CYBERPOWERPC Zeus HTPC Series Announced

CYBERPOWERPC Zeus HTPC Series Announced

Lets You Build the Ultimate Home Theater System — The Perfect PC, Ultimate Home Theater, and DVR in One Sleek Design

By CyberPower Inc.

CyberPower Inc. www.cyberpowerpc.com, a global manufacturer of custom gaming PCs, today announced the Zeus HTPC, a sleek new series of Windows-based home-theatre PCs that can double as your primary desktop.

The Zeus HTPC combines the compact and stylish design of a home theatre system with the power and performance of a gaming PC. The Zeus HTPC is your DVR, enthusiast home theatre PC, gaming console and DVD/Blu-Ray Player all in one thin micro-ATX chassis that fits perfectly in your home theatre stack or on your desk. The chassis utilizes a passive cooled heatsink technology paired with razor fins for maximum heat dissipation and minimal noise. CYBERPOWERPC will offer six Zeus HTPC models.

CYBERPOWERPC Zeus HTPC

The Zeus HTPC is a multimedia monster powered by your choice of a 4th Generation Intel® Core™ processor or AMD APU to provide easy access to all your favorite multimedia applications from PC gaming and movie streaming to surfing the web. Combined with discrete graphics with the AMD Radeon HD 7750 users can dive into the latest PC gaming titles in full HD and beautifully rendered graphics in rich detail.

CYBERPOWERPC took special care to ensure the Zeus HTPC is seen and not heard. The system delivers silent operations even at maximum loads with its passively cooled chassis and optional silent edition video card. The only thing users will hear is the crisp sound of their game, movie or TV program and not annoying background fan or system noise.

In spite of its sleek design, which measures just 17.125×15.35×2.75 inches (L× W×H), the Zeus HTPC is the quintessential multi-purpose system with a host of features, including Windows Media Center compatibility. The Zeus HTPC’s on-board IR receiver makes it easy and convenient to connect the system to you favorite remote. Buyers also have the option of adding the InfiniTV Cable Tuner card or other TV tuner options, which can record live TV in high definition. The Zeus HTPC can record up to four channels simultaneously so you can watch want you want when you want.

The Zeus TV Pro A100 powered by an AMD APU is priced at $699 and features:

• AMD A8-6400K Quad-Core CPU
• 8GB System memory
• 1TB 7200 RPM HDD
• Slot-loading DVDRW
• 802.11n WiFi
• Media Center Remote
• Logitech K400 Wireless Keyboard with built-in Touchpad

The Zeus TV Pro i100 powered by a 4th Generation Intel® Core™ processor starts at $895 and includes:

• Intel® Core™ i5-4430 Quad-core Haswell CPU
• 8GB system memory
• 2TB 7200 RPM HDD
• Slot-loading DVDRW
• 802.11n WiFi
• Media Center Remote
• Logitech K400 Wireless Keyboard with built-in Touchpad

All six Zeus HTPC models can be customized with a number of performance hardware and component upgrades such as CPU/GPU upgrades, solid state drives, hard drive, performance gaming memory, gaming peripherals, business productivity software, and more at the company’s website, www.CYBERPOWERPC.com.

All CYBERPOWERPC gaming PCs include an industry best 3-year limited warranty.

About CyberPowerPC Inc.

CyberPowerPC Inc. www.CyberPowerPC.com was founded in 1998 and has emerged as a leading global provider of custom computer systems and interactive gaming products. Headquartered in City of Industry in Southern California, CyberPowerPC manufacturers and distributes a complete line of custom built gaming desktops, gaming notebooks and high performance workstations to meet the unique needs of gamers, businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and other end-users. For more information contact: Sales (800) 707-0393; 

NVIDIA G-SYNC Technology: An In-Depth Look

NVIDIA G-SYNC Technology: An In-Depth Look

By Tyler Nulty

A very special new piece of hardware technology has recently been released at a conference in Montreal on October 22, 2013. The new technology is called G-SYNC, by NVIDIA. G-SYNC seems to be the answer for a major complaint from PC gaming community regarding image quality in fast-moving video games. Tears, stutters, and lag are told to be totally eliminated with this new technology. NVIDIA’s CEO Jen-Hsun Huang put on a compelling performance at the conference in Montreal this past Friday. He announced some exciting new technologies, GameStream, GeForce GTX 780 Ti, ShadowPlay, and of course, G-SYNC.  In this article I will give you my explanation, thoughts and opinions on this new tech called G-SYNC.

I am sure most of you out there, like me; have been playing a game or using a graphic intense program when all of a sudden the image on your screen will, tear, lag, stutter, or just generally glitch out. This is a problem that has been produced via poor connections between various forms of hardware. G-SYNC aims to solve this problem once and for all.

NVIDIA G-SYNC Explained

If you have made it this far into the article, I will attempt to capture the essence of G-SYNC and how it works. First we need to gain a small background knowledge in some of the related hardware that can cause stutter, lag, tearing, and glitching.

The most basic explanation of the hardware associated with G-SYNC is the connection, or pairing of the graphics unit and monitor. The graphics unit puts out a signal to the monitor, and the monitor displays the signal in a graphical form. These signals, or information bits as I will call them; are basically little bursts of electricity sent through a metal medium. Some signals are transferred using light, or optical mediums, but that is a whole other article to be written in the future. Both the graphics unit and the monitor have dedicated computer modules inside them that send and receive these little bits of information. The problem we were faced with is when these two modules (one in the graphics unit and one in the monitor) can not properly communicate with each other, causing an error (stutter, lag, tearing and glitching).

