#SamsungMicroLEDTVs

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LG projectors Review

Of course, this south korean giant does not require the introduction. Today, models under this brand successfully compete in almost all segments of consumer electronics, including robotic vacuums, smartphones, dishwashers, etc. In addition, LG holds an undisputed leadership in the OLED TVs segment. In general, a high innovative level and a systematic approach most fully characterize the company's strategy.

Introduction

High-tech projectors are no exception. Given the prospects, LG initially positioned its projectors as a competitor to TVs. As known, modern projectors already win in terms of diagonal size, but significantly lose in usability. Installation of a traditional projector requires placement in the center of the room or on the ceiling, and, accordingly, cabling. UST (ultra short throw) models are installed almost close to the screen, radically simplifying this problem. For example, the LG PF 1000 U provides projection from 60 to 150 inches at a distance of 4 to 15 inches. To date, the company has developed a series of popular UST projectors, starting with LG PF 1000.

In addition, wireless connectivity eliminates the problem of laying cable for signal. The large dimensions, requirements for a darkened room and high noise are also traditional cons of projectors. As known, the image quality, including its contrast, directly depends on the ambient light. For example, low-power LED pico projectors with brightness up to 100 Lm usually provide acceptable contrast on the screen up to 50-60 inches only in a carefully darkened room. Of course, this significantly reduces its usability. Powerful models provide brightness from 2000 lm and higher, eliminating this problem. But they usually use high-power lamps as a light source. Unfortunately, these lamps require intensive cooling due to high temperature. Usually, companies cool them with the help of powerful fan. But heat removal requires a sufficiently large internal volume. Therefore, powerful lamp projectors are large in size and weight. In addition, the fan noise can reach 50 dB, reducing the perception when viewing. Moreover, the service life of such lamps rarely exceeds 5000-6000 hours.

LG projectors

LG models use LEDs or lasers as a light source. Unfortunately, lasers are relatively expensive, but they provide higher image quality and have many other pros. Of course, the company develops models of almost all types, including the portable PH30N, LED projectors with huge longevity up to 30,000 hours, etc. Many of them get very high marks. For example, many experts called the portable 4K UHD HU80KA CineBeam projector the best Home Theater Projectors of 2018.

Moreover, it remains one of the most popular in its class. But the powerful UST (ultra short throw) 4K UHD laser projectors are of particular interest. These models are today the closest competitors for traditional TVs. High image quality, simple and convenient installation near the screen, a huge projection size, make many consumers seriously think when choosing between a TV and a projector. Perhaps today only the price helps TVs to maintain their position. Of course, LG did not stand aside from this process by offering the exellent HU85LA projector in 2019.

LG HU85LA UST 4K UHD laser projector

LG introduced the HU85LA UST 4K UHD laser smart Home Theater Cinebeam projector at CES 2019, where it was an Innovation Award winner. Its strict minimalistic design is in perfect harmony with almost any interior.

Of course, model has an integral streaming platform, a built-in sound system, Alexa built-in, Thinq AI, and the Google Assistant. Initially, its price reached $ 6,000, but today it has dropped to $ 5,500. In comparison, Sony offers models of this class for about $ 10,000 (VPLVW695ES) and even $ 25,000 (VPLVW885ES). In addition, Hisense offers the 100L10E for about $ 10,000. In fairness, today the market also offers cheaper models in this segment, including Optoma P1 (about $ 3,500), VAVA VA-LT002 (about $ 2,500), LED ViewSonic X1000-4K (about $ 1,500), etc. The brightness of the HU85LA reaches 2,700 ANSI Lm, providing high contrast for a 120-inch diagonal image size even with high ambient light. A UST fixed lens with a projection ratio of 0.19 produces a 120-inch projection at a distance of 7.2 inches from the screen, a 100-inch - from a distance of 3.9 inches, or a 90-inch image - from 2.2 inches. 12-point keystone / warp adjustment effectively solves the problem of image setting.

As known, it's especially difficult for UST models due to the extreme angle at which light leaves the lens.

Main technologies

The HU85LA uses DLP XPR chip of unspecified size, providing 4K UHD (3840 x 2160 or 8.3 million pixels) resolution with the pixel-shifting technology.

In addition, the Dynamic Contrast Ratio of the projector reaches 2,000,000: 1. The light engine uses a 3-channel laser design without color wheel. According to the company, its service life reaches 20,000 hours. Three channel laser technology with the addition of a red laser light source to a typical blue laser, supports wider color coverage up to 12-bit.

