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As known, these days companies present their new products at CES 2020. As usual, the attention of experts is primarily attracted by the leaders of the consumer electronics segment, which shape development trends. Of course, Samsung is one of them. The company fully met expectations by presenting three new TVs, including the second generation of Samsung 8K model, innovative MicroLED panels and the experimental The Sero TV with a rotary screen for viewing video content in vertical format, for example, from Instagram. Of course, Samsung Q950TS aroused the greatest interest among experts. In fact, the company created the second generation of its 8K TV. Today this model is one of the brightest among modern TVs. Its peak brightness reaches 4000 nits. The Q950TS uses a FALD (full array local dimming) with about 500 dimming zones. TV analyses a map of current image, defining bright or dark areas. Samsung engineers demonstrated German pedantry, harmoniously improving almost all components, including design, processor, video processing algorithms, sound, modes and functions, etc.

Design

The company has taken the next step in implementing the bezel-less design concept, which it calls Infinity Design TV.

This TV has just a tiny 2mm-wide border around the top and side edgesand slightly wider border at the bottom with Samsung logo. As a result, engineers achieved an excellent result by providing a screen-to-body ratio of nearly 99%. In addition, the bezel-less design creates a stunning effect of presence by lowering the visualization of the border between the screen and its surroundings. But it is maximally perceived when watching from 10-15 ft. The 15 mm panel thickness is perfectly suitable for wall mounting, with the No Gap bracket. In this case, the screen can be connected with a single fiber cable.

A few years ago, Philips Electronics developed and patented Ambient Lighting technology.

The idea was liked by many consumers and quickly became popular. In 2018, Samsung proposed their own idea by creating Ambient Mode.

When the TV is off, Ambient Mode displays a stylish screensaver or family photo. In 2019, Samsung significantly improved it, expanding the range with images from the Internet. In addition, the company added new color filters, settings for background tones and brightness, animation, etc. This year, the company improved it with Bixby, Samsung’s AI assistant. For example, a TV can create a relaxing background on the screen by voice command. In fact, the TV performs in this mode the function of an intelligent element of the interior. To date, Samsung has announced the 65-inch, 75-inch and 85-inch versions.

Sound system

Of course, the perception of media content is significantly dependent on sound quality. Therefore, the company made very great efforts, seriously improving the sound system. Despite the ultra-thin design, South Korean engineers were able to place eight drivers in a six speaker array in the case. In fact, the Q950TS uses a 4.2.2-channel layout, which includes two speakers on each side, and a pair woofers in the back. The speakers are hidden behind a pattern of tiny holes in the outer edge of the TV body.

Mounted on a stand, the TV provides crisp and clear 5.1 channel surround. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of woofers with wall-mounting raises questions. The Q950TS has a sound optimization feature for first setup. In this mode, the TV generates and sends out test tones, receives reflected signals using built-in microphones and measures them. Then, it creates a room map to create an optimal soundstage. Unfortunately, the Q950TS does not support Dolby Atmos, but can send Atmos via ARC (audio return channel) from its internal apps.

Game mode

Almost all Samsung TVs of recent years are perfectly adapted for games. Q950TS was no exception. Of course, the Q950TS supports VRR (variable refresh rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). In addition, the new TV also supports AMD FreeSync, which provides, for example, DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync. Today it is an ideal solution for smooth gameplay with decreased lag and virtually no tearing. Moreover, the company claims no more than 10 ms input lag in Auto Game Samsung mode. The Multi-View option is also convenient for side-by-side viewing the game videos. In addition, the TV has a new surround mode with additional settings for sound effects in games. Also, Samsung has enhanced the Game Motion Plus feature. According to the company, the smooth playback in games has increased by 40%.

Q950TS features

1. Quantum Processor 8K provides more efficient AI upscaling, using machine learning algorithms to process data for each pixel. In addition, it generates image elements when restoring the original 8K content.

2. The new Adaptive Picture function automatically adjusts brightness and contrast depending on the ambient light.

3. AI ScaleNet technology reduces data loss during video streaming. AI ScaleNet compresses the content during transmission from the provider, and then restores it to the TV. Thereby, the new technology halves the bandwidth requirements. According to Samsung, it will continue to actively improve this technology, considering it very promising. In particular, the company has agreed with Amazon Prime Video to jointly test the AI ScaleNet. 4. TV uses eight drivers, providing a 4.2.2-channel layout and OTS+ (Object Tracking Sound Plus) technology by analogy with Dolby Atmos and DTS: X. Their combination provides a stunning dynamic soundscape. 5.Active Voice Amplifier (AVA) adjusts the volume of dialogs depending on the noise level. For example, the noise of a blender or a vacuum cleaner automatically activates the option. But AVA activation during a loud conversation requires pressing a passive-aggressive button on the remote control. 6. Improved Universal Guide offers channels, content and services using AI-based algorithms. 7. Probably, Samsung Health with functions of a fitness organizer will appeal to supporters of a healthy lifestyle. In addition, it offers free and exclusive content from Calm, Echelon, FitPlan, Obe Fitness, Jillian Michaels, Barre 3, etc. 8. Multi-View projects the phone screen onto the TV screen in a separate window. The option has 14 different presets, including side-by-side viewing, picture-in-picture viewin, etc. 9. Digital Butler provides control of all IoT devices in the house using an infrared beam.

