Samsung Newsroom

The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 (G95NC) was awarded the CES 2023 Best of Innovation Award and has continued gaining attention from the gaming world ever since. Samsung Electronics announced the global availability of the product at Gamescom 2023, Europe’s leading trade fair for digital games culture. The 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 is the world’s first monitor to support dual UHD resolution (7,680 x 2,160) and is as large as two 32-inch UHD monitors side-by-side. It also features a VESA-certified DP (Display Port) 2.1 which facilitates smooth gaming and efficient video with fast, vivid gameplay. Take a look at the Odyssey Neo G9’s key specifications — including the VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification, high refresh rate and fast response speed — in the graphic below. View the full article

Samsung Electronics, a global leader in the visual display industry, today announced the future of gaming monitors with the newest entries in its Odyssey monitor series: the Odyssey Neo G9 57″ (G95NC model) and the Odyssey Ark 55″ (G97NC model). The gaming monitors are on display at Gamescom 2023 — the world’s largest event for computer and video games, held from August 23 to 27 in Cologne, Germany — and the Odyssey Neo G9 57″ can now be pre-ordered globally. “The world of gaming is constantly evolving, and our latest monitor technology is crucial for gamers to open new doors to adventure and perform their best. Samsung’s monitor leadership is further boosted by our newest Odyssey monitors, which unlock the ultimate level of immersion and create new experiences for gamers worldwide,” said Hoon Chung, EVP of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Gamescom is where the future of gaming is built. We can’t imagine a better place to showcase the future of monitors.” Odyssey Neo G9 57” Offers Gamers Next-Level Immersion and Specifications The Odyssey Neo G9 57″ (G95NC model) is designed to deliver groundbreaking visual experiences for gamers looking to enhance performance and sharpen their competitive edge. With the world’s first Dual Ultra-High-Definition (DUHD) screen and a suite of high-speed connectivity options, the Odyssey Neo G9 57″ already earned a Best of Innovation Award at CES 2023. The 1000R curvature in the 57″ 32:9 screen is as wide as two 32” UHD monitors, wrapping around users with pin-sharp images and a wide field of view, immersing them in their games like never before. Quantum Matrix Technology powers Samsung’s Quantum Mini LED lighting in the screen, which offers smaller, more discrete dimming zones. The result is a better distinction between light and dark areas of the screen, with sharp contrast and less blooming. The Odyssey Neo G9 57” makes the most out of its Quantum Mini LED lighting by combining it with VESA DisplayHDR1000. With 1,000 nit peak brightness, HDR content appears vivid and life-like, with accurate color and contrast reproduction, as well as enhanced color expression and depth. The gaming performance matches the level of visual quality to help gamers meet their full potential. The 240 hertz (Hz) refresh rate and 1ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response time1 deliver less blur and minimized ghosting, allowing gamers to react instantly and seal victory while enjoying a smooth gaming experience and exhilarating gameplay. Plus, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro syncs the screen for a stable, lag-free picture. The Odyssey Neo G9 57” offers VESA-certified DisplayPort (DP) 2.1 connectivity, which facilitates smooth gaming, efficient video playback and the Neo G9’s DUHD resolution up to 240Hz.2 In addition to DP2.1, the Odyssey Neo G9 57” also offers HDMI 2.1 and a USB hub, so gamers can hook up all their devices and elevate their game with less mess. “By bringing DisplayPort 2.1 connectivity to their premium gaming monitor, Samsung is opening new doors for gamers,” said Scott Herkelman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Graphics Business Unit at AMD. “More bandwidth, higher speeds and faster refresh rates provide new levels of performance and visual fidelity in games, and together the new Samsung displays and Radeon RX 7000 Series graphics cards will deliver the most vivid and immersive gaming experiences yet.” With such a wide, high-definition screen and a generation-defining new input, gamers can use the Odyssey Neo G9 57” in place of multiple monitors, keeping their desk clean from clutter, while creating a comfortable multitasking single-screen environment. Picture-in-Picture and Picture-by-Picture modes offer multiple inputs at a single glance, and the monitor utilizes Auto Source Switch+ to instantly connect to new devices without flipping through input sources. An ergonomic stand, Core Lighting+ and CoreSync make the monitor fit in any environment and match the mood of the game with ambient lighting. In August and September, the Samsung Odyssey Twitch channel is also celebrating the launch of the Odyssey Neo G9 57” with a special event named Odyssey Evolves. During the event, some of the biggest streamers will be playing the hottest games on the Odyssey Neo G9 57” while also giving away prizes for channel followers — including a $10,000 gaming setup featuring the Odyssey Neo G9 57”. Explore a New Frontier With the Upgraded Odyssey Ark The Odyssey Ark, the world’s first 55-inch 1000R curved gaming screen, has been meaningfully upgraded. Building on the success of the original Odyssey Ark, Samsung has taken the new Ark to the next level based on gamers’ feedback. In addition to the stunning picture quality, form factor and professional-level gaming performance, new features designed for connectivity, convenience, performance will satisfy gamers looking for ultimate entertainment. The monitor’s 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms GTG response time3 give gamers the edge to win, and Cockpit Mode gives them whole new perspectives to explore with a vertical orientation. Added features to the Odyssey Ark (G97NC model) include the new Samsung Multi View, which lets users see up to 4 inputs on the screen at once.4 It also significantly enhances split-screen capabilities, letting gamers get full command and convenience in one screen, even when using external devices. One screen with multiple inputs keeps desks streamlined and clutter-free, so gamers can focus on the game at hand. In the new Multi View, users can see input from three HDMI ports and the DP1.4 connection simultaneously. This new DP input can also support 4K UHD streams for high quality entertainment. The Odyssey Ark is now also more than a personal gaming theater — it is a single source for all computer needs. The added Keyboard, Video, Mouse (KVM) switch feature5 makes the Ark a single command station for a smooth multitasking experience across multiple devices. Users can now control all the devices connected to the monitor with a single mouse and keyboard setup. The Odyssey Neo G9 will be available for pre-order beginning at Gamescom 2023, and the 2023 Odyssey Ark will be available for pre-order in September.6 Experience the Future of Gaming With Bethesda Game Studios’ ‘Starfield’ on Samsung Gaming Hub Bethesda Game Studios’ much-anticipated open-world space adventure “Starfield” will be available through the Samsung Gaming Hub, with an Xbox Game Pass subscription, on September 6.7 Samsung Gaming Hub gives gamers a whole new way to discover and instantly stream cloud games from industry-leading gaming partners on supported 2023 TVs and monitors8 with no console required, including the Samsung Neo QLED 8K. “Starfield introduces players to a massive new universe, one that will look amazing on Samsung’s TVs & gaming monitors,” said Pete Hines, Senior Vice President and Head of Publishing at Bethesda Softworks. “The opportunity to stream the game directly through Samsung products allows us to reach even more players. Our team is beyond excited to get Starfield into the hands of gamers across the globe. See you in the stars!” To see these globally available monitors in person, visit Samsung at Gamescom in Hall 9. To learn more about our visual display products, please visit samsung.com. 1 The actual response time may vary based on content and monitor settings. 2 Dual UHD 240Hz is supported only by graphics cards that support Display Port 2.1 (UHBR 13.5) or HDMI 2.1 (FRL 6). Support and actual refresh rate may vary by graphics card. 3 The actual response time may vary by content and monitor settings. 4 In Cockpit Mode, Multi View can show up to 3 screens on one display. 5 Each computer must be connected via USB Upstream cable, sold separately. Requires the Easy Setting Box program on each PC. 6 Product launch schedules and availability vary by region. 7 Availability of Gaming Hub and Xbox Game Pass support may vary by region. 8 Gaming Hub availability and support vary by monitor and TV lineup. View the full article

The Samsung Odyssey Ark, the world’s first 55-inch 1000R curved gaming screen, elevates the gaming experience with improved connectivity. The Odyssey Ark (G97NB) was first unveiled in 2022, capturing attention with its innovative interface. The vertical Cockpit Mode makes users feel like they’re in the cockpit of a spaceship, with the Flex Move Screen letting users adjust the display size and location of windows on the screen. Samsung has upgraded the new Odyssey Ark (G97NC) with enhanced connectivity. The Multi View feature, which lets users split the screen up into 4 windows (3 in Cockpit Mode), has been further improved. In addition, the new Odyssey Ark supports input and output of up to 4 external devices (3 in Cockpit Mode) at once, enabling users to enjoy unparalleled multitasking. A DP (DisplayPort) 1.4 has been added to the Ark’s 3 HDMI ports to increase compatibility and connectivity options. The KVM Switch,1 which controls various devices connected to the monitor with a single mouse and keyboard, enables convenience and better space utilization. Check out more details about the new immersive screen in the graphic below. 1 Each computer must be connected via USB Upstream cable, sold separately. Requires the Easy Setting Box program on each PC. View the full article

Samsung Electronics, a global leader in the visual display industry, today announced the launch of the world’s first gaming title featuring the High Dynamic Range (HDR) 10+ GAMING standard created by HDR10+ Technologies LLC. The new title, “The First Descendant” was developed by NEXON and will be unveiled at Gamescom 2023. “We’re thrilled to join forces with NEXON, a true pioneer in video games, to introduce the world’s first HDR10+ GAMING title, ‘The First Descendant,’” said Seokwoo Jason Yong, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “This is a gaming milestone that goes beyond mere technological advancement; it represents Samsung’s continued commitment to enhance the gaming experience as technology evolves.” HDR10+ GAMING Technology Ushers in a New Era of Gaming HDR10+ GAMING provides gamers with the ultimate HDR game experience through deeper color, contrast and brightness. It also enables more accurate depiction of details in dark shadows and bright highlights, which allows users to fully engage in their gaming adventure. HDR10+ GAMING supports an optimized experience that eliminates the hassle of adjusting numerous manual settings. And it enables enhanced gameplay with near-instant responses through low latency and variable refresh rate support. Furthermore, the standard provides developers with tools that allow consistent and reliable HDR gaming experiences across all HDR10+ GAMING displays. “The First Descendant” is the first gaming title that will fully leverage the HDR10+ GAMING standard. It is set to provide gamers with one of the most responsive, accurate and frictionless HDR gaming experiences to date. With Global Adoption and Innovation, HDR10+ Continues To Expand Samsung co-established HDR10+ Technologies LLC in 2018 to provide a royalty-free, open dynamic metadata standard in the industry. The HDR10+ ecosystem has now grown to comprise 155 partners and over 7,000 certified devices including TVs, monitors, projectors, smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes and more. This collaboration with NEXON reinforces Samsung’s unwavering commitment to providing superior visual experiences that go beyond entertainment and media consumption. Samsung’s latest gaming monitors and TV lineups1 also support the HDR10+ GAMING standard, further reinforcing the company’s leadership in the gaming industry. “By adopting HDR10+ GAMING, we are bringing the game to life in a way that was previously not possible,” said Hyun Kim, Executive Vice President and Deputy Head of Business Development at NEXON. “This partnership with Samsung is also raising the bar in HDR gaming, and we are excited to usher in this new standard of picture quality in video games.” The open beta test of “The First Descendant” will begin on September 19, allowing gamers around the world2 to experience the more realistic HDR gameplay firsthand. For more information on HDR10+ technology, please visit https://hdr10plus.org/ 1 HDR10+ GAMING is supported on Samsung monitors (Odyssey 7 series and above) and TV models (Q70 series and 120Hz above) since its release in 2022. 2 Not available in China. View the full article

