2015 Samsung 4K UHD LCD TVs
Monday, January 5, 2015 at 2:00PM Updated on September 10, 2015: added pricing, availability, and specs
Samsung brought its best 4K ultra high-definition (UHD) TVs to the 2015 CES in the form of three series that tempt the eyes of discerning videophiles with new technology to enhance perceived color and contrast.
One of Samsung's earlier announcements was that all of its 2015 smart TVs will feature a newly redesigned Smart Hub that's built around the Linux-based, "open source", Tizen operating system.
The use of the Tizen OS will likely enable easier integration and interaction with mobile devices, particularly Samsung products, for content sharing and control using WiFi Direct and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless technologies. The new Tizen-powered TVs will also enable the viewing of live TV on compatible mobile devices anywhere within a home network even when the TVs are powered off.
The updated 2015 Smart Platform will also include new entertainment experiences:
- Samsung Sports Live: watch live games and view team/player stats
- PlayStation Now: enjoy cloud-streamed PlayStation 3 games using a DualShock 4 wireless controller
- More 4K UHD sources: Amazon, Comcast, DirecTV, Netflix, and a new UHD movie download service in partnership with M-GO
- Briefing on TV: 2015 Samsung Smart TVs can act as an alarm clock that display time, weather, and other pertinent information
Bring the SUHD
Samsung reserves its "S" identification for its flagship products, and the company's best 4K UHD TVs for 2015 are branded into the new "SUHD" TV lineup.
The SUHD TV lineup includes three model series with screen sizes ranging from 48-inches to 88-inches, and all feature new Samsung display technologies that enhance picture color and contrast:
- 10-bit LCD panel technology
- High Dynamic Range (HDR) metadata support
- "Re-mastering" picture quality engine: claims to automatically analyze on-screen imagery to enhance picture contrast with darker black levels and increased brightness while minimizing power consumption
- Quantum color: enhanced color and energy efficiency through the use of quantum dot (QD) nano-crystal technology to achieve a color gamut like that featured in commercial digital cinema.
- HDMI 2.0a (via update) for use with external source devices that support high dynamic range (HDR)
The newly formed UHD Alliance whose membership includes Netflix, Disney, 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, Dolby Vision, Technicolor, Samsung, Panasonic, and others moves us closer to the access and enjoyment of enhanced UHD video on display devices that can accurately render video encoded with an expanded color palette and HDR detail.
JS8500 Series
- Flat screen design
- Backlight: edge-lit LED w/local dimming
- 2.2-channel 40W speaker system
- Brushed silver T-shaped base
- Quad-core processor
- Screen sizes: 48-inches, 55-inches, 65-inches
2015 Vizio M-Series 4K UHD TVs
Vizio 5.1 Sound Bar System Review
The JS9000 returns to the aesthetically pleasing curved screen design, and the series features the the widest range of screen sizes in the new SUHD lineup. Even the back of the JS9000 was enhanced with a "soft, textured Shirring design" to provide a stylish view even when checking out its rear. As Samsung's most affordable curved screen design in its premium JS series, it will be interesting to see how the 9000's edge-lit backlight technology compares to the more expensive JS9500 and its full-array backlight unit (BLU).
- Curved screen design
- Backlight: edge-lit LED w/local dimming
- 2.2-channel 60W speaker system
- Brushed dark silver Y-shaped base
- Octa-core processor
- Screen szes: 48-inches, 55-inches, 65-inches, 78-inches (JS9100)
The flagship JS9500 will feature Samsung's "chamfer bezel design" to frame the LCD's screen with a hint of increased depth and make it look more like a piece of art when wall-mounted. For LCD enthusiasts, the words "full-array local dimming" (FALD) represent the pinnacle of backlight unit (BLU) technology that can improve picture contrast and uniformity compared to LCDs with edge-lit BLUs. The JS9500 represents Samsung's return to FALD after transitioning all of its LCDs to edge-lit designs several years ago. Perhaps in 2016 we'll see Samsung spread FALD beyond the its flagship model.
- Curved screen design
- Backlight: full-array LED w/local dimming
- Retractable 1080p camera w/ built-in stereo microphones
- 2.2-channel 60W speaker system
- Brushed silver Y-shaped base
- Octa-core processor
- Screen sizes: 65-inches, 78-inches, 88-inches
Read my review of the Samsung JS9500 Series 4K UHD TV
Read more about the latest 2015 TVs and display technologies.
Reader Comments