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Consumer Electronics, Lifestyle, Reviews

HISENSE U6K Pro ULED TV In-Depth Review: Cutting Edge Quantum Dot On a Budget

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A cinematic experience has become more important in recent years as more and more people are looking to spend less at theatres. With the ready availability of several streaming services, this has become easier to achieve. However, with other factors becoming easier, the main factor – the television itself – has become even more complex. Consumers are faced with choices ranging the gamut of technology and prices. It wouldn’t be surprising to be utterly lost with the choices. Do you buy something that is cheaper or do you buy something more expensive?

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We’re taking a deep dive into one of the more affordable options available in the market – the Hisense U6K PRO ULED TV. It’s a smart TV that brings Google TV into the home opening up doors when it comes to apps. But, is it really worth investing in it? We’re breaking down the experience of owning a Hisense U6K Pro and putting the TV to the test to find out.

Design

The trend nowadays is to have a large, thin, nearly bezel-less TV. One that can blend seamlessly into your living room and appear to be part of the décor. The Hisense U6K Pro checks most of the boxes off when it comes to these criteria. It’s a near bezel-less display and it appears to be thin. It’s also got two available sizes: 55- and 65-inch to fit your home environment.

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However, the TV is a bottom heavy. It’s a large screen with a little bit of a thicc bottom. It’s a bit on the heavier side so don’t try to set this up on your own. Being bottom-heavy isn’t all bad, the added weight near the base and the stand gives it a little bit more stability when it comes to putting it on a console. This also means that your toddler or cat isn’t going to be able to topple the TV over as easily. The stand that comes with the U6K Pro adds some more stability thanks to its T-shaped design. This design also means that you’ll need a little more room on your console when you put it there. It’s about 35cm in depth for your console with about 200cm in length to fit the TV comfortably. You also have the added option to mount the U6K Pro on the wall using a VESA mount.

Once you’ve set up the TV in your preferred setup, the U6K Pro looks stunning. Its bezels are hardly noticeable and it feels like the TV itself is a picture upright. The footprint of the TV for a, now standard, 55- or 65-inch TV is actually on the slimmer side of things. Even with the stand, it can easily fit on a standard TV console.

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You’ll appreciate some of the thickness of the base when it comes to audio quality. The base holds most of – if not all of – the tech in the Hisense U6K Pro. This also means that it has tweeters that are on the larger side of things for a TV of its price and size. The benefits of this are pretty obvious when you’re watching things like Blood of Zeus on Netflix where the sound design is immersive and plays a crucial role in the storytelling. We’ll go into more detail when we go into the sound section of the review.

Overall, the design of the TV is pretty standard flair. However, Hisense has made some changes that make setting up the TV less of an issue. It also brings some added benefits thanks to the technology that Hisense is able to fit in with the design.

Features

Specifications

Size(s)55-inch
65-inch
ResolutionUltra HD (3840×2160 pixels)
Smart TV OSGoogle TV
Input(s)1x RF-Radio Frequency
1x AV Input 2x USB-A 1x Optical/SPDIF 1x Earphone Jack
3x HDMI 2.0
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.0
WiFi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac)
Ethernet (RJ 45)
Audio SystemStereo speakers
Audio Output10W
Audio EnhancementsDolby Digital Dolby Atmos
MiscApple AirPlay
Miracast
Anyview Cast
DLNA
Price (RM)3,999 (55-inch)
4,999 (65-inch)

Google TV

The Hisense U6K Pro features Google TV – the latest iteration of Android TV. This opens up the smart TV’s app offerings significantly. It also means that it comes with a whole bunch of features built-in that simplify things like screen sharing. However, there is a question on what Hisense update policy is when it comes to software. Throughout our time with the TV which was about 3 weeks, we didn’t get any notifications of security updates or OS updates. However, it’s worth noting that, unlike Android on smartphones, Google TV doesn’t have a strict update schedule.

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Having the Google Play Store on the TV opens up the U6K Pro to a treasure trove of apps. Even apps that don’t natively come on the  TV like Disney+ and Tubi TV can be downloaded from the store which is now a tab called “Shop” in the interface. Speaking of, the Google TV interface has gotten a lot more intuitive since its debut as Android TV. The apps that you interact with most are front and centre. You also have options to highlight “streams” from apps. These “streams” allow you to keep up with releases or shows that you’re watching on apps like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and more.