Conclusion

As known, these days companies present their new products at CES 2020. As usual, the attention of experts is primarily attracted by the leaders of the consumer electronics segment, which shape development trends. Of course, Samsung is one of them. The company fully met expectations by presenting three new TVs, including the second generation of Samsung 8K model, innovative MicroLED panels and the experimental The Sero TV. It has a rotary screen for viewing video content in vertical format, for example, from Instagram.

Of course, Samsung Q950TS aroused the greatest interest among experts. In fact, the company created the second generation of its 8K TV.

The company demonstrated that the past year was not in vain, embodying a huge number of innovative solutions in the Q950TS. Moreover, this model demonstrated the company's successes in fundamental directions, including 8K AI upscaling based on Deep Learning with neural network and AI ScaleNet technology.

Upscaling

As known, upscaling increases the number of pixels in the original signal to increase the image clarity on the TV screen. This problem arose about 10 years ago when TVs already provided Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, and television channels broadcast the signal in HD format (1280 x 720), or SD format (480p, 576i). Of course, this factor significantly reduced the advisability of buying an expensive Full HD TV. At the first stage, companies successfully solved this problem, showing in advertising or when selling a magnificent image of high-quality video with high resolution. But having bought such a TV, the consumer was quickly disappointed due to the low image quality of low-resolution video from normal traffic. Very quickly, the consumer market realized that even a very expensive TV can provide high quality only when playing high-quality content. Of course, companies could wait for the required content to appear on the market, but there was a risk. For example, many people remember the rise and sunset of the 3D format in TVs. Even with a large number of fans, today almost all companies have abandoned this option due to the shortage of 3D video content. As a result, large companies, including Samsung, began to actively develop upscaling technologies for their models, reducing their commercial risks. Indeed, even in the absence of appropriate native content, upscaling provides at least an increase in the quality of available low-resolution content, stimulating the acquisition of expensive model. As a last resort, 8K TV with high-quality upscaling will improve the playback quality of accessible content.

8K AI upscaling with AI Quantum Processor 8K

Physically, upscaling is similar to frame interpolation. As known, in this mode TV creates an additional intermediate frame based on two neighboring frames, ensuring smooth playback of even highly dynamic scenes. Accordingly, upscaling forms additional pixels to increase resolution. For example, the AI 8K Quantum easily scales content to 33,177,600 pixels. Unfortunately, upscaling can distort the original image, forming artifacts. Therefore, this task requires solving many complex problems, including color accuracy, GPU performance for video processing without lags, etc. As a result, companies developed a lot of upscaling technologies, including Pixel Shift (formation of an additional pixel by shifting), bicubic interpolation (calculation colors by adjacent pixels), etc. Today, AI upscaling is the most promising direction. The Q950TS confirms Samsung’s leadership in the AI upscaling.

This model uses the latest generation of the AI Quantum Processor 8K, which extends AI upscaling capabilities. Previously, AI machine learning used a formula bank, which is downloaded to the TV and updated periodically. New Q950TS supports innovative Deep Learning using a neural network to expand machine learning. In fact, it creates its own formulas and algorithms without using a formula bank. Of course, Deep Learning has become a quality leap in AI processing. It is performed on a per-pixel basis with the use of noise reduction, restoration of contours, texture creation and restoration of small details. Deep Learning is primarily intended for small details and complex images.

AI ScaleNet

Of course, transmitting 8K streaming video content requires a significant increase in the bandwidth of communication channels, which depends on the speed of your Internet connection. To solve this problem, Samsung Research Visual Technology has developed a new AI ScaleNet video codec. As its name implies, the company uses AI to decompress 8K video. In fact, 8K is compressed to 4K using AI-downscaler and transmitted to the user's TV. Then, AI ScaleNet (codec with machine learning elements using different patterns for different image parts) restores 4K to 8K.

Kwang Pyo Choi, developer of this codec, said that AI ScaleNet uses AI Adaptive Bit Rate Streaming, which provides adjustment depending on the bandwidth of the networks. In fact, the codec adjusts the resolution for smooth video streaming. In prospect, this technology will provide the required quality of 8K content transfer even at low bandwidth, for example, during periods of heavy network traffic. Moreover, Samsung has agreed with Amazon Prime Video to jointly test the new technology. Additionally, the Q950TS supports Google's AV1 (AOMedia Video 1) codec for 8K YouTube content.

Object Tracking Sound Plus (OTS+), Active Voice Amplifier (AVA) and Q Symphony

Apparently, Samsung paid a lot of attention to the object-oriented audio, which lies at the heart of Dolby Atmos and DTS: X. As a result, the new TV has OTS+ (Object Tracking Sound Plus) technology that recognizes moving object inside the scene. After identifying the object, OTS+ moves the corresponding sound track in the direction of its movement using internal speakers. As a result, the sound follows the object. This effect works well, for example, in the scene of a passing car or flying helicopter. TV sequentially switches the speakers, creating a wonderful illusion of the engine sound that moves with the car or helicopter. Maybe Object Tracking Sound Plus is not yet ready to compete with Dolby Atmos, but, of course, it significantly surpasses the traditional 10W down-firing speakers in other flagships. In addition, the company offers AVA (Active Voice Amplifier) feature that adjusts the volume of dialogs depending on the noise level in the room. For example, when using a blender or vacuum, AVA will automatically increase the volume. But in case of a conversation in the room, the AVA activation requires pressing a passive-aggressive button on the remote control. Most likely, Q-Symphony technology will appeal to home theater enthusiasts. It combines the speakers in the Samsung TVs of 2020 and Samsung Q800T soundbars into a single audio system, creating a stunning dynamic soundscape. In fact, Q-Symphony creates a 9.1.4 configuration.

Conclusion