Samsung SUHD Lineup Controls Home; Blu-Ray 4K Player Set for 2016

Samsung Electronics is exhibiting its new lineup of SUHD TVs at CES 2016, complete with Quantum dot display, the world’s first bezel-less curved design, and the integration of IoT hub technology across the 2016 SUHD TV lineup. That move transforms the TV set from a display device to a home-control device.

Samsung’s new lineup of SUHD sets will be able to control other devices in the home.

The new feature also enhances the entertainment experience, enabling consumers to program a routine that puts the TV in the appropriate picture settings for a movie and activate the soundbar and surround system while watching TV — taking Smart TV to a new level. For the full support of connectivity with SmartThings-compatible devices, a SmartThings Extend USB adapter is required.

“Our new SUHD TVs represent our singular focus on innovation that matters most to consumers, by providing the very best picture quality for the home,” says Hyun Suk Kim, president, Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics. “In 2016, we’re going beyond anything we’ve done before to offer a remarkable synergy of design, engineering, and craftsmanship.”

Samsung’s 2016 SUHD TVs feature the world’s only cadmium-free, 10-bit Quantum dot display, offering what the company says is the most true-to-life picture quality, with stunning brightness, exceptional contrast, and the most lifelike colors ever offered by Samsung.

One advantage of the technology is that it allows the optimum viewing experience regardless of lighting conditions in the room. The vast majority of Americans watch TV with light in the room (86% on a typical weekday, 85% on weekends), and only a small percentage say they watch in complete darkness (14% on weekdays, 15% on weekends), according to a recent consumer survey.

This year, all Samsung SUHD TVs will feature the ability to provide a premium high-dynamic-range (HDR) experience, with 1,000-nit HDR minimum for a higher level of contrast between light and dark images. New Ultra Black technology also significantly reduces light reflection, minimizing glare to further enhance picture quality. Inspired by nature, Ultra Black absorbs natural light the same way that a moth’s eye enables it to see better at night.

And, four years after introducing the first Curved TVs, Samsung has designed the world’s first bezel-less Curved TV, the KS9500 SUHD TV, to provide a more immersive viewing experience. With no bezel, which normally functions as a border, the viewer’s attention is focused purely on what matters most: captivating content on the screen. In keeping with this design ethos, Samsung has sought to eliminate all unnecessary elements, even removing screws from the rear of the TV, to create an elegant product that is beautiful from every angle.

Lastly, built on the Tizen operating system, Samsung’s 2016 Smart TVs make it easier for consumers to discover and access all their favorite content and services, from TV and movies to games and program information.

• New Smart Hub — The 2016 Smart Hub is designed to provide users with simple access to their favorite content all in one place. Live TV, over-the-top (OTT), games, and even the menu that appears on the home screen of the Samsung Smart TV allows users to access their favorite programs as soon as they turn on the TV.
• Samsung Smart Control remote — The new Samsung Smart TV eliminates the need to juggle multiple remote controls. It automatically recognizes the type of set-top box, game console, OTT box, or home-theater system connected to the TV. This allows users to control all the external devices with the Smart Control remote, with no setup required.
• Console-less gaming — Consumers can enjoy the most realistic gaming experience on a large screen without the need for a console. More than 500 streaming and downloadable games will be available on the 2016 Samsung Smart TVs. Recent additions for PlayStation Now include Assassin’s Creed III, Batman: Arkham Origins, The LEGO Movie, and many more.
• EXTRA service — With a push of the EXTRA hot button on the Samsung Smart Control remote, information related to the content will appear onscreen instantly. Users can see player profiles and stats during sports events, information on cast members for their favorite TV shows, and more.
• Smart View — The Samsung Smart View mobile app allows users to share their favorite content instantly with their family. The upgraded Smart View is now available beyond Samsung Galaxy devices, supporting Android and iOS devices as well as Window PCs. Popular apps and Websites — AccuWeather, Crackle, iHeartRadio, M-GO, Plex, Pluto.TV, UFC, Vimeo, YuppTV, and more — are all also Smart View-enabled, so consumers can begin the entertainment experience within the apps and services they enjoy most.
• More access to content — Streaming UHD movies and TV shows from such providers as Amazon, M-GO, and Netflix and accessing such apps as YouTube has gotten even easier. UHD technologies developed by NeuLion will also enable a selection of sports events to stream UHD. Consumers can also connect Samsung’s new Ultra HD Blu-ray player via HDMI (2.0a) for access to UHD movies with HDR. Direct access to live programming from such providers as Dish and Time Warner Cable is simplified.

Samsung’s First Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
Samsung also unveiled its first Ultra HD Blu-ray player, the UBD-K8500, which is HDR-compatible and offers four times the resolution and 64 times detailed color expression of a conventional Blu-ray player. It features a sleek, curved-front design and is available for pre-order now and for purchase in the U.S. in March.

When paired with the SUHD TV’s Quantum dot display, the new UHD Blu-ray player delivers a level of picture quality never before seen in the home. Built-in upscaling technology enhances the picture quality from standard Blu-ray discs and DVDs, and consumers can also play CDs.

Samsung has partnered with Hollywood studios to ensure that consumers have a selection of Ultra HD Blu-ray content with astonishing HDR picture quality. This year, 20th Century Fox is slated to release more than 100 4K Ultra HD discs with HDR, including The Martian, Peanuts, and other films.