[Turning Your Living Room Into a Home Theater] ① How Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K and Leading Soundbar Provide Cinema-Level Quality Experiences
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By Samsung Newsroom
Samsung TV Plus1 is going all-in on one of the hottest content categories, with the arrival of nearly 4,000 hours of free-to-stream Korean shows and movies now available on-demand in the U.S. With audiences around the world falling in love with the exhilarating world of Korean culture and entertainment, Samsung TV Plus is proud to offer viewers access to premium titles across a variety of genres like K-Dramas, K-Crime, K-Thrillers and K-Romance, just to name a few.
With the October 3rd arrival of new K-Content from Korea’s most acclaimed production companies CJ ENM and NEW ID and distribution company KT Alpha, Samsung TV Plus is now one of the largest providers of Korean scripted and unscripted TV series and movies in the U.S.
▲ Nearly 4,000 hours of free-to-stream Korean shows and movies are now available on-demand in the U.S. on Samsung TV Plus, the company’s FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) service.
Endless Entertainment on the World’s #1 Smart TV
The premium offering in the U.S. will bring monthly exclusives from CJ ENM with hit series like Voice 4 and Dark Hole, along with romance drama Doom at Your Service. The psychological thriller drama Beyond Evil distributed by NEW ID will also be arriving soon.
Samsung TV Plus and CJ ENM have also teamed up to bring unscripted, never before seen programs to the U.S., which includes popular food entertainment shows such as The Genius Paik and Three Meals a Day, along with travel shows House on Wheels and Youn’s Kitchen. And for the movie enthusiasts, Samsung TV Plus is now home to NEW ID and KT Alpha’s largest K-Movie offering in the U.S., with hit titles like NEW ID’s award winning Korean films Burning, starring Steven Yeun of Beef and A Taxi Driver, starring Kang-ho Song of the award-winning global blockbuster, Parasite. Fans can also enjoy popular movies from KT Alpha such as Joint Security Area, Oh! Brothers, The President’s Last Bang, 26 Years.
“K-Content is no longer niche — it’s one of the fastest growing and most watched categories globally, and Samsung TV Plus is uniquely positioned to deliver an unparalleled experience in this space with an endless offering of premium K-Content,” said Salek Brodsky, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Samsung TV Plus. “Our partnerships with the leading Korean production and distribution companies CJ ENM, NEW ID and KT Alpha came naturally, with Samsung TV Plus being the platform of choice to reach the largest audience possible, of both existing K-Fans and new viewers.”
An Immersive Plunge Into a Galaxy of K-Content
“As a leading entertainment company, CJ ENM offers the widest range of K-Content, from hit dramas and variety shows to K-Pop and globally acclaimed films. Through Samsung TV Plus, we are excited not only to bring our diverse content libraries to international audiences but also to explore new collaboration opportunities to further expand the impact of Korean entertainment.” added Seo Jang-ho, SVP of CJ ENM Content Business Division.
How To Watch
Samsung TV Plus offers the best of TV, all for free – and is available exclusively across the Samsung TV, Galaxy, Smart Monitor, and Family Hub lineups. This includes the 2024 Samsung Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED 4K, OLED, and The Frame, which are designed with advanced AI2 that can upscale even your favorite older classics on Samsung TV Plus into stunning 4K and 8K quality.
1 Samsung TV Plus is the go-to service for free, premium entertainment that allows content owners and advertisers to engage consumers at scale. As a leader in free ad-supported TV (FAST) and video-on-demand (AVOD), Samsung TV Plus is the #1 free ad-supported app on Samsung Smart TVs, with nearly 3,000 ad-supported linear channels available globally in 27 countries across 630M active devices. Samsung TV Plus is accessible on 2016-2024 Samsung Smart TVs, Galaxy devices, Smart Monitors and Family Hub refrigerators. To learn more, visit samsungtvplus.com.
