[Interview] Photographer Dean West on How The Frame Offers a Sunny Escape
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By Samsung Newsroom
Released on August 28, Samsung Electronics’ “Everyday SmartThings with Son” campaign video has garnered attention from Galaxy and football fans alike for showcasing the innovative SmartThings home system. To hear more about his filming experience, Samsung Newsroom sat down with world-renowned football star Son Heung-min and learned more about his favorite SmartThings features.
Q. What motivated you to participate in the Samsung SmartThings campaign?
When the Galaxy Z Flip was first released, I remember being impressed by its design — which led me to buy a Galaxy smartphone right away and switch both my tablet and watch to Galaxy devices. As a Galaxy fan, I love how my Galaxy products are all connected, allowing me to do things like check workout progress or calories burned on my phone or tablet while I’m exercising. Naturally, I was excited when Samsung approached me to participate in this campaign.
Q. What is the best thing about using SmartThings?
SmartThings has become a feature I really need. Once set up, the platform manages everything and gives me time and energy to focus on other stuff. The ability to find compatible products nearby and automatically pair them is so easy to do. It allows me to be much more efficient and productive.
Q. Have you been using SmartThings since the shoot?
Absolutely! I actually recently switched my TV and vacuum cleaner to Samsung’s latest appliances. Since my family is quite serious when it comes to cleaning, I can easily keep track of the areas I last cleaned with SmartThings — helping me keep my place tidy on my days off.
Q. What was your favorite scene in this shoot?
If I had to choose just one feature, my favorite would be the gaming scene since I love playing video games. In the video, once I place my phone on the wireless charger and SmartThings automatically creates the perfect gaming environment. And there’s even lighting synced to the gaming screen via Hue Sync, so I really like to play games.
That’s when you will discover SmartThings takes gaming to another level. If you like playing video games, I strongly recommend using Gaming Mode on SmartThings for an all-new gaming experience.
Q. What are some specific SmartThings features you would like to highlight?
SmartThings helps me reduce energy consumption and control energy usage across all my products in real time. I’m able to view energy usage and maximize energy efficiency with AI Energy Mode to be more conscious about energy saving.
In addition, I like how SmartThings allows me to expand the ways I use my TV. Before the shoot, I only played video games and watched football on my TV. Now, after learning about SmartThings and its functions, I use my TV to control home appliances, chat with friends while watching football and keep track of my workout progress while exercising. I hope more people are able to make use of these innovative features.
Q. Is there anything you want to share about your experience on this campaign?
Through this campaign, I was able to experience how SmartThings can program my home appliances based on my daily routine. SmartThings goes beyond convenience — it delivers a whole new experience.
For those who haven’t experienced SmartThings yet, I encourage you to try it out! I look forward to getting involved with other Samsung campaigns and seeing the future of SmartThings!
Find out more about Son’s smart life by watching the full video below.
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By Samsung Newsroom
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
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By Samsung Newsroom
To enjoy their favorite content to the fullest, more and more consumers are seeking to purchase larger TVs for their homes. According to market research firm Omdia, the global market size of 85-inch screens has grown drastically from 180,000 units sold in 2019 to 1.87 million units sold in 2022. Likewise, for 98-inch screens, the global market has increased from less than 1,000 units sold in 2019 to about 160,000 units sold in 2022.
To discuss the shifting market trends towards ultra-large TVs, Samsung Newsroom sat down with Heejin Chae, TV Product Planning, Samsung Electronics, and Sangyeob Kim, Samsung Store, and learned more about how Samsung Electronics is providing revamped viewing experiences through ultra-large TVs.
▲ People in charge of product planning, sales and design talk about ultra-large 98-inch TVs
Bigger, Better Viewing Experiences With Wider TVs
With its breathtaking size able to display exceptional detail on a grander scale, the 98-inch TV has become the new standard for ultra-large TVs. In line with such trends, Samsung unveiled the 2023 98-inch Neo QLED 8K at CES 2023, offering consumers bright colors and extremely vivid details on a brilliantly large screen. As standard TV sizes have grown larger over the years, Samsung adapted to industry trends and consumer demands by developing ultra-large TVs for better viewing experiences.
“About ten years ago, a 60-inch TV was considered a large TV. But as time went by, 65-inch TVs became mainstream, and now 75-inch and 85-inch TVs have become popular, demonstrating consumers’ growing demand for larger TVs,” said Chae. “In fact, our customer survey showed that 75% of consumers bought, on average, a TV 13 inches bigger than their previously purchased TV model.”
▲ Heejin Chae explains how evolving consumer demands have shaped Samsung’s product offerings.
Additionally, with the popularity of streaming services, consumers are increasingly purchasing ultra-large TVs to enhance their at-home viewing experiences. “An astronomical number of people have started using streaming services since the pandemic as they increasingly consumed content like movies and sports,” said Chae. “As a result, the demand for ultra-large TVs has risen, as they give a more immersive viewing experience.”
