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CES 2011: Samsung showcases breakthrough design innovations and smarter LED TV products

Press release, January 6; Yvonne Yu, DIGITIMES Asia 0

At the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Samsung Electronics has unveiled new LED TV series that redefine the home entertainment experience and add a touch of refined elegance, simplicity and luxury to any home. The new smart TVs address consumers' growing need for greater choice and control over how and when they access content.

Samsung will be augmenting its extensive product lines by previewing at CES more than 40 new models with screen sizes from 19-inch to 65-inch. The new TVs offer dramatically enhanced picture quality in 2D, 3D, HD and streaming content, as well as richer connected entertainment options delivered through one of the most comprehensive offering of apps and connected devices.

Samsung's 2011 line-up combines elegant styling with a wide range of higher-end features previously exclusive to premium sets, including 3D capabilities and improved, advanced smart TV features so that people get the most out of their entertainment experience. Select models will offer Samsung's new Smart Hub, which includes:

- Search all, which makes it easier to search for desired content on your TV and other DLNA-certified connected media storage devices, networked PC and mobile devices, and Internet and video-on-demand services.
- Your video, which delivers recommendations based on a user's viewing history.
- Web browser, which offers full web browsing right from your TV.
- Samsung apps, the world's first HDTV-based application store, which offers a range of paid and free apps that help people connect to their various passions – whether in sports, entertainment, information, games or social networking.

Samsung will also expand the number of 3D TV models available in 2011 so more people can enjoy 3D home entertainment at affordable prices. Consumers will be able to choose from a wide range of TVs to suit any home and lifestyle needs. Several TVs sport new innovative, ultra-thin TV bezels that give consumers a larger viewing screen without increasing the size of the TV. The new bezels are the result of extensive design research, Samsung's proprietary new panel technology and innovative signal processing technology.

As the pioneer in 3D home entertainment, Samsung realized that consumers are increasingly choosing larger TV screens to fully experience immersive 3D entertainment, and today also previewed a 75-inch LED TV.

The latest TV lineup will be on display at Samsung's booth #12006 in the Central Hall at the International CES, which will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), January 6-9, 2011. The LED D8000 series TV, a CES 2011 Innovations Design and Engineering Award winner, will also be on display in the Grand Lobby at the LVCC.

"As we enter a new era of immersive and inclusive entertainment, Samsung has redefined the visual elements that will make our TVs the centerpiece of any room," said Sangchul Lee, senior VP, visual display business at Samsung Electronics. "People want to stay connected to the relationships and information that are important to them, and our latest line-up reflects a vision where smarter technology virtually and physically connects users through shared moments in the comfort of their homes."

Deep focus on immersive and smart entertainment supported by breakthrough engineering and design

As the No. 1 brand for TVs in the US and globally, Samsung led the industry in 2010 with the launch of the world's first 3D TV and today holds over 70% of the market share in the US. As 3D content becomes more prevalent, the company expects more consumers to opt for 3D features in their TVs. To this end, it aims to reduce the cost of acquiring a 3D entertainment system – 3D TV, Blu-ray player, 3D glasses and content – in 2011 by more than two-thirds and making 3D features available in a wider range of models.

Samsung also successfully reduced the bezel size by up to 80% – an engineering feat – so that the thin bezel blends in easily with the environment, almost becoming invisible to the viewer, and becomes even less of a distraction when watching 3D.

The reduction in bezel size means consumers can enjoy a larger viewing screen and wider viewing angle without having to increase the physical size of their TVs, and makes using social applications like Skype and YouTube, browsing the Web, sharing content and playing games that much more inclusive.

Samsung expects 2011 to be a watershed year for connected TV. Almost all of Samsung's new 40-inch and above 2011 TVs will offer smart TV features, making it even easier for viewers to engage their passions by accessing Web-delivered content on their big digital screens.