Hisense implementation of Google TV on the U6K Pro is pretty smooth. The interface has little to no lag when interacting with the remote that came with the TV. The added benefit of running on Google TV is the fact that the TV can play nice with Google Home. This allows you to be able to control the TV from your smartphone through the Google Home app. It also allows you to use the Google Assistant to turn on the TV. That said, you will need to enable certain features like Wake on LAN or Wake on WLAN to fully leverage the feature.

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Google TV also brings along with it Chromecast functionality. This will allow you to project to the TV using your smartphone and laptop. It’s pretty straightforward with Android phones but will require you to use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge if you want to cast from your laptop. Apple users will be able to do the same with the TV’s HomeKit compatibility.

Hi-View Engine, AI Picture and Game Mode Plus

The Hisense ULED U6K Pro comes with the company’s own AI-powered chip – the Hi-View Engine. This chip allows the TV to process scenes frame by frame; analysing and optimizing the viewing experience to fit the scene dynamically. This is supposed to ensure that you have the best viewing experience across a wide range of content types. However, in the time we had with the U6K Pro, there were some quirks when it came to how this functioned. It was able to adapt and optimise with movies, series and cinematic content. This delivered a pretty respectable viewing experience with the brights, darks and vignettes of the scenes. The details were clear if not a little muddled by post-processing.  That said, when it came to animations and animated content, particularly 2D animated content, the TV defaulted to high contrasts and brightness which resulted in some colours – particularly yellows and reds being overblown. This required a simple fix in changing the display mode to the most comfortable for your viewing.

AI Picture allows it to be able to adapt to the colours and contrast that best suit the scenes. Using this mode actually yielded better results than just relying on the Hi-View Engine processing. This mode was able to get the tuning for animated content pretty quickly and the result was pretty impressive. However,  I found myself mostly adjusting the calibration to my own custom settings that  I preferred.

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Of course, the AI optimisation and modes don’t just end there. The U6K Pro also comes with dedicated modes for Gaming and Sports. Both take full advantage of the 60Hz refresh rate of the panel. Both modes deliver pretty decent performance with some hiccups when it comes to snappy scenes or scenarios. This is mostly due to the lower 60Hz refresh rate that limits the optimisations that can be done – particularly with gaming as most gamers prefer a higher 120Hz for most games. That said, with consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, most games cap out at 60Hz although more modern games are beginning to take advantage of 4K resolution at 120Hz.

ULED Local Dimming & Adaptive Light Sensing

The Hisense U6K Pro is trying to address common issues with the modern TV in modern living spaces. One of which comes as more and more homes are open and allow natural light to come in. This poses a challenge for most TVs, particularly in the U6K Pro’s price range. Mostly, this is caused by glare that occurs due to direct sunlight or even from LED beam lights. Hisense is trying to address this with Adaptive light sensing that automatically turns the TV’s ULED panel to its max 500+ nits peak brightness to combat the glare. This sensor, while becoming increasingly mainstream in newer TVs is still a hit or miss in most TV sets; this includes well-known brands. It’s also worth noting that the finish on the panel while not totally matted also reduces glare. This particular feature was pretty good during our review. There was little glare from our fluorescent lights.

Hisense’s ULED technology is also on display with the U6K Pro. This technology allows the TV to individually dim pixels. This creates deeper blacks and whiter whites when it comes to the picture. This technology paired with the Hi-View Engine and AI picture produced very respectable picture quality in the U6K Pro. That said, some people may be looking for additional HDMI ports particularly if you have cable TV like Unifi TV or ASTRO and multiple consoles as the U6K Pro only comes with 3 HDMI 2.0 ports.

Picture & Sound Quality

The Hisense ULED U6K Pro comes with a 4K UHD resolution. That gives it a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels which is the standard. The ULED panel allows for local dimming resulting in deeper blacks and whiter whites. This, also known as Quantum Dot technology, allows the panel to individually turn off pixels that create deeper blacks. It’s also able to accurately reproduce colours and provide a viewing experience that is close to the content creator’s vision. With HDR10+ Adaptive it’s also able to highlight details and reproduce low-light scenes with detail.

