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Earlier this year, SmartThings announced a new program called Certification by Similarity (CbS) within our Works with Samsung SmartThings (WWST) partner program. This program is designed for Smart Home OEM’s to be able to certify portfolios of products, rather than certifying each product one by one.

Additionally, we released a new developer feature called Product Cloning, which allows partners to input the details of one product and copy for all the similar products.

Many of our device manufacturing partners have a portfolio of devices that have the same smart technology on the inside but come in many different shapes, colors, and other variations. We are making it easier and more cost efficient than ever to certify the entire portfolio.

After releasing this new certification option, we have heard excellent reviews from our partners. Read on to discover how to take advantage of this new offering.



Product Cloning
SmartThings Product Cloning allows you to enter information for one product and clone it to generate multiple entries for all similar products. The similar products include all the critical information — all you need to do is update the unique identifiers, like the Matter Product ID and Model Number.

Easily copy product details and enter whole product lines
Save time and get certified faster

Get Started
How to clone a product:

Visit the SmartThings Certification Console. Navigate to the Products page (second icon from the top on the left). Enter your product details for one product and save it. Navigate back to the Products page. Under the Actions menu on the product, you have an option to create multiple products at once with Product Cloning.


You can add up to 10 clones with the option to enter the unique identifiers. Once created, the clones appear in your Products list; you can open them up and modify any of the details before submitting for WWST Certification.




WWST Certification by Similarity
Certification by Similarity (CbS) allows you to reduce your WWST certification time and cost by identifying related products with similar core functionality but with different model numbers and minor differences like colors, shapes, or regional variations.

Example Certification by Similarity use case with a portfolio of RGBW, RGB, and white balance light bulbs:

Start by submitting a primary product for certification that is a superset of all the portfolio features — such as one of the RGBW light bulbs. Once the primary product testing is complete, the similar devices — such as the RGB and white balance light bulbs — can get fast-tracked through certification, for free. Additional devices can be either submitted at the same time as the primary product or at a later date. All you need to do is submit the product information and link it with the primary product. We then verify that the features are the same as your primary product and grant you certification.

Devices that Can Be Considered for CbS
The following criteria must be met for the devices to be considered for CbS:



Note: Cloud Connected Devices may have different Device Profiles and still be considered for Certification by Similarity. This is possible only if the Capabilities for similar products are a subset of the primary product. If a similar device has additional Capabilities, partial testing is required.

Learn more about CbS in the Developer Documentation and Certification Console.


Get Started
How to submit similar products for WWST:


Visit the SmartThings Certification Console. Navigate to the Certifications page. Submit your primary product for certification. Navigate back to the Certifications page and select the target similar product to certify. You now have the option to link this submission with the primary product. Select the associated primary product and submit your product for certification.



Certification by Similarity FAQs
How is the primary product determined?
→ The primary product has all the Capabilities of other devices in the group. In this example, Product 4 or Product 5 could be the primary.


How can we guarantee CbS will be approved before submitting for WWST certification?
→ We recommend following the guidelines in the Developer Documentation. The WWST team makes the final decision after reviewing your submission.

Should I submit the primary product and wait for it to be fully certified before submitting secondary devices to be considered for CbS, or can all of the products be submitted together?
→ When submitting products, you do not need to wait. You can submit the primary product and similar products at the same time.

I have multiple brands, including some that have the same hardware and firmware. Can CbS be extended to these multiple brands?
→ In order to be considered for CbS, products must contain the same brand. View our documentation to review the CbS program requirements.

How does the publication / timing work for CbS devices compared to the primary product?
→ See our Publish Your Device guide on publication/timing.


Want to integrate your device(s) with SmartThings? Visit our Developer Center to get started and access Product Cloning and Certification by Similarity tools.
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Samsung Electronics today announced that seven models1 in its 2024 Neo QLED and QLED lineup are the first in the industry to receive both the True Cinema Black and HDR Brightness Accuracy certifications from Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker (VDE), a leading German electrical engineering certification institute.
 
“Technology continues to advance, enabling us to deliver an unmatched cinematic experience right in our customers’ homes,” said Yongjae Kim, Executive Vice President and Deputy Head of R&D Team, Visual Display Business. “We are committed to setting the highest standards for picture quality in both high-resolution and big-screen TVs, and we are proud that our Neo QLED TVs have earned these industry-first certifications from VDE.”
 
