Quantcast
Jump to content


[Interview] How Samsung’s Neo QLED is Bringing About Next-Level Watching Experiences


Recommended Posts

The user’s enjoyment of their viewing experience is one of the key drivers in the advancement of display technologies. While many developers work simply for the ‘ideal’ picture quality, Samsung’s Neo QLED TV developers have also put in the utmost efforts to develop optimized displays for users that go above and beyond ideas of what a display can be.

 

In order to understand more about how those innovative features of the Neo QLED transcend technological hurdles to meet user’s growing demands for next-level quality displays, Samsung Global Newsroom sat down with the next-generation TV’s developers to find out more.

 

Neo_QLED_Interview_main1.jpg

▲(From left to right) Engineers Bonggeun Lee, Kyehoon Lee, and Minhoon Lee from the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics

 

 

The Beginning of QLED: the Quantum Mini LED

Neo_QLED_Interview_main2.jpg

 

The culmination of a range of leading innovations, the journey to developing the Neo QLED began with the creation of the Quantum Mini LED, a light source just 1/40th the height of conventional LEDs. Samsung’s engineers managed to reduce the size of the LED down to almost that of dust, and applied a micro layer that softly disperses light into the LED itself, allowing the chip to emit and disperse light on its own. The resulting self-emitting LED removes the noise possessed by previous technologies and enables the era of natural, smooth display presentation.

 

“In those TVs that utilize the typical LEDs, there is an additional lens that has to sit on top of the LED so that the light can be dispersed, so our focus for our new LED product was on allowing it to disperse light independently,” noted Engineer Minhoon Lee. “Not only is the Quantum Mini LED smaller and more space-effective than its predecessors, but it also does not require the extra lens layer, allowing us to align more LEDs together in a more compact manner.”

 

Neo_QLED_Interview_main3.jpg

 

As the Quantum Mini LED is just 1/40th the height of previous LEDs, the engineers encountered many hurdles in the production process. There was not enough equipment available to work with these new LEDs that were of such a minute size, and the production process was inevitably intricate and tricky. “Not only is the Quantum Mini LED small, but we also needed to ascertain the accurate location of where electricity enters the LED in order to align the tens of thousands of elements around it,” said Engineer Kyehoon Lee. “This meant that expertise and advanced technologies became key. Samsung already has the know-how when it comes to developing next-generation displays, including micro LED products, so we could address this issue by applying existing Samsung processes that deal specifically with microfine elements.”

 

 

Presenting Fine Details Through Precise Control: the Quantum Matrix

Neo_QLED_Interview_main4.jpg

 

Local dimming is a technology that enables better picture quality by optimizing the brightness appropriately and dimming or brightening parts of the screen that respectively need to be adjusted through distinguishing the screen backlights into multiple zones. Increasing the on-screen contrast not only provides life-like watching experiences, but it also significantly reduces the amount of electricity used. Samsung has championed local dimming technology for a long time, and has been able to improve and advance this technology through dedicated research and development efforts. As a result, the Neo QLEDs feature an evolved and optimized local dimming technology – Quantum Matrix.

 

Neo_QLED_Interview_main5.gif

 

However, if the lens that is used to disperse the light on top of an LED is removed and the backlights are exposed, wouldn’t this result in users being able to notice the changes in brightness and contrast happening? The engineers had already considered this, and tackled this obstacle by including even more precise adjustment into the Quantum Matrix’s processes.

 

Previously 10 bits, the Neo QLED features 12 bits brightness so that the light can be adjusted within a total of 4,096 levels. When the light level on-screen is not detailed enough, it can result in an impression of lag or freezing, and the light could be absorbed by nearby local blocks. However, Quantum Matrix technology is able to express a color at dozens of different levels without any glitching and presents them with no blooming. If you enjoy playing games on your TV, for example, you will be able to easily distinguish a foe in a dark cave with your own eyes.

 

Neo_QLED_Interview_main6.jpg

 

“The range of brightness that the human eye can see is called the dynamic range,” noted Minhoon Lee. “When it comes to Quantum Matrix, the light can be adjusted within a 4,096 level range, meaning that this dynamic range has also been maximized.”

 

“The human eye is very sensitive, so we are helping each color to play its own role and show itself as it is instead of getting mixed up with other ones,” continued Minhoon Lee. “In addition, Quantum Matrix technology brings the extra electricity that isn’t being used in darker parts of the screen to the brighter parts so that the concentration is maximized. With this technology, we’ve achieved brightness of up to 2,000 nits with the Neo QLED.”