2 Uses AI-based formulas.
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By Samsung Newsroom
Transparent LEDs are poised to redefine viewing experiences, making the line between content and reality virtually indistinguishable. Leveraging this groundbreaking technology, Samsung Electronics has upleveled its leading MICRO LED display to expand how users enjoy visual content.
The company’s Transparent MICRO LED display was unveiled for the first time at Samsung First Look 2024 on January 7 (local time) — ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024, the world’s largest consumer electronics and information technology exhibition held in Las Vegas from January 9-12. Combining superior craftsmanship with six years of tireless research and development, this new modular MICRO LED wowed attendees with its futuristic design. The Transparent MICRO LED’s crystal-clear, glass-like display has revolutionized the viewing experience and attracted the attention of global consumers.
Check out how Transparent MICRO LEDs will make everything from sports to movies more vivid and immersive in the video below.
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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.
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By Samsung Newsroom
For 14 consecutive years, Samsung Electronics has led the commercial display market with its innovations.1 This year, the company has set the standard for displays once again with the release of The Wall for Virtual Production (IVC Model) — an ultra-large MICRO LED-based display customized for virtual content production. Lauded for its unmatched color capabilities, pristine high definition, and black seal technology for ultra black levels, The Wall for Virtual Production was unveiled at Infocomm 2023, the largest audiovisual tradeshow in North America, and the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) 2023, a premier exhibition for broadcasting and media in Europe.
Samsung Newsroom sat down with Chan Hyoung Park, Vice President of Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics, Mark Taylor, European Head of LED at Samsung Electronics, and developers Sanghoon Oh and Hyun Ji to learn more about the inspiration for the display and the future of film production.
Increased Content Immersion and Reduced Production Costs
Virtual production is a method of filmmaking that combines computer-generated imagery with live-action footage to create next-level content. The use of both physical and digital elements gives filmmakers the ability to visualize imaginative scenes in new ways.
▲ Virtual production can reduce production costs and post-production editing time as filmmakers can view results in real time by utilizing a ultra-large, high-definition LED display.
As virtual production enables filmmakers to overcome the limitations of physical sets or environments, an increasing number of ultra-large, high-definition LED displays are being incorporated into production — saving time and cutting costs during post-production editing. Unlike chroma key green screens, which require image compositing and color correction during post-production, LED screens for virtual production can seamlessly display a breathtaking background behind moving actors.
LED walls, such as The Wall for Virtual Production, offer advantages against both these methods. With these screens, producers are able to efficiently make edits to video in real time, whilst actors experience better immersion because of the lifelike, ultra-high definition images.
▲ Mark Taylor underscores how virtual production screens increase the level of immersion for actors during filming.
Mark Taylor, European Head of LED, explained how these features make virtual production an attractive form of film production. “If producers were to add a lot of effects post-production, it takes a long time and the cost can be lot higher. But a lot of it’s actually being done in-camera. With LED walls, actors can crucially interact with the video behind them, making the experience much more immersive,” he said. “In addition, because LED is its own self-emitting light, you can put that in much brighter environments than projections, and you don’t have to use camera settings and lighting to compensate for that, resulting in more flexibility.
Adoption Throughout the Film and TV Industry
Virtual production techniques are becoming increasingly popular because of their specific advantages. Large-scale blockbuster films that require heavy visual effects began shifting to virtual production during the pandemic, and many studios have continued to use it since. Likewise, various OTT platforms have followed this trend to further market growth.
To usher in the era of virtual production, CJ ENM — a leading entertainment company in South Korea — teamed up with Samsung to install The Wall Virtual Production Stage in Paju, South Korea last May. Measuring over 1,000 inches, the custom oval display set a remarkable precedent for the next era of film and TV production and paved the way for future virtual production technology.
▲ CJ ENM Virtual Production Stage, where The Wall Virtual Production Stage is installed.
