Report

Play Asset Delivery (PAD) enhances the gaming experience by offering the advantages of application bundles, which are packages that group all necessary resources for efficient delivery, making downloads faster and installations smoother for players. Android App Bundles (AAB) are a type of PAD, the modern way of building and publishing Android applications and games in Google Play Store. The Samsung Galaxy Store recently introduced the option to upload AAB files to Galaxy Store Seller Portal. However, AABs have some Google Play Store proprietary features that might make a game non-functional when it is uploaded to Galaxy Store. This article explores ways in which you can utilize PAD while ensuring your game remains compatible with Galaxy Store.
Purpose
PAD is a very useful feature that helps reduce the game's initial download size, as it downloads various game assets at runtime. There are multiple ways of using this feature in Unity games. However, certain PAD configurations may cause the game's assets to fail to load when the game is published to Galaxy Store. In this tutorial, you learn how to properly configure PAD and adjust Unity configurations accordingly, so your game can be successfully published to Galaxy Store.
In the following sections, PAD functionalities are implemented in an existing coin collector game (referenced in the article Integrating Samsung IAP in Your Unity Game), demonstrating how to download and apply a new set of materials for the floor tile at runtime. Here, you also learn about the adjustments that are necessary for successfully publishing a game using PAD to Galaxy Store.
Prerequisites
To follow this tutorial, ensure that your setup has the following:
Unity Game Engine version 2023.2 or above The "Addressables for Android" package for Unity A Google Play developer account A Galaxy Store Seller Portal commercial seller account A game created using Unity where you want to add the PAD features To implement PAD in your Unity game, you can use the "Addressables for Android" package. This is the easiest and most convenient way to implement PAD in a game. This package is only supported on Unity version 2023.2 or above. If your game is built using a previous version of Unity, please migrate your game to the Unity 2023.2 version first.
PAD implementation considerations
There are multitude of ways to implement PAD in games built with the Unity engine. However, the most common method for implementing PAD restricts the game to being publishable exclusively on the Google Play Store and does not provide any easy method of disabling PAD for uploading these games into other storefronts. For the best experience with your game, it is recommended to use PAD to bundle all game assets together. This approach ensures that all necessary resources are downloaded right away, preventing any missing assets which could affect the user experience.
There are three types of asset packs that can be configured while using PAD: "Install Time," "Fast Follow," and "On Demand." Games that use the "Install Time" asset packs can be uploaded to Galaxy Store without any issues as these assets are installed together with the game and do not require any separate downloads. When Galaxy Store generates a universal APK from AAB files, the "Install Time" assets are directly included in the APK.
Games that are designed to only use "On Demand" or "Fast Follow" asset packs do not allow downloading their assets when they are uploaded to a storefront that is not the Google Play Store. Thus, for any game that uses either the "On Demand" or "Fast Follow" asset pack delivery method, PAD must be disabled in order to upload the game to Galaxy Store.
To ensure that your game's PAD functionality can be easily switched off and your game is successfully uploaded to Galaxy Store, the "Addressables for Android" package must be used to implement PAD.
This article assumes that you have implemented PAD in your game using the "Addressables for Android" package and that you have also configured these two assets with the following configurations:
A "Grass" asset pack set to be downloaded as a "Fast Follow" asset A "Ground" asset pack set to be downloaded as an "On Demand" asset In the next sections, you learn how to integrate PAD into your existing Unity game using the "Addressables for Android" package so that you can easily publish your game to Galaxy Store with minimal changes.
Basic steps to implement PAD in your Unity game
In this section, you learn how to configure your assets using PAD functionality that keeps your game compatible with both Google Play and Galaxy Store.
In Unity, configure "Build Settings" to run the game on Android and generate the AAB: Click File > Build Settings and then select the Android tab. On the "Android" tab, select the Build App Bundle (Google Play) checkbox.



Figure 1: Enabling the "Build App Bundle" option

Install the "Addressables for Android" package from the Unity Package Manager. This additionally installs the "Addressables" package as a dependency. Initialize PAD. Go to Window > Asset Management > Addressables and click Init Play Asset Delivery.