View the full blog at its source

Eunhye Park, Head of Content Distribution Strategy at CJ ENM,1 had a choice to make. Park was tasked with finding new business opportunities to leverage the company’s broad portfolio of content. CJ ENM, well known for producing and distributing popular content across various genres, was already viewed as a leader in the K-culture industry. With their running businesses stable and Korean pop music, TV shows, and films increasingly gaining popularity around the globe, CJ ENM’s business leaders sought to further expand their global market. While CJ ENM’s content distribution businesses — including several cable channels and “TVING,” a proprietary streaming service — were already well-established, the media landscape continues to evolve and one miss could lead to a spiraling downfall. The company is known for keeping its antennae out for new opportunities and Park’s job was to find the next big thing. As searches for new business opportunities always accompany uncertainty, Park’s priorities were twofold — first, to explore fields where CJ ENM’s strengths seem likely to mitigate threats, and second, to find partners that can share the risk and work to expand the field. Enter free ad-supported TV streaming TV (often shortened as “FAST”) and Samsung TV Plus — a global FAST service operated by the leader in the global TV market. Samsung TV Plus is Samsung’s free add-supported TV (FAST) service that delivers thousands of TV shows, movies and sporting events to millions of Samsung Smart TVs, Galaxy devices, and in several markets select Family Hub refrigerators and the web. This service is the result of many partnerships across content and media partners. Samsung Newsroom sat down with Yujung Kang, Junga Park and Sejin Woo of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics and Eunhye Park, Jipyeong Cheon and Jiyeong Kim of the Content Distribution Strategy team at CJ ENM to learn about the creation, growth and future of Samsung TV Plus. ▲ (From left) Jipyeong Cheon, Jiyeong Kim and Eunhye Park from the Content Distribution Strategy team at CJ ENM and Junga Park, Sejin Woo, Yujung Kang from the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics Samsung TV Plus: Samsung Enters the Content Market Samsung has continuously strived to enhance users’ lives through ceaseless innovation. While much of the efforts are often highlighted on the product side, the company saw the potential of leveraging TVs already installed in homes to provide further services. “With the vast number of existing Samsung TV users globally, we wanted to take advantage of this opportunity with TV Plus,” said Junga Park. ▲ Junga Park of Samsung Electronics When Samsung TV Plus was first introduced in 2015, Samsung had maintained its leadership in global TV sales for nine consecutive years — now 17 consecutive years — demonstrating its dominant market position ideal for entering the content service sector. By securing a place within both the TV device and content sides, Samsung sought to provide a new viewing experience for existing users as well as earn ad revenue through its owned platform. With the right partnerships, this would grow into an ecosystem where all parties involved — platform, content and ad partners, and, of course, the viewers — are happy. Recognizing this space, Samsung put forth TV Plus. ▲ Global TV market share for the last nine years. Samsung has maintained leadership in this market for 17 years running (source: Omdia) For many decades, Samsung has developed several strategic partnerships across different industries­ ­— helping build out its robust portfolio of products and services. Managing content and advertisements became more efficient through Samsung TV Plus, with the availability of valuable data beyond viewer ratings such as when and where consumers watch content, how long they watch for and more. Equipped with these useful insights, Samsung began developing a platform that benefits consumers, content providers and advertisers alike. Upon its release, the platform initially garnered considerable attention from international users as cord-cutting became more commonplace and streaming platforms surged in popularity. The prevalence of smart TVs helped boost the growth of Samsung TV Plus, with smart TVs accounting for 92% of total TV shipments in the first quarter of 2023 according to market research firm Omdia. ▲ Samsung TV Plus offers more than 2,000 channels in 24 countries Over the course of eight years, Samsung TV Plus has grown into a massive platform with an extensive content library ­— offering more than 2,000 channels in 24 countries and recording three billion hours of accumulated viewing time worldwide in 2022. After establishing its presence within the market, Samsung expanded Samsung TV Plus to mobile devices starting in April 2021 and to smart monitors and the Family Hub refrigerator in 2022, allowing users to enjoy more connected experiences. While all this was happening, one key factor in keeping the platform attractive was to diversify content offerings in each of the operating markets. In Korea, partnered with CJ ENM to strengthen its competitive edge. FAST Market Growth Through Mutual Cooperation While seeking new ways to expand its global market presence, CJ ENM had been monitoring the growth of FAST, acknowledging it as a potential tool for reaching new audiences. “When I was working in Japan, a senior colleague turned on the TV and introduced me to a platform,” recalled Eunhye Park, Head of Content Distribution Strategy at CJ ENM. “Content was playing but this was not an ordinary broadcast television station nor an over-the-top (OTT) streaming service. Only the power and internet were connected — no additional cables. This was a free ad-supported streaming platform — FAST.” ▲ Eunhye Park, Head of Content Distribution Strategy at CJ ENM Unlike many OTT streaming platforms, FAST offers free access to ad-supported content on digital channels via smart TVs connected to the Internet. It is a popular option for consumers in North America and Europe who want a more affordable TV plan. In recent years, the global FAST industry thrived as total revenue jumped 20-fold between 2019 and 2022, according to the research from Omdia. The popularity is expected to continue, with revenue predicted to triple to 12 billion USD between 2022 and 2027. ▲ The FAST market is experiencing remarkable growth in North America and Europe (sources: nScreenMedia, Omdia) After viewing growth trends and market indicators, Eunhye recognized the enormous growth potential in the FAST market. “After seeing the growth of FAST in North America, we knew it had the potential to be even more successful in Korea,” said Eunhye. Despite its global growth, the FAST market in Korea was still in its infancy — especially as traditional cable TV and OTT streaming services dominated the content industry while other digital platforms were becoming prominent in the advertising space. CJ ENM could have entered the FAST market early to become a leader, but it required a considerable investment of resources and strategic partnerships. The company also needed data related to the digital industry which was difficult to obtain. While Eunhye’s Content Distribution Strategy team consisted of a group of experts, each bringing considerable experience to the table, the media landscape was becoming more and more complex. With cable TV, OTT streaming services, digital platforms and more, collecting cross-platform data and analyzing user preferences proved to be a challenge. “A program can be popular on one platform yet fail on another. Short-form and long-form content also perform differently depending on the platform. Clearly identifying users’ preferences is a must when organizing a channel — and a massive amount of data is required,” explained Eunhye. CJ ENM needed a partner that could shoulder some of the investments and also one to stably provide reliable viewing data. CJ ENM found both in Samsung TV Plus. Making Everyone Happy — Especially the Viewers In May 2023, CJ ENM’s brand channel was added to Samsung TV Plus, helping the platform rise to become a top FAST service in Korea. ▲ CJ ENM’s brand channel launched on Samsung TV Plus in May 2023 Since partnering with CJ ENM, Samsung is now targeting existing smart TV users through Samsung TV Plus. “We are focusing on how to improve the viewing experience for users who are already using our products, going beyond selling new TVs,“ said Junga. To continue providing users with the best content available, Samsung TV Plus is curating a variety of older, fan-favorite content and repackaging them on the platform, in addition to newer more trendy shows. This encourages users to rewatch their favorite programs — even ones they may have forgotten. This, in turn, helps content providers. “Over time, people easily and naturally forget content they enjoyed watching in the past,” said Jipyeong Cheon of CJ ENM. “Samsung TV Plus is helping people rediscover this nostalgia by offering older titles on the platform, helping them become popular again.” ▲ (From left) Jipyeong Cheon and Jiyeong Kim of Content Distribution Strategy at CJ ENM While platform and content partners benefit from Samsung TV Plus, consumers enjoy the greatest benefits. Users can watch a wide assortment of content for free, and Samsung TV Plus curates a personalized list of content based on unique user preferences, helping viewers find new titles to enjoy. To provide the best and most optimal service, Samsung is constantly working to enhance its offerings. “We are continuing to further diversify content and improve profitability for partners to deliver better experiences for our consumers,“ said Junga. Mutual Benefits for Continued Business Growth FAST has experienced incredible growth since its inception, but it is still unfamiliar to many consumers. To continue developing the FAST market, it is important to continue with long-term investments as well as garner relationships with viewers and partners. Samsung is reaching out to content providers to both enrich the user experience and further expand the market in Korea and beyond. In Korea, Samsung is also helping establish FAST as a major digital ad market. Boasting a variety of advanced features, including optimized content and advertising based on unique user preferences, Samsung TV Plus enables partners to directly reach and connect with consumers. In addition, as the platform is available in 24 countries, companies can utilize Samsung’s expansive international network to target new markets. Recognizing these benefits, CJ ENM chose to work with Samsung to break into the North American market. “During negotiations, we learn about our partners’ strengths first and suggest various channel strategies. Through our successes, we learned how to strengthen and benefit our partners as well,” said Junga. Media Outlook for the FAST Market The future of Samsung TV Plus is bright. Reports from Omdia and Blue Ant suggest that the number of monthly active users of Samsung TV Plus will increase to 58 million in 2027, driven by the rise in the popularity of smart TVs. To meet this demand and showcase diverse content on the platform, Samsung continues to add more content to give audience members something they’ll love watching. Recently, Samsung globally added FIFA+ on Samsung TV Plus to celebrate the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023. ▲ To celebrate FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, Samsung globally added FIFA+ on Samsung TV Plus and expanded sports content. In line with constantly changing content consumption patterns and streaming environments, Samsung and CJ ENM are working to spearhead the FAST market not only in Korea but also in North America and beyond. And with more partners and projects in the works, Samsung TV Plus continues to grow as a platform. 1 CJ ENM is a leading entertainment company based in 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 content including Oscar-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 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, the world’s largest K-culture convention & festival celebrating Hallyu and Mnet ASIAN MUSIC AWARDS (MAMA), the world’s No.1 K-pop music awards. With regional offices in Asia, Europe and the U.S., CJ ENM currently employs over 3,600 people. For more information, please visit: http://www.cjenm.com. View the full article