When the information bits travel from the graphics unit to the monitor sometimes the little bits of information get lost or backed up. For example the signal from the graphics unit can be too strong or too hot for the monitor to accept. The design of each module is usually not fully compatible with the other. Below Is an example of stuttering on a laptop from 2007. The Colored arrows point out how the dotted selection line has stuttered or repeated its presence on the screen multiple times in a given span of time. The moving of the dotted selection line normally is smooth. Clearly the graphics unit and the monitor on this laptop were not in SYNC.

The synchronization of the graphics unit and monitor is what G-SYNC aims to do. To do this the G-SYNC module will sync the timing of the signals sent from the graphics unit to the monitor. Imagine a four-lane highway with traffic traveling down it. Each car is a bit of information, each travelling at is own different speed from the others. That causes back ups as everyone who has traveled a distance on a highway knows. That is basically how most graphics units and monitors send information bits, this can cause errors. Now imagine a four-lane highway where everyone is traveling the same speed, hard to imagine, I know. That is NVIDIA G-SYNC in action.

NVIDIA G-SYNC Final Thoughts

Now while I might not get stuttering and lagging all the time while using my computer, it does happen. When it does I can get pretty upset and confused. Its just one of those things I might not realize was so bad until my whole day was thrown off by a small glitch. I think the gaming community can sympathize with me on that note. I imagine a whole bunch of gamers are now rejoicing after hearing the news of G-SYNC and its function. G-SYNC will not only help gamers level up and take down the big boss, G-SYNC will have very practical uses in other areas of computing. For example in CAD or computer aided drafting, G-SYNC could have tremendous benefits when rendering, creating, and viewing complex 3 dimensional objects within software programs.

With the introduction of G-SYNC, more doors are being opened for programmers to use the utilize the way G-SYNC facilitates communications within graphics unit to monitor configurations. Having the graphics unit refresh rate tied directly to the monitor can aid in rendering very complex 3D worlds without error. NVIDIA G-SYNC technology can enable graphics units and monitors to synchronize both the refresh rate and the frames per second loaded while still being able to keep the variable frame rates most games run. Unlike many other graphics units and monitors that refresh at different speeds, the G-SYNC is a module in the monitor that will slave the graphics unit to make sure the frames coming into the monitor are in order, and traveling at the proper speed.

NVIDIA G-SYNC Opinions

My opinions of this new technology will be brief. I have yet to have test the new hardware technology called G-SYNC hands on, though I will give my best opinions with the knowledge of I do have of G-SYNC. It is a very cool technology that will make up the future of gaming tech in the monitor arena. It is expected to be used with the new 4k monitors, which I can not wait for! G-SYNC paired with a 4k monitors will have incredible results. Needless to say G-SYNC’s quality, resolution, motion, shadows, and detail will be absolutely incredible, 4K monitor or not. I do hope the programmers will be there for this new technology. For without the programmers we won’t be able to see what this new tech can really do. I think NVIDIA’s teaming with four major monitor manufacturers is beneficial for all of us. With Asus, BenQ, Phillips, and Viewsonic all planning to use G-SYNC, we can say for sure it will be available to more gamers and PC users alike in the near future.

Samsung F9000 Series Ultra High-Definition TV Lineup Announced Reviews

Samsung F9000 Series Ultra High-Definition TV Lineup Announced

New 55- and 65-inch UHD Models Offering Brilliant Picture Quality and Superior Upconverting Technology Are Available for Pre-Order from July 21

By Samsung

Samsung’s best-in-class Ultra High-Definition (UHD) TV family is expanding in the United States. Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today announced its next wave of UHD TV models with the introduction of the F9000 line. They will be available for pre-order starting July 21. Offered in 55- and 65-inch models, the F9000 UHD TVs take home entertainment to a new level by delivering the highest resolution and best-in-class picture quality, regardless of video source.

Following in the footsteps of the award-winning Samsung S9 UHD TV introduced earlier this year, the F9000 series offers four times the resolution of Full HD TV for a vivid, crystal-clear picture. The F9000 UHD TV utilizes Samsung’s proprietary Quadmatic Picture Engine, a four-step process including signal analysis, noise minimization, UHD up-scaling and detail enhancement to seamlessly upconvert SD, HD or Full HD content to UHD-level picture quality. Both the TV and its software can be upgraded to be compatible with future UHD standards with a separate Evolution Kit.

Samsung F9000 Series Ultra High-Definition TV

“Revolutionizing the home entertainment viewing experience is a hallmark of the Samsung brand,” said Joe Stinziano, Executive Vice President, Samsung Electronics America. “The F9000 series are Evolutionary TVs that will give consumers great peace of mind in their entertainment investment. Now home entertainment lovers will have the opportunity to truly see and enjoy their favorite shows and movies like never before, in crystal-clear ultra high-definition, and in the beautifully designed 55- and 65-inch sizes they demand.”

The new models feature Samsung Smart TV, designed to help consumers search less and watch more. The new Smart Hub interface organizes entertainment and content into five convenient panels: On TV, Movies and TV Shows, Social, Apps as well as Photos, Videos and Music. The built-in S Recommendation feature helps customers discover something new to watch, now or next time. And with Smart Interaction, the F9000 UHD TV is brought to life as consumers use hand gestures or voice commands to navigate and browse, creating a new and interactive TV experience.

With Samsung’s Precision Black Local Dimming technology, the F9000 UHD TV delivers a much greater increase in contrast and black levels by dimming LEDs in dark areas of the picture, making blacks darker without affecting brighter elements of the picture. It also features Micro Dimming Ultimate, which combines the use of a special algorithm and scanning technology for sharper images and enhanced contrast. The F9000 series comes with 3D technology as well as built-in Wi-Fi and an embedded camera for staying connected with friends. The fast quad-core processor enables true multitasking capabilities between content and apps for a premium Smart TV experience.

The F9000 UHD TV comes with 2-way 2.2 channels of 70-watt sound, which is more than three times better than a typical TV. This system provides a dynamic range of sounds for a commanding and outstanding experience to complement the UHD picture.