Figure 2: "Init Play Asset Delivery" option

Configure the "Addressables Groups" for assets: Select Window > Asset Management > Addressables > Groups. Click New > Play Asset Delivery Assets. This creates a new group. Enter a descriptive name. For the purposes of this walkthrough, name one group "Grass" and then create another group and name it "Ground."



Figure 3: Creating asset groups

Assign the assets to the Addressables Group: Select the assets you want to assign to an Addressables Group and in the "Inspector" dialog box, tick the Addressable checkbox. The asset is converted into an "Addressable" and assigned to the default Addressables Group.



Figure 4: Converting assets into Addressables

Click the folder name in the "Group" field. In the example, the folder name is "Grass."
Drag and drop the asset from the default group to the group of your choosing. For the purposes of this exercise, assign the grass material related assets to the "Grass" Addressables Group and ground material related assets to the "Ground" Addressables Group.




Figure 5: Assigning assets to groups

Configure the "Play Asset Delivery" schema for these addressable groups to add the PAD functionality to your game: Select any of the top-level Asset Group names in the "Addressables Groups" window to open the inspector window for that group. Scroll down in the "Inspector" window until you find the "Play Asset Delivery" schema. From the "Delivery Type" dropdown list, select Install Time, Fast Follow, or On Demand, based on your requirements. There is a demonstration below on how the game might behave on Galaxy Store when you choose the option "On Demand." For more information, see the Testing your PAD Enabled Game on the Play Store and Galaxy Store section.



Figure 6: Selecting the delivery type for asset groups

In the "Addressables Groups" dialog box, select Build > New Build > Play Asset Delivery. Now, the game's addressable-asset configuration is complete. Each asset assigned to an addressable group is packed into an asset pack for that group and the asset pack can be downloaded separately using PAD. Note that asset packs can only be downloaded separately from the Play Store if their delivery type is "On Demand" or "Fast Follow."
Loading and using the addressable assets with AssetReference
This section provides a script which details how to load the addressable assets that were implemented with PAD in the earlier sections. Your game is set up to load the addressable assets efficiently. If an asset has not been downloaded yet, the game automatically attempts to download it as an "On Demand" asset using PAD before it loads into the game.
To complete this setup, use the AssetReference type in your game. This feature enables you to manage and edit addressable assets dynamically at runtime, which gives you more flexibility and control over the assets that your game uses.
To use two game addressable assets in your script, follow these steps:
Create two AssetReference instances for the floor types (grass and ground) that you added in the previous section. Add the SerializeField attribute to these AssetReference instances. This enables setting up the assets directly from the Unity editor: [SerializeField] AssetReference Grass_mat; [SerializeField] AssetReference Ground_mat; In the Unity editor, drag and drop the grass and ground assets into the fields in the GameObject script section. Now the AssetReferences specifically reference these two assets during runtime.
Downloading assets during runtime is necessary for PAD. Use AsyncOperations to load these assets:
Grass_mat.LoadAssetAsync<Material>().Completed += OnGrassAssetLoaded; Ground_mat.LoadAssetAsync<Material>().Completed += OnGroundAssetLoaded; The OnGrassAssetLoaded and OnGroundAssetLoaded handler functions are defined to use the loaded assets. The LoadAssetAsync method passes the asset using an AsyncOperationHandle, and from there you can access the asset itself using the AsyncOperationHandle.Result parameter.
In this game, we are using PAD to load the grass and ground assets. Once they are successfully loaded, you can change the floor tile material using the following handler functions.
In this example, after loading the grass and ground assets, you apply the material change to all the floor tiles in the level:
void OnGroundAssetLoaded(AsyncOperationHandle<Material> handle) { groundMaterial = handle.Result; foreach (GameObject prefab in floorPrefabs) { prefab.GetComponent<MeshRenderer>().material = groundMaterial; } } Save the script and go back to the Unity editor. The new materials are loaded and applied to the floor tiles in the level.

