Samsung TVs ^{2020 lineup compared}

The so-called Quantum Dot layer of Samsung’s QLED models is added to the various layers of the LCD panel. It ensures that the light of the (possibly different colored) backlight is split into the monochromatic wavelengths of either red, green or blue. The color depends on the size of the quantum dot. With this technique, higher brightness and a larger color space coverage can be achieved.

Dual LED is the name of a new backlighting technology and as a result is a Samsung word mark. Two types of LEDs are used here. They produce different color temperatures: about 5,000 Kelvin for warm light and about 20,000 Kelvin for rather cold light. They change between these depending on the content of the picture. Samsung expects this to result in a higher contrast value and better color accuracy. This technology can be found in the mid-range QLEDS Q60T and Q70T, the TU8509 and the lifestyle model The Frame.

Micro LED is a development of self-luminous LEDs, which form the individual pixels of the display. It has not yet been used in any marketable Samsung TV, but is constantly being developed further. It is reminiscent of OLED technology, but is supposed to work without its disadvantages. Inorganic LEDs are used for this purpose, which can be much brighter than OLEDs but, unlike OLEDs, do not overheat and consume significantly less energy. To achieve this, only red, yellow and blue subpixels are used. The Micro LED technology is supposed to combine perfect black and an almost infinite contrast with good brightness and color accuracy.

QD-OLED combines, as the name suggests, QLED and OLED technology. Unlike LG’s OLEDs, QD-OLEDs do not use an RGB OLED layer that glows white and is then colored by color filters. Instead, only blue OLEDs are used together with a yellow reflective film and quantum dots (QD) to create red and green subpixels. The goal is to combine the natural and saturated colors of a QLED with the advantages of an OLED, such as deep black and very high contrast. The QD-OLED panels from Samsung Display use only two emitting LCD layers for this purpose.

An “8K” resolution describes a resolution of 7680 x 4320p, which in comparison to 4K as UHD, should actually be called UHD-2. It is important to note that such a high resolution of the device is only useful if the content played was produced in this resolution. Otherwise it comes to “upscaling“, i.e. the picture is enlarged so that it fits on the TV. Unfortunately, this can partly even worsen the image quality.

With the Object Tracking Sound (OTS) feature, Samsung is trying to enhance the home cinema feeling. It is designed to track moving objects in the picture and then play the corresponding sound from the appropriate speaker at the right position. For example, on Samsung models with a 4.2.2 sound format, the speakers are located at the bottom, sides and top of the TV. However, object tracking sound is rather difficult on televisions with a screen size of less than 49 inches, as the speakers are too close together to create a really noticeable effect. Unfortunately, this feature also doesn’t work with film material with stereo sound.

Samsung’s Active Voice Amplifier (or “AVA” for short) is designed to provide “clear dialogues in all environments”. This feature allows the TV to recognise the (disturbing) ambient noise and adjust the volume of the voices in the scene accordingly.

In Samsung’s QLEDs, Q-Symphony refers to a 2.2.2 channel sound system designed to expand the audio range of the TV’s internal speakers when connected to a soundbar. This means: If you use a suitable Samsung soundbar, the treble channels of the TV remain active, which then extends the soundbar by 2 treble channels or improves the surround sound sound stage.