Moreover, the addition of a red laser allowed developers to implement the innovative Wheel-Less technology. In fact, it eliminates color loss compared to conventional technologies that use a color-wheel to reflect colors from one color light.

Frame interpolation with LG's TruMotion technology effectively ensures smooth playback in highly dynamic scenes.

LG's Dynamic Tone Mapping feature analyzes the content on a frame-by-frame basis, providing the optimal HDR on any given scene. In fact, it automatically adjusts HDR settings for different programs with different levels of brightness.

When recognizing an HDR10 signal, the HU85LA automatically uses specially-tuned picture presets. Unfortunately, the model does not support the 3D playback and HLG standard, whose popularity is growing recently. For SDR (standard dynamic range) HD content, the projector offers eight modes, including Vivid, Standard, Cinema, Sports, Game, Expert (Bright Room), Expert (Dark Room), and HDR Effect. Usually, modern models offer one or two HDR color modes. But the HU85LA uses Vivid, Standard, Game, Cinema and Cinema Home.

Other

Smart TV features are also top notch. The projector supports Netflix, Amazon Prime, Google Play Movies, Fandango, YouTube, and Spotify for music. In addition to the Google Assistant, the model uses LG's ThinQ technology. The projector also has a built-in digital TV tuner for direct connection of an antenna and supports screen sharing with Miracast, or from iOS or Android devices via LG's TV Plus app.

HU85LA uses a pair of on-board 5-watt stereo speakers. Unfortunately, they cannot provide much bass depth. Of course, the model has а Bluetooth input/output and optical audio output for outboard audio. In addition, one of the two HDMI ports is ARC-enabled. Network connection uses WiFi module or a wired RJ45 connection. Pros - very short 0.19 throw ratio provides a 90-inch image size from a distance of only 2.2 inches; - high brightness does not require a darkened room; - five HDR color modes; - high color accurate out-of-box; - extensive picture adjustments; - effective dynamic HDR10 tone-mapping. Cons - no HLG HDR compatibility; - no 3D; - SDR Expert, HDR Cinema and Cinema Home modes require additional calibration; - traditionally for UST projectors, rather complicated settings; - only the average level of the built-in audio system; - relatively high price.

Conclusions

Of course, the LG HU85LA is not the cheapest model among the powerful 4K UHD UST laser projectors as a replacement for traditional TV. On the other hand, it’s hard to even imagine the cost of a traditional 120-inch TV. Today, only Samsung offers MicroLED TVs with huge screens. For example, Samsung MicroLED The Wall series includes models with screen of 75, 88, 93, 110, 146, 150, 219 and 292 inches. But, of course, this direction is still only a prospect because of the huge price. Therefore, UST laser projectors today have no alternative as a solution to increase screen size with a reasonable budget. LG HU85LA is located approximately in the middle of the price range, between Optoma, VAVA, ViewSonic (up to $ 3,500), and Sony or Hisense (from $ 10,000 and above). But LG also traditionally provides great service for all of its consumer electronics. Of course, this factor is important for any expensive device. This video demonstrates the some capabilities of the LG 4K UHD Cinebeam HU85LA Projector. Read the full article

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Samsung TVs 2020 Review

As known, these days companies present their new products at CES 2020. As usual, the attention of experts is primarily attracted by the leaders of the consumer electronics segment, which shape development trends. Of course, Samsung is one of them. The company fully met expectations by presenting three new TVs, including the second generation of Samsung 8K model, innovative MicroLED panels and the experimental ‘The Sero’ TV with a rotary screen for viewing video content in vertical format, for example, from Instagram.