Younger generations also seem to prefer larger screens, furthering the popularity of ultra-large TVs. While people in their 40s and 50s made up more than half of the consumer base who purchased TVs over 80 inches in 2015, those in their 30s and 40s have led sales in the ultra-large TV market since 2021.
As these factors and preferences become more prevalent among users, the ultra-large TV market will continue to grow. “The ultra-large TV is an inevitable trend, and consumers are ready to enjoy extremely large TVs,” Chae said.
Comfortable Viewing at Further Distances
One of the biggest concerns when buying an ultra-large TV is the viewing distance — how far away the viewer is from the TV and whether that space is available at home. “As the viewing distance of the 98-inch NEO QLED TV has been shortened compared to previous ultra-large TVs, viewers can comfortably watch from as close as 4 meters away,“ said Kim.
▲ Sangyeob Kim discusses how the viewing distance of a TV affects the viewing experience.
“We created a space in the store with a sofa to simulate the viewing distance at home. We move the sofa to help customers gauge the viewing distance for smaller and larger rooms. Once the customers get a feel of how the TV would fit in their homes, they tend to prefer the larger models,” Kim added.
While some may have concerns about the large size of the TV, Kim explained that many consumers wish they had bought a larger size after opting for a smaller screen. “I’ve had customers call me after they had their TVs installed, asking if they can return their purchase for a larger one. That really puts me on the spot,” Kim stated. “Some even said they received the wrong TV size, claiming their TV seemed too small.”
When asked about delivery and installation, Kim explained that Samsung has worked diligently to ensure customers can receive their products easily in the comfort of their homes. “98 inches is the largest TV size that a standard Korean apartment elevator can accommodate. And when the elevator is too small, we offer other optimized delivery and installation services based on the customer’s environment,” Kim explained. “In fact, we even once successfully installed a TV after climbing a spiral ladder at a two-story house.”
“We thoroughly communicate with our customers and closely look at various factors in advance, such as whether it is possible to place the ultra-large TV on a table or wall mount it,” Kim added.
From Viewing to Experience: Changing the Living Room Culture
As TVs at home provide diverse content such as games, sports, movies and fitness content, the role TVs play has changed. As immersion is a top priority for many consumers, the popularity of large TVs is likely to continue as many consumers seek TVs that provide breathtaking experiences for all types of content.
▲ (From left) Heejin Chae, TV Product Planning, Samsung Electronics, and Sangyeob Kim, Samsung Store
“Hands-on experience is necessary to show people how great a large TV is,” said Kim. “As a TV is usually the main design focal point in a room, I recommend experiencing it in person.”
“When my acquaintances ask for advice about what TV to purchase, I first ask them what kind of activities they would do with their TV,” said Chae. “A larger display gives a more immersive experience. If users continue to utilize TVs for multiple purposes — including video calls, home training, gaming, etc. — ultra-large TVs will continue to be popular.”
“TVs help shape the living room culture, so purchasing a new set is like an investment for the next 10 years. We will continue to focus on these aspects as we plan for future TV products. I believe Samsung TVs will continue to be at the center of home entertainment,” Chae stated.
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By Samsung Newsroom
▲ Invited guests gather around The Wall All-in-One to witness the unveiling of the 911 Carrera Panamericana Special
Samsung and Porsche recently hosted an exclusive event at the Porsche Center Santa Fe, Mexico City. The German luxury brand’s unveiling of the “911 Carrera Panamericana Special” was enhanced by The Wall All-in-One, a display that introduces high-resolution immersive viewing experiences in a customizable large format.
▲A feature video, displayed on The Wall All-in-One, depicts the first Porsche to finish the Panamericana Mexico
The 911 Carrera Panamericana Special, a unique car that recalls the historic achievement of the traditional endurance race and coincides with the 75th anniversary of Porsche sports cars. In an introductory film, guests were presented with a deep dive into the past and present of the car manufacturer, including the first Porsche to finish the legendary Panamericana Mexico race in 1952.
Samsung helped bring this story to life with The Wall. The Wall, with a modular design that is not limited by shape, proportion or size, can be adapted to various configurations such as Concave, Convex, S shape, Fascia or 90 °L type shapes. The bezel-less modules build a tailor-made display, expanding the screen to display extra-large life-like images.
▲The Wall, with its bezel-less modules, enables large formats without sacrificing picture quality
The Wall provides a true-to-life viewing experience that is unmatched in both size and picture quality using an array of cutting edge technologies:
a Neural Quantum Processor that analyzes and optimizes each image Black Seal technology, which offers levels of black tones that enable unparalleled contrast and immaculate detail Ultra Chroma technology, which produces vibrant colors a narrower color wavelength that results in greater color purity compared to conventional LED Displays
▲The newly unveiled 911 Carrera Panamericana Special
“For Samsung, it has been an honor to partner with Porsche in creating this event which showcases the highest quality image technology available in the Mexican market,” said Ana Laura Lira, director of B2B sales at Samsung Electronics Mexico. “The Wall is part of our new generation of screens which have made us national and international leaders in the sector with solutions that suit all needs.”
