#hdmi2.1

As known, fierce competition in the consumer electronics segment is the main trend of the last few decades. In fact, the development of innovative technologies has become for companies one of the main tools to ensure the competitiveness of its products. As a result, almost all leaders annually offer models that use a wide range of the most effective innovative solutions. Of course, TVs are one of the most high-tech segments.

LG TVs

Of course, LG needs no introduction. Every year this company offers models with the support of the most advanced technologies, many of which are its own development. Nano Cell, HDR technology, HDMI 2.1 (48 Gbps), etc perfectly illustrate this trend. Of course, 2019 was no exception. For example, at CES 2019, the company demonstrated first rollable OLED TV. 260 flexible OLED screens, connected together to imitate a waterfall struck the imagination of the most imperturbable viewers. All modern models use OLED or LED LCD technology. In fact, QLED (Samsung), Nano Cell (LG) and Micro LED are innovative LED LCD TVs. QLED and Nano Cell technologies have a lot in common, but are developed by different companies. Recall that QD (quantum dots) or fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals are tiny single crystals with a diameter of 2-10 nm (15-150 atoms). The size and shape of QDs is easily and accurately controlled by the duration and temperature of the process of their synthesis. QD color depends on its size. The size of large red QDs reaches 7 nm (150 atoms), the diameter of green particles is about 3 nm (30 atoms), and the smallest blue QDs have a diameter of only 2 nm (15 atoms). These nanoparticles are applied to an additional nanofilter between the LED panel and the LCD screen. This element significantly improves brightness control, providing more accurate color rendering. The main difference between Nano Cell and QLED is the size of the calibration pixel, which is 1 nm and 2-7 nm, respectively. Modern Nano Cell models are slightly cheaper than QLED models with similar technical specifications.

LG LED 65SM9500 NanoCell

But the company is also actively developing traditional LED LCD TVs. In 2019, LG introduced the new SM9500 (55, 65 ") TV (SM9800PLA in Europe). This ultra slim LED 4K TV with Nano Cell display and FALD backlight supports the HDR standard, including Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10 Pro, HLG, HLG Pro and Advanced HDR from Technicolor. In 2019, LG continues to ignore the competitive Samsung HDR10+ standard, claiming that its models provide a similar effect due to the dynamic Tone mapping mode. Dynamic frame-by-frame HDR image processing uses the Enhanced Dynamic Tone Mapping algorithm. The native resolution of RGB matrix is 3840 x 2160 pixels, which corresponds to 4K Ultra HD. In addition, the model supports HDMI 2.1, Dolby Atmos, wireless WiSA audio and uses WebOS 4.5. SM9500 uses an upgraded second-generation Alpha 7 Gen 2 processor and an HDMI 2.1 port with HDMI eARC and VRR support. New HDMI 2.1 interface provides 48 Gbps. For comparison, HDMI 2.0 only supports 18 Gbps. Accordingly, new model can playback content with higher resolution and frequency. In particular, this model supports a 4K / 120 Hz mode. In addition, HDMI 2.1 provides a Variable Refresh Rate feature that is similar to the AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync technologies. Moreover, the HDMI 2.1 supports Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) technology that automatically determines the optimal delay time for the smoothest possible playback. HDMI eARC provides lossless audio transmission through the HDMI eARC port. Of course, the LG SM9500 with HDMI 2.1 is backward compatible with HDMI 2.0. But connecting external HDMI 2.1 devices requires Ultra High Speed HDMI cables.

Key features

Matrix LG SM9500 supports 10-bit color depth. Most modern TVs use 8-bit matrix, which provides 8 bits for each of the three colors (red, green, blue) or 256 shades. 10-bit panels provide 1024 shades per color. Accordingly, 1024 х 1024 x 1024 is 1.07 billion colors per pixel. For comparison, this value for the 8-bit matrix reaches only 16.8 million. This value mainly affects the degree of image realism. The top LG 2019 models continue to use FALD (full-array local dimming) backlight. It uses LEDs behind the screen that are combined into arrays for each screen zone. In this case, the TV can turn off certain areas of the backlight, providing a deeper black, improving the detail in the shadows and reducing the excessive brightness. As a result, FALD significantly improves the contrast, providing great image quality. Processing dynamic scenes uses an improved LG α7 (Alpha 7) second-generation processor that has replaced the previous Alpha 7. According to the company, it has significantly improved the performance of color and motion processing algorithms. The model uses a very popular Magic Remote with a gyroscope, which provides cursor control when it moves in space. In addition, it does not require direct guidance to the IR receiver on the TV. But location and set of its buttons is slightly different from the Magic Remote 2018. As known, LG TVs use Dolby Atmos since 2017. This feature automatically adjusts to any connected speaker system. This TV uses a 2.2 circuit with a total power of 40 W. Wireless Sound Sync provides connection and transfer of audio content to mobile devices.

ThinkQ AI

In five years, the authoritative international technical IFA exhibition in Berlin will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Curiously, the first prototype of the TV was presented at this exhibition in 1928. Today it remains one of the main global platforms for demonstrating achievements in the field of electronics. 2018 is no exception. Samsung introduced the innovative Q900R QLED 8K TVs series. In the US, the TV is called Samsung QN85Q900RAFXZA. This series contains a new generation of TVs, including models with a diagonal 65, 75, 82 and 85 inches and a resolution of 7680 × 4320 pixels. 8K AI Upscaling system and a specialized Quantum Processor 8K chip provide enhanced image resolution. In fact, the new 8K AI Upscaler creates several millions of additional pixels that convert HD / 4K video to 8K resolution.

