Report

A bigger TV screen is generally speaking a good thing. Over time, larger TVs have not only become more accessible but increasingly popular among consumers. They enable viewers to fully immerse themselves in the content they’re watching, as advancements in film technology now allow our favorite stories to come to life on the screen in more realistic ways.
 
However, simply having a larger screen does not always result in a hyper-realistic viewing experience. As we enter the era of ultra-large TVs, Samsung Electronics has been upgrading its screen technology to provide the best in-home entertainment. To learn more about these changes, Samsung Newsroom is exploring three key features that make the large-screen experience truly exceptional.
 
 
8K Resolution: The Key to Unlocking the Full Potential of Bigger TVs
While screen sizes may be getting bigger, this does not mean that picture quality is better by default. If the size of a TV screen was increased without considering the number of pixels, the resulting image would be blurry, low-resolution and, overall, much worse.
 
▲ If the number of pixels does not change, image quality becomes compromised as screens grow larger.
 
In order to improve picture quality, the space on a bigger screen must be filled with more pixels. As such, Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K has four times the number of pixels than 4K TVs. This means that even on ultra-large screens, Samsung’s Real 8K Resolution maintains premium picture quality with densely packed Mini LEDs and upgraded processing.
 
▲ The Neo QLED 8K offers four times as many pixels compared to the Neo QLED 4K.
 
While Samsung has been at the forefront of evolving screen trends by leading the era of ultra-large TVs, it has also been innovating the technologies that power them. The two driving forces that enhance picture quality for Samsung’s latest Neo QLED 8K are the Neural Quantum Processor 8K, which analyzes and optimizes content to make full use of the 33 million pixels, and Quantum Matrix Technology Pro, which leverages a plethora of technologies to offer precise control for each of the Mini LEDs.
 
 
Neural Quantum Processor 8K: Enhancing the Resolution, Color and Depth With 64 Neural Networks
While Samsung Neo QLED 8K TVs offer best-in-market picture quality, not all content is readily available in 8K. To ensure that every single detail springs to life on screen, Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K is powered by the state-of-the-art Neural Quantum Processor 8K to upscale lower-resolution content in real time. Samsung’s Neural Quantum Processor 8K uses 64 different neural networks to analyze video and optimize image quality. It is trained to recognize underlying patterns and relationships in pictures, transforming low-resolution images into high-resolution by comparing the original set of images to processed results in each neural network.
 
While higher resolution sources ultimately create better picture outputs, there may be sources that come in Standard Definition (SD or 480p), High Definition (HD or 720p) or Full High Definition (FHD or 1080p). With Samsung’s Neural Quantum Processor 8K, those shows and movies will be transformed into stunning 8K resolution to deliver the most immersive picture yet.
 
▲ Enjoy optimal picture quality no matter the source with Neural Quantum Processor 8K.
 
Samsung’s advanced processor also powers innovations such as Auto HDR Remastering, a feature that takes full advantage of the screen’s wide color gamut and incredible peak brightness. AI technology analyzes each scene to make it more colorful and vivid, bringing out the details in both bright and dark spots.
 
High Dynamic Range (HDR) video formats the display using a wider range of colors with brighter highlights when compared to Standard Dynamic Range content. This means that with Auto HDR Remastering — and the extraordinary contrast powered by Quantum Matrix Technology Pro with Quantum Dot technology — everything you watch is more compelling.
 
▲ HDR displays a wider range of colors with brighter highlights compared to SDR.
 
Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K also offers Real Depth Enhancer Pro. With upgraded AI deep learning, Real Depth Enhancer Pro pinpoints where the viewer is focusing on the screen and brings that object into the foreground. With figures on the screen separated from their background, you see a more three-dimensional looking image. Additionally, the Neural Quantum Processor provides a sense of depth paired with incredible levels of detail and vivid color reproduction, immersing you in whatever you choose to watch.
 
▲ Real Depth Enhancer Pro finds the point the viewer is focusing on and brings the object into the foreground.
 