▲ Roberto Cortés, B2B Business Developer Manager, Jake Kim, B2B Business Manager, José Tarango, B2B Sales Head, Mauricio Cantu, General Manager at Porsche San Ángel / Santa Fe, Ana Lira B2B Director, Alan Godinez, B2B Presales Enginner, Omar Melendez MKT Manager at Porsche San Ángel / Santa Fe
Samsung Mexico continues to be an innovative subsidiary by creating a disruptive strategy for the placement of premium products such as The Wall, as well as generating strategic alliances with luxury brands such as Porsche to reach the most demanding markets that seek exclusivity and a high level of quality and design in all products.
To learn more about Samsung’s business solutions, visit: https://displaysolutions.samsung.com/main/index.
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By Samsung Newsroom
Gone are the days of sitting nose-to-television in order to see every detail and every moment of the action. Now, larger TV screens are not popular for just avid cinephiles, but they are a popular choice and more accessible for more consumers than ever before.
As the size of the average screens at home has evolved, so has the technology within them. This provides users with greater detail, color and motion so content looks even more brilliant in this larger format.
Ushering in the Era of Premium Viewing With Neo QLED 4K
At the forefront of premium screens lie Samsung Neo QLEDs — with state-of-the-art Mini LED and Quantum dot technology that offers superb contrast and vivid, accurate color reproduction. The exceptional picture quality of the Neo QLEDs is even more evident when taken to a larger screen.
The QN100B 98” — Samsung’s Neo QLED 4K — offers consumers the pinnacle of ultra-fine light control thanks to Quantum Matrix Technology powered by a massive grid of Quantum Mini LEDs. This allows viewers to see every single detail on the screen, even in the darkest of scenes, with deeper color and contrast. Subtle nuances in light and color are analyzed and shifted scene by scene so that each and every frame is of the highest quality.
Beyond its unrivaled performance as a television for consumers’ favorite movies, shows and games, this screen has been praised by many industry experts and users as well. IMAX recently commended the massive 98” Neo QLED 4K for its performance in their critical reference environment producing a highly accurate precise image.
“After calibrating and reviewing this new model TV, I can tell you that we were excited to see how closely the image quality matches our reference mastering monitor that we use in post-production finishing work,” said Bruce Markoe, the SVP and Head of Post Production at IMAX Corporation. “We see value in using very large, high-quality displays in mastering content for IMAX Enhanced masters. Having a large sized screen with proper image quality creates the best way to apply and utilize our DMR technology during the mastering process.”
▲ Bruce Markoe, the SVP and Head of Post Production at IMAX Corporation
A reference monitor is a specialized display device used for color grading during post-production. Reference monitors must produce a highly accurate image so teams can create the most precise, high-quality output possible.
In order to provide an outstanding cinematic experience, IMAX films are produced with cameras up to 16K resolution, which means the mastering monitor used must be extremely accurate in order to accurately display the creators’ intent.
Elevate the Premium Viewing Experience With Neo QLED 8K
Stepping above and beyond the already high-performing Neo QLED 4K, consumers find Samsung Neo QLED 8K. These screens offer the dazzling picture quality users have come to expect from Samsung in even more brilliant 8K resolution. Powered by Neo Quantum Processor 8K, the state-of-the-art upscaling neural networks ensure that all content is displayed with utmost precision and immaculate picture quality.
As streaming platforms begin to offer content optimized for a larger 1.9:1 screen ratio, perfect for an immersive cinematic experience, having an 8K TV with premium picture quality is a sure-fire way to future-proof a home entertainment set up.
Premium TV Sales Are on the Rise With Neo QLED 4K and 8K
In fact, more content, better features and more things to do on your TV mean the trend of purchasing larger and larger TV screens is not simply expected to continue to even to grow. According to Omdia, the over-80-inch TV market is expected to grow from 2.8 million units in 2022 to 3.5 million units in 2023 — over 24%.
Samsung’s premium TV lineup has also helped solidify its leadership in the TV industry for an impressive 17 years. In 2022, Samsung sold a staggering 9.65 million units of QLED and Neo QLED TVs, bringing the cumulative sales to 35 million units since its QLED product launch in 2017.
Samsung also dominated the ultra-large TV segment in 2022, reporting 36.1% and 42.9% in terms of market share for TVs over 75-inches and 80-inches respectively.
“Neo QLED offers one of the most premium viewing experience for large screens over 75-inches, and we believe they are the future of home entertainment,” said Seokwoo Yong, Executive Vice President and Deputy Head of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “As more content and features become available to consumers, Neo QLED 4K and 8K TVs will help consumers get the most out of these new contents while providing breathtaking visuals packed with lifelike details.”
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