The ultimate entertainment showpiece with bespoke design features and true-to-life picture quality

The first thing you notice about the LED D8000 series is its barely visible 0.2-inch brushed metal bezel, a fine line that subtly frames the rich content on the screen and enhances the TV's light form factor. The D8000 series continues the minimalist style of the award-winning C8000 series and uses an improved Quad Stand to ensure ultimate harmony between the TV and its environment.

With a 240Hz refresh rate, 2 millisecond motion picture response time (MPRT) and improved LED backlight scanning, this CES Innovation Award honoree offers true-to-life 2D, 3D and HD images with outstanding clarity. In addition to the Ultra Clear Panel, the TV is the first to offer Micro Dimming Plus technologies to provide the richest, most lifelike pictures with deep blacks and pure whites.

The D8000 series comes with Samsung's new 3D glasses and Samsung's innovative Touch Control that can also stream TV programs to its built-in 3-inch LCD screen, almost like a second TV, even while a Blu-ray disc is being played on the TV.

The D8000 has a built-in Wi-Fi connection and many convenient ways to manage and display content through Samsung's Smart Hub portal. The set can connect to other devices using DLNA or Samsung's patented One Foot Connection technology.

Setting up full 3D becomes a breeze with the world's first auto 3D format setup function

The Samsung LED D7000 series represents a successful balance of high technology with minimalist design aesthetics. The stunningly thin 0.2-inch black bezel is framed by a jewel-like transparent bezel that uses Samsung's award-winning Touch of Color (ToC) dual-injection mold technology to reflect a hint of red along the crystal bezel's edge. The Quad Stand is slimmer than the one introduced in 2010, yet its lower height manages to keep the TV stable and sturdy while maintaining an air of elegance.

Watching 3D content has never been easier – with the Auto 3D Format Setup, the TV automatically detects the encoding format (i.e. side-by-side and top-bottom) when playing 3D content and viewers can now sit back and let their smart TV configure the content for the best viewing experience.

The LED D7000 also incorporates improved backlight scanning technology and Auto Motion Plus, Samsung's proprietary frame interpolation algorithm, to create sharp 2D and 3D pictures and smooth frame transitions without blurring, even for video moving at top speeds; 3D picture quality is also improved as a result of Samsung's new 3D Peak Algorithm.

With Smart Hub, the LED D7000 series is the ideal media center, complementing consumers' ever connected and mobile lifestyles.

The ideal value model TV for an immersive 3D experience

For the consumer looking to embrace 3D entertainment without breaking the bank, the Samsung LED D6400 series TV is the ideal 120Hz 3D LED TV, offering stunningly clear 3D pictures with the world's best panel technology and proprietary image-improving techniques. Samsung's unique double-rate frame transition technology – the world's fastest – also reduces the picture frame transition time by 50% to enhance the viewing quality of 3D content.

The LED D6400 also offers Samsung's narrow bezel design to deliver a more immersive 3D viewing experience. The prism-like ToC thin bezel has a hint of red that is barely visible from the front, but intensifies as the viewer moves to the side to minimize distractions while watching 3D, 2D, HD or streaming content.

Samsung's 3D Peak Algorithm reduces average power consumption by about 15% while increasing peak brightness by 20%. Its unique Motion Adaptive Dimming algorithm also reduces power consumption up to 20% by controlling LED brightness, according to motion vectors in the picture. In addition, LED 6400 was developed using Samsung's eco-friendly design technologies and seeks to minimize its environmental footprint during its life-cycle.

Samsung showcasing design innovations and smarter LED TV at CES 2011 - the LED D8000

Samsung showcasing design innovations and smarter LED TV at CES 2011 - the LED D8000
Photo: Company

Samsung showcasing design innovations and smarter LED TV at CES 2011 - the LED D7000

Samsung showcasing design innovations and smarter LED TV at CES 2011 - the LED D7000
Photo: Company

Samsung showcasing design innovations and smarter LED TV at CES 2011 - the LED D6400

Samsung showcasing design innovations and smarter LED TV at CES 2011 - the LED D6400
Photo: Company