Robin Spinks, Head of Inclusive Design at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), has dedicated his career to creating an inclusive environment. In this role, he not only represents the two million blind or partially sighted people in the U.K., but also advocates for the development of inclusive technology around the world. There are many nuances around technological inclusivity, from widespread misconceptions about disabilities to the unique needs of every individual. Through the partnership between Samsung and RNIB, Robin lends his perspective and expertise to help the two organizations navigate these complexities with the ultimate goal of creating “Screens for All.” Samsung Newsroom sat down with Robin to shed light on what today’s inclusive technology looks like, discuss his work with Samsung and get his perspective on what the future holds in the world of accessibility. ▲ Robin Spinks, Head of Inclusive Design at the Royal National Institute of Blind People Robin Spinks is Head of Inclusive Design at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), spearheading efforts in global digital service and product accessibility. Before joining RNIB, Robin spent five years in Africa working collaboratively with NGOs, overseas governments and a leading assistive technology company in the U.K. to create a bespoke affordable screen reading and magnification solution for low resource environments. Now at RNIB for nearly 15 years, he continues to advocate for inclusive technology. Assessing the Need for Accessible Technology Spinks and his team work to improve the design and usability of products and services to ensure they are accessible to all individuals, while reinforcing the organization’s commitment to improving usability and accessibility in every aspect of daily life. ▲ Robin Spinks, Head of Inclusive Design at RNIB (right) speaks with Richard Moreton, Samsung (left) Advocating for accessibility across such a diverse portfolio of products and services comes with unique difficulties, Spinks pointed out. “Some people will benefit from magnification, so enabling a zoom functionality on a portion of the screen, for example, will help optimize their viewing experience. Some may need assistance with edge detection or making the edges more discernible so they can follow the action on the screen,” says Spinks. Today’s technology is more integrated into our daily lives than ever before and there are countless possibilities to innovate around the user experience. Samsung and RNIB have embarked on this partnership together to shape the future of accessible viewing by creating uniquely powerful and accessible features that will innovate the viewing experience for all. ▲ “We’ve worked on everything from showers to bank machines, smart TVs to smartwatches, mobile phones to apps, digital services, eLearning and much more,” said Spinks Power of Partnership: Samsung and RNIB’s Joint Mission for Better Accessibility Traditional televisions can present challenges for those living with visual disabilities. Samsung and RNIB, however, have worked collaboratively to address this for nearly a decade, leveraging the power of technology to create a more inclusive viewing experience. RNIB is heavily involved in testing user accessibility features, leveraging community insights and pain points to drive innovation. Combined with Samsung’s technological prowess and leadership in the television industry, Samsung Smart TVs and screens continue to incorporate groundbreaking improvements in their accessibility features and functions. Born out of this partnership are some popular features like Relumino Mode.1 Relumino Mode is designed to help improve the viewing experience for those with low vision, making it possible for more people to engage with and enjoy their favorite content. By enhancing specific parts of videos — such as highlighting outlines and improving contrast, color and sharpness — it is easier to discern content on the screen and follow all the actions. This important feature is designed to be powerful and customizable, so that it can work as a solution for all. The collaborative efforts between Samsung and RNIB are making a real impact, and among the many companies RNIB works with, the partnership with Samsung stands out, according to Spinks. “Samsung is leading the pack when it comes to accessible television, not just here in the U.K. but around the world,” he said. “It’s been a brilliant thing to be part of that story and to continue to see it developing and evolving professionally and personally. It’s been genuinely gratifying to be a part of something so powerful.” ▲ Robin Spinks explores Relumino Mode on a Neo QLED TV Through the partnership, Samsung’s Smart TVs have earned RNIB’s “Tried and Tested” Certification, which is awarded to products based on their suitability for people who are blind or partially sighted. Not only does this certification help guide consumer purchasing decisions, but it also holds manufacturers accountable to design products with all users in mind. ▲ Samsung’s Relumino mode offers customization of intensity appropriate to various viewing conditions A Glimpse Into the Future of Accessible Tech Samsung’s cutting-edge Relumino Mode is transforming home entertainment, making it more inclusive and accessible for all. And in Spinks’ experience, reception to Relumino mode has been positive. So why not expand its reach? Spinks highlighted that there are two million people in the U.K. today with significant sight loss, and by 2050, that number is expected to double to four million — a considerable number of people who would benefit from an increase in accessible technology. “Think about all the devices that have a digital interface or screen. I think it would be interesting to look at those other devices, and other applications, where Relumino Mode could be useful.” ▲ A blurry vision goggle simulation of what Relumino Mode may look like to people with visual impairment Spinks suggested that this type of technology should be expanded to a range of products that consumers encounter on a daily basis. Using public kiosks to order food, purchasing a train ticket, signing in digitally at the doctor’s office, and everything in between should be an equitable and accessible experience for all. “Our quest really is to achieve a culture where there are no barriers for people with sight loss when they’re accessing the digital world,” he said. ▲ Samsung Relumino Mode’s technology highlights outline while improving contrast and color for enhanced clarity As we look to the future of accessible technology, he envisions a “dynamic mix of increased inbuilt mainstream technology” and more specialist support for specific use cases. He sees the need for accessibility to grow alongside operating systems. When asked what advice he would give to companies or designers looking to develop accessibility features, he said, “Above all, talk to users and listen to their stories. Actively listen and understand the barriers that they’re facing and if you can, use a bit of simulation that enables you to learn and understand that.” He went on to say, “One of the best things about investing in accessibility is that everybody benefits from the fruits of your labors.” ▲ “It’s not just about providing solutions. Make accessibility features interesting,” said Spinks. At the center of it all is a great user experience for everyone. “That’s the critical element and ultimately, that’s what it will be judged by — how easy and pleasing it is to use,” Spinks adds. “It’s about creating and co-creating thoughtful experiences that people don’t just find easy to use, but want to go back and use time and time again because they enjoy the experience.” Spinks noted that designers, manufacturers, and engineers alike must adopt a forward-thinking attitude towards improving the user experience, offering a roadmap for the future of inclusive technology. “People talk about technological progress, but from our point of view, it’s only progress if it’s equitable,” he said. “If technology is inherently visual, that’s then exclusive and people with a visual impairment find it harder to participate in to enjoy those technologies.” Samsung and RNIB understand that, particularly when it comes to televisions as accessibility features are designed to create more equitable and enjoyable experiences for all. “What’s especially impressive about Relumino Mode is it doesn’t visually disturb the picture to the point where non-visually impaired people would dislike watching,” Spinks said. “I can sit down with my family and for the first time actually enjoy watching the TV together.” The journey toward a completely accessible technological landscape is far from over, but with the combined efforts of committed advocates like Robin Spinks and innovators like Samsung, progress will be made. Samsung and RNIB share the perspective that advancements in accessible technology underline the essential truth: technology should, and must, be for everyone. To learn more about Samsung’s accessible technology, visit https://www.samsung.com/. For more information on the Royal National Institute of Blind People, visit https://www.rnib.org.uk/. 1 Relumino Mode targets those who suffer from severe visual acuity loss (Source: WHO, World report on vision, 2019) and symptoms of blurry vision. This feature is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of any disease or medical problem. Any information found, acquired, or accessed through this feature is made available for your convenience and should not be treated as medical advice. Some features may be supported at a different time, and service availability may not be available at the time of purchase of this product. Relumino Mode is applied for TV models QN80C, QN90C, QN800C, QN900C and works on sources provided through DTV and HDMI only. The Mode does not work on other sources, OTTs, etc. View the full article

Samsung Electronics today announced it is welcoming 12 of Salvador Dalí’s most striking masterpieces to Samsung Art Store1 in partnership with the Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, the private cultural institution founded by the painter himself with the mission of promoting his artistic, cultural and intellectual works in Spain and abroad. Salvador Dalí is globally recognized for his surrealist style characterized by dreamlike imagery, mind-bending illusions and meticulous attention to detail, which made him one of the most enduring and enigmatic artists of the last 100 years. With paintings that invite the viewer to step closer and examine unexpected interplay between the bizarre and mundane, Dalí has been captivating audiences since his first work was displayed in Barcelona, Spain in 1925. “This partnership with Samsung gives the Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí a global stage for sharing Dalí’s dynamic masterpieces and legacy with an entirely new, digitally native generation,” said Andrea Fisher-Scherer, Managing Director of Merchandise Licensing at Artists Rights Society, the organization that helped secure an agreement between Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí and Samsung. “These pieces, selected especially in partnership with Samsung Art Store, allow us to show off Dalí’s most striking masterpieces and the stunning display The Frame is capable of.” The featured works — including some of the artist’s most notable pieces like “The Persistence of Memory” (1931), “The Temptation of St. Anthony” (1946) and “Swans Reflecting Elephants” (1937) — have been curated by Samsung and sourced from the Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí as well as other leading global institutions and private collections. Dalí, born in the Catalonian town of Figueres in northeast Spain spent much of his life in that region, creating groundbreaking artworks which would go on to inspire artists and viewers alike for generations. But Dalí always aspired to share his artistic vision with a much wider audience, bringing his striking, surrealist paintings to exhibitions in Paris, London and New York — and simultaneously seeking creative inspiration and collaboration with world-renowned artists and intellectuals of his time including Coco Chanel, Sigmund Freud and Pablo Picasso, among others. In honor of Dalí’s international legacy and the high demand for Dalí artworks on the Samsung Art Store, Samsung recognized the importance of securing this all-important partnership for lovers of art across the globe. Similarly, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí is expanding how they can provide instant, digital access to some of Dalí’s most artistically significant artworks to millions with this special partnership. “Samsung Art Store connects millions of The Frame owners with world-renowned art from hundreds of museums, institutions and private collections across the world, and we’re thrilled to partner with Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí to bring the platform’s most searched-for and requested artist to Samsung Art Store,” said Daria Greene, Global Curator at Samsung Art Store. “These artworks from Dalí’s incredible catalog are as unique and visually arresting today as they were the day they were painted, and we’re so delighted to be giving them a digital platform for new audiences who can enjoy them outside of a museum and right from a home.” “One of his greatest desires was to be known and that his art arrived to a wider audience,” said Clàudia Galli, Art Historian at Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí. “Dalí would be really impressed to be in people’s homes.” Alongside these new pieces from Dalí, viewers can explore thousands of additional artworks from masters such as Claude Monet, Johannes Vermeer and Julia Contacessi in the Samsung Art Store, available for instant display on The Frame. Additionally, Samsung Art Store features art from major global institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the National Gallery Singapore, the Belvedere Museum in Vienna, the Prado Museum in Madrid and the Berlin State Museums. To honor Dalí’s arrival on the Art Store, a short documentary celebrating his life and work will be launched on August 8 as part of Samsung’s “Meet the Artist” video series. Watch the full “Meet the Artist: Salvador Dalí” documentary here. 1 A single user subscription for Art Store costs $4.99/month or $49.99/year. View the full article

