globe. Interestingly, it’s been found that viewers tend to multi-task – by being online on various social platforms and commenting while watching a TV programme, whether its live TV or streamed.^[vi] On demand or streaming services mean that multiple programmes can be watched by different members of a household. One of the negatives in streaming, however, is that viewers feel content is better watched on a TV screen. Of course, Samsung agrees with this, which is why its QLED models are connected through smart hub and with one remote, so numerous streaming platforms can be viewed, offering a fully immersive, vivid picture no matter what is being watched. The Samsung Smart View app also means users can seamlessly connect their mobiles to their TV screens and be in complete control.

“The way people are watching TV and similar content may have changed, but one thing is for sure, the quality of the image is vital to enjoyment. Samsung affords viewers an incredibly vibrant and detailed experience that ensures they pick up every detail and nuance, whether its sport, cooking, interior design, fantasy or fiction,” concludes Mitchley.

^{[i] http://time.com/5043166/storytelling-evolution/}

^{[ii] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249471805_The_Bridging_Role_of_Television_in_Immigrant_Political_Socialization}

^{[iii] http://faculty.chicagobooth.edu/emily.oster/papers/tvwomen.pdf}

^{[iv] http://www.teachhub.com/how-television-can-actually-help-learning}

^{[v] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-media-psychology-effect/201203/brain-behavior-and-media}

^{[vi]http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/nielsenglobal/de/docs/Nielsen%20Global%20Video-on-Demand%20Report%20DIGITAL%20FINAL.pdf}

Electronic goods contain numerous precious and semi-precious metals as well as several elements that need to be mined from the earth. Conservation of earth’s precious resources is a fundamental issue that all humans face and this means the requirement for effective recycling and eco-conscious manufacturing is vital. The keys to conservation aren’t complicated – reduce, reuse and recycle. These fundamental principles are applied by Samsung to product design with a system of circular resource management – by mapping out the lifecycle for the products developed.

Justin Hume, Marketing Director of Samsung South Africa, says, “Samsung aims to minimise its products’ environmental impact by maximising resource efficiency from assembly to eventual disposal. This entails reusing parts, utilising recycled packaging and plastics and increasing the recyclability of new products’ components for later use.”

Technology is almost constantly in flux, which means that a device or product that was cutting edge last year could be practically obsolete this year. Because of this, there are many electronic products discarded in favour of newer models or upgrades. But what happens to products that are no longer needed? When it comes to upgrading a cell phone or television, for example, there are numerous opportunities to donate goods that are still in good working order to charities or those less fortunate. But what about products that aren’t in good working order?

If an electronic product is disposed of properly, it will go to an e-waste facility for processing. The first thing that happens is it gets dismantled. Then the various parts are placed in sorting bins. From there, data (where relevant, such as in a cell phone or computer) is destroyed, precious metals are extracted and plastics are readied for recycling. Most cell phones contain precious metals, chemical elements and minerals, including copper, gold, lead, zinc, beryllium, tantalum, coltan, as well as plastics that can be recycled to save energy and resources that would otherwise be required to mine or manufacture.

There are several e-waste facilities in South Africa, many of which belong to the e-Waste Association of South Africa (EWASA), an organisation that works with stakeholders to establish a sustainable and environmentally sound e-waste management system for the country.

Samsung makes use of Desco, an accredited e-waste recycling facility. Anyone wanting to dispose of their electronic goods can make use of the drop-off bins located in Makro or hand the device or product to a salesperson at Incredible Connection or HiFi Corporation stores. Alternatively, there is a list of electronic waste facilities on the EWASA website (www.ewasa.org). While a number of facilities currently exist in South Africa, there is a growing requirement for more, which creates an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs to own and operate businesses that meet the growing demand.

In order to tread more gently on the environment, Samsung has reduced its use of a range of hazardous substances commonly found in electronics manufacturing over the past several years. As a result, products including Samsung’s latest TVs and smartphones are free of widely used but potentially harmful substances including PVC, a common synthetic plastic, flame retardants such as TBBP-A and BFRs and phthalates.

“Samsung’s commitment to reducing its devices’ environmental impact is responsible for QLED TV’s ground-breaking cadmium-free design. Samsung’s Vision 2020 centres around the environment, creating products and designs that both enrich peoples’ lives and contribute to a socially responsible, sustainable future,” concludes Hume.

While innovative technology enables companies to reduce the utilisation of potentially hazardous or precious resources to manufacture goods, there’s still a mountain of products out there that contain elements that are potentially harmful to the environment and can be recycled. To do your part, ensure you dispose of your defunct electronic goods safely and responsibly.

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.