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While the Hisense panel did perform well when it came to colour reproduction and depth, the TV did have some issues when it came to picture quality. The panel itself produced some visual blooming particularly when it came to the edges of the panel. This was particularly obvious in low-light scenes or even when displaying a clear white scene. While it didn’t take too much away from the visual immersion, it can be distracting. It is common to see this blooming in LED-based technologies and more so in LCD panels. However, it would improve the picture quality if this could be reduced or done away with altogether. Aside from this, the colour reproduction of the panel was pretty spot on. It didn’t blow out or overcompensate for contrast and brightness. Overall, the picture quality of the Hisense U6K Pro ULED TV is not too bad.

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The sound performance of the Hisense ULED U6K Pro was acceptable. It was able to produce sufficiently deep bases and high highs. However, the 10W stereo speakers did struggle when pushed to the max. That said, there shouldn’t be a situation where you’re maxing out your TV speakers as they were able to produce very immersive ambient sounds and even lift the dialogue audio when needed. During our review period, we rarely went beyond 25 for volume. Overall, the sound was pretty acceptable although, if you have the budget for it, a sound bar would take your audio experience to the next level.

A well Rounded Experience with Some Room for Improvement

The Hisense ULED U6K Pro TV is one of the more affordable when it comes to smart TVs running Google TV. It’s feature-rich with a robust app ecosystem which is well supported by 3rd party developers. It’s well-rounded with good picture quality, acceptable sound quality and some of the best technologies available in the market at the moment. However, it does have a few areas where it can improve.

That said, with prices starting at RM2,999, the Hisense ULED U6K Pro is one of the most affordable on the market. Aside from a few small hiccups, it’s built from durable materials. It’s also got sufficient ports for the everyday user although more wouldn’t hurt. It’s an affordable option for those looking to start off on the right foot when it comes to their entertainment setup.

Consumer Electronics, Lifestyle, News

LG’s 2024 QNED & QNED Mini LED TVs Come with Chromecast Built-in

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LG‘s TV line up just got a little bit interesting for 2024 with Chromecast functionality finally coming built-in to the new systems. Ahead of CES 2024, LG has taken the opportunity to announce a refresh to its QNED and QNED Mini LED TVs. Notably missing in its refresh announcement is the company’s OLED TVs which we’re certain will take center stage at CES 2024.

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Source: LG

The new LG QNED and QNED Mini LED TVs will be coming with one of three different processors: the α9 AI Processor, the α8 AI Processor and the α5 AI Processor. Higher end lines like the QNED99T models will be equipped with the α9 AI Processor. While mid-range lines like the QNED90T and QNED85T will feature an upgraded α8 AI Processor. The processor brings an impressive 30% improvement in AI performance over the previous and a 230% increase in graphical performance. The chip is the brains behind the upscaling and AI capabilities we’re used to seeing in LG’s smart TVs. The lower end models in the QNED80T lineup will be running on LG’s lower-end α5 AI Processor.

A Supersized 2024 LG QNED & QNED Mini LED Lineup

The 2024 QNED and QNED Mini LED TVs are supersized. Capping out at 98-inches with the LG QNED85T line. That said, all the new QNED and Mini LED TVs will be available in 43-,50-,55-,65-,75- and 86-inch sizes. These TVs come with LCD display technology and Quantum Dot and Nanocell technology depending on their product lines. The higher models in the line up will come with QNED (Quantum Dot and Nanocell) panels for the display while mid- and lower-end models will come with LCD panels.

Together with the hardware, the LG TV line up will be coming with a lot of the features we’ve come to expect from LG’s TVs. This includes AI upscaling, AI Picture Pro and AI Sound Pro. AI Sound Pro, which was introduced back in 2021, brings 9.1.2 surround sound to the native without a soundbar. More notably, LG is bringing Chromecast technology to the 2024 lineup of TVs. This feature was noticeably absent for year as LG has already enabled AirPlay 2.

The new line up will come with webOS 24 out of the box. LG is providing 5 years of software updates for its TVs moving forward as part of its webOS Re:new program. This will also apply to retroactively to LG’s 2022 line up of QNED 8K TVs. More details on which models will be provided at a later date.