Samsung Electronics today announced that FIFA+ is the latest global addition to the list of channels on Samsung TV Plus,1 its free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) service. This new addition forms part of the continued growth of Samsung’s sports offerings available to its users. The free FIFA+ channel on Samsung TV Plus2 will feature FIFA+’s rich collection of Originals, the Archive and highlights from the Men’s and Women’s game. Additionally, users in Brazil and Italy can access full live matches of the FIFA Women’s World Cup on Samsung TV Plus. The tech tie-up builds upon the existing sports content available on Samsung TVs, which includes the DAZN Tizen app, DAZN FAST+ (Austria and Germany), the DAZN Women’s Football Channel (Australia and New Zealand), the Tennis Channel (Austria, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the U.K.), DraftKings Network (the U.S.), CBS Sports HQ (the U.S.) and other channels on Samsung TV Plus. Samsung TV Plus is Samsung’s free, go-to source for entertainment and sports that delivers thousands of TV shows, movies and sporting events to millions of Samsung Smart TVs, Galaxy devices, and in several markets select Family Hub refrigerators and the web. “Samsung is delighted to be adding the FIFA+ channel to Samsung TV Plus, thereby expanding the roster of sports content available on Samsung TVs and Galaxy devices,” commented Richard Jakeman, Head of Business Development at Samsung Electronics Europe. “Launching globally with a rich lineup of curated FIFA+ content will add incredible value to our customers, and with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 continuing, they’ll also be able to experience content that marks the next exciting chapter in the Women’s game.” The announcement comes as the highly anticipated Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand continues apace. FIFA+ will offer customers access to thousands of hours of content about football’s greatest stories. The channel’s Originals are full-length documentaries, docuseries and shorts, delivering global storytelling around the Men’s and Women’s game. They include “The Happiest Man in the World” (the genius, maverick, mentor and rebel that is Ronaldinho), “Croatia: Defining a Nation” (the story of how a group of footballers defined a new nation through football) and “Bravas de Juárez” (the inspiring sacrifices behind the dream of a Latin American women’s football team), among countless others — in both long- and short-form. The Archive, meanwhile, will become home to every FIFA World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup match ever recorded on camera. In addition to full match replays, editorial style programming will also be available, including tournament match highlights, goal packages, team-focused programming and dedicated player profiles. “Collaborations like this are helping us transform the face of FAST,” said Alex Hole, VP & GM of Samsung Electronics Europe. “With the inclusion of live content from major sporting events, our TVs are turning into hubs of premium sports content, redefining our understanding of what FAST can offer.” About Samsung TV Plus Samsung TV Plus is Samsung’s free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) and video-on-demand service which offers nearly 2,000 channels globally as well as thousands of shows and movies on-demand spanning news, sports, entertainment, auto, design and more. One of the first FAST platforms from a device manufacturer, Samsung TV Plus is directly integrated into all 2016-2023 Samsung TVs, available on Samsung Galaxy mobile devices and completely free without any subscription or login required on the web. It is also available on Samsung Family Hub refrigerators in the United States. 1 Samsung TV Plus is a free, go-to source for entertainment and sports, available to Samsung Smart TV, Mobile and Tablet customers. Samsung TV models manufactured after 2016 and mobile devices with access to Android 8.0 or higher will have Samsung TV Plus already built in. If your device is compatible, you will be able to download it directly from the Galaxy and Google Play stores. Samsung TV Plus is available on select Samsung refrigerators and the web only in the U.S. 2 Samsung TV Plus is only available in South Korea, the U.K., Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Brazil and Mexico. The mobile app is only available in South Korea, the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Austria and India. View the full article

Samsung Art Store continues to draw the attention of art enthusiasts worldwide, offering an expansive collection of impressive artwork and photos directly to their homes. Among the many distinguished artists featured on the platform, Wolf Ademeit has earned a special place in the hearts of Art Store visitors for his renowned black-and-white animal photos. Since partnering with Samsung Art Store in 2017, Ademeit has quickly become one of the platform’s most beloved photographers. Samsung Newsroom sat down with Ademeit to discuss the photographer’s distinct approach to animal photography, his commitment to authenticity and creativity and his collaboration with Samsung Art Store. ▲ Wolf Ademeit Behind the Lens: An Exploration of Wolf Ademeit’s Approach to Animal Photography Q: What attracted you to photography? Give us a brief overview of your journey as an artist. I came across photography as a child. I started by capturing my friends with my dad’s 6×6 camera. During lithography training, I worked with professional photographers and discovered monochrome photography – perhaps, this experience inspired me to pursue black-and-white photography. My artistic style hasn’t changed much throughout my career. The biggest evolution has been that I have started to take color photos for my “Art of Animals” series since I realized color is fundamental to fully capturing some animals. Q: What influenced your interest in animal photography? What messages or emotions do you look to convey? While my background is in portraits, I decided to visit a zoo when I was testing my 500mm lens. As I walked in, I saw a calendar that didn’t photograph the animals in the most favorable way. That’s when the concept for my “Art of Animals” series was born – frankly, to publish a calendar of my own to do justice for those animals! My goal was to photograph zoo animals in an artistic way to highlight their elegance and beauty. Q: How do you determine which animals to photograph? That’s more by chance. My pictures are not meant to be a documentary of these creatures. Instead, they demonstrate the animals artistically as individual creatures or species. It’s important for me to capture their beauty, elegance and emotions. I mostly look for dynamic animals before deciding whether the photo could be compelling, considering lighting, perspective and background. For example, when I photograph predatory cats such as cheetahs, I pay close attention to the setting because a chaotic background may camouflage the subject. ▲ Splash Q: Are there any memorable experiences from your photography sessions? I had a near-death experience with “Splash” when I attempted to photograph a polar bear shaking his fur dry when he got out of the water in his enclosure. Without thinking twice, I climbed a small wall behind me to get a better view. Unfortunately, the safety glass was slippery, so I lost balance because of my heavy backpack and fell about five meters down a staircase that led to the basin where the polar bears were. Thankfully, I was able to hold onto some branches just in time, and the photo turned out as I had hoped. Photography in the Digital Age: Wolf Ademeit’s Collaboration With Samsung Art Store Q: As a long-term partner of Samsung Art Store, can you please tell us how this partnership has influenced or expanded your work and exposure? The collaboration with Samsung Art Store was very professional from the beginning. I was pleased to see my photos from the “Art of Animals” series showcased on The Frame – which boosted my visibility and led to a considerable increase in the number of Art Store users. As a photographer, I naturally want to present my work to a wider audience. With The Frame and Samsung Art Store, viewers can easily access high-quality art at home. There is a big difference between viewing a photo on a giant TV screen instead of on a desk monitor. The Frame’s matte display reduces reflections, delivering a more immersive experience for viewers just like real paper prints in a gallery. Furthermore, most printing services only offer color options, resulting in black-and-white prints with color cast or gray-white prints with too little contrast. That’s why I produce my own photos exclusively on real, chemically-developed Ilford photo paper – or use The Frame, which is just as reliable. ▲ Cheetah Q: Among your artwork, “Cheetah” is particularly popular in the Art Store. Could you explain the inspiration behind this photo and why you think it resonates with viewers? Animals cannot be directed. You can only hope that a situation unfolds as desired. In this picture, something nearby caught the cheetah’s attention. He jumped on the tree trunk and immediately went into hunting mode. “Cheetah” portrays both the tension and desire as well as the beauty and grace of predatory cat species. The cheetah’s expression is authentic and wonderfully visible. Q: Out of all your photos in the Art Store, which three pieces best convey the characteristics of the subjects on The Frame? Please provide a brief explanation for each piece. For artists, each piece of artwork is meaningful. “Bow,” “Three Wolves” and “True Love” are my favorite photos because high-quality monochrome images are difficult to find these days. ▲ Bow “Bow” is one of my most beautiful photos. I like the graphic layout and the portrayal of the giraffe’s distinctive long neck. I saw the piece displayed on The Frame at a friend’s house a while ago, and it blew me away. An Ilford photo print the size of The Frame would probably be more expensive than the Frame itself. ▲ Three Wolves “Three Wolves” is an action shot of three wolves. Only the wolf in front paused for me, but with a little luck, I caught all three at just the right moment. On The Frame, grayscale tones are displayed optimally and appear color neutral. Most reproductions on color printers fail to depict these hues as accurately. ▲ True Love For “True Love,” I had to push my camera to its limit. While the elephants in motion made the shot difficult to capture, the intimate scene and playful touch between the two elephants convinced me to include it on the Art Store. Exploring Creativity and Authenticity in Ademeit’s Photography Q: Your portraits of animals offer a glimpse into the emotions and personalities of these creatures. How do you capture their subtle characteristics and emotions? Photographing animals requires patience and concentration while the animals work their way into the positions I’m envisioning. Unlike human models, you cannot move or instruct the creatures. I have to be ready to capture them at a moment’s notice since they won’t stay in the same location. For “Vortex,” I visited the zoo repeatedly for many months until the zebra laid down in the exact position I wanted. ▲ Vortex Time and perseverance allow me to capture each creature’s raw emotions. Animals show their feelings just like humans – but often, their expressions are much more unfiltered than ours. In some ways, I photograph animal portraits as I would human portraits. Q: How have technological developments altered the way people engage with art? Technology is rapidly changing how we view artwork. Photographers are constantly challenged to upgrade equipment, which may improve the technical quality but not the artistry of photos. Many of my Art Store pieces were taken with cameras that are rather outdated compared to current models. Today’s technological advancements allow anyone to take an aesthetic photo using a camera or mobile phone. Q: Do you have any words of wisdom or advice for aspiring photographers who admire your work? Personally, I look for a background in which the animal in the foreground will stand out. Then, I imagine what will happen next. For example, when the animal is lying down, I try to guess what direction it will move. I have conducted several workshops on zoo photography – some of them for beginners using simple equipment. With a little guidance, these photographers took very good shots. In the end, it’s not the technique, but the creativity that makes the difference. Wolf Ademeit’s photography will be featured in the August collection, “Top Ten Photographers,” on Samsung Art Store in celebration of Photography month. Visit Samsung Art Store in The Frame to see more of Ademeit’s stunning pieces. View the full article