Designed to create an immersive picture, the F9000 UHD TV features Samsung’s award-winning Ultra Slim Bezel design, providing a virtually edgeless picture. The TV design also extends to the rear of the TV with Samsung’s Clean Back design and comes with the stylish Arc Stand — an eye-catching complement that enhances the interior design of any room.

Starting July 21, the F9000 will be available for pre-order in the U.S. with select authorized retailers for an estimated retail price of $5,499.99 for the 55-inch model and $7,499.99 for the 65-inch TV. Shipping of the F9000 UHD TV is expected in early August.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), is a recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology. A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SEA delivers a broad range of digital consumer electronics, IT and home appliance products. Samsung is the market leader for HDTVs in the U.S and America’s fastest growing home appliance brand. To discover more of the award-winning products you love with Samsung, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion.

Samsung 890 Series LED HDTVs Debut at HITEC 2013 Reviews

Samsung 890 Series LED HDTVs at HITEC 2013

By Samsung Electronics America

Samsung Electronics America, a display market leader and award-winning technology innovator, announced today that it will be showcasing its 2013 lineup of LED Smart TVs for the hospitality industry at HITEC 2013, he world’s largest hospitality technology show. Samsung will be showcasing a variety of LED TVs and software solutions for the hospitality market, including the new 890 Series LED TVs, which feature its LYNC™ SINC content management system, at the Minneapolis Convention Center, Booth #115, from June 24-27.

“Hotels are striving to keep up with the increasing demands of today’s tech-savvy traveler and working to provide experiences that keep guests coming back,” said Jonas Tanenbaum, Vice President of Hospitality at Samsung Electronics America. “Samsung is delivering industry-leading Smart TV LED technology that caters to the technology-centric preferences of today’s guests, as well as providing the software solutions that help make managing these technologies easy, cost effective and efficient for hoteliers.”

The Samsung 890 Series combines superior picture quality and enhanced energy efficiency in a sleek form factor to help hoteliers deliver the ultimate in-room guest experience. Available in three sizes – 46”, 55” and 65”– the 890 Series meets the needs and space of virtually any hotel environment, from a standard room to a suite. In addition, each display is a Smart TV, giving guests a whole new level of interactivity that is exclusive to Samsung. With Smart TV 2.0, hotels can now offer guests mobile device support, with embedded features and access to a multitude of apps and widgets as part of the in-room entertainment and content experience. Designed with operational efficiency in mind, the 890 Series also provides hoteliers with the ability to manage content remotely, saving both energy and costs.

Key features include:

• Premium Edge-Lit Ultra-thin LED Technology – edge-lit LED technology provides the brilliance and energy saving advantages of LED technology, along with the uniform brightness found in CCFL displays. This makes it possible for hoteliers to upgrade their rooms to LED technology for a cost comparable to that of CCFL technology.
• Samsung LYNK ™ SINC – this IP-based content management solution delivers enhanced HTML and rich text with protocols that enable communication between Samsung Interactive TVs and a hotel’s property management software. Facility managers have the ability to completely customize the in-room entertainment by unlocking rich content from the Samsung Hospitality Widget Library, including Facebook, Twitter, AccuWeather, Google Maps and more.
• Samsung LYNK REACH 2.0 – the Samsung REACH 2.0 (Remote Enhanced Active Control for Hotels) content management system is used in conjunction with an existing coaxial- based infrastructure. It provides centralized TV controls, basic static content management capabilities and an Interactive Program Guide (IPG). It also enables property managers to easily update and change information using a Windows-based system.
• H-Browser Compatibility – the 890 Series offers Samsung’s proprietary H-Browser platform, which is made available through strategic alliances with integrators such as Guest-Tek. Built on the HTML5 standard with Flash support, H-Browser is a true Smart TV solution that provides guests with a premium interactive experience and features both free and video on demand (VOD) content. It is able to interface directly with the head end, whether the head end is located on or off the hotel premises.
• Mobile Device Integration via AllShare Cast – Samsung AllShare Cast makes it possible for hotel guests to seamlessly share content across DLNA connected Samsung devices, including WIDI, without the need for a network cable or a connecting device. AllShare Cast also allows screen mirroring and video streaming to enable seamless content sharing between personal mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet, to the hotel room television.

ASUS Designo Series MX299Q Ultrawide 21:9 Cinematic Monitor Introduced

ASUS Designo Series MX299Q Ultrawide 21:9 Cinematic Monitor Introduced

Frameless 29-inch AH-IPS display with ultra-wide 2560 x 1080 resolution and B&O ICEpower audio delivers a truly cinematic viewing experience

By ASUS

ASUS today announced the Designo Series MX299Q Ultrawide 21:9 Cinematic Monitor, a 29-inch widescreen display with an ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio and 2560 x 1080 resolution. The MX299Q features the latest AH-IPS (Advanced High Performance In-Plane Switching) display for rich, vibrant color with 178-degree wide viewing angles, and ASUS SonicMaster audio, co-developed with Bang & Olufsen ICEpower® for superlative sound quality with its built-in stereo speakers. It also features an award-winning, simple and elegant sundial-inspired design.

Ultra-wide resolution enhances work and play

With a display area equivalent to that of two 17-inch (5:4 aspect ratio) monitors placed alongside each other, the ASUS Designo Series MX299Q Ultrawide 21:9 Cinematic Monitor has a display area 33% wider than a similar Full HD monitor. The 21:9 aspect ratio gives more room for working with multiple windows side-by-side, removing the need for a secondary desktop monitor. The ultra-wide 2560 x 1080 resolution also means there are no black bars above and below the image when watching widescreen 2.35:1 movies and gamers can also enjoy games in immersive cinematic widescreen.

