[The Sound of the Future] ③ Documenting the History of Samsung’s Soundbars, a Key Addition to Any Immersive Viewing Experience
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By STF News
Samsung Electronics recently launched its new television lineup for 2023, which boasts a range of technological advancements designed to deliver superior picture quality, sound performance and usability. Since March of this year, reviewers worldwide were given early access to Samsung’s newest Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED 4K and OLED TVs, and it is evident that the 2023 lineup is already generating considerable buzz.
With upgraded premium features and innovations that enable unparalleled viewing experiences, Samsung 2023 TVs are already setting a new benchmark for high-end screens. Below are some key highlights of the early reviews.
▼ List of Featured Articles (In alphabetical order for each segment)
[Neo QLED 8K] Techaeris, Techradar
[Neo QLED 4K] Newsweek, T3, Trusted Reviews
[OLED] HD Guru, Home Cinema Choice, Sound & Vision
[Q Symphony] Trusted Reviews
Future-Proof Your Home Entertainment With Neo QLED 8K
▲ Samsung Neo QLED 8K
Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K is at the forefront of cutting-edge screen technology, setting industry standards year over year. With the latest in upscaling technology and advanced features, the quality of Neo QLED 8K has been highly regarded for years, and the 2023 lineup now joins the ranks with positive reviews.
At the center of Neo QLED 8K’s immaculate display is the Neural Quantum Processor 8K that manages numerous neural networks and algorithms. The SoC leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to make sure every detail on the screen shines. Together with Quantum Matrix Technology Pro, it enables precise backlight control that illuminates every highlight while showing deep black levels.
Outlets such as Techaeris highlighted the Neo QLED 8K, saying, “The 75″ 8K Samsung QN900C Neo-QLED TV is a fantastic television,” and ranked the device as a ‘Top Pick 2023’ for the outlet. The outlet noted that, “if you want to future-proof your entertainment space, the Samsung QN900C is an excellent choice.”
TechRadar also praised the Neo QLED 8K (QN900C) for its upscaling technology, noting that “Samsung’s top 8K TV has a gloriously detailed picture,” thanks to its Neural Quantum Processor. “There were many moments while viewing when I silently uttered ‘wow’, and that’s certainly not something I find myself doing with every TV I test,” the review noted. (TechRadar, 02/2023)
Bringing True-To-Life Colors and Striking Contrast With Neo QLED 4K
Drawing from the technological advancements of the Neo QLED 8K lineup, Samsung’s 2023 Neo QLED 4K TVs are already making headlines for producing stunning visuals in pristine 4K resolution.
Recognizing the QN95C for its screen technologies that provide quality viewing experiences for consumers no matter what they watch, Newsweek commended the TV, saying, “The Samsung 65QN95C is an incredibly bright, feature-packed 4K TV with everything that gamers and binge-watchers will love.” The review also stated that, “The Samsung QN95C is one of the best TVs you can buy, delivering near OLED black levels and great performance while gaming or streaming.”
T3 honored the QN95C with its ‘Platinum Award’ and giving the TV five out of five stars in its review. In comparing it to other screens, T3 noted, “The Samsung QN95C delivers outstanding image quality that rivals any OLED on the market.” (T3, 03/2023)
Trusted Reviews compared the QN95’s capabilities to other devices on the market as well, stating that, “There’s simply no other LCD TV out there that uses local dimming that limits backlight blooming as well as the QE65QN95C.” The publication also complimented the device’s Quantum Matrix Technology, noting, “Samsung has taken things a step further with their latest Mini LED TV, which boasts a massive increase in dimming zones — and the results are nothing short of spectacular.”
The Neo QLED 4K’s Neural Quantum Processor 4K and Quantum Matrix Technology come together for brilliant detail and sensational contrast, as Trusted Reviews said, “Together with Samsung’s already well-established prowess when it comes to local dimming and power management, this huge dimming zone increase has the potential to take picture quality to a whole new level.”
Game-Changing OLED Experience Powered by Neural Quantum Processor 4K
▲ Samsung OLED
Samsung’s mission is, in part, to meet the diverse demands of consumers by providing them with a wide variety of screens for their homes. Its latest TV lineup offers a range of premium screens, with something for every scenario and every consumer, including Samsung’s 2023 OLED TVs that offer dynamic picture quality with deep black levels and lively colors.
