CES 2019 Report Part 1: OLED on a ro11!


Every year we look at CES – the American Consumer Electronics Show – and IFA, its European equivalent, and always ask: “Is there anything on show here that will impact on the professional market”? In previ- ous years, is often been a case of “possibly, bur its going to take a while.” But not this year. Admittedly, LG is the only source of OLED at present, bet we predict that the impact of OLED and particularly rolla- ble OLED is going to be dramatic and immediate. Just imagine: A large format digital display as thin and light as a poster!


At last year’s CES, LG debuted a rollable OLED TV. With the usual cynical sneer possessed of most technical journalists it was very much a case of “Oh yeah and in which decade will that be available”? Imagine the surprise then when LG an-


lowers back into its box Would rollable OLED with- stand commercial duty cycle? LG says the TV has been test- ed to 50,000 rolls up or down. If you turned it on or off eight times a day, it would last 17 years. When not using it as a


brands including them in their ranges at more competitive re- tail prices. This is now having an impact at retail, with many consumers putting OLED at the top of their shopping lists. In addition, with LG and Sam- sung using OLED and QLED


LeEco looks like it has yet to show OLED or 8K, whereas Vizio hasn’t gone with OLED, but it has previously shown a QLED, so it’s more likely they will go with 8K in 2019. Haier has also yet to show an 8K set. Samsung introduced its latest innovations in modular Micro LED display technology during its annual First Look CES event. The new Micro LED technology designs featured at the event included a new 75” display, a 219” version of The Wall as well as other various ground-break- ing sizes, shapes and config- urations for a next-generation modular Micro LED display – a 2019 CES Best of Innovation Award winner.


LG’s rollable OLED display in its case.


nounced that the technology will be available for sale in the second half of this year. Ad- mittedly, only in the 65-inch format but the Signature Se- ries OLED TV R will be sold at an undisclosed piece which is likely to be hideous. But there is no doubt that someone will buy it. The chief benefit of rollable OLED is that it rolls away into a compact tube housed in a piece of furni- ture, rather like the projection screens developed by Beamax and others. Switched on the rolled-up screen rises out of the box, unrolling and achieving its full height in a few seconds. With the power turned off the he TV screen goes black and


full TV display user can raise part of the screen as a digital hub. With six different modes - Music, Clock, Frame, Mood, Lighting, and Home dashboard – for example, users can take a quick glance for time and weather while displaying their most memorable photos on the screen. They can stream their favourite playlist and adjust their mood light to redesign a space, just the way they like it .


OLED growth


OLED technology will remain a focus for many brands. Al- though OLED TVs have been around for a few years, there is an increasing number of


respectively to target the grow- ing premium segment, expect major promotional activity highlighting their individual features and benefits.


Futuresource expects more expansion and improvement of OLED and 8K ranges, with announcements across CES. Hisense has recently launched its OLED range, so expect their production models to be prom- inent.


Chinese brands will be the likely entrants to 8K, although Futuresource research hasn’t seen anything available just yet. Samsung is the only brand not to have shown OLED in recent years, and Sharp looks like it is about to enter OLED.


A number of manufacturers debuted 8K models.


modular capabilities, Sam- sung’s Micro LED displays are said to deliver unparalleled pic- ture quality, versatility and de- sign. These transformative TV displays are made up of indi- vidual modules of self-emissive Micro LEDs, featuring millions of inorganic red, green and blue microscopic LED chips that emit their own light to produce brilliant colours on screen – delivering picture quality that is said to surpass any display technology currently available on the market.


MicroLED Samsung’s 8K QLED range. P14 AV News February 2019


At last year’s CES, Samsung in- troduced Micro LED by unveil-


Micro LED can support every- thing from the standard 16:9 content, to 21:9 widescreen films, to unconventional as- pect ratios like 32:9, or even 1:1 – without having to make any compromises in its picture quality. Finally, because Micro LED displays are bezel-free, there are no borders between mod- ules – even when you add more. The result is a seam- less, stunning infinity pool ef- fect that allows the display to elegantly blend into any living environment. The possibilities for eye-catching designs are only enhanced by new Ambient Mode features.


additions to the Bravia Master Series, including Sony's first 8K LCD TVs in 98" and 85" models and the 55" to 77" OLED TVs.


"Continually innovating to exceed our customers' expec- tations is a core element of Sony's premium strategy," said Mike Fasulo, president and chief operating officer of Sony Electronics North America, in the press release for the re- veal. "Our new Master Series TVs combine larger screen siz- es, 4K and 8K resolution, and unique Sony image-enhancing technologies to create an ex- traordinary and highly immer- sive viewing experience."


“For decades, Samsung has lead the way in next-generation display innovation,” said Jong- hee Han, President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our Micro LED technology is at the forefront of the next screen revolution with intelligent, customisable displays that excel in every per- formance category. Samsung Micro LED has no boundaries, only endless possibilities.” Featuring leading-edge self-emissive technology and


ing The Wall, the critically ac- claimed, award-winning 146” Micro LED display. With further technical advancements made in the ultra-fine pitch semicon- ductor packaging process, that narrow the gap between the mi- croscopic LED chips, Samsung has been able to create a stun- ning 4K Micro LED display in a smaller, more home-friendly 75” form factor.


Thanks to the modular nature of Micro LED, this technology offers flexibility in screen size that allows users to customise it to fit any room or space. By adding Micro LED modules, us- ers can expand their display to any size they desire. The mod- ular functionality of Micro LED will allow users in the future to create the ultimate display even at irregular 9×3, 1×7 or 5×1 screen sizes that suit their spatial, aesthetic and function- al needs. Samsung’s Micro LED tech- nology also optimises the con- tent no matter the size and shape of the screen. Even when adding more modules, Sam- sung Micro LED displays can scale to increase the resolution — all while keeping the pixel density constant. Additionally,


8K releases


A number of manufacturers showcased an array of 8K TVs, with many featuring upscaling solutions to compensate for the lack of 8K content. Samsung unveiled its 98” QLED 8K – it’s largest yet – adding to its 2019 line-up that features 65”, 75”, 82”, and 85” models. Embed- ded with the Quantum Pro- cessor 8K chip, the 2019 8K line delivers the best in QLED picture quality, design, smart features in more sizes than ever in stunning 8K resolution. Whether a viewer is watching content through a streaming service, set-top box, HDMI, USB or even mobile screen mir- roring, Samsung’s proprietary AI-based technology can recog- nize and upscale any content, regardless of the native resolu- tion, to near pristine 8K quali- ty. This is Samsung’s smartest and most powerful TV yet. Sony's Master Series is a col- lection of televisions where the company has collaborated with various professionals and enti- ties to get as close as possible to show creators' visions as they were intended. At CES 2019, the company introduced new


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