Why Quantum Dots are Great for HDR

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.