Samsung OLED features incredible peak brightness that does not sacrifice deep black levels or breathtaking contrast thanks in part to its advanced processing. HD Guru noted in its review that Samsung’s latest S95C enjoys, “a significant brightness boost while maintaining 100% color volume.” Home Cinema Choice also commended the S95C’s impressive color quality, giving the device a “Best Buy” distinction, and stating, “improvements in brightness and color punch have been achieved without seemingly any detriment to the deep black levels we’ve come to expect from OLED-based technologies.”
Samsung OLEDs also retain the core strengths of OLED technology while overcoming the inherent limitations of OLED’s brightness by leveraging its Neural Quantum Processor 4K. “The 77-inch S95C delivers a potent combination of quantum dot OLED vibrance, reference-level color accuracy, and hyperfast gaming,” as noted by Sound & Vision. The reviewer also recognized the Samsung dedication to innovation, noting of the S95C, “It’s been a long journey to arrive at a TV that fully expresses creative intent right out of the box, but this is it.”
Lifelike Soundstage Powered by Q-Symphony and Sound Remastering
▲ Speakers on the rear side of Samsung Neo QLED (QN900C)
A key component to providing cinematic at-home entertainment is rich and immersive sound that complements a lifelike picture, which Samsung delivers in full through its 2023 lineup.
Samsung 2023 TVs feature innovations such as Adaptive Sound+, which uses AI technology to remaster each sound object, ensuring all audio is clear and at just the right volume. It also continues to leverage Q-Symphony, applying AI to enhance the harmonic sound of combined TV speakers and soundbars.
Samsung’s 2023 TV lineup has received numerous recognitions for its immersive soundscape, with outlets such as Trusted Reviews commenting that, “The QE65QN95C also offers an AI-enhanced version of Samsung’s Q Symphony feature this year, too, enabling the speakers in the TV to combine with those in a Samsung soundbar more effectively to create a larger, more detailed soundstage.” The outlet rated the TV as ‘Highly Recommended,’ and gave it five out of five stars.
Samsung continues to revolutionize the industry, reinforcing its legacy as the global leader in the TV market for 17 years. To learn more about Samsung’s 2023 TV lineup, visit https://www.samsung.com.
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By STF News
Samsung Electronics released its Odyssey Neo G8, the world’s first 240Hz 4K gaming monitor. At CES 2022, it was awarded the Best of Innovation Award in the Gaming category, receiving recognition for its technological excellence. To explore the features of the world’s first and fastest gaming monitor, Samsung Newsroom takes you through an unboxing of the Odyssey Neo G8.
Samsung’s Odyssey Neo G8 Offers Enhanced Convenience With Matte Display, Ergonomic Stand and More
When you first open the box, the assorted parts, including the monitor, stand neck, stand base and power cable are the first things you see.1
Installing the monitor is very simple.2 First, connect the stand base to the back of the product and fasten it with a screw. Then, connect the stand base to the stand neck and fasten the screw on the bottom. Then, put on the back cover and turn it clockwise. The monitor is now ready to be used.
Once assembled, the 32-inch curved shape of the monitor is eye-catching. The monitor has a 1000R curved VA panel, which is a curvature most similar to a human’s field of vision. This curvature intensifies immersion while gaming, making you feel as if you are really inside the world of the game.
The Odyssey Neo G8’s Matte Display was also verified as ‘Glare-Free’ by global safety certification company UL (Underwriters Laboratories), meaning its panel reduces light reflection. The display absorbs surrounding light so the user can enjoy an immersive gaming experience without being hindered by external elements, such as sunlight from windows.
Consoles and other gaming accessories can also be easily connected to the monitor. When the Odyssey Neo G8 is turned on, its Auto Source Switch+ feature automatically detects other devices and switches the screen to the source of those devices.
Plus, the monitor offers a Height Adjustable Stand (HAS), as well as Swivel and Tilt functionality for ergonomic efficiency and Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) compliant mounting.