Testing your PAD-enabled game on the Play Store and Galaxy Store
The game configuration for using addressable assets and PAD is complete. Before publishing your game, consider whether to use the "Split Application Binary" option.
On the Android Player settings, expand "Publishing Settings," and scroll down to the "Split Application Binary" checkbox. This checkbox decides how Unity handles packaging when building the game. If this checkbox is checked, Unity splits the base game files from the asset files when building the AAB and enables you to configure each PAD feature in your game. In the images below, you can see what happens when you choose this option. If this option is unchecked, Unity always generates a singular archive file and disables PAD. This is the safest option for uploading your game to Galaxy Store, if your PAD configuration is using options that are not supported by Galaxy Store.



Figure 7: "Split Application Binary" option

To enable PAD, check the "Split Application Binary" option Build the game and upload the generated AAB file to both the Play Store and Galaxy Store to check how the game behaves in both stores. If the game assets load correctly in both stores, the PAD configuration was done correctly. Below is an example of what might happen if "On Demand" configuration is used instead.
When the game is downloaded from the Play Store, Unity automatically downloads the "On Demand" assets. A notification for an "Additional file download" appears during the download process:




Figure 8: Additional file download notification

Once the download is complete, the downloaded asset is loaded in your game, replacing the previous assets. In this example game case, the old ground and grass materials are changed to the new textures configured in the previous section.




Figure 9: Assets updated in the game

However, when the same game AAB file is uploaded to Galaxy Store and a user downloads it from this store, the PAD assets are not downloaded. Thus, when the game tries to use these assets, they cannot be loaded into the game's memory and glitches might appear.
While additional error checking can be done to avoid these glitches, the functionalities which require PAD assets still cannot be used. Internally, the game checks the installation source before trying to download the PAD assets and throws an error if the game is not installed from the Play Store.




Figure 10: Issues might occur if a PAD-enabled game is uploaded to Galaxy Store

Making the game compatible with Galaxy Store
To upload your game to Galaxy Store, you can adjust the asset handling to be compatible with Galaxy Store. The best way to do this is by bundling the assets together with the base game, as explained in the previous sections.
This method is highly recommended. This ensures that the required assets are always available with the game, as well as allowing you to change the assets during runtime, if necessary. Though this can increase the game download size and require you to upload a separate AAB file to Galaxy Store, the process ensures that the assets are always available with the game for full feature parity across all storefronts.
To make your game build compatible with all storefronts, choose one of the following approaches.
Option 1: Uncheck the "Split Application Binary" checkbox
Go to Build Settings > Player Settings > Publishing Settings and uncheck the Split Application Binary checkbox. When you then compile the game, the new AAB file is compatible with Galaxy Store and all the game's functionalities remain intact.




Figure 11: "Split Application Binary" unchecked option.

With this option, the assets are packaged together with the game and no separate download is required.
Option 2: Change delivery type to "Install Time"
If you want to keep using PAD, you can achieve compatibility by changing all addressable asset groups' delivery type to "Install Time." Keep in mind that when choosing this option, all assets need to be changed to "Install Time" one by one, while the previous one is a one-click process. Unlike "On Demand" and "Fast Follow" asset packs, "Install Time" asset packs are included in the universal APK. Thus, the assets are downloaded together with the game and work as intended without causing errors.
From the user's perspective, the main difference between "Install Time" and other PAD options is whether the assets are downloaded when the game is installed or later during gameplay. The initial download size is larger when the assets are packaged together with the game, but on the other hand, the user will not need to wait for the assets to download later during gameplay. This enables offline gameplay as well.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, you have learned how to configure a Unity game with PAD so that it can easily be published to Galaxy Store without requiring massive changes or breaking any compatibility. For more information, check out the "Addressables for Android" package documentation page Build content for Play Asset Delivery. If you have any feedback or questions, reach out to us in the Samsung Developers Forum.
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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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“It’s all about making colors truer to the vision of video game creators”
– Bill Mandel, VP, Samsung Research America
 
HDR (high dynamic range) technology has been revolutionizing visual quality in movies and TV shows for several years. Now, with Samsung championing HDR10+ GAMING, the same visual transformation is making its way to the video game industry. It’s beneficial for game makers and players alike, and truly makes it possible to get the most visual impact out of gaming’s modern graphics and realism.
 
Samsung Newsroom sat down with Bill Mandel, Vice President, and Steve Larson, Senior Manager at Digital Media Solutions, Samsung Research America, to discuss HDR10+ GAMING and how the technology is changing the gaming industry.
 