 

Neo_QLED_Interview_main7.gif

 

Quantum Matrix technology not only precisely controls all those Quantum Mini LEDs, but it also controls the light source for each individual content. “This technology works by analyzing the content source being played so that users can enjoy even more vivid, realistic experiences,” noted Engineer Bonggeun Lee. “For instance, if there is a scene on-screen that requires a maximized sense of dimension, the technology will provide a sense of depth by focusing the light on the object that is at the front while darkening the background. It is a completely different technology from something as simple as lights that just turn on and off.”

 

 

More Detailed AI Upscaling: the Neo Quantum Processor

When it comes to enjoying the best possible viewing experiences, content picture quality is just as important as a next-level display. In order to ensure that users can enjoy high-quality content even if the original source is of a lower resolution, and regardless of local internet speed, Samsung’s engineers developed a picture quality engine to automatically convert any content to an optimized picture quality – the advanced AI-powered Neo Quantum Processor.

 

Neo_QLED_Interview_main8.jpg

 

The innovation key to the Neo Quantum Processor’s high performance is that its neural network has been increased from 1 to 16. This allows the processor to map different contents by their type, significantly enhancing its upscaling capability. “The Neo Quantum Processor works like this: the selected video’s attributes will be analyzed in real-time by the processor, and then the most optimized neural network out of the 16 available will be applied for the best possible upscaling result,” explained Bonggeun Lee. “This means that each one of the 16 neural networks is capable of playing a different role so that the processor can perform even more detailed upscaling.”

 

Neo_QLED_Interview_main9.gif

 

The processor’s method of filling the gaps between low resolution and high resolution contents has also become more precise. If the gap between the pixels is widened, then simply copying and pasting the same pixel repeatedly will make the video unclear and blurry. With the Neo Quantum Processor, the correlation is constantly analyzed through neural network learning and the change between pixels is estimated to fill in the gap between pixels in a way that is as close to reality as possible. This allows for a pattern to be analyzed in real-time and the best possible upscaling solution can be applied to the content, no matter what resolution the input video has (be it SD, HD, FHD or 4K).

 

 

The Epitome of Samsung’s Display Innovation: 2021 Neo QLED

Neo_QLED_Interview_main10.jpg

 

Samsung’s TVs have been number one in the global market for 15 consecutive years. This achievement illustrates the synergy between the different innovations the company develops for each of its products, and how they work together to consistently provide the viewing experiences that users expect. The Neo QLED, a TV in a whole new league of its own, was made possible only due to the company’s existing work into developing advanced display technologies.

 

“Neo QLED isn’t simply a display made out of small LEDs,” highlighted Engineer Kyehoon Lee. “From including small yet effective elements to developing precise screen control, there are so many different technologies that have converged in the Neo QLED to bring beautiful display screen experiences to users. We’re very excited to see how our team’s efforts in research and development over the years have finally led to such an achievement in display technology.”

 

Neo_QLED_Interview_main11.jpg

 

Each year, the trends within the display business change without fail. When developing the Neo QLED, all the engineers agreed that the trend they paid the most attention to was “the bigger, the better”. Out of the many factors that users consider when purchasing a TV, size is always at the top of the list. The engineers expect that the market is set to move forward with this mindset, too.

 

“In the past, some people felt uncomfortable with large-screen TVs, as they wouldn’t be able to so vividly see all the pixels on-screen and this lead to visual discomfort,” noted Bonggeun Lee. “However, Neo QLED is a TV that has reached the technological level that allows for satisfying viewing experiences across the board. In line with the leading trends within the TV market that prioritize ultra-large screens, we will continue to work towards realizing the perfect picture quality on a large screen.”

 

Samsung’s Neo QLED, which presents its contents to users as if it were actually right there in front of their eyes, has been realized with the aim of opening up a new era for displays. Following this, it won’t be too long until we can all enjoy next-level viewing experiences right in our own living rooms.

View the full article

Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Replies 0
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Similar Topics

    • By Samsung Newsroom
      Samsung Electronics announced a new update for Samsung TV Plus,1 its widely-used free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) service. The latest version of Samsung TV Plus introduces user interface (UI) enhancements and new features, aimed at streamlining content discovery and elevating the user experience (UX). This update has been applied to cover 2,500 channels+ across all 24 countries where Samsung TV Plus is available.
       
      ▲ The latest Samsung TV Plus update features new features and a user interface (UI) overhaul to allow for better content discovery

       
      New UI Dedicated to Expanding Content Discovery
      The new Samsung TV Plus update includes a redesigned home screen to provide an overview of content available for viewing, in addition to popular titles and recently watched content.
       
      The updated UI also features newly added categories on the left side of the home screen to include sections such as Live TV, Movies/TV Shows, Music, Kids and Settings, and more. Each category offers a broad range of content that can be easily accessed at any time.
       