Unrivaled Speed With 0.001 Second Response Time and 240Hz Refresh Rate
The Odyssey Neo G8 boasts a fast response time of 1ms (0.001 second) (GtG),3 giving users a more vivid gaming experience when playing games that require fast response times. Games such as first-person shooters (FPS) and racing games change screens rapidly, and lag or slow response times could affect the outcome of the game. Luckily, the Odyssey Neo G8 keeps up with the pace and gives gamers the best chance to win the game.
Refresh rate, which measures how many times per second the display is able to show a new image, is also very important to gamers. The Odyssey Neo G8’s refresh rate of 240Hz provides a stable and smooth viewing experience.
The monitor also comes with Low Input Lag to enhance response time. Input Lag is an indicator that measures how long it takes for input from a keyboard or mouse to be shown on screen. The lower the input lag, the shorter the input time and the faster the response time. The Odyssey Neo G8 has a low input lag of 1ms, helping gamers play more accurately in games where every second matters.
The tearing effect is another factor that can determine the outcome of a game. This is when the screen lags and the display becomes choppy due to a communication issue between the PC and the monitor. The Odyssey Neo G8 supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro which minimizes screen tearing and lag when playing CPU-intensive games, allowing users to enjoy smooth visuals when playing games.
An Upgraded Vivid Gaming Environment With Quantum Matrix, HDR 2000 and Amazing UHD Picture Quality
As the Odyssey Neo G8 is the world’s fastest 4K gaming monitor, it boasts a UHD resolution of 3,840 x 2,160. The UHD resolution enlivens the game by providing vivid graphics, making it seem as if the world of the game is right in front of your eyes.
The Odyssey Neo G8 also features Quantum Matrix Technology, which is Samsung’s proprietary technology that controls picture quality. Quantum Matrix uses Quantum Mini LEDs, which are 1/40 the height of conventional LEDs, as a light source for even more precise control of contrast. This technology clearly displays the contrast between the darkest shadows and brightest objects in scenes that utilize a wide spectrum of colors, such as explosion scenes, creating a more vivid gaming experience. It also prevents the halo effect, in which the light from a bright area on the screen bleeds into darker areas surrounding it.
The Quantum HDR 2000 utilized in the Odyssey Neo G8 delivers maximum brightness for a rich HDR experience. Specifically, it provides 4,096 steps for screen brightness adjustments and supports a high static contrast ratio of a million-to-one. Furthermore, the local dimming zone displays the color black more precisely. By capturing the reflected light of an enemy’s movement, the user can easily discover where the enemy is hiding and also notice the details hidden behind the shadows.
Superior Backlighting That Changes According to the Display Color
The lighting on the back of the monitor makes your gaming experience feel more futuristic. The Odyssey Neo G8 comes with the CoreSync lighting feature, in which the monitor automatically detects the color at the center of the display and syncs it to the color of the lighting on the back of the monitor. The monitor can display five different light colors, enabling gamers to enjoy a modern, sleek vibe while gaming. When gaming in a dark place, the CoreSync feature can blur the line between reality and the game, fully immersing the player in the experience.
Odyssey Neo G8 Leads the Premium Gaming Monitor Market
The monitor’s fast response time and vivid picture quality maximize the immersive experience users can feel while playing a game. These modern features also help gamers be successful during gameplay, making the Odyssey Neo G8 the ideal choice for gamers.
The Odyssey Neo G8 has received positive reviews and is being called the “Best Gaming Monitor” by global media outlets. Techaeris and Trusted Review have raved about the Odyssey Neo G8, stating that it “offers up a fantastic picture and a high refresh rate,” and provides a “stunning, immersive gaming experience.”
The gaming monitor industry has gone beyond simply providing nice screens for game-playing. Products offering highly advanced features, such as fast speed, high picture quality and more, are becoming increasingly more important as they help gamers perform their best. The Odyssey Neo G8 is the top monitor for serious gamers who want to be immersed in the game while experiencing the best in picture quality during gameplay.
1 Accessories may vary by country or region.
2 Needs to be installed according to the instructions in the manual. Placing the curved panel alone on a desk or floor can cause damage to the product.