Pricing & Availability

LG hasn’t announced any pricing or availability information at the time of writing. However, the TVs are being displayed in Las Vegas as part of CES 2024.

Consumer Electronics, News

Hisense Unveils Two New TVs for Pre-order in Malaysia

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Hisense is no stranger to TVs or appliances. The company has built a name for itself creating some of the most affordable and feature-packed TVs available in the market. It’s looking to keep its performance up with two new offerings coming later this month – the new Hisense U7K ULED Mini LED TV and the Hisense U6K ULED VIDAA TV.

The company hasn’t shared many details when it comes to the TVs though. The one thing that is clear is that the two new TVs are taking aim at two very different users. One looks to fill a niche for gamers while the other seems to want to be the go-to TV for the regular Joe.

Visual Hisense Pre Order Campaign

Here’s a quick rundown of what we know. The Hisense U7K ULED Mini LED TV is coming packed to the brim with features for the gamer. It comes with a Game Mode Pro which pushes the screen’s refresh rate all the way to 144Hz for that crisp gaming experience. As the name suggests, the U7K ULED comes with Mini LED technology and has a 4K resolution. It also comes with over 1,200 local dimming zones. It’s even got Dolby Atmos certification for immersive sound. According to the information Hisense provided, the U7K ULED also comes with 3D technology. We’re not sure if that means that we’re seeing the return of 3D TVs at home but hey… it’s something new. The U7K ULED will be available in sizes ranging from 55 inches to 85 inches.

The Hisense U6K ULED VIDAA TV, on the other hand, comes with full array local dimming technology and quantum dot colour technology. This allows the TV to have lifelike, vibrant colours for stunning, immersive visuals. It’s also got Dolby Atmos for a truly immersive cinematic experience. The U6K ULED will be available in sizes ranging from 55 inches to 75 inches.

Both TVs are going on pre-order ahead of the official launch which is undoubtedly coming soon. During the pre-order period, orders for the U7K and U6K will come with up to MYR3,000 off its retail pricing and a complimentary gaming console. Yep, you’ll be able to get an Xbox Series X, an Xbox Series S or a Nintendo Switch OLED with your pre-order. Pre-orders can be made at any Hisense Authorised Dealers nationwide and Hisense official Shopee Store.

The available sizes, prices and freebies are per the table below.

ModelSizeRetail Price (MYR)Pre-order Price (MYR)Freebies
U7K ULED Mini-LED85-inch14,99911,999Xbox Series X
U7K ULED Mini-LED75-inch9,9998,999Xbox Series X
U7K ULED Mini-LED65-inch7,9996,999Xbox Series X
U7K ULED Mini-LED55-inch6,9995,999Xbox Series S
U6K ULED VIDAA TV75-inch6,9995,999Nintendo Switch OLED
U6K ULED VIDAA TV65-inch4,9994,299Nintendo Switch OLED
U6K ULED VIDAA TV55-inch3,9993,299Nintendo Switch OLED

Keep in mind, that you’ll need to have registered for the product warranty to be eligible for the freebies. The process involves two simple steps: First, fill up the TV Pre-order Google Form and upload the receipt as proof of purchase. Next, register for the product warranty by visiting the Hisense support page. Once these steps and Hisense internal verification are completed, the free gift will be promptly shipped out to the customers.

Consumer Electronics, Lifestyle, News

PRISM+ Officially Launches Their New Q Series Pro TVs – 86-inch 4K UHD TV for Less Than MYR 10,000? Yes, Please! 

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They say that your Television (TV) is the modern-day centerpiece of your living room. It becomes one of the first few furnitures that you get for a living room. It is your entertainment hub, and in the age of IoT (Internet of Things), your TV becomes your smart home’s central hub and control panel. It is no wonder that large format 4K UHD TVs is one of the first and biggest consideration when designing a home. In some cases, a modern living room is designed around your TV choices. 

Choosing the right TV set for your home is not easy though. There are plenty of choices for a TV today, anywhere from the budget option to the premium option. In the world of TVs though, you get what you pay for. What if we tell you that you can get more than what you pay for? 

If you have not heard of PRISM+, we cannot really blame you for it. It is, technically, a new player in the display industry. They made their mark in Malaysia back in 2021 by first releasing their 34-inch ultra-wide gaming monitor. 