▲ Steve Larson (left), Senior Manager and Bill Mandel, VP, Digital Media Solutions, Samsung Research America
 
 
Gamers and Game Creators Deserve HDR, Too
While HDR dramatically heightened the visual experience for television and film, its application in video games has been limited. Game engines have built-in color management systems that help the connected TV or monitor know what colors to show. However, a lack of communication between screens and game engines requires users to manually calibrate their displays.
 
“HDR10+ GAMING establishes a direct line of communication between the screen and the game engine”
– Steve Larson, Samsung Research America
 
In search of a solution, SRA started to develop HDR10+ GAMING. By automatically adjusting HDR settings based on the screen’s capabilities, HDR10+ GAMING unlocks a premium visual experience through accurate color, contrast and brightness.
 
“HDR10+ GAMING establishes a direct line of communication between the screen and the game engine,” said Larson. “The screen can now understand what the game engine is doing, and the game engine knows what the screen can display. That produces a much better visual output.”
 
“It’s all about making colors truer to the vision of video game creators,” said Mandel.
 
 
Engineering a Simple Solution for the Artists
Game developers were the first to call for new technology that addressed the limitations of HDR.
 
“The initial need came from game developers themselves who want the games they build to look the best they possibly can,” said Mandel. “They were struggling to get colors to look the way they hoped across monitors.”
 
▲ Bill Mandel, VP, Digital Media Solutions, Samsung Research America, explains how HDR10+ GAMING was introduced to bring better visual experience to all gamers
 
“We wanted the specs we published to be simple for game developers to use, without a heavy burden,” said Larson. “Once they integrate our specs into their game engine, they can use it across any game built in that engine. This significantly simplifies adoption across the industry because it doesn’t rely on certain configurations or devices. It’s easy.”
 
 
Making It Simple for the Players
With HDR10+ GAMING, gamers no longer need to deal with dials and test patterns to calibrate their monitors.
 
“HDR10+ GAMING simplifies the process by automatically adjusting settings for games, just like it does for movies,” said Mandel. “This ensures gamers get the best picture quality without any hassle — just turn on the game and go.”
 
▲ Bill Mandel (top), VP, and Steve Larson, Senior Manager, Digital Media Solutions, Samsung Research America demonstrate how HDR10+ GAMING automatically elevates the gaming experience
 
Because HDR10+ GAMING works both on TVs and gaming monitors, gamers can now enjoy a consistent visual experience with immersive graphics across platforms without setting anything up. This standard is especially important as today’s gamers expect photorealistic graphics in gaming today.
 
“When activated, your device automatically identifies that HDR10+ GAMING is an available option in any compatible game and takes advantage of it,” said Larson. “There’s no need to navigate a hidden menu or adjust settings.”
 
 
Lowering the Threshold for the Gaming Industry
For game developers, one major advantage of HDR10+ GAMING is that it is free to implement. With the right application programming interface (APIs), they can integrate HDR10+ GAMING into their existing game engines without any specialized training.
 
“It’s simple. Once developers integrate our specs into their game engine, they can use it across any game built in that engine”
– Steve Larson, Samsung Research America
 
Putting these standards into action, Samsung partnered with NEXON in September 2023 to launch the world’s first HDR10+ GAMING title, “The First Descendant.”
 
At Summer Game Fest this past June, the company showcased its latest Odyssey OLED gaming monitors with HDR10+ GAMING capabilities. The combination of HDR10+ GAMING and Samsung’s Odyssey OLED gaming monitors demonstrates how advanced display technology can elevate the gaming experience in video games like “Red Dead Redemption 2.”
 
Moreover, Samsung has worked with partners such as CD PROJEKT RED on “Cyberpunk 2077” — bringing the game’s fictitious Night City, California, to life like never before. The copy was a great hit, selling over 25,000,000 copies worldwide.
 
“We designed the system to be incredibly simple to implement,” said Larson. “In fact, CD PROJEKT RED told us that they knew HDR10+ GAMING was something they wanted to use. They were impressed with how fast and easy it was to implement. Their team was actually able to get it up and running in about half a day.”
 