View the full blog at its source

Samsung Electronics is proud to share that its Odyssey OLED G9 (G95SC) has been recognized as a leading gaming monitor in the market by top industry media outlets. Since launching in June of this year, the Odyssey OLED G9 has received a multitude of accolades — Editors’ Choice, Recommended and Top Pick 2023 — for its distinguished features and immersive gaming experiences. ▲ Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 has been recognized by a number of top industry media outlets The Odyssey OLED G9 is the first OLED monitor to offer Dual Quad High Definition (DQHD; 5,120 x 1,440) resolution with a 32:9 ratio. The high pixel density (110PPI) displays more detailed game content. With the large and widescreen ratio, users lose themselves in the super-ultrawide view — equivalent to two QHD screens side by side. Additionally, its rapid 0.03ms gray-to-gray (GtG) response time and 240Hz refresh rate offer players a competitive edge. ▼ List of Featured Articles (In alphabetical order for each segment) Reviewed.com Stuff Techaeris T3 Reviewed.com described the Odyssey OLED G9 as a “luxurious gaming monitor with lavish color, and the best gaming monitor we’ve tested to date.” As a result, the Odyssey OLED G9 received the site’s highly coveted Editors’ Choice award. The article highlighted the Odyssey OLED G9’s crisp motion clarity, luxurious design and useful built-in smart TV features. Furthermore, Reviewed.com emphasized: “Gamers will easily fall in love with the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9. It has the color and contrast needed to deliver a sense of realism and depth, the sharpness required to provide detail and the fast motion clarity for fluid and responsive gameplay.” The Odyssey OLED G9 also received a five-star review from Stuff, as “a vast, gorgeous OLED screen with jaw-dropping performance to match” and “one of the best gaming monitors around right now.” While reviewing the monitor, Stuff focused on how the features of the Odyssey OLED G9 are an “absolute joy to experience,” concluding it is “easily one of the best, most spec-packed monitors ever made.” Additionally, Techaeris named the Odyssey OLED G9 as a recipient of its illustrious Editor’s Choice and Top Pick 2023 awards. Since the product features an impressive OLED display, color, contrast, 240Hz refresh rate and has received many 10/10 ratings, Techaeris explained: “The G95SC provides that immersive and enveloping experience that every avid gamer is after. If you have the itch to buy a DQHD gaming monitor, the G95SC will scratch it, unquestionably.” T3 shared that the Odyssey OLED G9 “brings a new level of immersion” and provides a “truly top-tier” and “untouchable” visual experience. The review team was so impressed with the monitor, they awarded it a five-star review and gave it the T3 Platinum Award score. T3 stated that the Odyssey OLED G9 is “a stunning monitor that gamers will love.” ▲ e-Sports star Faker, of T1, sits by a Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 The Odyssey OLED G9 is gaining popularity in countries around the world. In North America, 1,800 units were initially produced with the prepared stock selling out in less than two weeks while 700 units were sold in Europe. In Korea, the 100 available units were sold out in an hour, demonstrating the monitor’s market popularity. Based on the first quarter of 2023, Samsung Electronics maintains a 23% global market share in gaming monitors with a refresh rate of 100Hz or higher, retaining its lead for the fifth consecutive year. “We are honored to have the Odyssey OLED G9 be recognized by leading industry reviewers,” said Hoon Chung, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “When we released the Odyssey OLED G9 initially, we knew it would raise the bar for all OLED monitors. We envisioned a device only Samsung could deliver, that offered unrivaled picture quality and innovative gaming features. It brings us great joy to see that we have exceeded gamers’ long-desired wishes with exactly that.” View the full article

View the full blog at its source

Samsung Electronics, the world’s leading TV manufacturer for 17 consecutive years, today announced a partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures that will bring highly-anticipated movie trailers to Neo QLED 8K screens in more than 65,000 retail stores around the world. “This partnership is an exciting step forward for 8K content, showcasing Neo QLED 8K’s capabilities and getting consumers excited about seeing films in cinematic quality,” said Cheolgi Kim, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Collaborating with Warner Bros. allows Samsung to show consumers how ultra-premium TV technology can take their favorite films to a whole new level.” To better understand demand for 8K content, Samsung and Warner Bros. trialed their partnership by showcasing the “Creed III” trailer across more than 450 retail stores in the United States and Europe earlier this year. This garnered significant attention and enthusiasm from audiences worldwide, exemplifying the growing demand for 8K content. Since then, Samsung and Warner Bros. have worked together to expand the program. Now, shoppers globally will be able to see Samsung Neo QLED 8K in action with an appealing lineup of high-profile content, including trailers for upcoming films such as “Barbie,” “Blue Beetle,” “Dune: Part Two,” “Wonka” and “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” This collaboration with Warner Bros. Pictures, a global leader in the creation, production and distribution of entertainment, represents Samsung’s ongoing efforts to bring high quality entertainment to consumers, making Warner Bros. a perfect partner in bringing much-anticipated 8K trailers to consumers worldwide. Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K screens continue to revolutionize the TV industry, with their impact reaching content production and retail markets around the globe. Powered by Neural Quantum Processor 8K and Quantum Matrix Technology, they bring immaculate picture quality with crisp details, accurate colors and hyper-realistic depth to offer consumers the best viewing experience available in the consumer TV market. For more information on Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K TVs, please visit www.samsung.com. About Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group is comprised of Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures Animation. Warner Bros. partners with the world’s most inspiring storytellers to create extraordinary entertainment on every screen for the global audience. Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group has been at the forefront of the motion picture industry since its inception and continues to be a leading creative force, producing the broadest slate of films for worldwide theatrical release. View the full article

Start Date Aug 22, 2023 - Aug 22, 2023 Location Samsung Seoul R&D Campus View the full blog at its source

View the full blog at its source

View the full blog at its source

View the full blog at its source

As technology continues to advance and becomes more crucial to the creative process, the boundaries of art have grown to encompass digital illustration, animation, motion graphics and more. By blending the capabilities of technology with the beauty and diversity of art, creative professionals are harnessed with the power to make their creations more lifelike than ever before. Samsung Electronics’ ViewFinity S9, a 5K monitor for creatives, has set the standard for high-resolution monitors and empowered creative minds to unleash their best works. Samsung Newsroom sat down with two 3D designers at DEVSISTERS to explore how the ViewFinity S9 is helping them bring 2D characters to life. ▲ 3D Lighting/Compositing Artist Sangyi Kim (left) and 3D General Motion Graphic Designer Sena Yoo from DEVSISTERS Since its establishment in 2007, the DEVSISTERS have provided popular games and services centered on Cookie Run IP (Intellectual Property), including a mobile runner game, “Cookie Run: OvenBreak,” and a mobile RPG, ”Cookie Run: Kingdom.” Cookie Run games have a total of 200 million players worldwide. The DEVSISTERS plan to expand their business from mobile games to include PC, console and VR games, as well as TCG, animation and licensing in the future. Q. Can you briefly introduce yourselves and tell us about your roles in 3D design? Sangyi Kim: I am responsible for Lighting — creating natural light and shadows to spotlight 3D characters and objects. I also handle compositing — combining 3D elements and effects from different sources into a single cohesive image. During the Lighting process, I focus on color expression to enhance each character’s personality and charm. Sena Yoo: I am in charge of marketing content planning for 3D-based Cookie Run, 3D General Motion Graphic Design and Lighting. My major focus is on making 3D characters converted from 2D more dynamic with stories and motion graphics. Q. What was your most recent 3D creation using the ViewFinity S9? How was the experience? Sangyi Kim: As part of a collaborative project with Incheon International Airport Corporation, we recently had an exciting opportunity to create 3D content for the Media Tower in Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport, to be on display until late August. The project required us to be meticulous as the content is displayed on a 27-meter screen, meaning that even the smallest imperfections can really stand out. Fortunately, the ViewFinity S9 enabled us to review the content and visualize how it would be displayed to accurately identify any aspects that needed to be improved. Sena Yoo: The Pivot feature was helpful when editing vertical videos as all we had to do was flip the monitor. I was concerned about the possibility of flickering and visual noise while displaying the content at a high resolution at the Media Tower. However, the ViewFinity S9 allowed me to check these issues in advance. What’s more, it was essential for the Cookie Run characters to have fluid and detailed motions to convey the joy and excitement of travel at the airport. That’s why the ViewFinity S9 was the perfect monitor for this project. Q. What are the differences between the ViewFinity S9 and other monitors you have used in the past? Sangyi Kim: Adding light elements such as contrast and depth is very important as this makes the characters more realistic. The ViewFinity S9 precisely presents colors and light the way it was meant to be seen, ensuring smooth color gradation and avoiding the color clumping common in other monitors. Another impressive feature is how the monitor precisely displays both the light and dark parts of an image without distorting the color. The difference is visible — the color expression and detail on the ViewFinity S9 is simply superb, and it significantly boosts productivity. Sena Yoo: ViewFinity is capable of showing the full spectrum of colors even in bright highlights or shadows. That’s the biggest difference I’ve noticed. When we’re applying final touches to the video, we could easily check for whiteout1 or overly dark areas in images with shadows before exporting. We could see the video as it was meant to be seen before playing it on the Media Tower. It helped a lot. Q. What is the most satisfying feature of the ViewFinity S9? Sena Yoo: I was satisfied with the ViewFinity S9’s 5K resolution, as poor resolution can reduce the details of an image. Furthermore, the monitor clearly defines highlights and shadows, enhancing the clarity of the content. Sangyi Kim: I love the flexibility of the ViewFinity S9. I can move the interface anywhere on the screen, meaning I have much more space to work with. On top of that, the monitor’s Matte Display effectively reduces reflections or glares from lights. I can focus on my work more comfortably without a light shade or a monitor hood. Q. Are there any other features you want to highlight? Sangyi Kim: Many 3D designers prefer CPU rendering rather than GPU rendering as it is more productive. As such, they prefer using monitors with Windows OS. However, I’ve noticed there are few monitors that support both 5K resolution and Windows OS. The ViewFinity S9 is a perfect choice for 3D designers who are looking for Windows OS compatibility. Sena Yoo: During meetings, we often share materials on a screen. Before, sharing screens was a hassle. But with the ViewFinity S9, we can conveniently share our work wirelessly on anyone’s monitor. Plus, the monitor is an all-in-one product that provides a variety of features for the creative process. Q. Is there anything else you would like to share about the ViewFinity S9 with designers? Sena Yoo: For designers, the monitor is a sketchbook and a paintbrush. They need to express everything on a monitor as if it were a sheet of paper. Therefore, a monitor and its resolution are critical factors to consider when working in the 3D art industry. I believe the ViewFinity S9 is an ideal companion for 3D designers, as it supports ultra-high 5K resolution and advances work efficiency. Sangyi Kim: I really believe ViewFinity was made with designers and creative professionals in mind. The colors are precise and the monitor is sleek and beautiful. It shines by itself. It gives you a real lift in terms of productivity. I can’t recommend it enough. 1 Whiteout: A phenomenon caused by extreme white areas, making objects hard to identify and distorting the perspective View the full article