As adoption continues throughout the industry, market size is forecast to reach a value of approximately $700 (by when?) million and annual growth is predicted to be around 18% through 2030. With applications expanding to advertising and live commerce, virtual production will set a new standard for production across various sectors.
▲ The Virtual Production market is expected to grow 18% YoY globally through 2030
Optimization of Virtual Production Studios
The Wall for Virtual Production is equipped with the latest visual technologies such as newly developed LED elements and ultra-anti-reflective film so the darkest colors show up clearly on screen even under the brightest production lights. Each screen module is built to a 4:9 ratio, slimmer than the conventional 16:9, to help reduce the angle between cabinets and thus prevent video distortion from light reflections.
“In the early stages of developing The Wall for Virtual Production, we wanted to ensure the product was suitable for diverse studio environments,” said Samsung developer Hyun Ji. “We accomplished this by creating a display that can be installed in numerous orientations such as being hung or stacked with other screens. This flexibility allows productions to adapt the screen to their sets. In addition, we’ve prevented screen distortions by reducing the product’s length and eliminating light reflection by applying ultra-anti-reflective film for more natural videos.”
▲ The Wall for Virtual Production modules are compatible with both hanging and stacking structures to fit production needs
The modular nature of The Wall for Virtual Production allows it to be constructed in a variety of forms ideal for any environment — from a perfectly flat screen to up to 6,000R curvature. Additionally, the width can be extended by any length while the height can range from 9m to 13.5m (up to 10 modules hung or 15 modules stacked). To keep the weight evenly distributed, Samsung developed a uniquely patented structure to ensure the display is stable.
“With the leveler-style supporting structure applied, the weight of the modules is evenly distributed among the cabinets,” explained Ji.
To minimize distortion when cameras are connected, The Wall boasts the highest industry refresh rate of up to 12,288Hz for unparalleled image quality. Samsung developer Sanghoon Oh explained how this refresh rate is ideal for studio production. “By achieving this impressively high refresh rate, we’ve minimized screen distortions that occur when subjects overlap or when horizontal lines form due to camera movement,” he said.
▲ Hyun Ji (left) and Sanghoon Oh who worked on the development of The Wall for Virtual Production
Aside from the impressive scale of the display, Samsung applied innovative software solutions to The Wall for Virtual Production to ensure visuals are replicated seamlessly on screen. The company equipped the display with Generator Locking (Genlock) to synchronize the screen and camera’s video signals as well as Phase Offset to adjust any delays between the camera and screen.
Oh explained how Samsung’s industry and technological expertise has helped the company perfect its products. “Samsung can respond to various market demands efficiently because the company designs and produces its own hardware — including LED modules, cabinets and S-Box (a dedicated video player) — as well as its own software solutions — such as LED Signage Manager (LSM) for LED operation control and Virtual Production Manager (VPM) for virtual production,” he said.
The Next Era of Content Production
Unveiled earlier this year, The Wall for Virtual Production has already garnered attention from industry professionals and creatives alike. “Although we’ve just begun, we’ll work to strengthen the product’s competitive market edge and lead the industry,” said Oh.
Equipped with industry-leading technologies, The Wall for Virtual Production will enhance not only the production process but the production environment as well.
“The Wall for Virtual Production maximizes digital effects while also simplifying and speeding up the video production process,” said Chan Hyoung Park, Vice President of Visual Display (VD) Business. “The display has the potential to change the film and TV landscape by reducing costs and creating a more efficient industry.”
▲ Chan Hyoung Park explains how The Wall for Virtual Production will redefine industry standards for production.
Combining extraordinary technological features with imaginative digital and visual effects, The Wall for Virtual Production is poised to lead a new era of content production.
1 Samsung has been the No.1 selling digital signage brand for 14 consecutive years by Omdia (IHS) 23 Q2 Smart Signage History+Forecast report. (Note: Consumer TVs, along with Commercial Lite and Hospitality TVs used for signage, are excluded.)
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By Samsung Newsroom
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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