Peak brightness reaches an unprecedented 4000 nits. All models support HDR10 + standard. In addition, TVs use the One Invisible Connection system, which combines a power cable with an optical signal cable. Its length reaches five meters. In fact, the Samsung Q900R is the first serial 8K TV. Of course, its relevance may be questionable, since today many experts note a deficit of even 4K content in HDR quality. But the Japanese NHK company already starts broadcasting in 8K format. In addition, the leaders of streaming, Netflix and TV France, already have experience shooting in this resolution. But the performance of the Q900R provides an excellent 8K image even without the native 8K format, transforming available content to it. Of course, such a solution to the problem of content deficiencies can be a revolutionary breakthrough.

Design

The Q900R series has a very stylish design in the form of a thin dark frame around a huge screen with a pair of elegant legs in the corners of the panel.

Of course, the large size and shape of the stand have certain requirements for the TV installation. But the superb image quality easily compensates for this slight inconvenience. In addition, the design of the model partially simplifies this task.

Additionally, Ambient mode adapts the screen design to the color and texture of the wall.

Smart TV

As known, today all Samsung Hi-end TVs, including the Q900R, use Eden 2.0, which is perfectly balanced, has an easily customizable interface, supports a large number of apps and voice control.

The main apps in the latest versions of Amazon, Netflix and YouTube support 4K HDR. Moreover, the YouTube app plays even native 8K videos. But, of course, the Internet channel must support this format. The new Samsung processor better eliminates instability or freezes compared to even the flagship 4K Samsung TVs, including the QLED Q9FN, despite a twofold increase in the number of pixels. Overall, this Samsung smart platform today is one of the best.

Operation principle

In fact, the 8K AI Upscaler system automatically analyzes and adds the required points to the HD video, transforming the image into 8K.

Samsung’s Machine Learning Super Resolution (MLSR) technology uses artificial intelligence (AI) to compare versions of the same content with different resolutions to create a database. In fact, the program analyzes millions of pieces of video content and calculates the required correlation for its optimal conversion to a higher format with minimal distortion of brightness, black levels, etc. MLSR uses three steps to improve image quality. First, "Detail Creation" improves the detail to areas with low definition due to file compressing. Second, "Edge Restoration" additionally highlights the edges of text, people or objects in a video, moving pixels on the borders. Lastly, «Noise Reduction» gets rid of static noises generated during high compression or recompression of files.

As a result, upscaling up to 8K practically does not distort the contours of the images and does not form other undesirable effects, including Mpeg noise, lag or image grain.

HD / SDR playback and brightness

In general, the quality of work 8K AI Upscaler today corresponds to the maximum level. However, the system requires some settings. First, it requires the activation of the noise cancellation in the settings to smooth out possible distortion of the contours. But this mode slightly reduces the image sharpness. Secondly, of course, a scaled image from HD quality is not analogous to native 8K content. Actually, it looks like an ultra-smoothed 4K image. But adding a huge amount of virtual pixels provides an excellent result. Thirdly, the processing of standard images in the dynamic range does not provide the maximum brightness of 4000 nits. It's designed to provide the required light levels of an HDR image. Therefore, SDR content partially loses the detail of shadows in the darkest areas of the image. HDR10+ also converts SDR to HDR without the required peak brightness. However, the inclusion of standard pre-settings without Eco function partially solves this problem, automatically reducing the backlight level. Of course, the Q900R reproduces an unprecedented range of colors with extreme brightness. But the maximum brightness can adversely affect the service life of the QD matrix. The maximum brightness for HDR in a 10% window (white background on 10% of the screen) reaches 4000 nits. In fact, today this series is the brightest. Optimized backlighting, improved local dimming and powerful processor processing ensure unprecedented playback of deep black tones in HDR content. This TV provides excellent uniformity and depth of black shades even around a bright object in the middle. Direct Full Array Elite technology provides excellent contrast and precise backlight control.

Moreover, input lag does not exceed 20 ms in the gaming mode even when HD is scaled to 8K.

Some features

But too much brightness also has disadvantages. First, the combination of light and dark is sometimes reproduced in gray tones. Secondly, chroma processing is reduced in large areas of the image. This effect can occur, for example, for parts with low brightness in a dark frame on a light background. In general, TVs provide the correct color reproduction. But sometimes colors may appear more faded in frames with light-dark content due to backlighting. In addition, the delay in adjusting the backlight brightness sometimes appears when changing bright and dark frames. As a result, the brightness of the image decreases slightly after a dark frame appears. Unfortunately, the power of the built-in speakers corresponds only to the average level. But Samsung Smart Sound system perfectly optimizes audio settings for any type of content, eliminating distortion and automatically adjusting to the size of the room.

Connections

Q900R uses One Connect box with HDMI 2.0 specification, three USB and Bluetooth interface for connecting headphones. Of course, TVs support a wireless network. But most importantly, the company promises to provide a version of One Connect box with HDMI 2.1 protocol, which provides a higher data transfer rate.

In fact, it can provide playback speed of 60 fps for 8K format, instead of 8K @ 30p for HDMI 2.0. As known, HDMI 2.0a interface is an improved HDMI 2.0 with support for High Dynamic Range. It provides HDR EOTF signal and static metadata. But dynamic metadata support is only possible with HDMI 2.1. In fact, HDMI 2.1 is another generation of the popular interface that supports dynamic metadata in HDR. It has many new features, including support for Dynamic HDR, 4K @ 120fps, 8K @ 60fps, and virtual reality in Game Mode VRR. Using dynamic metadata provides the ability to optimize image quality depending on the specific scene. HDMI 2.0a only supports static metadata. Therefore, it provides only one level of quality throughout the entire film, for example, when viewing a UHD Blu-ray disc. The use of dynamic metadata provides a change in the quality level depending on the current content on the screen. In addition, HDMI 2.1 supports object-oriented audio signal.

Conclusion