 
Bringing Film Colors to Life
Six of Samsung’s 2024 Neo QLED 8K and 4K models, as well as one QLED 4K model, obtain industry’s first HDR Brightness Accuracy certification. This certification assures that these models accurately reproduce the brightness levels of HDR content, staying true to HDR standards and delivering picture quality that closely matches what the human eye perceives.2
 
HDR technology enhances both the bright and dark areas of an image, providing detailed and realistic visuals that bring films to life. Whether in a living room, bedroom, office or kitchen, Samsung’s Neo QLED and QLED TVs offer customers the opportunity to enjoy exceptional cinematic quality in any environment.
 
 
Elevating the Home Viewing Experience
These seven models in Samsung’s 2024 Neo QLED and QLED lineup have also set a new benchmark in home entertainment by becoming the first to earn the True Cinema Black certification,3 which highlights the exceptional local dimming performance. The TVs are capable of transforming wide aspect ratio films into a 4:3 format, fitting the screen precisely without any light blooming, thus preserving the cinematic integrity.
 
The certification is based on strict evaluations of black levels in the Letterbox area of the screen, ensuring that these areas remain deep and immersive when viewing official footage from the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) — within the guidelines of the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA®). The superior local dimming performance eliminates unwanted light interference, allowing viewers to experience movies as they were intended, with deep blacks and vivid details, akin to a theater experience.
 
Samsung’s commitment to innovation and quality has led to the development of TVs that meet the highest standards in the industry. With the True Cinema Black and HDR Brightness Accuracy certifications, the 2024 Neo QLED lineup are poised to deliver an unparalleled home viewing experience so users can enjoy world-class picture quality in any setting.
 
 
1 Neo QLED 8K (QN900D, QN800D, QN990C), Neo QLED 4K (QN95D, QN90D, QN87D/QN88D, QN85D), QLED(Q80D, Q80C). Applied models may vary by region.
2 HDR Brightness Accuracy is the cumulative change compared to the PQ standard within the range of 0 to 1,000 nits in HDR.
3 True Cinema Black is the average black level of the letterbox area of ​​HDR video using ASC footage.
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Hello
How can I set screen time limit for my kids on Samsung tv.I know there are parental controls to block apps etc but no way to set screen time limit.
I couldn't find any parental control apps either that control TV devices,  are there any?
Smartthings app didn't work either to block TV.  I can set scenes etc. but kids can just turn the TV back on.
Please help!!
 
 

As sometimes date and time for tizen  tv is not correct so is there any way to set system date and time from app through code

The “crown jewel” of ultra-high-definition content is video. It’s not just about sharp, vibrant image quality; it’s also about elaborate frame-by-frame and pixel-by-pixel work. In a single video, you can see the creator’s careful balancing of contrast and color, as well as the aesthetics that go into every little detail.
 
This is especially true for “picture quality demo” videos, which showcase the display’s full specs, capabilities and their potentials. When creating a picture quality demo video, it’s all about the details. This is why ultra-high resolution monitor should be used to create elaborate demo content.
 
Samsung Newsroom met with various artists who are using ViewFinity S9 to talk about how technology affects their creative process and artwork. The art professionals include DEVSISTERS who emphasized the importance of monitors in 3D design; OIMU which delivers the beautiful Korean names of colors; and Mike Perry, who suggests a new perspective with graphics design. In this last installment of the ViewFinity S9 Story series, Samsung Newsroom sat down with CEO and VFX Supervisor Seungmo Kim of RABBIT WALKS to explore how he pushes the boundaries of display.
 
▲ CEO and VFX Supervisor Seungmo Kim of RABBIT WALKS
 
Established in 2010, RABBIT WALKS has grown into a professional 3D content studio, having directed over 1,400 commercials, brand films and much more. The professional visual content company is developing various solutions for digital media with its industry-leading technological prowess, specifically in live streaming CG(Computer-generated Graphics) using game engine and 8K or higher-resolution content.  
 
Q: Tell us a bit about your role at RABBIT WALKS.
 
I oversee content direction and visual effects, with a primary focus on ads and picture quality demo videos for digital signage. For picture quality demo reels, it’s important to understand a display’s technology to make the most of its capabilities. So, I spend a lot of time and effort into understanding monitors while creating demo content. I am checking the picture quality pixel by pixel and making fine adjustments frame by frame to push the refresh rate to its limits. Through this harsh process with a precise directing, I can provide a different kind of visual catharsis to audiences.
 
▲ An extra-large scale OOH(out-of-home) advertisement created by RABBIT WALKS
 
 
Q: What is the role of a monitor in picture quality demonstration?
 