They have since grown strength to strength, launching new models catering to a larger variety of needs. Their growth can also be associated with the fact that their displays are some of the best valued displays you can find in the market. This is also translated when they started launching their Q series TV sets. 

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To be fair, they have launched their 86-inch Q Series Pro (Q86 PRO QE) TV before today. The 4K UHD TV packs Quantum IPS technology with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos technology for a rather surprising price. At retail, the Prism+ TV will set you back MYR 8,999. An equivalent Quantum Dot TV from Samsung will set you back at least twice the price.  

What if you need something smaller though? What about a 65-inch? Smaller? 55-inch perhaps? 

PRISM+ now have a solution for you in the Q65 PRO QE, and Q55 PRO QE. They are practically the same products as the larger Q86 PRO QE that came before, but in smaller form factor’s to fit tighter spaces. They are perfect for smaller households and if you are just looking to add some flavour in your own rooms. 

The QE in their naming refers to Quantum Edition, which also refers to the Quantum technology that you will get in the TVs. No, unfortunately it is not an OLED display that you are getting. Instead, you get the next best thing to OLED, IPS LCD display. You are still getting highly vivid colours while eliminating the risk of OLED burn-ins.  

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All of them are good for 4K UHD resolution at 60Hz, not 120Hz. 4K UHD 120Hz contents are reserved for the latest generation gaming consoles though, so you might not be missing out on much. At least you still get to experience 4K gaming in this case.  

Still, what it lacks for in refresh rate, it makes up in image quality. The panel is rated for HDR10 with 1.07 billion colours, which also means you get excellent colour contrast. With the addition of Dolby Vision tuning, movies on the screen comes to life with even darker blacks, and brighter whites. You can even see those details in the dark in this case.  

To ensure that your immersion stays true, you get Dolby Atmos tuned speakers to ensure you hear every little thing in all the right directions. Of course, if you can pair it to Dolby Atmos speakers, you get even better surround effects. You can plug your external speakers, soundbars, or sound system via Bluetooth 5.0, optical cable, or HDMI ARC connection. 

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It runs Android TV OS 10,0 too, the latest and greatest from Google currently. With Android TV 10.0, Google Chromecast is also built-in, allowing you to stream your smartphone contents to your TV whenever you want or need. Of course, with Android TV 10.0, you get Google Assistant built in as well. Instead of speaking into your remote though, the Prism+ Q Series PRO TVs come with far-field microphones so that you can command the TV to do whatever you need to it do from the comforts of your couch just via a “Hey Google”, or “Okay Google” command.  

The PRISM+ Q55 PRO QE and Q65 PRO QE is now available on PRISM+ online store and all their online retail partners. Every purchase of the Q Series PRO TV will entitle you to exclusive free gifts, while stocks last. The 55-inch Q55 PRO QE will set you back MYR 2,399, while the 65-inch Q65 PRO QE retails at MYR 3,299. For more information on the Prism+ Q Series PRO TVs you can head over to their website.  

Lifestyle, News

Samsung Brings New Forms to MICRO LED & Neo QLED to Blend into Any Lifestyle

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Samsung has, over the years, established itself as one of the leaders when it comes to display technology; not only in the homes but also in commercial settings. They have been pioneering new display technologies with Quantum Dot (QLED) and now they are pushing boundaries with new form factors, MICRO LED technology, and even projection.

MICRO LED Makes Its Way to Your Living Rooms

Samsung’s foray into MICRO LED started back in 2018 when they introduced “The Wall”. This year, the company is finally bringing their MICRO LED technology to homes. Their new MICRO LED equipped TVs will come in larger sizes starting from 76-inch all the way to 110-inch. The 110-inch and 99-inch sizes will see a global rollout starting at the end of March 2021 with an 88-inch model slated for fall 2021 and a 76-inch in the near future.

The new MICRO LED technology will enable users to get a deeper cinematic experience with deeper blacks, increased brightness and sharper image quality. The new inorganic LED technology prevents burn-in and is claimed to have an increased lifespan compared to QLED and OLED TVs.

Samsung’s new MICRO LED TVs will also be coming with 4Vue (Quad View) – a new way to experience content. The new 4Vue feature will allow users to maximize their visual real estate with up to four sources of content simultaneously. Yep – you’ll be able to watch four different content sources at the same time.