Samsung Electronics today announced it is expanding its ViewFinity monitor lineup with the global availability of the 27-inch ViewFinity S9 (S90PC model). The launch of the ViewFinity S9 strengthens Samsung’s high-resolution monitor lineup following the introduction of the ViewFinity S8 (S80PB model) in June 2022 which featured an Ultra High Definition (UHD) resolution. The new ViewFinity S9 is optimized with all the tools needed in industries like graphic design and photography and also being named a CES Innovation Award honoree in 2023. “Our new 5K monitor is designed to deliver the highest performance and best experience for professionals in creative and visual industries,” said Hoon Chung, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “With the ViewFinity lineup, we will provide creatives with top-notch visual experiences, along with the lifelike color clarity and versatile connectivity they need to achieve the best in any project.” The new ViewFinity S9 offers a 27” screen with 5K (5,120 x 2,880) resolution for a workspace that’s over 50% bigger than other UHD monitors, with exceptional picture and text clarity. It allows for professionals to work on ultra-high resolution content without needing to zoom in, so they can view their projects in 5K while still keeping all their editing tools visible on screen. With 99% DCI-P31 and 218 PPI (pixels per inch), the ViewFinity S9 provides more saturated and vivid colors with crisper details, perfect for those who rely on visual fidelity.2 Furthermore, a typical brightness of 600 cd/m2 makes it easy to work in nearly any lighting environment. Samsung’s calibration technology helps users achieve the accurate color they want. During production, the monitor’s color is factory calibrated for incredible Delta E <21 accuracy immediately out of the box.3 The ViewFinity S9 uses the Smart Calibration feature controlled with smartphones,4 which is the first in the industry, and users can conveniently customize the ViewFinity S9’s screen for precise settings without expensive, complex calibration equipment whenever they want. Using the SmartThings app, users can choose to calibrate in basic mode for a quick and easy adjustment of white balance and gamma settings, or they can use professional mode for complete control of color temperature, luminance, color space and gamma settings. Users can start this process simply by pointing their smartphone camera at the ViewFinity S9’s screen, and after calibration, they can view a report detailing the adjustments made and the Delta E color accuracy. The ViewFinity S9 also supports its users with TUV-certified Intelligent Eye Care features to reduce eye strain, even over extended periods of use. Additionally, Samsung’s Matte Display limits light reflection and glare on the monitor, minimizing distractions while working. The visual performance of the ViewFinity S9 is enhanced by features designed to make professionals’ lives easier. The ViewFinity S9 features versatile connectivity for users of both Mac and Windows PCs, with Thunderbolt 4 and mini DisplayPort inputs in addition to USB-C. The Thunderbolt 4 compatibility allows users to charge devices with up to 90W of power and transfer data reliably at speeds up to 40 Gbps.5 The monitor comes equipped with a built-in 4K SlimFit camera that connects via pogo pin without additional cables or equipment. The camera’s high resolution delivers crystal clear quality for video calls on apps such as Google Meet. The camera tilts to fit the angle of your monitor, and Auto Framing6 keeps you visible and in-shot, even when you shift position. The ViewFinity S9’s slim metal design works for any space. With its ergonomic design, this product provides comfort and improves productivity by adjusting to almost any position or posture. A height adjustable stand matches the user’s eye level, and the screen can tilt to match viewing angles. In Pivot mode, the screen rotates 90 degrees, so users can read long documents with less scrolling. With VESA mount compatibility, users can save space and keep desks clutter-free. Embedded Smart TV apps give users the full TV experience when it’s time to switch to entertainment after work. Instant access to popular streaming apps and shows without a separate PC, built-in speakers with Adaptive Sound+ that automatically adjust noise levels and a remote control make this a well-rounded monitor for both work and play. The ViewFinity S9 will be available for purchase globally from June 26, 2023, with launch schedules varying by region. For more information about Samsung’s high resolution monitors and the full ViewFinity lineup, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/. Specifications S90PC Display Screen Size 27” Panel Type IPS, Flat Resolution 5K (5,120 x 2,880) Color Gamut DCI-P3 99% Brightness (Typical) 600 cd/m2 Refresh Rate (Max) 60Hz Response Time 5ms (GtG) Contrast Ratio (Static) 1000:1 Matte Display Yes Features Calibration Smart Calibration Intelligent Eye Care Adaptive Picture / Eye Saver Mode / Flicker Free Camera 4K (3,840 x 2,160), In-box Smart TV Apps Yes Gaming Hub Yes (KR, US, CA, BR, GB, FR, DE, IT, ES) Interface Connection Types 1 Thunderbolt 4 (90W) 1 miniDP, USB-C (3DN) Design Stand Type HAS / Pivot / Tilt Wall Mount 100×100 1 Color representation calculated in CIE 1976. 2 Color accuracy figures may vary based on the measurement device and the measuring point. Screen features may vary depending on system environment, such as computer components, duration of use, or other factors. 3 Factory calibration is measured for accuracy in sRGB under shipment conditions. Value may vary depending on the measurement environment. Users can find the factory calibration report in the on-screen display (OSD) settings. 4 Smart Calibration is available on Galaxy S10 or later, Galaxy Note10 or later, Galaxy Fold devices, Galaxy Flip devices, iPhone 11 or later, and the second generation iPhone SE 2 or later. It requires the latest version of the SmartThings app. 5 Certain devices using MacOS 13 may have limited compatibility. 6 Auto Framing works when using the built-in applications. View the full article

