South Korean electronics giant Samsung showcased its curved, ultra-high-definition (UHD) TV offerings, at the Samsung Forum for Africa, in Malaga, Spain, this morning.
According to Corrie Labuschagne, regional product and marketing manager for Samsung Electronics Africa, these curved UHD TVs are a world first. By combining a curved screen with UHD performance, the screen appears bigger than it actually is, providing a more realistic entertainment experience with improved viewing angles, he says.
As part of its smart TV experience, Samsung's proprietary Auto Depth Enhancer - an algorithm that analyses the different regions of an image and adjusts the display accordingly - boosts the sense of depth and gives the consumer a 3D-like viewing experience without the glasses, the company notes.
The Multilink screen functionality allows users to split the screen and multitask while viewing live TV, notes Labuschagne, adding this means users can browse the Web while they are viewing their favourite movie or TV show. In addition, the NewsON panel, developed in partnership with Yahoo, provides real-time news and weather information, Samsung says.
One highlight of the new TV range is the UHD Videopack, which is a 1TB hard disk that includes a range of films and content, provided in partnership with the likes of Fox and Paramount. The UHD Videopack also facilitates the downloading and storing of additional UHD content when it becomes available, Labuschagne says, adding that all of this functionality is enabled by the device's upgraded quad-core processor.
Samsung will introduce 78-inch and 65-inch UHD TV models into Africa. The UHD range includes the S9, U9000 and U8500, all of which will be made available this year in both curved and flat form factors.
Meeting Africa's needs
As part of its Home Entertainment line-up, the South Korean firm showcased its Samsung MX-HS9000 GIGA sound system, which utilises Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity to provide audio throughout an entire home, Labuschagne says. "Now your music really can follow you everywhere."
For African users with unreliable power supplies, Samsung showcased an entry-level, 23-inch, Multi-power TV that can be connected to a common AC power source, as well as a DC power supply through an alternative energy source, Labuschagne said.
When the main power is switched off, the TV will automatically switch to the alternative power source, he says.
"By simultaneously being connected to an AC power source, like a traditional plug outlet, and to a DC power source, like a solar energy panel and a car battery, families in Africa can enjoy their TV without worrying about blackouts. AC/DC functionality enables a stable viewing experience even when the lights go out."
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