3 Gray to Gray. A unit of measurement of pixel speed. Used to measure the response time of gaming monitors.
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By STF News
Samsung Research1 America’s Audio Lab has been working towards its mandate of ‘taking Samsung’s audio technology to the top of the industry’ since its foundation. From making improvements in the pure audio sphere to building leadership in advancing TV sound technology, the Audio Lab has surprised the entire industry with innovative solutions including the Q-Symphony and OTS (Object Tracking Sound) technologies.
Following the release of the HW-S800B Ultra Slim Soundbar for Samsung’s QLED TV line-up, which was unveiled earlier this year at CES, Samsung Newsroom spoke to Ema Souza Blanes at Audio Lab of Samsung Research America. She is the person behind the process for product validation and research that includes countless listening tests, all of which are conducted to deliver the best possible immersive viewing experiences with the finest sound.
▲ Ema Souza Blanes at Audio Lab of Samsung Research America
1. Briefly tell us about yourself and your role in the Samsung Audio Lab.
I am a French audio engineer, and after graduating from the engineering school Arts et Métiers ParisTech (ENSAM) and the Paris-Saclay University, I joined the Samsung Research America’s Audio Lab in Valencia, California. My role with the Audio Lab is to run listening tests for product validation and overall research purposes.
2. What is a new or recent trend happening in the soundbar industry?
Immersion is a topical subject in soundbar development, with the inclusion of more advanced audio technologies such as Dolby Atmos in home audio. Soundbars have also naturally followed the TV design trend with the intent of blending into the home décor with a sleek and discreet build. Though, despite these new slim designs, sound quality and immersion yet remain at the heart of soundbar development.
3. Samsung has recently released the ultra-slim soundbar HW-S800B. What were some of the primary objectives for this model?
The design process of the HW-S800B was dedicated to combining all aspects of these recent trends into one product. We aimed to develop a soundbar that blends seamlessly with discreet screens such as The Frame, which challenged us when it came to customization and optimization due to its slim design.
▲ HW-S800B
4. The soundbar’s depth and height are 1.6” x 1.5”, which is a difficult size in which to include all amplifiers and multi-channel speakers. Can you describe some of the challenges you faced during the development process?
Most soundbars in the market that are designed to be slim or small typically have a weaker integration of the subwoofer to the soundbar. The result is a colored sound, especially when it comes to voices. The challenge was to avoid this effect and to ensure that voices are maintained in the center of the sound field. This required custom soundbar transducers and a design capable of low crossover frequency to the subwoofer.
5. We noticed that the subwoofer appears different from past models. Can you elaborate on this difference?
Most subwoofers feature a port to enhance the bass response. Since the HW-S800B’s subwoofer has a smaller enclosure which limits the port size, we recognized that this would cause turbulent air motion, resulting in distortion and less bass. This constraint was addressed by designing a custom passive radiator in place of a port and a long-excursion 6.5” woofer that is able to displace as much air as a larger woofer.
6. Similar to other premium Samsung soundbars, this model features a wireless connection between the soundbar and TV along with Dolby Atmos sound technology. Why should consumers want these capabilities?
Samsung’s 2022 soundbars come with Wireless Dolby Atmos connectivity, a wireless Smart TV-to-soundbar connection in which both the screen and soundbar speakers deliver an incredible audio experience with no distracting cables. It allows for smoother on-wall mounting setups by minimizing the number of visible cables. Nobody wants their homes cluttered or disorganized, and we are living in a time, in which more consumers are eyeing products that perfectly blend their sophisticated, personal style in and out of the home with technological innovation for a better, connected experience. I believe our soundbars exemplify this desire that we’re seeing in the consumer electronics industry.
7. Samsung’s Q-Symphony sound technology has also significantly improved in the past year. What are some of the upgrades over the previous version?
In the 2021 TV models, Q-Symphony combined the power of the top speakers and the soundbar. The new Q-Symphony enhances the surround sound and feeling of immersion through channel separation technology. This enables the soundbar and TV speakers to work together with all the speakers on the TVs, including the top, bottom and side speakers, providing for an expansive, powerful soundscape.
8. Is there anything else we should know about the Audio Lab and your work?
Running listening tests is crucial to ensure the quality of our products. At Samsung, we work closely with our skilled listeners in various and rigorous listening tests where they give their opinion on our products including the comparison between our previous models. The HW-S800B is no exception and showed compelling results while also competing with much larger soundbars.