 
Quantum Matrix Technology Pro: The Ultimate Precision With Quantum Mini LEDs and 14-bit Processing
Another critical piece of technology powering the Neo QLED 8K’s picture is Quantum Matrix Technology Pro, which uses Quantum Mini LEDs to dramatically enhance black levels and contrast with precise backlight control.
 
The Quantum Mini LED is 1/40 the size of a conventional LED. This makes for a screen that is more densely packed with LEDs, improving picture quality while maintaining the Neo QLED 8K TV’s vibrant colors and bright highlights.
 
▲ Precise backlight control with Quantum Matrix Technology Pro.
 
To provide the best image quality, 14-bit HDR processing allows for maximized contrast, expressing unimaginable levels of detail in both the brightest and darkest parts of the image. This ensures even the most subtle details are visible to users in every single scene.
 
Furthermore, Quantum Matrix Technology powers Samsung’s Shape Adaptive Light Control. This feature precisely adjusts backlighting to accommodate what’s on the screen, enhancing the clarity of everything you watch. Because the backlight control is so accurate, this prevents blooming — or when bright light from on-screen objects bleeds into surrounding darker areas. As a result, bright highlights stay bright and dark scenes stay dark with more details visible than ever before.
 
 
Expanding Consumers’ TV Usage
In a nutshell, 8K resolution densely fills the ultra-large screens while the Neural Quantum Processor 8K and Quantum Matrix Technology work together to create a picture that is cinematic in the truest sense. Sharp details, accurate colors, precise contrast and a realistic sense of depth allow the Neo QLED 8K to showcase stunning picture quality and captivate viewers everywhere.
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Anti-Aliasing is an important addition to any game to improve visual quality by smoothing out the jagged edges of a scene. MSAA (Multisample Anti-Aliasing) is one of the oldest methods to achieve this and is still the preferred solution for mobile. However it is only suitable for forward rendering and, with mobile performance improving year over year, deferred rendering is becoming more common, necessitating the use of post-process AA. This leaves slim pickings as such algorithms tend to be too expensive for mobile GPUs with FXAA (Fast Approximate Anti-Aliasing) being the only ‘cheap’ option among them. FXAA may be performant enough but it only has simple colour discontinuity shape detection, leading to an often unwanted softening of the image. Its kernel is also limited in size, so it struggles to anti-alias longer edges effectively.

Space Module scene with CMAA applied.

Conservative Morphological Anti-Aliasing
Conservative Morphological Anti-Aliasing (CMAA) is a post-process AA solution originally developed by Intel for their low power integrated GPUs 1. Its design goals are to be a better alternative to FXAA by:
Being minimally invasive so it can be acceptable as a replacement in a wide range of applications, including worst case scenarios such as text, repeating patterns, certain geometries (power lines, mesh fences, foliage), and moving images. Running efficiently on low-medium range GPU hardware, such as integrated GPUs (or, in our case, mobile GPUs). We have repurposed this desktop-developed algorithm and come up with a hybrid between the original 1.3 version and the updated 2.0 version 2 to make the best use of mobile hardware. A demo app was created using Khronos’ Vulkan Samples as a framework (which could also be done with GLES) to implement this experiment. The sample has a drop down menu for easy switching between the different AA solutions and presents a frametime and bandwidth overlay.
CMAA has four basic logical steps:
Image analysis for colour discontinuities (afterwards stored in a local compressed 'edge' buffer). The method used is not unique to CMAA. Extracting locally dominant edges with a small kernel. (Unique variation of existing algorithms.) Handling of simple shapes. Handling of symmetrical long edge shapes. (Unique take on the original MLAA shape handling algorithm.) Pass 1

Edge detection result captured in Renderdoc.

A full screen edge detection pass is done in a fragment shader and the resulting colour discontinuity values are written into a colour attachment. Our implementation uses the pixels’ luminance values to find edge discontinuities for speed and simplicity. An edge exists if the contrast between neighbouring pixels is above an empirically determined threshold.
Pass 2

Neighbouring edges considered for local contrast adaptation.