      Additionally, region-specific tabs have been added based on each region’s content catalogue and user preference to meet the needs of different markets:
       
      Music tab for the U.S., Australia, New Zealand Kids tab for the U.S., Europe, Brazil, Mexico, India News tab for India with multilingual support  
      ▲ A Kids tab has been added to the U.S., Europe, Brazil, Mexico and India markets
       
       
      Streamlined Channel Navigation
      The updated interface features larger UI elements to improve the browsing experience, allowing users to easily navigate through an ever-expanding library of TV channels. Moreover, users can log into their Samsung accounts to easily access their favorite channels in one place at the top of the channel guide.
       
      ▲ Channel navigation becomes more intuitive with the new Samsung TV Plus update
       
       
      Enhanced VOD Experience
      The latest update also expands the Video on Demand (VOD) offerings and features of Samsung TV Plus. Now, users can access VOD from the channel guide, enabling instant playback of select programs without having to wait for a specific episode to come on the channel.2
       
      The new “More Like This” feature offers content suggestion based on users’ viewing history, providing tailored content discovery that aligns with their preferences.
       
      ▲ The latest Samsung TV Plus update includes a variety of VOD content
       
      “Over the past year, we have witnessed a 60% increase in global viewing time on Samsung TV Plus — a testament to the platform’s expansive content library and user-friendly design,” said Yonghoon Choi, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to evolve and enhance our services to provide a more intuitive and enjoyable viewing experience for our users.”
       
      For more information on Samsung TV Plus, please visit www.samsung.com.
       
      About Samsung TV Plus
      Samsung TV Plus is Samsung’s free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) and video-on-demand service which offers over 2,500 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 Samsung Family Hub refrigerators on selected regions.

       
      1 The latest update, Samsung TV Plus version 5.2, will be available on all Samsung Smart TVs released in 2019 or later.
      2 If content is available for both linear channel programs and VOD.
      View the full article
    • By Samsung Newsroom
      Gamescom 2023 celebrated its 15th anniversary this year, from August 23 to 27 in Cologne, Germany. The world’s largest gaming event brought together more than 1,320 game, hardware, and software companies from 63 countries, filling an exhibition space of 230,000㎡ and uniting gaming fans from all over the world.
       
      Samsung Electronics welcomed gamers to its largest Gamescom booth ever, measuring 752 square meters.
       
      ▲ The Samsung Booth at Gamescom 2023 was filled with visitors throughout the entire show
       
      At the booth, Samsung showed off its vision for the future of gaming, which includes the upgraded Odyssey gaming monitor lineup. From gaming monitors to gaming TVs with Samsung Gaming Hub, as well as mobile and storage technologies on display, Samsung demonstrated its commitment to the gaming community.
       
        
       
      Unveiling the World’s First Dual UHD monitor, the Odyssey Neo G9
      On the first day of Gamescom 2023, Samsung hosted a keynote presentation, with key partners including AMD and Pearl Abyss, to introduce the remarkable capabilities of the new 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 (G95NC), which was fully unveiled at Gamescom.
       
      ▲ Director of Europe Display Marketing for Samsung Electronics Ben Holmes gives the Samsung keynote speech
       
      In the keynote, Ben Holmes, Director of Europe Display Marketing for Samsung Electronics showcased the ambition of the Odyssey Neo G9, which is to bring gamers together through immersive gaming experiences. “It’s our most immersive monitor ever, for the gamers who want to get lost in the ultimate experience,” he said.
       
      ▲ (From left) AMD Chief Architect of Gaming Solutions and Gaming Marketing Frank Azor and Pearl Abyss Head of Marketing & PR Rick van Beem during the Samsung Electronics keynote
       
      Frank Azor, Chief Architect of Gaming Solutions and Gaming Marketing, AMD, shared what it means to collaborate with Samsung, saying, “With the Odyssey Neo G9, Samsung came to us with a challenge of powering this incredible-looking display with the graphics horsepower and the bandwidth necessary to be able to let it do what it was designed to do: deliver the most immersive graphics and gaming experiences possible.”
       
      Next up was Rick van Beem, Head of Marketing & PR at Pearl Abyss. With their globally successful MMORPG, Black Desert Online, he explained how Samsung monitors make the most out of the game. “We partnered with Samsung because we believe that the 32:9 display format offered by Samsung’s displays is an ideal way to play Black Desert Online.”
       
      The newest entry in the Odyssey lineup, the Odyssey Neo G9 was designed to look spectacular and to support the connectivity needs of gamers. In addition to HDMI 2.1, the Odyssey Neo G9 supports the VESA-certified DP (Display Port) 2.1 connectivity. The Dual UHD and a high refresh rate of 240Hz will provide gamers with an optimal gaming experience for high-performance games.1
       
       
      Bringing the Excitement to Samsung’s Largest-Ever Gamescom Presence

       
      At Samsung’s booth, fans could experience this year’s new products hands-on, including the brand new 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 (G95NC), the upgraded Odyssey Ark (G97NC), and the 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 (G95SC), all in one place.
       