It is no secret that Samsung Electronics — the global leader in TV manufacturing for 17 consecutive years — also has a strong presence in the soundbar market, boasting an impressive nine-year reign since 2013. The secret to Samsung’s success lies within a dynamic team of innovative engineers who are pioneering the way people consume content. At the heart of this change is Samsung’s advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) technology and the company’s use of AI to improve sound and picture quality across its screens. Following the first installment of this series about the significance of hardware innovation in achieving premium sound quality, Samsung Newsroom sat down with its engineers once again to take a closer look at Samsung’s remarkable AI features that helped create a state-of-the-art sound experience. Embracing AI for Sonic Perfection: Tuning Your Sound to Your Environment “Ironically, I don’t recall sound engineers being interested in AI in the beginning when we started seeing a boom in the technology,” said Sunmin Kim, Head of the Sound Device Lab, Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. But with an intuition that AI could help improve TV sound, the Sound Device Lab decided to get a head start, about six years ago, in exploring AI and its applications to sound technologies. Then, a shift occurred. With the advent of the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) and its application to Samsung’s flagship TVs, the possibilities of applying AI technology to TV audio were unlocked. The team fast-tracked machine learning for its TVs which led to significant early successes. Kim is confident that AI has and will continue to exponentially elevate the viewing experience by enhancing TV sound in numerous and profound ways. ▲ “AI plays a critical role in improving the user experience on our screens,” said Kim. Samsung’s advanced AI applications include a deep learning algorithm that distinguishes and separates the primary voice on the screen from other sounds. Before, an equalizer feature simply adjusted the high-, middle- and low-pitched sounds within humans’ audible frequency range — approximately 20 to 20,000Hz — to improve sound quality. The 2023 TVs and screens go above and beyond, providing deeper and greater details by analyzing content scene by scene and accentuating various audio elements including human voices, background music and sound effects. Additionally, this optimization process happens behind the scenes so that users can enjoy optimal sound effortlessly. SpaceFit Sound: Tailoring Audio to Your Space The listening environment and its acoustic properties must be considered to truly optimize sound from TVs. Samsung’s latest TVs come with the SpaceFit Sound feature that leverages AI technology to assess surrounding environments and ensure sound is appropriately adjusted. The feature utilizes the TV’s built-in microphone to automatically identify various factors present in the room, such as the distance between the TV and the wall as well as the room’s acoustic properties, to measure the reflection of the TV’s sound. AI is used to enhance the sound accordingly. ▲ SpaceFit Sound leverages AI to learn the acoustic properties of the environment and calibrates the sound accordingly. “Through continuous research and analysis, we found certain frequency patterns that are more susceptible to change based on a device’s surroundings, potentially impacting the TV’s sound quality,” said Kibeom Kim. “The built-in microphone identifies changes in acoustic properties and sound caused by factors like a carpet or an empty room to optimize sound regardless of the TV’s location.” “Traditionally, TVs use a set of dedicated sounds to check sound through the mic. SpaceFit Sound, on the other hand, utilizes real content to analyze viewing environments and modifies sound accordingly,” Kim explained. “The technology was designed not only for real scenarios but also real-time circumstances as the feature automatically and conveniently adjusts sound.” ▲ Samsung’s SpaceFit Sound has become the industry’s first technology to earn the Spatial Sound Optimization certification from VDE. In recognition of the company’s dedication to innovation and user-centric design, Samsung’s SpaceFit Sound also became the first audio technology to receive the Spatial Sound Optimization certification from Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker (VDE) in 2021. Q-Symphony 3.0: Harnessing Hyperconnectivity for Three-Dimensional Sound Whether it’s through bigger screens or deeper acoustics, today’s viewers desire more cinematic experiences. Q-Symphony is a proprietary technology from Samsung that orchestrates a harmonious interplay between a TV’s speakers and a connected soundbar, resulting in a richer, more vibrant audio experience. As the name suggests, the feature allows two audio outputs to synchronize, similar to a carefully conducted concerto, creating a unified, immersive soundstage. More specifically, the soundbar plays primary audio channels, while the TV speakers add background and surround sounds to create a dynamic and three-dimensional audio experience. ▲ Q-Symphony allows soundbar and TV speakers to work in perfect sync, producing harmonious blends of sound for immersive experiences. Despite the apparent simplicity in concept, Q-Symphony leverages a wide range of AI technologies to produce and sync sounds with such accuracy. Any gaps in sound levels between the TV speakers and soundbar must be precisely synced to prevent unwanted echoes and achieve perfect audio harmony. Over the years, Samsung engineers have tirelessly worked to refine this technology. Q-Symphony 1.0, which originally utilized the TV’s top speakers, evolved into Q-Symphony 2.0, which controls all speakers with improved channel separation technology for a greater sense of depth and immersion. The latest Q-Symphony 3.0 takes sound to the next level by integrating the neural processor and AI-based real-time voice separation technology. This advanced Q-Symphony feature provides three-dimensional sound by distinguishing and optimizing various audio elements including voices, background music and sound effects based on the type of content and users’ volume settings. The resulting sound is a perfect replication of the audio track the creators intended. Samsung’s AI algorithm can also take the input signals and play them through multiple channels, whether it’s the soundbar or all the TV speakers, customizing each channel for powerful and dynamic sounds. In addition to content featuring Dolby Atmos or 5.1-channel audio, content with regular stereo channels can also be processed to create 20 individual channels. This means that any media can be delivered with exceptionally immersive sound quality on Samsung TVs and soundbars. ▲ “Q-Symphony is a revolutionary algorithm by Samsung that can masterfully synchronize audio volume and timing in perfect harmony,” said Kim. “The sound offered through Q-Symphony is so immersive that viewers feel as though they are physically present on set with so many different background sounds coming alive through the feature,” said Kim. Unifying Picture and Sound Experiences for Optimal Viewing Experiences Today, AI sits at the core of Samsung’s audio strategy with its applications extending across numerous products. This widespread adoption of AI has resulted in features like Q-Symphony and SpaceFit Sound that enrich the audio experience, alongside other audio technologies that breathe life into content through dialogue and movement. Additional capabilities include Active Voice Amplifier, which adjusts and improves dialogue clarity with the speaker and surrounding noise in mind, Human Tracking Sound, which dynamically reproduces the sound based on the position of the on-screen speaker, and OTS Pro, which creates a dynamic soundscape based on the movement of objects or the speaker on the screen. These features are the outcome of two symbiotic AI technologies: a content analysis model and a sound separation model. The neural processors work with both auditory and visual cues, among other signals, to create the perfect audio experience that syncs with what is happening on the screen. Despite the complexity of this process, Samsung was able to bring these features to life by forming a cross-departmental team of engineers and pooling resources across picture, sound and other departments. The Future of Sound: Reshaping Audio Experiences With Samsung’s Sound Device Lab ▲ (From left) Seongsu Park, Sunmin Kim and Kibeom Kim at the Sound Device Lab are on a mission to capture audio just as the artists intended. In the Sound Device Lab, there is a clear and unwavering goal that guides every innovation: recreate the original sound as closely as the artists intended, with consumers top of mind. AI is a critical tool that enables Samsung to do this. Sunmin Kim, who heads the Sound Device Lab, believes that sound is just one side of the coin: “The focus on sound quality is a given, but all innovations that made breakthroughs came from user-centric design. Sound settings and features need to be straightforward and user friendly.” Seongsu Park noted that 70% of TV sound comes from the product while the remaining 30% is shaped by the space in which the sound is played: “Our products will continue to leverage the latest measurement systems and AI algorithms to analyze space and sound settings for optimal sound quality.” On a final note, Kibeom Kim also shared the Sound Lab’s ambition in the era of multi-device sound experiences initiated by the Q-Symphony feature: “There is unlimited potential in Q-Symphony to produce audio that works in perfect harmony. We will continue to improve inter-device connectivity and enhance the feature for our users.” Samsung is committed to delivering premium experiences for consumers, prioritizing their needs through innovative products. With a strong track record as a market leader for 17 consecutive years, Samsung will continue to enhance the viewing experience and drive sound innovation. View the full article

Samsung Electronics today announced that it is displaying a masterpiece by Park Seo-Bo, a leading figure in contemporary Korean art, on The Wall All-in-One (IAB model) at New York’s iconic Rockefeller Center. As part of the “Origin, Emergence, Return” exhibition, Samsung has partnered with Johyun Gallery, combining the artistic brilliance of Park Seo-Bo with Samsung’s state-of-the-art Micro LED technology to bring an unrivaled viewing experience that pushes the boundaries of digital art display. Visitors can appreciate the art from Park’s iconic “Écriture” series on The Wall’s immersive 146-inch 4K screen. The Wall All-in-One provides an awe-inspiring visual experience that replicates the intense colors and intricate textures of Park’s painting, allowing visitors to be fully immersed in the artwork. This collaboration also marks the first digital rendition1 of Park’s artwork. Utilizing microphotography, the original artwork was captured in 56 segments in an ultra-high resolution and is shown by slowly zooming out from a magnified coin-sized area of the artwork. In this process, the work is imbued with movement and the complex texture of Écriture created with paint and traditional handmade Korean paper, Hanji, is fully brought to life, the entirety of which was perfectly captured by The Wall’s captivating display. “I wanted to highlight the intricate universe of the original artwork by adding a dynamic component into every corner of the painting,” said Park. “The Wall’s digital display masterfully renders the nuanced texture of Hanji and the fluctuating red hues under sunlight, revealing details that could have been easily overlooked with the naked eye.” Samsung’s The Wall All-in-One is powered by advanced Micro LED technology and has won numerous awards, including “2023 Best of Show” at both Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2023 and InfoComm 2023, the world’s leading AV and systems integration exhibitions. With its convenient installation process of using a pre-adjusted seam, it enables effortless customization to create the perfect ambiance for the displayed content, saving businesses time and resources. Plus, thanks to a sleek and slim design, it seamlessly fits into any commercial environment, making it the preferred choice for businesses looking to elevate their displays. The exhibition also features a media room with Samsung’s 85-inch Neo QLED 8K Signage (QPA-8K model), which presents Park’s artistic process through a series of videos and documentaries, providing viewers with a comprehensive overview of the artist’s unique vision and creative journey. Visitors at the Rockefeller Center will have the unique opportunity to see more than 40 pieces of Park’s artwork, including the digital exhibition on The Wall All-in-One, until July 23. “We are truly honored to showcase Park Seo-Bo’s extraordinary work through The Wall All-in-One, which beautifully highlights the artist’s mastery of color and texture,” said Hoon Chung, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to forge new partnerships and introduce innovative solutions that push the boundaries of display technology.” For more information on Samsung’s The Wall All-in-One, please visit http://smsng.co/B2Bsolutions. 1 Video Art Title: [1 OF 0], Directed by Jifan Park View the full article

