Samsung has unveiled some of the technologies integrated into its Neo QLED televisions for 2022. On the menu: compatibility with Dolby Atmos, support for 4K 144 Hz signals for PCs, and image calibration using ‘a smartphone.
For 2022, Samsung has decided to evolve its range of Neo QLED televisions very smoothly. Remember that these devices have a VA LCD panel equipped with a quantum box filter and a Mini-Led backlighting system with between several hundred zones with more than 1000 zones for high-end 8K models, for example. example. The first novelty which will probably be difficult to appreciate, even to measure: the improvement in the precision of the Mini-Led backlighting system, which is now managed on 14 bits (16,384 levels) against 12 bits previously. Added to this is a Shape Adaptive Light process allowing finer control of the shape of the light beam sent to the LCD panel using a complex algorithm. Concretely, this should help to further refine the backlighting and to avoid even more the phenomenon of blooming, already very limited on the models of last year.
Dolby Atmos compatibility
If, for several years, Samsung televisions (Samsung 950TS and Samsung QN95A) have included speakers facing upwards to promote sound spatialization, they were not compatible with Dolby Atmos, the most widespread spatialized audio format. on the market. We had to be content with the in-house OTS + (Object Tracking Sound +) system, which did not perform well. With the Samsung QN900B and its 90W 6.2.4 system, that is a thing of the past. It will therefore finally be possible to enjoy Dolby Atmos sound offered by the various streaming platforms (Netflix, Disney +, etc.), as well as on Ultra HD Blu-rays.
A 144 Hz Ultra HD mode for PCs
Samsung is also taking the opportunity to introduce Ultra HD 144 Hz compatibility dedicated to PCs. As graphics cards – even high-end ones – are already struggling with 4K 120 Hz, this contribution of 4K 144 Hz remains negligible for the moment. For consoles, Samsung TVs retain HDMI 2.1 4K / 120Hz, VRR and ALLM. Support for FreeSync Premium Pro is still around and HDR10 + Gaming is making its debut. It remains to be seen whether this format will be used.
Image calibration from a Samsung or Apple smartphone
A very interesting feature for moviegoers, among others, the Smart Calibration offers to perfectly calibrate the image of Neo QLED televisions using a Samsung or Apple smartphone. The basic calibration takes only 30 s with already very interesting results. It is however possible to carry out a more advanced calibration – counting about 10 min – with, at the end of the day, a result close to that obtained by a professional.
Many little extras
Like every year, this 2022 vintage includes a new video processor and its share of processing innovations. Multi-intelligent Picture Technology analyzes the image to enhance the contrast of foreground objects, and thus accentuate the effect of depth. A light sensor is also part of the game to adjust the image according to the ambient light. On the sound side, Human Tracking Sound places the sound of the voice precisely where the actor is on the screen. The Q-Symphony allowing to associate the integrated speakers with a Samsung soundbar is still relevant today. Finally, the excellent Slim One Connect case – seen on the Samsung Neo QLED QE65QN95A – is reduced by 23% with a thickness of only 33.2 mm.
The full range announced a little later
These are the broad outlines of the novelties to be expected from this new Neo QLED 2022 range. The complete series of televisions will be unveiled a little later, for availability in the second quarter of 2022, or even at the end of the first quarter in the best case.