ASUS Designo Series MX299Q Ultrawide Cinematic Monitor

The LED-backlit AH-IPS display with extremely accurate color reproduction makes the MX299Q ideally suited to both professional and home use. 178-degree wide viewing angles also mean that images don’t wash out when seen from either side, or above and below.

Premium SonicMaster audio, co-developed with B&O ICEpower®

The ASUS Designo Series MX299Q Ultrawide 21:9 Cinematic Monitor features ASUS SonicMaster audio technology, co-developed with Bang & Olufsen ICEpower®. A combination of advanced audio hardware and professional audio processing, SonicMaster refines every acoustic detail to deliver crystal clear sound with richer, more distinct vocals and wide frequency range. The MX299Q has an embedded Bang & Olufsen ICEpower® MobileSound 3 chip that delivers incredible audio fidelity through the two built-in 3W stereo speakers for rich and satisfying sound.

Exclusive ASUS technologies

With an 80,000,000:1 ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio and a 300cd/m² brightness rating, the ASUS Designo Series MX299Q Ultrawide 21:9 Cinematic Monitor delivers life-like visuals by adjusting backlight luminance to achieve the darkest black and the brightest white shades. ASUS Splendid™ Video Intelligence Technology also ensures vivid colors in every situation, with its six modes (Standard/ sRGB/ Scenery/ Theater/ Game/ Night view) easily activated using a designated hotkey. The MX299Q also comes with QuickFit Virtual Scale with on-screen guidelines for an actual-size preview of images prior to printing.

Extensive connectivity options in an award-winning design

The ASUS Designo Series MX299Q Ultrawide 21:9 Cinematic Monitor display has an array of connectivity options for wide compatibility with a range of multimedia devices. Video inputs include DisplayPort, Dual-link DVI and HDMI/MHL, with MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) providing a single-cable video and power connection for compatible smartphones and tablets.

The MX299Q features a 0.8mm bezel that gives the illusion of a frameless panel design and an ultra-slim profile measuring just 16.4mm at its thinnest. ASUS Designo Series MX monitors have received numerous design accolades that include the 2012 Japan Good Design Award. The MX299Q also won a 2013 CES Innovations Awards in the Video Displays category.

Samsung Series 7 SC770 and SC750 Monitors Released

Samsung Series 7 SC770 and SC750 Monitors Released

Optimal interactive experiences, premium screens and ergonomic features offer consumers the choice of ultimate displays

By Samsung Electronics America, Inc. via Business Wire

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today announced the current availability of two new consumer monitors: the Series 7 SC770 Touch Monitor, the company’s first consumer multi-touch display; and the Series 7 SC750 monitor, featuring an ergonomic rotating display.

“As the market for devices continues to grow rapidly, consumers are expecting more in terms of performance, convenience and interactive functionality,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of consumer IT product marketing at Samsung Electronics America. “Samsung is building on our celebrated design heritage and expanding consumer options with our newest display lineup, specifically with Samsung’s new Series 7 Touch Monitor. Users will find a differentiated touch-control experience through improved multimedia functionality, immersive viewing angles and innovative design.”

SC770

The Series 7 SC770’s unique touch control allows for 10 points of simultaneous input, perfect for dragging, rotating and selecting objects on the monitor, and offering a smooth and intuitive touchscreen interaction – all without the need for additional controllers. Together with Samsung’s Anti-Finger Film technology, the feature provides maximized control and performance speeds, allowing users to rapidly drag and drop images, quickly select content and more.

For a more enriched computing experience, the SC770 also connects to a mobile device via USB. This allows seamless interaction between the touch monitor and smart phone, meaning users can effortlessly view content from their phones on the larger screen.

Thanks to Samsung’s Sliding-Tilt function with hinge technology, the SC770 smoothly and conveniently adjusts to a 55-degree tilt, creating better viewing angles and enhanced touch usage. Better viewing angles result in a premium entertainment experience, even for large groups. The ability to tilt the screen minimizes the potential for bad posture and wrist strain, ideal for users who spend long hours at a computer.

The SC770 monitor features a 24-inch Full HD display, narrow bezel with ultra slim depth, a clean back and a premium metallic stand, merging the best in ergonomics and simple elegance for use in any space.

The Series 7 SC770 Touch Monitor is available now for an MSRP of $599.99.

SC750

The Series 7 SC750 monitor sports a slim, ergonomic design that is capable of a 90-degree pivot for enhanced convenience to users. The rotating screen is optimized for surfing the web, consuming social media content and viewing documents in both landscape and portrait modes.

The monitor’s stand precisely positions the screen at a comfortable eye-level without the need for a support fixture, offering users an ideal viewing experience right out of the box. Available in 24- and 27-inch screen sizes, the SC750’s sleek, cylinder-shaped metal stand accentuates the beauty of the slim monitor whether in landscape or portrait mode. Adding to the striking and convenient design, cords can easily be tucked away into the monitor’s neck, eliminating desktop clutter.

The SC750 is available now. The MSRPs for the 24-inch and 27-inch models are $249 and $379, respectively.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), is a recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology. A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SEA delivers a broad range of digital consumer electronics, IT and home appliance products. Samsung is the market leader for HDTVs in the U.S and America’s fastest growing home appliance brand. To discover more of the award-winning products you love with Samsung, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion.

LG Electronics LA9700 Series ULTRA HD TV Models Introduced

LG Electronics LA9700 Series ULTRA HD TV Models Introduced

With NANO FULL LED Backlighting and Tru-ULTRA HD Engine, LG’s Newest ULTRA HD TVs Deliver Unmatched Picture Quality

By LG Electronics

Expanding on the strong interest surrounding its 84-inch ULTRA High Definition TV, LG Electronics (LG) today announced the addition of 55- and 65-inch ULTRA HD TV models in markets around the world, enabling even more consumers to enjoy the benefits of 4K technology. Initially introduced in South Korea last month, the two LA9700 series ULTRA HD TVs were rolled out in the United States this week and will be followed by introductions in overseas markets such as the U.K., Russia and Australia.

