The new Samsung QLED TVs of 2019 are here . The Korean manufacturer has already placed all its models on the Spanish website, they include prices, which usually means that their release is imminent. This year the Samsung QLED range will be made up of the usual series 9, 8, 7 and 6. Its name for 2019 will be Q90R, Q80R, Q70R and Q60R. These models, which are the ones that usually make up the range, are joined by the new Q85R and the Q900R model with 8K resolution.
But we will talk about all of them in a particular way in their respective articles. Today we want to review, at a general level, what news includes the Samsung QLED of 2019 . Among them we have a new Direct Full Array system for the top models, a powerful processor with Artificial Intelligence, compatibility with AirPlay 2 and Alexa, special improvements for gaming and support for HDR10 +. We are going to talk in depth about all this to try to see if this year the Samsung QLED televisions have important news or are just a small improvement over their predecessors.
New Quantum Processor
When a manufacturer launches a new range of televisions we always expect an improvement in picture quality. But the truth is that we have reached a point where the image quality is at a very high level. As is logical, there will always be a small margin for improvement in very specific aspects.
One more year Samsung maintains its commitment to continue squeezing the LED panels. So one way to get better image quality is to upgrade the processor. The new Quantum Processor for 2019 Samsung QLED TVs is based on the Q processor introduced in the 2018 QLED models. This year it has been updated to control four key functions of the new models : AI scaling, sound, mode. smart environment and functions.
Image scaled with AI
Artificial Intelligence takes a leading role in this year's image processor. The Korean manufacturer bases AI on Machine Learning Super Resolution (MLSR), a machine learning system that evaluates millions of high- and low-resolution images . High-quality images are used to create low-quality versions, simulating the content that we receive through, for example, the terrestrial antenna. To do this, what it does is degrade the resolution, add noise, blur, and compression / decompression cycles at various levels to induce artifacts.
Then it compares the high- and low-resolution images of the same objects and textures, encoding the differences as "core learning coefficients." Considering that video is much more complex and heavy than audio or photos, it cannot be processed in the cloud. So Samsung has incorporated these coefficients into the TV's processor for fast local access in the scaling process . These coefficients also include tone mapping instructions to maintain ideal contrast levels, as well as light and shadow differentiation to optimize HDR image quality for that particular object.
The high and low resolution versions are compared to develop methods to better restore the low resolution images at higher fidelity. The result is a set of "formulas" or algorithms with assignments to each detected class of an image, including its resolution . These formulas are assembled into a database that is embedded in the television.
This complex system is what forms the core of the new Quantum processor in the 2019 Samsung QLED TVs . It is the processor responsible for applying these formulas to the content to create the images that are finally displayed on the 4K or 8K panel, depending on the model we have.
In addition, the Quantum processor is capable of working with any source, including streaming services . On the other hand, as the learning database grows and improves over time, the improved formulas can be downloaded to the TV. This allows the image quality to continuously improve automatically.
Better viewing angles
Viewing angles have always been one of the big concerns for LED TVs. Samsung has been working on this aspect in its QLED range for many years and this year it seems that they have achieved improvements again.
A typical backlight system creates light that emanates in a hemispherical pattern. This can allow the light to spread further into the liquid crystal layer, leading to a reduction in contrast at wider angles. To fix this, Samsung's Ultra Viewing Angle technology inserts a special layer of micrometer-scale structured material that helps to focus backlight illumination . This means that light passes through the LCD screen material with less scatter, improving both efficiency and off-axis performance.
On the other hand, a diffusion layer on the front surface distributes the light at wider angles, but with less cross-light. This achieves less reduction in contrast and color changes in the oblique viewing angle .
According to Samsung itself, the improvement is very substantial compared to last year's models . If we compare the Samsung QLED Q9FN of 2018 with the Samsung QLED Q90R of 2019, we have an increase in brightness of white light at an angle of 40 degrees by 13%. The luminance of the black level at 40 degrees is also reduced by more than half and the color performance is improved.
