The way that Filipino households use their television has changed over the past few years.

Long considered as one of the primary sources of news and entertainment, TV is still the media platform with the widest reach in the country (Kantar, 2017). With the advent of wireless connectivity, the relationship Filipinos have with their TVs has evolved into new and more synergistic experiences.

The influx of streaming services and video-on-demand providers has expanded viewers’ choices in content, aside from free TV and cable. Furthermore, high-definition productions of shows and movies have led viewers to seek out high-resolution TV devices, which are expected to have picture quality that portrays each scene just as the film’s director, for example, intended their work to be seen.

These advancements in television use have also changed the standards by which Filipinos choose their next TV. A premium is placed on TVs that can fully immerse a viewer, and the people with whom they share the experience, in what they are seeing on their screens.

Redefining TV viewing experience

All of these functions are available to consumers after multinational conglomerate Samsung, on its 50th anniversary, launched its newest QLED 8K TV, which promises to redefine the viewing experience of Filipinos.

“Over the past years, what we watch, when we watch, and how we watch has fundamentally changed,” said Lauro Guevara, head of product marketing for Samsung TV and Audio. “Today, more consumers are looking to enjoy their favorite content on larger and smarter screens, with minimal image noise, for a viewing experience that is almost true-to-life.”

This QLED 8K TV that features a new Quantum Processor 8K gives consumers a brand-new, never-before-seen experience on premium quality television screens. It provides an experience that becomes fully immersive and crisp, as films and TV shows are meant to be seen.

Al upscaling technology

The Quantum Processor 8K also enables a remarkable Al upscaling technology, which automatically converts lower-resolution content into 8K quality. The Al upscaling technology analyzes​ the quality and resolution of any image – whether it is in 4K, Full HD, HD, or even SD, or watched through a streaming service, HDMI, USB, or even mobile mirroring – and upscales the content to appear in 8K quality.

Aside from optimizing noise reduction, the AI Upscaling function restores the integrity of the smallest of details in a scene to provide greater texture, and sharpens edges of objects and texts for greater clarity. This feature, along with the highest levels of contrast with the Direct Full Array Technology, and dramatically-enhanced, deeper blacks and brighter whites make the QLED 8K Samsung’s best TV to date.

Further, this newest Samsung TV can produce images in greater detail and depth, in 7,680 x 4,320 resolution. It is also available in super large sizes of 75”, 82”, and 98” screens, with over 33 million pixels.

Voice command for TV

Accessing films and shows on TV will now also be different as Bixby on TV, highlight of the 2019 QLED lineup, enables voice command to search for content based on previous viewing preferences.

Samsung Philippines president James Jung, in his opening speech, remarked on the historical relevance of the brand’s groundbreaking TV innovations. “This year is the 50th anniversary of the moment that mankind took his first step on the moon and changed history forever. This year is also Samsung Electronics’ 50th anniversary of meaningful innovations. These milestones provide important context as we introduce a product that we believe will forever change the future of TVs,” he said.

The launch event also marked the entry of Samsung’s 2019 full TV lineup, featuring the new QLED 4K TVs that also have AI upscaling capabilities. A wider selection of 2019 Soundbars, which includes new models that Samsung has developed with audio masters, Harman Kardon, was also featured.

TV innovation in the Digital Age in PH

Many changes are still bound to happen in technology in this day and age, but certainly, not the relevance of TV in the Philippines. With these kinds of innovations, it is no longer just about redefining the TV viewing experiences of every Filipino. This is also about preserving a Filipino tradition, while looking to the current and future needs of this digital world.

Check out this video during the launch of Samsung QLED 8K TV.