A local contrast adaptation is performed for each detected edge by comparing the value of the previous pass against the values of its closest neighbours by creating a threshold from the average and largest of these, as described by the formula below. Any that pass the threshold are written into an image as a confirmed edge.
Pass 3
This pass collects all the edges for each pixel from the previous pass and packs them into a new image for the final pass. This pass also does the first part of edge blending. The detected edges are used to look for 2, 3 and 4 edges in a pixel and then blend in the colours from the adjacent pixels. This helps avoid the unnecessary blending of straight edges.
Pass 4
The final pass does long edge blending by identifying Z-shapes in the detected edges. For each detected Z-shape, the length of the edge is traced in both directions until it reaches the end or until it runs into a perpendicular edge. Pixel blending is then performed along the traced edges proportional to their distance from the centre.

Before and after of Z-shape detection.

Results


Image comparison shows a typical scenario for AA. CMAA manages high quality anti-aliasing while retaining sharpness on straight edges.

CMAA demonstrates itself as a superior solution to aliasing than FXAA by avoiding the latter’s limitations. It maintains a crisper look to the overall image and won’t smudge thin lines, all while still providing effective anti-aliasing to curved edges. It also provides a significant performance advantage to Qualcomm devices and only a small penalty to ARM.

Image comparison shows a weakness of FXAA where it smudges thin lined geometry into the background. CMAA shows no such weakness and retains the colour of the railing while adding anti-aliasing effectively.

MSAA is still a clear winner and our recommended solution if your game allows for it to be resolved within a single render pass. For any case where that is impractical, CMAA is overall a better alternative than FXAA and should be strongly considered.

Graph shows the increase in frametime for each AA method across a range of Samsung devices.

References
Filip Strugar and Leigh Davies: Conservative Morphological Anti-Aliasing (CMAA) – March 2014. Filip Strugar and Adam T Lake: Conservative Morphological Anti-Aliasing 2.0 – April 2018. View the full blog at its source

Earlier this year, Samsung Electronics debuted its 2021 Neo QLED lineup. Leading business and consumer technology publications have already awarded the lineup top honors, highlighting the televisions’ exceptional picture quality, sound innovations and design upgrades.
 
The Neo QLED portfolio – which includes 4K and 8K models – delivers an entirely new kind of display technology. The introduction of this technology emphasizes not only Samsung’s rich engineering and innovation heritage, but also its commitment to new advancements in accessibility and sustainability that are redefining how consumers use their TVs in their homes.
 
Complementing their vivid picture quality, Samsung’s Neo QLED TVs feature a premium Infinity One Design and Object Tracking Sound Pro that ensure that the TVs look and sound incredible from every angle. Neo QLEDs also carry Samsung’s award-winning Tizen operating system, which now offers new smart features like Samsung Smart Trainer to enhance the Samsung Health feature and new tools to optimize the gaming experience.
 
Here are some of the early reviews and reactions to the 2021 lineup:
 

 
Samsung’s flagship 4K Neo QLED TV, the QN90A, received top honors from Forbes in a review that highlighted how the TV’s processing capabilities offer almost three-dimensional detail and a top-of-the-line gaming experience. The outlet noted that “The 65QN90A’s upscaling is almost unfathomably good,” and praised, “the eye-popping beauty of the QN65QN90A’s gaming images.”
 

 
TechRadar also praised Samsung’s Neo QLED technology, awarding the QN95A a five-star review and the distinction of ‘Editor’s Choice’. The publication commented that, “Samsung’s first foray into Mini LED is a resounding success, with this Neo QLED TV.”
 

 
Techaeris applauded Samsung’s QN800A 8K Neo QLED TV for its “stunning picture quality” and smart features. The outlet noted that “Multi-View is especially useful for gamers” as it offers users new ways to play through difficult levels while taking advantage of top-notch picture quality and processing.
 

 
Video Magazin rated Samsung’s QN900A 8K Neo QLED, 966 out of 1,030 points in its review – the highest score the outlet has ever granted in the TV category. The outlet noted: “Samsung proves time and again that you can still achieve a lot of additional quality with technical refinements and elaborate innovations – now with mini-LEDs.” The QN900A was given three awards with distinction in the following categories: Reference, Innovation and Design Tip.
 