“When we first unveiled our 84-inch ULTRA HD TV at CES last year, the reception we received was phenomenal,” said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Electronics’ Home Entertainment Company. “The ULTRA HD TV format is here to stay and with the new sizes offering NANO FULL LED backlighting and our proprietary Tru-ULTRA HD Engine, these models are in a class of their own.”

Unmatched Picture Quality and Sound

The new LA9700 series delivers unbelievable picture quality with more than four times the screen resolution of conventional HD TVs. The 55- and 65-inch ULTRA HD TVs produce incredibly sharp images with a resolution of 8.3 million pixels per frame. The Tru-ULTRA HD Engine maximizes image clarity and provides exceptional up-scaling, enabling consumers to view any video format in near-ULTRA HD quality. Additionally, LG’s LA9700 models are equipped with NANO FULL LED backlighting which results in deeper blacks and consistent brightness and contrast. With the inclusion of LG’s advanced In-Plane Switching (IPS) panels, the new TVs deliver accurate color expression across a wide, 178 degree viewing angle.

LG Electronics LA9700 Series ULTRA HD TV Models Introduced

Both LA9700 models offer a 4.1 channel surround sound system which includes the stylish, forward-facing Sliding Speaker. With excellent mid- and high- frequency range performance, this elegant unit can be positioned to remain hidden or visible, delivering excellent sound either way. Alternatively, the Sliding Speaker can be set to extend automatically when the TV is turned on, and retract when powered off. A powerful subwoofer, located behind the TV’s screen, ensures strong bass performance.

Smart Design, Smart TV

Design-wise, the LA9700 ULTRA HD TVs create a stunning visual impression and a more immersive viewing experience thanks to the ULTRA-thin bezels of LG’s CINEMA SCREEN Design. And LG’s intuitive Smart TV platform provides easy access to a wide range of applications and content services from around the globe. The company’s excellent Magic Remote boasts natural language recognition, point, wheel, and gesture control options, making it easy to navigate menus, search for content or play exciting Smart TV games. What’s more, SmartShare offers the simplicity of Tag On (LG’s NFC-based device pairing feature), and the convenience of WiDi and Miracast screen mirroring. And the LA9700’s Now On function recommends content based on the user’s viewing patterns and previous program purchases.

Certified Picture Quality

The exceptional 2D and 3D picture quality of LG’s new 55- and 65-inch ULTRA HD TVs has been certified by respected international product testing and certification bodies, Intertek and Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Both organizations employ rigorous assessment processes, measuring a wide range of attributes including viewing angle, contrast consistency, color accuracy and 3D performance.

The new LA9700 models carry a suggested price of USD 7,999 for the 65-inch and USD 6,999 for the 55-inch model in the United States. Prices outside the U.S. will be announced at launch time.

About LG Electronics, Inc.

LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing 87,000 people working in 113 locations around the world. With 2012 global sales of USD 45.22 billion (KRW 50.96 trillion), LG comprises five business units — Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, Air Conditioning & Energy Solution, and Vehicle Components — and is one of the world’s leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators. LG Electronics is a 2013 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year. For more news and information on LG Electronics, please visit www.LGnewsroom.com.

About LG Electronics Home Entertainment Company

The LG Electronics Home Entertainment Company is a global top player in televisions, monitors, commercial displays, audio video systems, personal computers and security systems. The company constantly pushes technological boundaries to create feature-rich devices with stylish designs that meet global consumer needs. LG`s consumer products include OLED TV, ULTRA HD TV, CINEMA 3D Smart TV, IPS monitors, home theater systems, Blu-ray Disc™ players, car audio video systems, mouse scanners and external storage devices. LG’s commercial products include digital signage, video conferencing systems and IP security cameras.

Samsung UE55F9000 55 Inch 4K Ultra HD LED LCD TV Review

Introduction

At the end of 2012 Sony and LG launched their 84" 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) TVs with stratospheric prices to match their huge screen sizes and, not to be outdone, Samsung recently launched their 85" S9000 with an easel-style stand and an equally wallet-busting price tag. However, in the last few months Sony, LG and now Samsung have released 4K UHD TVs in far more practical screen sizes of 55 and 65-inches and at prices most people could actually consider. In fact, thanks to a mini price war in the last few weeks, UHD TV prices have dropped considerably with 4K now being available for well below £4K. The Samsung UE55F9000 can be picked up for around £3,300 which isn't much of a premium over the manufacturer's flagship 1080p model and with further price reductions expected, we could soon see 4K UHD hitting a mass market tipping point. Of course, with the standard for 4K yet to be agreed, there is still some way for the format to go but Samsung, at least, appear to have developed a simple an elegant solution to this problem. So let's see if the UE55F9000 is the bargain that it looks to be on paper.

Design and Connections

The UE55F9000 has a rather traditional appearance for a Samsung TV, with a black brushed metal bezel and a silver trim on the outer edge. The overall look is one of simple elegance combined with classic lines and the build quality is excellent. The bezel, whilst not quite the size zero found on some other Samsung designs, is still narrow at only 1cm wide and there is a retractable built-in camera at the top. The chassis itself has a bit more girth than we're used to on edge-lit LED screens, clocking in at 3.5cm, whilst the entire display weighs 25kg. The UE55F9000 sits on a brushed metal rectangular stand, which is good news for anyone planning on using a soundbar or centre speaker, and has 5cm of clearance. The UE55F9000 can be wall mounted and there is a detachable two pin power cable, which will make this process easier.