Sound has the power to transform how we enjoy visual media, from movies to TV shows. Premium audio brings content to life by invoking emotions — complementing what is on screen and sometimes even foreshadowing what will come next. Sound adds depth and texture to the narrative, enhancing the viewer’s connection to the story unfolding. ▲ One of Samsung’s industry-leading anechoic chambers in Suwon is used to accurately evaluate the audio performance for various products. Samsung Newsroom sat down with Sunmin Kim and Seongsu Park from the Sound Device Lab within the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics to discuss the importance of audio in delivering a superior viewing experience as well as Samsung’s latest innovations in sound and picture quality.  ▲ Samsung’s sound engineers explain why audio is so important for the TV viewing experience and introduce some of the latest features based on artificial intelligence (AI). Bringing Content to Life Through Sound “Sound plays a very important role in making the content we consume immersive,” said Sunmin Kim, Head of the Sound Device Lab, Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. Be it romantic films, funny TV shows or even live sports broadcasts, Kim believes that a majority of the emotional impact from visual content is delivered through sound. “For example, it’s often the background music and sound effects that make horror films more terrifying. If you were to turn off the sound, many scenes wouldn’t be as scary. In fact, you may even find some scenes to be funny.” ▲ “The Sound Device Lab is committed to developing optimal solutions that deliver sound just as artists intended,” said Kim, Head of the Sound Device Lab, Visual Display Business. “Film, TV and music directors are all artists. And what’s important to me is that they work to amplify stories through sound effects and music,” said Kim. “The goal here at the Sound Device Lab is to deliver content to viewers as the artists intended.” This can be a daunting task because production and viewing environments tend to vary significantly. Seongsu Park, who oversees speaker development and audio evaluation in the Sound Device Lab, shared some of the challenges his team faces. “Audio for movies and TV shows, in general, are mixed to a reference level of approximately 85 decibels (dB), equivalent to volume levels found in a movie theater. However, at home, many viewers watch the content at lower volumes. According to our research, many TV viewers reduce the volume to around 60dB, and some even to 20dB, to avoid disturbing neighbors,” explained Park. This means that dialogues that would have been audible in the mixing studio may be indiscernible in the living room. Engineers must consider additional differences in consumers’ viewing environments such as curtains, furniture and other elements that might absorb or deflect sound waves. ▲ “We’ve moved on from front-facing speakers to speakers all around the TV,” said Park of Samsung’s Visual Display Business. The Sound Device Lab found solutions in the form of hardware and software innovations. From the hardware side, multiple smaller, specialized speakers were introduced to provide surround sound. The software side tuned these speakers to form a balanced audio experience and remixed the sound signals to ensure key sound factors are delivered to viewers. From Few, Front-Facing to Many, Everywhere-Facing Speakers TVs are usually limited to their set form factor when producing sound. Recently, this limitation has become increasingly restrictive for sound engineers as TVs have become slimmer from both the front and side. “In the past, huge front-facing stereo speakers were on each side of the TV screen. Current TV designs deny such placement,” said Park. “We were forced to dig deep.” ▲ TV designs have become thinner and slimmer, forcing sound engineers to get creative. The Sound Device Lab responded to the challenge by developing multiple smaller speaker units for its TVs and placing them away from plain sight. By arranging these units in different directions and coordinating the audio output, the team was able to simulate surround sound. This technology is further pushed in models that feature Neural Processing Units (NPUs), such as the Neural Quantum Processor found on select Neo QLED TV models, by unlocking features such as Object Tracking Sound (OTS). OTS identifies picture and audio objects on the screen in real time before matching, tracking and coordinating multiple speakers to create a dynamic three-dimensional soundscape. ▲ The latest Samsung TVs utilize a number of distributed speakers to offer a more 3D-like sound.1 To support slimmer bezels and flat-to-the-wall TV designs, sound engineers also had to reduce the physical size of the speakers. Speakers operate by physically pushing out air, so in many cases, speaker performance is directly affected by size. As the Sound Device Lab could not physically enlarge the speakers, it instead focused on the range of movement. “Let’s say the moving range of a speaker driver is 100. Using 50-70% of that range was considered to be sufficient. To respond to slimmer TV designs, however, we raised that range to 80-85%,” explained Park. “As we fit smaller but more efficient speakers in our TVs, we were not only able to accommodate the slimmer design, but we also ended up improving the collective sound performance.” ▲ A wide range of speakers are strategically positioned in recent Samsung TVs, including up-firing and side-firing hidden center speakers as well as woofers that bounce deep bass off the walls.1 Creating Perfect Balance From Every Angle While adding speakers resulted in a more immersive and dynamic audio experience, it posed another challenge. Sound engineers had to fine-tune and balance the multiple speakers to achieve a perfect blend of sound. With many speakers operating at differing frequency ranges and all facing different directions, tuning them to work in unison as a single balanced unit became exponentially difficult — but it had to be done. The effort started with gathering accurate data. In anechoic and semi-anechoic chambers, the Sound Device Lab members measured TV sounds from 323 different points, covering the entire range of TV viewing, for each of the settings until the frequency and volume balance was optimal. After that, they took each model to listening rooms and simulated various real-life living room settings to ensure the speakers were tuned to perfection. ▲ Direct sounds, sans echoes and reverberations, are measured and tuned at a total of 323 points by adjusting TV angles. This is an essential process in tuning each unit to an optimal sound balance. ▲ (Clockwise from the top left) The images represent the following: (1) a graph measuring Sound Pressure Level (SPL) by frequency band at a specific angle, (2) SPL in a specific frequency space, (3) SPL by distance for all frequency bands and SPL by frequency band at an angle from a specific direction and (4) a graph combining measurements from all 323 points. This is the process of finding a “Target Curve” that ensures even sound distribution within the human hearing range, tuning each speaker to deliver excellent sound quality from any angle. Future-Proofing Sound As the global TV market leader for 17 consecutive years, Samsung remains committed to innovating the TV experience. So, what’s next? “I was shocked when a colleague told me that the volume keys are the most frequently pressed buttons on a TV remote. This signals a clear inconvenience. So, it has become a vision of mine to remove the volume buttons completely from the remote control,” shared Park, expressing his desire to enable Samsung TVs to automatically adjust the volume based on surrounding noise. “Great technology produces and delivers accurate sound,” said Kim. “We will continue to incorporate our long-running expertise with newer technologies such as AI to create as close a reference sound as possible.” In the next part of this series, Samsung Newsroom will explore the role of AI in elevating audio performance and sound experiences. 1 Speaker locations may vary by model. View the full article

In the age of digital art, Samsung Art Store and the V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum, London) are working to create a harmonious connection between technology and creativity. Together, they have harnessed the power of the Art Store to make the V&A’s extraordinary collections available to art enthusiasts all around the world. Samsung Newsroom sat down with Marta Di Gioia, a member of the Brand Licensing department’s research team, to discuss insights into the visionary partnership. ▲ The V&A’s Ceramic Staircase ▲ The V&A’s Madejski Garden ▲ The V&A’s main entrance on Cromwell Road. Photo by James Medcraft Expanding and Spotlighting the Museum’s Collections Can you tell us about your role at the V&A? As a member of the Brand Licensing department’s research team, it is my responsibility to shine a light on the museum’s holdings. I cater to the specific research requirements of licensees while maintaining the distinctive aesthetic of the V&A brand, capturing the essence of the institution’s unique narrative and the creativity displayed across its collections. Collaborating To Enhance Access to Art and Inspire Creativity How has the partnership between the V&A and the Art Store evolved from its inception? Since 2018, this collaboration has broadly expanded access to art, enthralling art lovers and revolutionizing the way customers view the V&A’s collections. Together, the V&A and Samsung have unveiled more content and artworks — spanning centuries, continents and artistic movements so that customers can enjoy them from the comfort of their own homes. How do you choose appropriate pieces from the V&A’s expansive collection for The Frame? The V&A Brand Licensing team explores the museum’s magnificent archives for striking images and diverse selections of assets that resonate with the Art Store audience. Some pieces of art and design are simply perennial favorites. Others are chosen so that viewers can explore the background of each piece, unearthing narratives and storylines about the artist’s intentions. ▲ The Great Wave off Kanagawa, Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), Japan, about 1831 ▲ Design for a printed cotton, William Kilburn (1745–1818), England, 1788–92 Could you tell us about the “V&A: Ocean Treasures” curation for The Frame? “V&A: Ocean Treasures,” launching in July to celebrate summer, is an eclectic selection of art featuring the themes of marine flora and fauna, romantic seascapes and glamorous holidays. The images in this collection span photography, illustrations, watercolors and oil paintings, embodying the artistic style and techniques of the different centuries in which they were created. ▲ The Brig on the Water, Gustave Le Gray (1820–84), France, 1850s ▲ Discomedusae – Jellyfish, Ernst Haeckel (1834-1919), Art Forms in Nature, Germany, 1899-1904 ▲ L’Immensité, Gustave Courbet (1819–77), France, 1869 How does the V&A’s licensing program build upon the museum’s mission to make art accessible to all and inspire creativity? The V&A’s award-winning licensing program began over 25 years ago and currently has more than 95 licensees worldwide. As we illuminate our collections by supplying tailor-made research, supporting design processes and shining a light on the fascinating story behind each artwork, we strive to make the museum’s celebrated holdings more accessible to a new and wider audience. ▲ Design for a printed cotton, William Kilburn (1745–1818), England, 1788–92 Out of the more than 20 works of art selected for the Art Store, which three pieces look the most impressive on The Frame? “Tiffany 3” by Nigel Quiney, “London by Gaslight” by Paul Martin and the Victorian collage of seaweed specimens are some of the most impressive pieces from the V&A’s Art Store portfolio as they perfectly capture the breadth of the museum’s collections. ▲ Tiffany 3, Nigel Quiney, London, 1968 “Tiffany 3” is a 1968 pattern for wrapping paper by English designer Nigel Quiney (b.1939). Quiney’s psychedelic patterns epitomise vibrant Pop Art from the era of Swinging London through his use of psychedelia, as well as Art Nouveau and Art Deco influences. ▲ London by Gaslight, Paul Martin (1864–1944), London, 1896 “London by Gaslight” is a monotone photograph by Paul Martin displaying Piccadilly Circus at night in 1896. This image is part of the extraordinary Royal Photographic Society Collection — a significant component of the V&A’s world-class photography collection partly showcased in the museum’s newly expanded Photography Center. ▲ Seaweed specimens, Britain, 1878 “Seaweed Specimens,” a collage of pages from a Victorian scrapbook, is featured in July’s “V&A: Ocean Treasures” collection. The scrapbook is particularly interesting because it includes 30 sheets of well-preserved pressed seaweeds with each specimen named, reflecting the interest in amateur botany that developed in the 19th century and giving us a view of leisure pursuits and domestic pastimes of the time. Preserving Art of the Past While Paving the Way for Art of the Future What impact do you think recent technological advancements have had on the art world? Recent technological advancements have broken down geographical barriers, allowing museums and galleries to digitally showcase their collections to a worldwide audience, while virtual reality and augmented reality have revolutionized traditional exhibition spaces. This blurring of the physical and digital realms has enriched the viewer’s engagement, making art more accessible and engaging for all. ▲ Typhoon, Nigel Quiney, London, 1969 What part does digital art and design play in the V&A’s permanent collections? With a forward-thinking vision, museums are spearheading innovative initiatives to captivate and immerse visitors in the realm of digital artistry like never before. The V&A recognizes the profound impact of digital art and design on contemporary culture and seeks to showcase and celebrate their significance within its diverse collection. The transformative power of technology can shape contemporary artistic expression, foster dialogue and inspire visitors to explore the intersections of art, design and digital innovation. Visit the Samsung Art Store in The Frame to explore more of the V&A’s collection. Images © Victoria and Albert Museum, London View the full article

View the full blog at its source