Advanced Smart TV with new features
The new processor not only achieves an improvement in image quality. As we mentioned at the beginning, it is also capable of improving other sections of the television . Among them the Samsung Smart TV system.
2019 Samsung QLED TVs offer a broader level of content selection, with AI-based content discovery . They have the well-known Universal Guide, designed to recommend content to the user through the TV's learning algorithm.
Now it is able to analyze all the content that the TV has access to, from streaming services to terrestrial channels. In fact, it is capable of analyzing the type of content we see on subscription platforms to recommend similar content that they are doing on DTT.
In addition, Samsung maintains the TV Plus service , which gives us access to Rakuten content in a simple way. The manufacturer is working with its partner to expand the content available on this platform, both in the United States and in Europe.
Apple AirPlay 2 support
Another of the great (and surprising) multimedia innovations of the Samsung QLED TVs of 2019 is their compatibility with Apple's AirPlay 2 . Thanks to this system, users with iPhone or iPad can play content on the television directly from their mobile.
Additionally, 2019 Samsung TVs offer access to all content from the iTunes Store . From here we can rent or buy a wide selection of movies and series with 4K and HDR resolution. A historic move, as Apple had never offered access to its ecosystem outside of its own computers.
Bixby, Alexa and Google Assistant
Do you want to control your TV with your voice? With the new Samsung QLEDs of 2019 you will have no less than three assistants available. On the one hand, Bixby, the Samsung assistant that this year comes with substantial improvements . Now we can have a more fluid conversation thanks to the “conversational continuity”. In addition, it has improved questions and answers; as well as smarter recommendations.
In addition to Bixby, the new Samsung QLEDs of 2019 are compatible with Alexa and the Google Assistant . Although they do not offer all the functions that Bixby offers, if we have an Amazon or Google smart speaker we can launch basic commands to the TV, such as on / off, volume up / down, channel change and playback control.
Of course this year the SmartThings system will also be present , with which we can interconnect our television with the rest of the devices in our smart home.
Improving the player experience
This year Samsung has put all the meat on the grill so that gamers have the best possible experience. For example, they have an automatic and intelligent game mode . The TV automatically detects a game console and switches to game mode to disable some image processing options and reduce input lag. It is even capable of detecting if we are using the console to play games or to watch a movie, in which case it would keep the corresponding settings.
On the other hand, Samsung ensures that it has managed to reduce the lag from 15.4 ms in the 2018 models to 13.5 ms in this year's models . To this we must add the incorporation of AMD's FreeSync technology , thus turning the television into practically a monitor.
Samsung has also included a "Dynamic Black Equalizer" feature in its 2019 QLED TVs . It essentially raises the black level to give dark scenes more visibility, without any color distortion in bright scenes. This will allow players to identify enemies and find game items in the darkest areas.
The 2019 Samsung QLEDs also feature “Scene-Based Game Enhancer” , which provides more color and contrast to the image and improves the sound of games. In addition, like the 2018 models, they have panels that support 120 fps images, including those with 4K resolution.
Design is still very important
In addition to better image quality, a Smart TV with new functions and an improved game mode; The 2019 Samsung QLEDs maintain a first-class design.
Of course, we will have all the features that Samsung has been introducing over the years. Such as the invisible single cable or Samsung's “No Gap” wall mounting system . On the other hand, the Ambient Mode, which was one of the novelties of 2018, is expanded in 2019 with new background images, photos and works of art.
And as a novelty we have the Adaptive Sound system , which without affecting the design of the televisions improves the sound. To do this, the processor analyzes the audio of the content that is being played and optimizes it. Audio detection and processing algorithms use artificial intelligence to help identify the type of content, from sports to dialogue to action sequences and music. In addition, the system also monitors volume levels and adapts the sound automatically.
HDR10 + compatible
HDR10 + is a dynamic metadata solution developed by Samsung and Panasonic. The dynamic system offers better performance than HDR10 as it adapts scene by scene to display the best image quality.
At the moment we do not have much compatible content, but the Samsung QLED of 2019 already incorporate this system to be prepared for the future.