A picture quality demo video is designed to showcase the full specs, features and capabilities of digital signage. Given that these demo videos for large signages should be produced in ultra-high resolution, the monitor’s resolution matters a lot. The importance of screen resolution increases at trade shows like CES, ISE and InfoComm, where there are larger digital signages, often connected to each other, reaching resolutions as high as 20K.
 

 
▲ A 263-inch The Wall All-in-One plays demo content created by RABBIT WALKS at the entrance of Samsung Electronics’ booth at InfoComm 2023
 
 
Q: Can you tell us about your recent project using ViewFinity S9?
 
Recently, I created a wide8K picture quality demo content for a seven-meter display, designed to be viewed from just a meter away. At this distance, even the tiniest pixel can be noticeable, which is why I needed to check every detail and even the slightest noise. With ViewFinity, I found that previews closely mirrored the final product, which was really helpful.
 
When working on content with ultra-high resolutions, including 8K content and beyond, we often find that our monitors fall short in resolutions. Fortunately, the ViewFinity monitor features a 5K resolution which provides more space than 4K monitors without sacrificing details. It greatly enhances efficiency as it shows more areas. Honestly, it wouldn’t be easy going back to just 4K.
 
▲ Comparison between 4K and 5K on a working screen. Viewfinity S9 enables users to review 4K content in native resolution while simultaneously displaying neighboring work tabs
 
 
Q: What are your favorite features of ViewFinity S9?
 
I often just carry a monitor when filming outside on small scale productions, but the bright environment and light reflections can get in the way. So, it’s difficult to monitor in real time since it challenges me from checking details on site. More often than not, we would usually check minimally because of this.
 
The other day, I brought ViewFinity S9 to my filming location for monitoring, and its Matte Display reduced the light reflection and really improved my productivity. And, the screen itself was so bright that I could monitor the results than I expected. Thanks to the ViewFinity monitor, I could handle both filming and editing onsite.
 
▲ Kim says he enjoys taking Viewfinity S9 to outdoor production sites
 
 
Q: What sets the ViewFinity S9 apart from previous monitors?
 
I love the fact that ViewFinity supports Thunderbolt 4, directly connecting devices to the monitor like a hub.1 I would normally connect a hub to the laptop, and because there are often too many wires, we might accidentally trip over the cables.
 
Thunderbolt 4 enables ViewFinity S9 charge devices and plug various devices into the back of the monitor. We can connect important devices such as external drives, which was reassuring.
 
▲ Supporting various inputs, Viewfinity S9 allows for multi-tasking across a number of devices
 
▲ The Viewfinity S9 has Thunderbolt 4(90W), Mini DisplayPort and USB-C connectivity.
 
 
Q: How did ViewFinity S9 change your work environment?
 
In creating 3D content, CG renders often take a significant amount of time, making it challenging to do anything else at the same time. However, ViewFinity S9 offers the flexibility to engage in other activities, like watching streaming content,2 regardless of ongoing tasks on the PC.
 
I used to have different monitors for graphic works and watching streaming content. With ViewFinity S9, I can streamline and have one monitor that can be utilized for different purposes. Like me, for those who spend extended hours working on monitors, its versatility is a great advantage.
 
▲ Kim editing 3D graphics on a Viewfinity S9
 
 
Q: Are there any other features you enjoyed using?
 
Few 5K or higher-resolution monitors can pivot. ViewFinity, on the other hand, can be used both horizontally and vertically, which is very convenient. I recently create a vertical video and the ViewFinity S9’s pivot feature was really helpful. Now, I can see easily view and edit vertical and horizontal content by simply rotating the monitor.  These ergonomic features, including height-adjustable stand and tilt capabilities, really help maximize productivity.
 
▲ Many graphic designers including Seungmo Kim, CEO and VFX Supervisor of RABBIT WALKS, say the pivot feature is very useful for their work
 
 
Q: As an expert in picture quality demo videos, what are your thoughts on the monitor?
 
Having used the ViewFinity monitor, I can safely say I like everything about the monitor. From its brightness and resolution to its vibrant colors. It’s an exceptional choice for creative professionals. A versatile monitor with great specs. I highly recommend it.
 
▲ “Once you upgrade, it’s hard to step back down. Honestly, it wouldn’t be easy going back to just 4K,” says Seungmo Kim, CEO and VFX Supervisor of RABBIT WALKS
 
 
 
1 Only Mac computers with Apple silicon introduced after 2020 are supported.
2 App availability may vary by country and separate subscriptions may be required. Requires internet connection and TV tuner is not included. You will need a Samsung Account to access the full range of smart features available through your device, including network-based smart services, applications such as games and streaming services, smart home functionality and many more.
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