Neo QLED Becomes More Feature Packed

Building on the success of last year’s lineup of Neo QLED TVs, Samsung is making strides in addressing the evolving role that the TV is playing in a household. Of note was the increase in the number of TVs being used as a screen for fitness. Samsung’s Neo QLED TV lineup is getting a new improvement to the Samsung Health suite introduced last year. The new Smart Trainer in Samsung Health allows users to plug in a compatible webcam which will add an AI layer to help them up their fitness game. The new AI coach will send prompts to the user about their form and more while they exercise.

In addition to this, Samsung’s 2021 Neo QLED and QLED TVs also come with FreeSync Premium Pro certification. Thanks to their collaboration with AMD, the new generation of TVs will be able to hook up to PCs and consoles and take advantage of high dynamic range (HDR) for better colour saturation and reproduction for more realistic content. In addition, the new lineup gets a new Game Bar that allows users to monitor information while gaming. Users will also be able to use Samsung’s Super Ultrawide Gameview to access ultrawide aspect ratios previously available only on ultrawide monitors like Samsung’s Odyssey gaming monitors.

The new features come in addition to use of mini LED technology which is 1/40 the size of regular LEDs. The finer size allows for ultra-fine light control allowing the TVs to produce deeper blacks, brighter whites and finer control on an LED level. This paired with Samsung’s Neo Quantum Processor allows the TVs to upscale content and dynamically adjust to optimise content quality.

Samsung’s Neo QLED line up will come in 8K and 4K resolutions. The 8K models will be available in 65-, 75- and 85-inch models while their 4K line up will have a wider selection of sizes starting from 50-inch sizes.

Screens to Adapt to Any Lifestyle

Samsung has been on a recent bend of creating TVs that will accommodate any lifestyle. That’s not changing in 2021. With the introduction of The Frame, The Serif, The Sero and The Terrace over the years, Samsung has successfully created a new demand for adaptable TVs. This year, they are upping the ante with additional features and partnerships for The Frame and The Terrace while introducing a whole new experience with The Premiere.

The Frame is getting a refresh from the design up. This year’s The Frame comes in slimmer at 24.9mm with more options for customizations. The most notable being the introduction of My Shelf which allows users to create visually stunning areas around The Frame. The new accessory is compatible with the 55-, 65- and 75- inch versions. In line with the Frame’s original introduction, Samsung is partnering with NAVA contemporary and Etsy to bring even more stunning pieces of art to the screen. Storage on the Frame has also been increased from 500MB to 6GB in the 2021 The Frame.

The Premiere is Samsung’s first triple laser projector. It comes with 4K resolution and even built-in sound. Designed with minimalism in mind, The Premiere packs a stereo sound system with a built-in subwoofer in a sleek body. Those looking to get The Premiere need not fret for space as it only requires 5-inches from the intended projection surface.

The Terrace is also getting a slight bump in specifications. Introduced for the outdoors, the new version is coming with more features for the outdoors. This year’s model will come with Sun Protection which will allow it to last in the outdoors particularly in sunny conditions. Of course, the Terrace will still retain its IP55 dust and water resistance rating.

In addition to the TVs, Samsung also introduces a new Odyssey G9 gaming monitor which comes with Quantum MiniLED technology. The 1000R curvature allows users to get a more immersive experience from their gaming content with optimisations and features meant for gamers. Samsung is also bringing its Smart Monitor line up to the forefront. The new monitor brings all the features of a smart TV to a monitor and even includes DeX.

A Complete Experience

Samsung’s experience wouldn’t be complete without a matching sound system. Together with their new displays, the company announced the availability of a new Q series lineup. This year’s lineup comes fully equipped with Q Symphony technology which they introduced last year. This technology allows the soundbar and the TV’s built-in sound system to work together in unison for a unique, immersive sound system. This year’s iteration of Q Symphony comes with an additional feature that allows the soundbar to dynamically measure and adapt to the room it’s in.

The company’s flagship Q950A is the first 11.1.4 channel soundbar which creates an even more immersive sound experience. It comes with Bass Boost for added oomph and Tap Sound to allow you to seamlessly connect to the soundbar from your mobile device.