On the UE55F9000 itself the only connections are a CI (Common Interface) slot, a USB port and a service port; this is because all the other connections are found on the One Connect box that ships with the TV. This simple idea is a very elegant solution to the issue of future proofing the UE55F9000 and once the standards of 4K UHD have been agreed and HDMI 2.0 has been introduced, it will be an easy task to replace the connection box with one that meets the new standards. As an added advantage, it also make for much tidier cable management and if you're wall mounting, there are only two cables going to the display itself. Samsung use a proprietary cable to connect the box to the display and whilst the one provided is quite long, you will be able to buy longer runs from Samsung to aid with installation. In terms of actual connections on the box, there are four HDMI inputs (including ARC and MHL support), along with all the legacy connections, an aerial socket, two satellite connectors, two USB ports, an Ethernet port, an IR extender, a service port, a 3.5mm audio jack and an optical digital output. We really liked the One Connect box and our only criticism would be that it gets quite hot over a prolonged period of time.

The UE55F9000 comes with two remote controls, the first of which is a standard black plastic affair, familiar from any number of Samsung TVs but slightly shrunken down to the proportions of your average Blu-ray player remote. Samsung would prefer you to use the included touch pad remote which uses RF to connect and includes basic controls along with a touch pad. There is also a built-in microphone which is used for voice control and definitely beats shouting across the room. We certainly found the touch pad useful for navigating the Smart TV System but despite offering a graphical representation of the full remote onscreen, we found that for basic controls the old school remote was a lot quicker and easier.

Unlike most of the other 4K UHD TVs on the market, the UE55F9000 uses active shutter 3D. It comes with two pairs of RF glasses that are very light and have very little tint to the lenses, which means that images in 3D appear more accurate and brighter. However, we did find them to be a little fragile, an unfortunate side effect of their lightness, and we also didn't like the fact that can't fold the arms of the frames in. The lenses are reasonably large and just about fit over regular glasses but the lack of any sides to the frames means they can't block out ambient light, making them susceptible to flicker. The glasses provided with the UE55F9000 use batteries but you can also buy an optional USB rechargeable version if you prefer.

Menus

The UE55F9000 uses the same menu layout featured in most of Samsung's TVs for the last couple of years. The menu system is very responsive to navigate and provides some useful guidance for what the various settings do or, at least, that they’re supposed to. The main menu offers a basic set of options including Picture, Sound, Broadcasting, Network,Smart Features, System and Support but within these main choices are a large number of sub-menus.

The Picture menu offers a choice of four types of Viewing Mode - Standard, Natural, Dynamic and Movie. The latter is designed to approximate industry standards and thus it should offer the most accurate out-of-the-box setting. Both the Picture Mode and the Sound Mode can be accessed directly using the Toolsbutton on the remote control. There are also all the usual basic controls that you would expect to find on any LED TV such as Backlight, Contrast, Brightness, Sharpness, Colour and Tint. From the Picture menu, you can access sub menus for Picture Size, 3D, Advanced Settings and Picture Options. You can also apply your calibrated picture mode to other inputs, although it didn't appear to copy the white balance or colour space settings which kind of defeats the object.

Within the Advanced Settings are all the key calibration controls, starting with Gamma which globally adjusts gamma across the entire image. Then there's a choice of a two-point White Balance control or a ten-point White Balance control which will allow for very accurate calibration of the greyscale. Finally, there's an option called Colour Space which gives you a choice between Auto, Native and Custom; if you choose Custom you have access to a full Colour Management System (CMS).

Features

The UE55F9000 includes Samsung's superb Smart TV platform and uses a powerful quad-core processor that significantly boosts the performance with faster access to Smart features, higher quality video streaming and true multitasking capabilities. Samsung's Smart Hub remains a class leader, intelligently organising and managing all your content into five easy to navigate panels. The intuitive interface uses thumbnails to provide instant previews to help you quickly and easily select what you want to watch. The five panels include 'On TV', 'Films & TV Shows', 'Photos, Videos & Music', 'Social' and 'Apps'.

One area where Samsung have developed a clear lead is in terms of video-on-demand services and they are currently the only manufacturer to offer all the major catch-up and streaming services. There are apps for BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4OD and Demand 5, along with Netflix, LoveFilm and Blinkbox. In addition Samsung have recently added Wuaki.tv to the list of services they offer on their Smart TV platform, so it really does offer a one-stop shop when it comes to video-on-demand. There's also YouTube and Vimeo of course, which can be handy for taking full advantage of the UE55F9000, as here you can find some actual 4K content to watch.

Samsung's remote app is very impressive this year and there are versions for both iOS and Android, although we found the Apple version worked best. When we launched the app it immediately started streaming live TV and offered both a simplified and full version of the remote control. It also included a touchpad, a microphone feature for voice control and a full keyboard, so it's only a matter of time before your smartphone or tablet becomes the primary remote control. Overall we found the 2013 version of Samsung's Smart TV System to be absolutely superb, setting a reference to which other manufacturers will aspire - a full in-depth review can be found here.

Audio Quality

In terms of the sound quality, Samsung are clearly aware of the limitations of slim TVs and have been working hard to improve the performance in this area. The addition of greater amplification helps, as does the wider chassis where subwoofers have been included. The UE55F9000 includes two speakers at 2 x 15W and two subwoofers at 2 x 20W, which allows for a much improved audio performance. The larger screen size also helps create a greater sense of stereo separation and as a result the UE55F9000 could create a much better soundstage than many slimline TVs. Whilst you can't ultimately cheat the laws of physics, the sound quality has certainly been improving this year, with clear dialogue and well delivered music and effects.

Test Results

As is aways the case with Samsung TVs, the best out-of-the-box choice is the Movie mode, which will deliver a performance that matches the industry standards as closely as possible for a factory setting. A list of suggested settings based on the measurements taken during the review can be found here.