      ▲ Gamers from all over the world visited the Odyssey Gaming Zone. Through a collaboration with Pearl Abyss, Samsung Electronics provided a unique play experience of Black Desert Online on the Odyssey Neo G9.
       
      The booth was packed with gamers from all over the world, who flocked to experience the incredibly large screen and image quality of the 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9, which was fully unveiled for the first time in person at Gamescom.
       
      “The screen is so big that I have no problem streaming and gaming at the same time,” said one streamer who tried out the Odyssey Neo G9. Another visitor to the booth said, “It wraps around me and makes me feel like I’m inside the game.”
       
      ▲ (Left) The screen Odyssey Ark allows for 4 inputs on screen at once with the new Multi View. (Right) A group of visitors test out the Odyssey OLED G9.
       
      The upgraded Odyssey Ark debuted at Gamescom with significant enhancements to connectivity and convenience. The new Multi View lets users see input from up to 4 devices at once,2 and make the most out of the Odyssey Ark’s large screen.
       
      A visitor who experienced the Odyssey Ark commented, “It’s nice to be able to see a variety of things on one screen while working. I can use this instead of multiple screens.” In addition, the Odyssey OLED G9 impressed visitors at the booth. “The colors were amazing and vibrant,” commented one gamer. “It looked really good!”
       
       
      Seamless Gaming Across Multiple Amazing Displays
      ▲ (Left) A group enjoys playing Xbox games on the Samsung Neo QLED 4K. (Right) A visitor in the Mobile Gaming Zone plays “Warcraft Rumble” on the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
       
      Driven by partnerships with gaming companies, the Samsung booth was full of gaming monitors with industry-leading specifications, gaming TVs, Samsung Gaming Hub, and mobile devices to allow visitors to experience a wide range of games on their preferred gaming screen.
       
      As part of this partnership, in the keynote’s last session, Mike Lucero, Head of North America Gaming Service for Samsung Electronics announced that Bethesda Game Studios’ much-anticipated open-world space adventure “Starfield” will be available through the Samsung Gaming Hub, with an Xbox Game Pass subscription from September.
       
      ▲ (Left) A family enjoys playing Xbox games on the Neo QLED 8K. (Right) Samsung Gaming Hub zone offered an arcade-like concept where you could play games
       
      Samsung Gaming Hub3 is also highly popular among console gamers, as it allows them to enjoy a variety of game titles from partners like Xbox and NVIDIA GeForce NOW without connecting consoles. Families with children could be seen having fun in the Samsung Gaming Hub zone, which is organized to play games on the TV like an arcade.
       
      A gamer who visited with his children said that the Samsung Gaming Hub “looks just as good as if I was playing directly on [a gaming console].”
        

       
      On the main stage, Samsung continuously hosted events and programs with popular streamers and eSports teams. Fun competitions with today’s most popular games and exciting conversations kept the attention of booth visitors through the entire show. The world’s first 240Hz 4K gaming monitor, the Odyssey Neo G8 32” was able to fully express the colorful graphics and fast pace of games like Overwatch 2.
       
      ▲ A thrilling racing challenge unfolded from the racing zone.
       
      A “Racing Challenge” was held in the Gaming TV zone with 98-inch QLED Q80C. Fans could race using a steering gear and a high-definition Gaming TV, for life-like high-octane, thrilling matches.
       
       
      Bringing the Hottest Games to Life With New Technology
      ▲ Gamers in costume take photos at the Samsung Electronics booth.
       
      At Gamescom 2023, Samsung Electronics announced a partnership with NEXON to adopt HDR10+ GAMING technology, a high-definition video standard for gaming. The world’s first HDR10+ GAMING title, “The First Descendant” developed by NEXON will provide gamers with the ultimate HDR game experience through deeper color, contrast and brightness.
       
      And Samsung was proud to show how a premiere gaming screen can bring games like Black Desert Online from Pearl Abyss studio.
       
      ▲ Visitors filled the Samsung Electronics booth. There has been a lot of interest every day to experience various gaming monitors in Samsung’s largest Gamescom booth ever.
       
      At Gamescom 2023, Samsung Electronics showcased gaming solutions optimized for the increasingly diverse game genres and tastes of global gamers, and a connected gaming experience that brings the gaming community together with leading technology. Samsung Electronics is envisioning a different future for the gaming ecosystem and bringing that vision to life at Gamescom.
       
       
      1 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.
      2 Up to 3 inputs and 3 screens in vertical Cockpit Mode.
      3 Samsung Gaming Hub availability and support vary by region and monitor and TV lineup. Service and content availability may vary by region and partners.
      View the full article





×
×
  • Create New...