“This is a free license technology. We’ll see a lot more games and platforms adopting the technology”
– Bill Mandel, VP, Samsung Research America
 
 
A Radiant Future Ahead for HDR10+ GAMING
Samsung is looking to expand HDR10+ GAMING to include additional game engines, particularly those that are more niche. The company is already working with major studios and developers to add into their proprietary engines and some of the more widely adopted ones.
 
“Through collaborations with game companies, we will expand the HDR10+ GAMING ecosystem — ensuring broader adoption and richer gaming experiences,” said Mandel.
 
This wide network will provide game developers with a versatile and powerful set of tools to create visually stunning games more efficiently.
 
▲Steve Larson (left), Senior Manager, and Bill Mandel, VP, Digital Media Solutions, Samsung Research America
 
“As this is a free license technology, we’ll see a lot more games and platforms adopting the technology,” Mandel continued. “For consumers, it means a consistent and immersive gaming experience across a range of devices — with minimal setup and maximum visual impact.”
 
Mandel and Larson anticipate a notable increase in the number of developers, games and users leveraging HDR10+ GAMING soon.
 
“Expect big things to come!” said Mandel.
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Samsung Electronics is spearheading the era of “Bringing Calm to Our Connected World,” where customized experiences aim to enhance users’ lifestyles in ways never before seen. An effective smart home ecosystem gives consumers limitless opportunities for personalized experiences. There are now countless devices that are seamlessly synchronized and easily controlled by the TV.
 
In line with this goal of seamless connections, Samsung has expanded the hyperconnected experience by partnering with Signify, formerly known as Philips Lighting, to incorporate the Philips Hue Sync TV app into Samsung TVs. These technologies work in perfect harmony to make content more immersive and add a cinematic quality to any home theater set up.
 
To dive deeper into the collaboration, Samsung Newsroom sat down with AJ Cho from the CX team at the Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics and Yoojin Hong, Product Marketer of Hue at Signify Korea, to share insights into the partnership’s origin and setup tips to optimize your home entertainment experience.
 
▲ Philips Hue, synced with Samsung QLED TV, offers an immersive viewing experience that transcends the screen
 
 
Industry Leaders Create the Ultimate Entertainment Experience
The partnership between Samsung and Signify goes back to 2020. Philips Hue, known for its smart lighting system that allows users to adjust brightness and color, had just launched the Play HDMI Sync Box in 2019.
 
“We noticed how the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box could sync lighting with the brightness and color according to the content being played on the screen. This significantly enhanced the viewing experience in a way we had never seen before,” said Cho. “At that moment, we knew we wanted to partner with Signify for a collaboration that would make our two products as cohesive as possible.”
 
“With years of research into lighting’s impact on human perception and psychology, Philips developed Hue, a sophisticated and intelligent lighting system offering not just adjustable brightness and color temperature, but also a spectrum of 16 million colors,” said Hong. “Teaming up with Samsung, a market leader in TV manufacturing, allowed us to take full advantage of our advanced lighting system. It was clear to me that this collaboration would lead to innovative solutions in home entertainment.”
 
▲ AJ Cho from the CX team at the Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics (left) and Yoojin Hong, Product Marketer of Hue at Signify Korea
 
As a result of this partnership, Samsung TVs were the first in the world to support the Philips Hue Sync TV application. Now, when Philips Hue is paired with a Samsung TV,1 the content is not just on the screen. It envelopes the entire room with lighting that harmonizes with each scene in real-time.
 
It’s also never been easier to set up. Simply install the app from the app store, attach the light to the back of your TV and pair the light to the TV. The light can be paired with the TV without a separate sync box, instead leveraging the Samsung Smart TV platform.
 
▲ Philps Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip attached to the back of a TV. The Philips Hue Sync TV app eliminates the need for a separate Sync Box, allowing for a cleaner and easier setup
 
“Previously, the Sync Box synchronized the lights only via the HDMI cable. In contrast, the Philips Hue Sync TV app allows content and the lights to sync. This means our consumers can enjoy this feature with everything from streaming services to video games,” said Cho. “It’s not only easy to install but also keeps the TV setup clean, with no need for additional cables.”
 