The UE55F9000 delivered a very good greyscale performance out-of-the-box, with only some minor discolouration at the higher end of the scale. This was due to a slight excess of green and a deficit of blue, resulting in a slight yellow caste. The gamma was tracking just above our target of 2.2 at the lower end of the scale but was spot on from 50 to 100 IRE. The colour gamut performance was also impressive, with all the colours measuring close to their targets and combined DeltaEs (errors) below the threshold of three. Overall this is an excellent performance and given the available calibration controls we would expect to improve this still further.

The UE55F9000 includes both a two and a ten-point white balance control, so it was a simple task to get all three primary colours to measure in equal amounts. This resulted in errors that were well below the acuity of the human eye, delivering a smooth transition from black to white that was free of discolouration. The gamma was still tracking slightly above our target of 2.2 in the darker part of the image but this didn't adversely affect the picture and overall this is a reference performance.

The CMS employed by Samsung on their TVs is extremely effective and we were able to deliver a reference performance when measured at 100% saturation. All the colours were hitting their targets for Rec.709 precisely, whilst white was measuring at its target of D65. There was a tiny amount of under-saturation in red but, just like the greyscale, this is a reference performance overall.

The measurements used for calibrating the colour gamut are taken at 100% saturation but looking at the performance of a display at lower saturation levels can often reveal issues that might not be present in the fully saturated measurements. This was the case with the UE55F9000, where despite red being slightly under-saturated at 100%, it proved to be a little over-saturated at lower stimulus levels. This was especially true around 25% which is the area affecting white skin tones and could sometimes be seen with real world material where flesh tones would appear slightly reddish. However, the other colours were tracking very close to their targets and overall the colour performance was very good.

Whilst this is undoubtedly something of a lottery, in the case of our review sample the backlight uniformity was excellent, with no bright edges or obvious pooling. This general uniformity in the backlight was evidenced by the ANSI graphic shown above, where the various measurements for the black and white squares are reasonably consistent. Samsung are using a SPVA panel on the UE55F9000 and in our testing we measured the native black level at 0.05cd/m2 which is very good for a LCD TV. The UE55F9000 includes Samsung's Smart LED local dimming feature and unsurprisingly when activated the measured black levels reduced to 0.01cd/m2 in the low and standard settings and 0cd/m2 in the high setting. The UE55F9000 is also bright and we had no problems hitting our target of 120cd/m2 for white, which resulted in a very good on/off contrast ratio of 2,000:1 and a suitably wide dynamic range. The ANSI contrast ratio was also quite impressive, coming in at 1,529:1. The use of a SPVA panel may deliver better blacks but it also resulted in a narrow optimum viewing angle. Anything outside a 90 degree radius began to look a bit washed out, so correct placement will be critical, especially since the panel can't be swivelled.

The video processing on the UE55F9000 is especially important because for the time being, all the content you will be watching on it will be upscaled to the native 4K panel. Thankfully the video processing was absolutely superb, with all the content we watched being deinterlaced and scaled perfectly to match the 4K panel. The UE55F9000 proved extremely competent at deinterlacing and scaling standard definition content, with clear and crisp reproduction of fine details and no unwanted ringing. The Samsung also had no problems detecting both 3:2 and 2:2 cadence correctly and, as long as the Auto2 Film Mode was selected, scrolling video text over film was also delivered perfectly. The UE55F9000 aced all the other tests as well, delivering an almost flawless performance in every regard. The quality of the video deinterlacing at 1080i50 was just as good as it was for standard definition and there were no apparent issues with 24p content. All this content was perfectly scaled to match the panel and we saw none of the frame stutter of motion handling issues that have manifested on other Samsung models. In fact we found the overall motion handling to be quite impressive for a LCD TV and even fast moving sport looked quite good.

• Standby: 0W

The following measurements were taken with a full screen 50% white pattern:

• Out-of-the-Box – Normal Mode: 160W
• Calibrated – Professional Mode: 159W
• Calibrated - 3D Mode: 222W

Picture Quality - 4K

Obviously the big selling point of the UE55F9000 is the inclusion of a native UHD panel but, as always, the problem lies in a lack of actual native 4K content. There's no doubt that the content will come, with a number of satellite providers already testing 4K broadcasts and Netflix talking about streaming 4K content by 2015. Once the standards have been agreed for 4K we can expect to see more announcements in this area and the Blu-ray Disc Association is looking at a 4K addition to the Blu-ray standard, so we will hopefully see a disc-based delivery system in the next two years. In the meantime we are limited to some 4K test footage that we have for review purposes, along with some content on YouTube and 4K still images. As always, when actually watching native 4K content on a UHD TV the results are spectacular, with a beautifully detailed image and no visible pixel structure. However, we would probably say that 55 inches is about as small as a 4K panel can be before the benefits are largely lost and it's on the bigger screen sizes that the format will prove most popular. At least with the F9000, you're safe in the knowledge that once the format's standards have been agreed and HDMI 2.0 has been released, it will be a relatively simple process to upgrade your new TV.

Picture Quality - 2D

So in the absence of any real 4K content, it's good old-fashioned high definition and maybe even standard definition that will be forming the majority of your viewing material for the foreseeable future. Thankfully the video processing and especially the scaling of lower resolution content to match the native 4K panel is excellent. It would seem that Samsung have also been making improvements to the video processing in general because with the UE55F9000 we didn't experience any of the frame stutter or 24p issues that we've noticed on previous models. In fact the overall motion handling was very good, especially for a LCD TV and there was no need to resort to the Motion Plus frame interpolation feature. Once you add in the highly accurate greyscale and colour gamut, the result is a genuinely impressive image, with clean and detailed images that take full advantage of the increased pixel density. When watching Blu-rays ,in particular, we could see that edges were smoother as the scaling took advantage of the 4K panel, thus reducing jaggies or stair-stepping. As a result even though you know that the UE55F9000 can't add extra detail to a 1080p source, the image does appear more defined and thus detailed.