All the announced products will be available soon across the globe with some countries already rolling out the product.

Consumer Electronics, Lifestyle, News

Bring Some Pizazz to Your Home with Samsung’s New Lifestyle TVs

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In a time when values have changed and our tastes have changed, the way we decorate and design our homes and rooms has also changed. Gone are the days when we design rooms around large pieces of electronics, instead, we are now able to fit our electronics seamlessly into our rooms without needing to compromise. Noticing this trend in how we are designing our spaces, Samsung has introduced a line up of what they call “lifestyle TVs” which are intended to be more than just screens for entertainment.

The new The Serif, The Frame and The Sero QLED TVs are designed to be artistic accents in your rooms instead of cornerstone displays. These TVs aren’t just designed to be screens, they are meant to be functional additions to your room with a focus on the aesthetics and bring the added advantage of a screen that you can consume your media on. The Sero even adapts to your content going from portrait to landscape to fit your content.

Samsung’s The Frame

Having a large, blank, black screen in the middle of your living room is just a big no, no. Samsung’s “The Frame” turns the blank, black surface we’re used to into centerpieces of any given room. The new edition of The Frame comes with Samsung’s QLED 4K technology which includes Samsung’s 4K Quantum processor which intelligently upscales the content your viewing to take advantage of all the pixels of the 4K screen.

However, that’s not the je nais se quois that sets The Frame apart from other TVs. Samsung’s The Frame is designed to look like a frame containing a masterpiece; allowing it become the centerpiece on your art wall when you’re not watching that new episode of “The Witcher” on Netflix. The bold design is also personalisable with different designs for the bezels that allow you to customize the TV to fit your design style. Samsung has also built in a special gallery called “The Art Store” which allows you to get digital copies of masterpieces stored in museums for a monthly fee. However, if you’re not one to splurge, the Art Store also houses a selection of regularly updated free artwork.

The Frame is also designed with a zero gap design allowing it to lay flush against the wall. Unruly cables are also not a problem as it also uses the same invisible cable design from Samsung’s flagship 8K QLED TVs. This allows you to connect all your inputs to a single hub which can be placed further away from the TV leaving your display and wall blemish free.

Samsung’s The Serif

For The Serif , Samsung partnered up with the Bourellec Brothers to create a screen experience that is both chic and distinctive. The Serif will undoubtedly catch anyone’s eyes in any room it’s placed in. Looking at the overall design of the QLED TV, the inspiration for the name should be as bright as day. However, it’s unique design isn’t just its namesake; The Serif‘s design allows the screen to sit independently without the need to hide any cables. If you need a stand for the uniquely designed screen, it also comes with removable legs.

The Serif comes with Samsung’s 4K QLED panels and is available in 43-, 55- and 75-inch in white or black internationally. It also has the company’s 4K Quantum processor which allows you to get the most out of the pixels on your screen even from lower resolution content. It also comes with built-in stereo speakers for immersive sound and a removable back panel and built-in cable management for a seamless facade. The Serif is also able to take advantage of Ambient mode to blend seamlessly into its settings while display pertinent information such as the time and weather in an elegant way befitting the screen. It is also able to take advantage of “tap and connect” which will allow your phone to connect without the hassle of manually plugging in the connection via the settings. However, this only works with Bluetooth Audio on The Serif.

Samsung’s The Sero

The Sero is one of the most unique lifestyle TV offerings that Samsung has in its arsenal right now. The new approach to a TV allows the screen to seamlessly adapt to your content. It has a rotating 43-inch screen which is able to change from portrait to landscape according to the orientation of the content you’re looking at. If you’re on Instagram or TikTok, the screen will be in portrait mode, switch to Netflix and it’ll go into landscape. In apps like YouTube, the screen is able to adapt seamlessly between orientations according to the screen. If you’re minimised, it’ll stay in portrait mode and it’ll kick into landscape when you go full screen. The rotation is made possible thanks to Samsung’s new rotating hinge which allows it to rotate unrestricted.

The Sero comes equipped with its own easel stand which also has detachable wheels for added portability. In addition to portability, The Sero is the only TV in Samsung’s line up which comes with a built-in 4.1 channel speaker system that is integrated into the easel stand. It also comes with Tap to Connect which is compatible with any Samsung smartphone. A simple tap on the top or right border of the TV will trigger quick connect which allows you to connect to your phone for wireless screen sharing and audio connectivity with the TV.