 
Smart Lighting Enhances Gaming, Movies, Live Sports and Much More
The Philips Hue Sync TV app supports a wide variety of content, including both game and video mode. The app will automatically use lighting optimized for the game you’re playing or the video you’re watching, synchronized in real-time to the content.
 
 ▲ An on/off comparison of Philips Hue Sync (Game Mode) on a Samsung QLED TV
 
“I strongly recommend using the lights on game mode, which provides immersive lighting based on the genre of the game you’re playing,” said Cho. “Whether it’s a simulation, FPS(First-Person Shooting), or racing game, the extra lighting pulls you in. Players can adjust the intensity of the light based on their preference as well for a highly customized experience.”
 
 ▲ An on/off comparison of Philips Hue Sync (Video Mode) on a Samsung QLED TV
 
Philips Hue also works well with movies or television shows. Cho’s personal favorite is pairing it with a horror movie. “Switching to Video mode with a horror movie transforms the room, immersing the viewer in a chilling, ominous atmosphere that truly elevates the viewing experience.”
 
 ▲ An on/off comparison of Philips Hue Sync on a Samsung Smart Monitor
 
Avid sports fans will also appreciate the synergy between Samsung TV Plus2 and Philips Hue. This combination became especially exciting with the recent launch of the FIFA+ channel3 on Samsung TV Plus. Samsung TV Plus is Samsung’s free, ad-supported streaming TV service. The FIFA+ channel features an extensive collection of FIFA Originals, archives, and highlights from both men’s and women’s soccer.
 
Cho noted, “Using Philips Hue truly enhances the thrill of watching a game at home. Paired with superior sound and picture quality, the TV and the lighting combination creates a stadium-like atmosphere right in your living room.”
 
 
Maximizing Realism in Home Entertainment With Philips Hue
There are a number of key factors which influence how immersive content on screen can be. While the significance of picture and sound quality cannot be overstated, Hong believes that lighting might be the final piece needed to elevate the overall experience.
 
▲ Philips Hue Sync TV app, available on compatible Samsung Smart TVs, helps automatically sync the smart lighting according to various types of content displayed on the screen including videos and games
 
“Philips Hue harmonizes with Samsung Smart TV, adjusting its colors in real-time to reflect on-screen content and maximizing a sense of realism on screen,” said Hong. “Whether it’s a movie, TV show, or gaming, Philips Hue is able to precisely catch the changes on screen, intensifying the immersion of the content.”
 
 
Find the Perfect Philips Hue Setup for Your Samsung TV
Philips Hue offers a wide lineup of options to suit any home theater set up. Based on their experience, Cho and Hong have handpicked specific Philips Hue products designed to optimize the viewing experience.
 
▲ Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip (left) and Philips Hue Play Gradient Light Tube (right)
 
Cho selected the Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip, which can be attached to the back of a TV. “Similar to the way different colors are mixed to make the perfect shade of paint, this light strip uses different shades of light to create the desired ambience,” said Cho. “With its 45-degree beam angle and seamless connectivity, the Play Gradient Lightstrip allows your content and lights to be perfectly in sync.”
 
Hong prefers the Philips Hue Play Gradient Light Tube. “It’s versatile, easy to install anywhere around the TV, and its greatest strength lies in its customization,” said Hong. “The light tube can be rotated up to 340 degrees, allowing you to direct the lights precisely where you need it in any setup.”
 
 
1 The Philips Hue Sync app is available on Samsung Neo QLED and QLED TV models Q60 and above released after 2022. A software update is planned for Q70B and Q700B 2022 models to support the app by the end of 2023.
2 Samsung TV Plus is a free, go-to source for entertainment and sport, available to Samsung Smart TV, Mobile and Tablet customers. Samsung TV models manufactured after 2016 and mobile devices with access to Android 8.0 or higher will have Samsung TV Plus already built in. If your device is compatible, you will be able to download it directly from the Galaxy and Google Play store. Samsung TV Plus is available on Samsung Family Hub refrigerators and the web on select regions.
3 Samsung TV Plus is only available in South Korea, UK, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Brazil and Mexico. The mobile app is only available in South Korea, United States, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Austria and India.
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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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