▲ Samsung Research America’s Audio Lab
1 Samsung Research, acting as Samsung Electronics’ advanced R&D hub, leads the development of future technologies for the company’s Device eXperience (DX) Division.
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By STF News
Samsung Electronics today hosted an immersive art experience at London’s Saatchi Gallery with perceptual artist, Michael Murphy. Together, they unveiled a stunning spiraling installation created using eleven of Samsung’s state-of-the-art, super QN900A Neo QLED TV Infinity Screens. Audiences were transported through the immersive installation to an exclusive performance by electronic music duo, Gorgon City, from the stunning Skywalk Biokovo on Croatia’s Adriatic coast. Experience producers, Cercle, filmed the landmark performance featuring Gorgon City’s never-heard-before track, ‘Skywalk,’ named after the iconic location, which played out across the installation’s super Samsung Neo QLED screens in stunning true-to-life picture.
The immersive experience represents the continuation of Samsung’s commitment to celebrating the ever-moving crossroads of art and technology, with the visionary mind of Michael Murphy. On Murphy’s spiral installation, that stood almost twelve feet tall in a darkened room, audiences were teleported to Gorgon City’s exclusive performance, while Cercle’s sweeping camera and cinematography flaunted the rich landscapes of the rocky Biokovo Natural Park on Croatia’s rocky southern coast – all through the all-encompassing lens of the QN900A Neo QLED state-of-the-art 8K Infinity Screens. As Gorgon City’s set unfolded on the striking and complex architectural glass walkway, Murphy’s trademark perceptual deception revealed itself to show the nearly bezel-less, Anti-glare screens, with all eleven working in unison, spiraled to manipulate the eye.
Michael Murphy said: “I’m so proud of this installation. To think this is the first time I’ve ever worked with moving images in my art, so the challenge of integrating them onto not just one, but eleven screens – well, it looks and feels amazing. Of course, Cercle’s unbelievable cinematography and the breath-taking picture quality of the Neo QLED made my job easier, not to mention the fact they’re Samsung’s slimmest ever screens, but I’m beyond excited the installation has helped me push my art to the next level. That’s why I’m so glad Samsung and I got to work together for this piece – we’re both pushing for viewers to see the world in a new light. I do it with mind-blowing perceptual tricks, Samsung with their mind-blowing screens.”
As Croatia’s vivid blues, oranges and greens swept across the true-to-life picture and the richest, nearly bezel-less color ever seen, audiences weren’t just transported to a set on the Adriatic coast, but thanks to Murphy’s transformational installation, to a different world entirely.
“At Samsung, we’ve always tried to push boundaries, and there is no greater boundary to cross than to experience a new and fresh perspective,” said Nathan Sheffield, Samsung’s Head of Visual Display. “That’s why we wanted to work with Michael, because his work has always transcended the boundaries between art and perception. Cercle has done the same with music, cinema and culture. At Samsung we aim to show our customers how expressive, inspiring and colorful the world can be. With Michael, Cercle and the remarkable visual power of the super Neo QLED we’ve made a big step towards our goal.”
“Just wow,” said Cercle founder, Derek Barbolla.“We’ve filmed some beautiful scenes worldwide, and we knew the Skywalk video with Gorgon City would be no exception. However, none of the performances we’ve filmed have looked just so true-to-life on screen. Then, when combined with Michael Murphy’s perceptual artistry –it reaches a whole new level. It goes to show – when you entwine music, cinema, art and the world’s best TV, you can create something truly special.”
Matt Robson-Scott of Gorgon City said: “It’s been an honor to work with the Samsung and Cercle team. It was such an amazing experience shooting in a such an epic location and we feel like it suits the track perfectly. We were blown away by the way they work and hope everyone loves the video as much as we do”.
Samsung’s new, flagship QN900A Neo QLED television, like the immersive experience, delivers a mesmerizing viewing experience with true-to-life picture, rich color and anti-glare technology in the comfort of your home. For superpowered visual technology, only available with the Neo QLED 8K TV, you can truly experience new perspectives.
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