CES Report: Samsung Delivers ‘Super OLED’, Enhances Smart Hub

The Samsung Super OLED TV sets will offer an improved 3D-viewing experience over current display technologies.

Samsung’s CES press event was highlighted by the introduction of the company’s first consumer-grade OLED monitor, the 55-in. “Super OLED.”

Samsung currently produces 90% of the ultra-thin, ultra-bright, and ultra-accurate OLED screens used in devices ranging from phones to monitors, and Joe Stinziano, SVP of sales for the Consumer Electronics Division, says the reason for the “Super” moniker is that the set does not need a color filter.

“Each pixel has its own RGB subpixels, and each of those emotes its own light,” he says, providing better color accuracy and more. Further, Super OLED offers faster response times than LED, virtually eliminating motion blur even in the fastest-moving scenes. And, because Super OLED technology features self-emitting RGB subpixels,  which do not require a backlight, the TV weighs significantly less than a standard LED TV.

But the larger theme at Samsung’s CES press event was connected devices and future-proofed TV sets, which increasingly integrate computer-like functionality. For example, the new ES8000 LED TV has a dual-core processor that allows multitasking, such as surfing the Web while working with Smart Hub apps.

“Now you can toggle between features and applications without having to quit and relaunch an app,” says Samsung Electronics President Tim Baxter.

Other new features include Smart Interaction, which enables Smart TV owners to communicate with their TVs via voice control, motion control, and face recognition, thanks to a built-in HD camera and dual microphones on Samsung’s flagship line of 2012 Smart TVs. For example, users can turn the TV on or off, activate selected apps, or search for content in the Web browser simply by speaking in any of the 20-30 languages supported by the technology. With a wave of a hand, they can browse and choose a link or content via the browser. The built-in camera recognizes movement in the foreground, and two unidirectional array microphones recognize voice at a highly accurate rate. Noise-cancellation technology helps separate background noise from the users’ commands.

“And, with face recognition,” Stinziano points out, “each family member can have their own Smart Hub with their own apps.”

One of the more exciting features to ride the “TV as computer” wave is future-proofing: sets in the 2012 lineup can have a card added into the back to allow changes to both hardware chips and software. Known as “Smart Proof,” the first updates will be available in 2013 and beyond.

In 3D news, Samsung continues to expand its own 3D-content portal, available through the 3D TV’s Smart Hub. The latest addition? A deal with NBC Universal to bring hit program Battlestar Galactica to the hub in 3D.