For more information on Samsung’s award-winning 2021 Neo QLED 8K and 4K TV lineups along with the company’s other leading TV and audio innovations, visit Samsung’s TV and Audio product page.
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So.....I bought a new TU8000.  Tizen newbie here.
I keep all my TV/Movies in shares on a Synology Diskstation NAS.
I usually watch through Kodi (on a MeCool box running CoreElec), which I was hoping to do away with now.
What I care about:  1) being able to have menu options which map to my file shares, 2) be able to view in a folder/file list, and 3) sort by either date added OR name.
1 is not problem, but I can't seem to have 2 and 3 together.
I've tried, and I've searched.......
I just can not work out how to get Samsung Tizen to give me this. Sure, I can use Plex. I'm not a big fan, but it comes close. But that also does not seem to give me a folder/file list view AND the ability to sort by date OR name.
Synology's DS Video is available on the Samsung, but is not real nice, and similar limitations.
So at this point, it's continue with my Kodi box for NAS TV/films rather than relying on the Samsung Tizen. I was hoping to remove a device from my setup.
If anyone has any helpful ideas/advice, or tell me what I am missing, it would be most appreciated.

Creating compelling social media visuals can be a very time-consuming endeavor. It's even harder to find the time to write great copy that complements the visuals. To top it all off, there is no guarantee that your post will reach enough people to make it worth your time. In spite of this, social media remains a pivotal tool for sellers to gain traction in the ever-growing Galaxy Store. That’s why we decided to help sellers cut down on the time needed to make great posts with our new social media kit.
Download Social Media Kit for Phone Apps and Themes
Download Social Media Kit for Watch Apps and Watch Faces
This new kit will allow you to quickly add a screenshot of your watch face, theme, or app; drop in a high-res background image, and add a snappy title in seconds. It will then create exact post sizes for the three major social networks--Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. It’s that easy!

However, we know that creating visuals is only half the battle. Because the holiday season is right around the corner (and with it, a 25%-40% increase in Galaxy Store activity), we wanted to give you all a little extra boost during this time.
We want to help you move up those all-important “top” category lists. During the next few weeks, we will run a content amplification campaign. Sellers who use the new social media kit and post on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using their Galaxy Store badge links and the hashtag #GalaxyStoreHolidays will have a chance at being retweeted by one of our social media accounts. The Galaxy Store and Samsung Developers accounts have over 100k followers worldwide!
If you have a bad case of writers block or just want to further cut down on your time spent on this exercise, we have provided some sample copy to get you started:
Suggested Copy (Watch Face): The holidays are here and all the amazing Samsung wearables deserve the best watch face designs! Check out one of my top sellers, [Insert watch face name], to really make that Galaxy Watch standout! [Insert Galaxy Badge Link] #GalaxyStoreHolidays Suggested Copy (Theme): The holidays are here and all those amazing Galaxy phones deserve a great, new theme! Check out one of my top sellers, [Insert theme name], to really make that new Note10 shine! [Insert Galaxy Badge Link] #GalaxyStoreHolidays Just remember these are just suggestions, and it may benefit you to change the wording in order to stand out even more.
This new skill requires the use of Adobe Creative Cloud.  Here's how to get started:
Download the Photoshop files from the links above Insert app/watch face/theme screenshot Drop in background image Find free high-res images @ pexels.com or similar sites Insert your headline We recommend keeping it short and simple Write your copy and don’t forget to add your Galaxy Store badge link Start sharing your Tweets and Facebook and Instagram posts You can use buffer.com to help schedule all your posts Always use the hashtag #GalaxyStoreHolidays The Samsung Developers and Galaxy Store accounts will retweet different posts using this hashtag throughout the holiday season There is NO GUARANTEE that yours will be selected, please keep this in mind The more you post the better your chance will be to be seen by more than 100k followers worldwide Don't wait - holiday shoppers await!
View the full blog at its source