Samsung MicroLED TVs

As known, Micro LED is an innovative technology of self-emitting display, and can be positioned as an analogue of OLED technology. Today, Samsung dominates in this direction. At ISE 2018 the company first introduced the modular large-format The Wall Professional Micro LED display in 146- or 219-inch versions with brightness up to 2000 nits. Then, at CES 2019, Samsung introduced a more compact 75-inch 4K MicroLED TV. In the summer of 2019, the company announced a new The Wall Luxury MicroLED TV with a diagonal of 292 inches (almost 7.5 meters), support for 8K resolution and with a brightness of up to 2000 nits. This year, the company announced 88- and 150-inch bezel-less MicroLED TVs with custom settings. According to the company, their brightness reaches an unprecedented 5,000 nits. For comparison, the brightness of modern OLED TVs does not exceed 1000 nits. Thus, today the list of diagonals Samsung MicroLED The Wall series includes 75, 88, 93, 110, 146, 150, 219 and 292 inches. Of course, the modular design provides excellent prospects for this technology. Over time, it will allow the user to create TV with a screen of any shape and size, including non-traditional formats. In addition, Samsung MicroLED TV optimizes video content for any screen, increasing its resolution at a constant pixel density. Moreover, MicroLED screens support any aspect ratio without compromising image quality. At CES 2019, the company demonstrated MicroLED modules and their assembly using brackets that are attached to the screen with sufficiently powerful magnets. The diagonal of one module does not exceed 13 inches.

The Sero TV

The company also did not ignore the growing popularity of the use of smartphones for shooting and viewing video content. According to research, 70% of millennials don't turn their phone horizontally to watch videos. As a result, the company's management decided to develop a vertical OLED TV targeted at the millennials and Generation Z. In 2019, Samsung announced the unconventional Sero Vertical TV. At CES 2020, the company introduced the 43-inch 4K Sero model. Thanks to a special stand, the display rotates from landscape mode to portrait mode for comfortable playback of video content from Instagram, Snapchat, etc. In addition, it can be synced with the phone via NFC to mirror the phone's display.

Samsung Q950TS 8K

Of course, Samsung Q950TS aroused the greatest interest among experts. In fact, the company created the second generation of its 8K TV. As known, last year the company introduced the Q900R 8K series with a diagonal of 65, 75 , 82, 85 and 98 inches. The 75-inch model of this series competed with LG 8K Nanocell 75SM9970. These models belong to approximately the same class, and their cost reached $ 6,000 and $ 5,000, respectively. In addition, LG introduced the LG 8K OLED88Z9, but its cost is approaching $ 30,000. Traditionally, OLED screens have many pros, but their price increases dramatically with increasing screen sizes. Today 75-inch Q950TS with 8K (7680 × 4320) resolution is one of the brightest among modern TVs. Its peak brightness reaches 4000 nits. The Q950TS uses a FALD (full array local dimming). As known, today it most effectively provides deep black gradations and brighter highlights with minimal blooming or haloing. Tentatively, the number of zones does not exceed 500. In addition, the company increased performance with Adaptive Peak Brightness. TV analyses a map of current image, defining bright or dark areas. Based on the analysis, it increases current for brighter areas and decreases - for darker parts. Other improvements require more detailed analysis. Samsung engineers demonstrated German pedantry, harmoniously improving almost all components, including design, processor, video processing algorithms, sound, modes and functions, etc. As a result, Q950TS embodied a huge number of innovative solutions. Moreover, this model demonstrated the company's successes in fundamental directions, including 8K AI upscaling based on Deep Learning with neural network and AI ScaleNet technology.

Conclusion

PROS - bezel-less Infinity Design; - high-quality 8K AI upscaling with AI Quantum Processor 8K; - impressive picture quality; - superior sonic performance with eight drivers (4.2.2-channel driver array); - incredibly low input lag up to 10 ms in Auto Game Samsung mode; - HDR support, including HDR10, HLG and HDR10+; - Deep Learning with neural network; - Ultra Viewing Angle; - Adaptive Picture, Adaptive Peak Brightness and Adaptive Tone Mapping; - Object Tracking Sound Plus (OTS+), Active Voice Amplifier and Q-Symphony; - AV1 (AOMedia Video1) codec for 8K YouTube. CONS - today OTS+ is inferior to Atmos; - no Dolby Vision or Atmos support. In general, the company has confirmed its status as one of the innovative leaders by introducing promising high-tech MicroLED TVs, experimental Sero TV and the magnificent Q950TS with a huge number of innovative solutions. Of course, the Q950TS will have to compete with LG NanoCell 8K TVs, which, like last year, includes the Signature OLED 8K and NanoCell 8K. Given the approximate price, the Q950TS and LG NanoCell 8K are likely to be in the same price segment. But regardless of the results of their rivalry, the real quality of the 8K AI upscaling based on Deep Learning with neural network and AI ScaleNet will be very interesting to users and experts. This video offers an overview of the Samsung Sero Vertical TV at CES 2020. Read the full article