The backlight uniformity on our sample was very good, although we appreciate this can be a lottery, and the S-PVA panel delivered decent blacks for a LCD panel. However the use of an S-PVA panel also means that the Samsung has a narrow optimum viewing angle and thus care should be taken when installing the TV, especially as it doesn't swivel. The UE55F9000 includes both Precision Black combined with Samsung's Micro Dimming technology and in the low setting this delivered an improved black level without crushing the blacks or reducing the detail in shadows. There was no evidence of any back door processing, such as noise reduction, on the UE55F9000 but there is also no Cinema Black feature. This is designed to turn off the LEDs in the black bars of 2.35:1 movies but we found it could result in brightness fluctuations. However we didn't find ourselves missing the feature because the local dimming did a superb job of producing deep blacks throughout the entire image. As a result the picture looked good both during the day and at night when black levels become more important. We watched a great deal of standard definition and 1080i content from Freeview, along with content from Netflix and on Blu-ray and overall the images looked excellent.

Picture Quality - 3D

The UE55F9000 is the first 4K UHD TV we have seen that uses active shutter 3D, as opposed to passive, and the results were generally very impressive. Samsung claim that by not having to use the passive filter they can deliver a brighter image and more perceived detail because of the use of the entire panel for both eyes. The 3D was certainly impressive and the combination of the new glasses, improved processing, higher resolution panel and the brighter picture all combined to deliver a truly immersive experience. When it came to side-by-side 3D broadcasts the UE55F9000 performed very well and when we moved on to 3D Blu-rays, things got even better, with no crosstalk and an image that had an incredible sense of detail and depth, with many objects having a real three dimensional 'pop' to them. The smooth motion handling and lack of judder or flicker were also impressive and we were glad to see that the backdoor frame interpolation evident on the F8000 has been removed on the F9000. During the testing, we watched a number of 3D Blu-rays, including the recently released The Great Gatsby, along with old favourites like The Hobbit and Hugo. All looked superb with Baz Luhrmann's hallucinogenic three dimensional visuals in The Great Gatsby were a particular highpoint, as they drew you into his fevered and highly stylised version of the 1920s.

Conclusion

9

Pros

• Impressive blacks and contrast ratio
• Good backlight uniformity
• Excellent greyscale and colour out-of-the-box
• Reference greyscale and colour after calibration
• Genuine future-proofing
• Excellent video processing
• Comprehensive calibration controls
• Quad-core processing
• Well designed and responsive menu system
• Reference Smart TV System
• Very effective remote app
• Twin tuners for both Freeview and satellite
• Built-in WiFi and camera
• Touch pad remote control
• Two pairs of 3D glasses

Cons

• Limited viewing angles

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Samsung UE55F9000 55 Inch 4K Ultra HD LED LCD TV Review

After some fairly avant garde designs from the Korean manufacturer recently, it comes as a pleasant surprise to discover that the UE55F9000 has such a traditional look. The simple black bezel and silver trim provide some classic styling, whilst the standard rectangular stand will be a hit with those looking to add a soundbar or centre speaker. As a flagship Samsung TV the build quality is excellent and the UE55F9000 comes with all the accessories you would expect including two remotes, two pairs of glasses, twin tuners, built-in WiFi, quad-core processing and an integrated camera. The first clue that the F9000 is different from the majority of its stable-mates is the inclusion of the One Connect box, an ingenious solution to the problem of 4K's developing standards. The majority of the inputs are on this box, which is then connected to the F9000 via a proprietary cable, thus providing a simple way to future proof the TV. Once the standards have been agreed, all Samsung need do is send out a replacement box and the F9000 will be immediately up to spec. It's an elegant solution which makes you wonder why more manufacturers haven't thought of it.

In terms of the other features, the 55UEF9000 includes Samsung's reference Smart TV platform, which is both comprehensive and, thanks to the inclusion of quad-core processing, very responsive. There is also Samsung's Smart Evolution feature that allows for another level of future-proofing in terms of the software and processing. The menu system remains a perfect example of clarity and intuitive navigation and, as always, there are extensive calibration controls. The out-of-the-box accuracy was very good and, after calibration, a reference level of accuracy could be achieved. Samsung have beefed up the sound on the F9000 and thanks to a slightly deeper chassis, the audio was actually quite good for a modern TV. The video processing was also excellent, with the F9000 perfectly scaling all content up to the native resolution of its 4K panel. The backlight uniformity was good and the black levels were excellent for a LCD TV, although the optimum viewing angles are quite limited. The power consumption was slighter higher than Samsung's comparable 1080p models, as was the input lag, which might be the result of the increased processing requirements.

Whilst there remains a lack of actual 4K content, what little we had for testing looked spectacular with an incredible level of detail that clearly distinguishes it from regular high definition. Having said that, a 55-inch screen is probably the smallest screen size that would actually benefit from the increased resolution and 4K UHD will undoubtedly be primarily used with larger screen sizes. When it came to watching 1080p content the results were almost as impressive, thanks to some very effective video processing, and all content appeared to benefit from the screen's higher pixel density. In fact, even standard definition looked very watchable and it would seem that Samsung have ironed out all the processing issues that have plagued previous models. Unlike the competition, Samsung are using active shutter 3D on their 4K UHD TVs and the results were superb, with bright and detailed images that had plenty of depth and were free of crosstalk.

Overall the Samsung UE55F9000 delivers a superb all-round performance, utilising its higher resolution screen to good effect with standard and high definition content and providing a genuine degree of future-proofing. The premium you'll pay for a 4K panel is falling all the time and if you're in the market for a new TV then the UE55F9000 looks like a very tempting proposition. All the features of a flagship TV and the inclusion of a 4K panel, all for a very reasonable price... welcome to the revolution.