Pricing & Availability

Samsung’s lifestyle TVs are rolling out to selected markets worldwide. In Malaysia the pricing is as below:

ModelPricing
The Sero MYR6,999 (43-inch)
The Serif MYR6,499 (55-inch)
The FrameMYR6,499 (55-inch)
MYR10,999 (65-inch)
Consumer Electronics, Lifestyle, News

Samsung’s 2020 QLED TVs Brings New Technologies for a More Immersive Experience

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Samsung’s QLED TV line up has been one of the first that have been pushing 8K and large form factor TVs. Last year, we saw the company push boundaries with a flagship series which capped at a whopping 98-inches. That said, Samsung’s line up isn’t just about size, they tend to also push the boundaries when it comes to technology. With the 2019 QLED TV line up, the company introduced a whole slew of features to help make content more immersive and also stand out. This year’s line up is no different.

Spearheaded by the new Q950TS, the new line up of Samsung QLED 8K TVs continue to bring more enhanced technologies. These technologies are focused at providing better picture quality, more immersive sound and a better, more well-rounded experience when it comes to content consumption.

Smarter AI Upscaling Augmented by Deep Learning

Samsung’s introduction of AI upscaling started with its 2019 line up of 8K UHD QLED TVs. The line up was the first to boast a dedicated Quantum processor to help with upscaling to help address the content gap. This year, Samsung ups the ante with an improved AI upscaling. While still backed by a Quantum Processor, the 2020 Samsung QLED 8K TVs will have better upscaling capabilities thanks to machine learning and deep learning algorithms.

The new machine learning and deep learning algorithms are supported by a new neural processing component in the Quantum processors. It is thanks to this neural processing that Samsung’s Quantum Processor is able to upscale content with machine learning and deep learning. The new two pronged approach to upscaling allows better, more natural upscaled content for the large factor QLED TVs.

The first prong of the two prong approach is Samsung’s Machine Learning Super Resolution. This upscaling technology focuses on upscaling content based on identified objects. The company has specified in an online briefing that the upscaling done by this technology preserves the characteristics and details of the objects or subjects of the scene or picture.

To ensure the natural detail of the shot is better preserved during upscaling, Samsung has introduced what they call Deep Learning Super Resolution. It enhances the details and fills in the pixel gaps when the image or video is upscaled. Accessing a neural network, the algorithm intelligently restores details which are lost during the upscaling process. It does this by upscaling the image pixel by pixel. Samsung’s engineers have assured us that the algorithm doesn’t introduce artificial details.

These AI technologies augment the enhancements Samsung has introduced physically in their displays. The new QLED displays come with Array Elite. This new technology allows finer control of the pixels which make up the TV. It allows finer contrast control and better power efficiency as pixels individually powered.

More Immersive Sound with Object Based Surround Sound

Samsung’s new line up of QLED 8K TVs also bring a refreshed approach to sound. In the past, sound seemed to be in the background when it came to TV development. However, Samsung is taking a more holistic approach with their 2020 QLED TVs.

It starts with a redesign of the integrated speakers. Samsung’s new line up comes with six speakers. It has two front firing speakers on the top corners of the screen. It’s placed behind the high resolution QLED panels. More significantly, Samsung has moved the tweeters to the side of the TV. In addition, Samsung is also using wider left and right channels for more complete sound experience.

The redesigned sound system has allowed Samsung to introduce a new, enhanced feature called Object Tracking Sound+ (OTS+). This allows regular consumers, like you and I, to experience sound the way it was designed. OTS+ essentially allows sound to be tied to an object instead of the channels available. This approach allows sound to move as an object moved on and off screen. Dolby refers to this as “audio objects” and is an essential part of its Dolby Atmos certification.

These new technologies enhance old features that came with the 2019 line up as well as enable new ones. The 2020 QLED TVs from Samsung could be one of the most exciting tech that come from the company. This is thanks to the company’s focus on enhancing and augmenting the user experience in its line up with meaningful new features. The new line up is set for its debut soon in Malaysia and has already been introduced in select counties around the world.