The IFA consumer technology show is not usually used as a platform for new TV set announcements as most brands reveal their line ups at the beginning of the year at CES. That said IFA’s press conferences did throw up a few noteworthy announcements around UHD TV and of course ‘the curve’!
Samsung has extended its line-up of curved TVs over the last few months to 17 models ranging in size from 48 to 75-inches and at IFA today the company announced the launch of a 105-inch UHD version with 11 million pixels, 21:9 aspect ratio and five times the resolution of Full HD. Samsung also announced the launch of the world’s first curved soundbars designed to accompany its 55 and 65-inch curved sets. The HW-H7500 soundbar is expected to be priced at $799.99. Samsung also showed off a bendable curved 105” UHD TV at its press conference which is set to become available in Europe later this year. The set allows a consumer to control the curvature of the screen at the touch of a button. (Samsung had shown an 85-inch bendable TV prototype at CES earlier this year).
Sony meanwhile has used IFA to give us a first look at its curved UHD debut – the 65 and 75” S9005B series. The curvature of the sets is much more subtle than that employed by Samsung and others, while the rounded edges of the bezel, which house the speakers, give the sets a stylish look.
TP Vision (under its Philips brand) is placing a big focus on TV at this year’s IFA and has also joined the curved set party by announcing the 8900 55-inch, Android powered (4.2.2 Jelly Bean) curved UHD display. The set incorporates Philips’ Ambilight technology on 3 sides while recent upgrades to Ambilight means fast moving scenes are free from motion blur. Pricing was not available but the set is expected to be in stores in Europe later this month.
In UHD TV news, Samsung announced a new partnership with 20th Century Fox to securely distribute UHD content using SCSA (Secure Content Storage Association) content security standards. The company also confirmed plans to launch Amazon’s UHD VOD service in October along with confirming European deals with other major UHD content partners Netflix, Maxdome, Wuaki.tv and CHILI.
TCL is using IFA to present its new 55-inch UHD TV using Quantum Dot (QD) technology for a fuller colour representation while Panasonic and Toshiba will also be exhibiting new UHD TV ranges at IFA and I’ll be checking them out tomorrow.
David Watkins