The biggest news we've seen come out of CES so far isn't exactly the biggest thing. In fact, it's a relatively small thing, but it'll no doubt have a massive impact on the future of home display technology.
We've told you in the past about MicroLED video walls--gargantuan, modular displays, each pixel of which is comprised of individual LEDs. At this year's CEDIA, we saw MicroLED walls that would literally dwarf many a commercial cinema, much less home cinemas.
That's what makes Samsung's new 75-inch MicroLED such a big (um, little?) deal. If Samsung is showing off the technology at sizes this small, it's a pretty safe bet that they're getting ready to bring MicroLED into the home, in addition to its existing commercial-facing applications.
Of course, the company also showed off The Wall in 219-inch form, just to remind attendees that MicroLED isn't constrained by conventional notions of screen size. But it's the little guy that really grabs our attention, and no doubt we'll be talking about MicroLED a lot more in the coming months.
More details directly from Samsung:
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today introduced its latest innovations in modular MicroLED display technology during its annual First Look CES event at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The revolutionary new Micro LED technology designs featured at the event included: a new 75" display, a 219" The Wall as well as other various groundbreaking sizes, shapes and configurations for a next-generation modular Micro LED display - a 2019 CES Best of Innovation Award winner.
"For decades, Samsung has led the way in next-generation display innovation," said Jonghee Han, President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "Our Micro LED technology is at the forefront of the next screen revolution with intelligent, customizable displays that excel in every performance category. Samsung Micro LED has no boundaries, only endless possibilities."
Featuring self-emissive technology and modular capabilities, Samsung's Micro LED displays deliver unparalleled picture quality, versatility and design. These transformative TV displays are made up of individual 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 colors on screen - delivering unmatched picture quality that surpasses any display technology currently available on the market.
At last year's CES, Samsung introduced Micro LED by unveiling The Wall, the critically acclaimed, award-winning 146" Micro LED display. Due to the technical advancements in the ultra-fine pitch semiconductor packaging process that narrow the gap between the microscopic LED chips, Samsung has been able to create a stunning 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 customize it to fit any room or space. By adding Micro LED modules, users can expand their display to any size they desire. The modular 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 suits their spatial, aesthetic and functional needs.
Samsung's Micro LED technology also optimizes the content no matter the size and shape of the screen. Even when adding more modules, Samsung Micro LED displays can scale to increase the resolution -- all while keeping the pixel density constant. Additionally, Micro LED can support everything from the standard 16:9 content, to 21:9 widescreen films, to unconventional aspect 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 modules - even when you add more. The result is a seamless, stunning infinity pool effect that allows the display to elegantly blend into any living environment. The possibilities for eye-catching designs are enhanced by new Ambient Mode features.
For more detail on Samsung's 2019 QLED 8K and MicroLED lines, please visit booth #15006 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center during CES 2019 (January 8-11, 2019).
Additional Resources
• Adieu, CES at HomeTheaterReview.com.
• CEDIA Expo 2018 Show Highlights at HomeTheaterReview.com.