Samsung's New 8K TV Uses AI for Upscaling

If you're looking to buy a new TV in 2018, then 4K is fast becoming the norm and could soon be the only real choice at larger sizes. 4K content is now readily available on disc, there's more 4K content being streamed, and prices of the TV continues to fall. But not one to stand still, Samsung decided it's high time consumers start considering 8K TVs and is rolling out a new model at IFA 2018.

It's called the Samsung Q900R QLED 8K and will be offered in 65-inch, 75-inch, 82-inch, and 85-inch sizes complete with "Real 8K Resolution." You're basically getting a TV with four-times more pixels than 4K, or 16-times more than HD. If that sounds ridiculous, it's because it is ridiculous right now, but will eventually become the standard.

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Samsung is well aware that consumers may be scratching their heads as to why they should buy an 8K TV when there's only HD and 4K content to watch (unless you're in Japan), but the company has an answer for that. We're all used to content being upscaled, just play a standard DVD on a HD TV and the image looks a lot crisper thanks to upscaling. For 8K, though, Samsung went a step further and introduced artificial intelligence.

Each Q900R TV includes a dedicated chip to handle content upscaling coupled with proprietary AI. Samsung claims that this combination allows it to enhance lower resolution content up to the point where it is 8K quality. So while you may be watching a 4K Blu-ray, it will look 8K on the screen. That's the theory, anyway.

As well as the 8K resolution, the Q900R enjoys a brightness of 4,000 nits and supports the HDR10+ standard for enhanced high-dynamic range picture quality. Samsung is also promising intelligent control of connected entertainment devices using the One Remote, and the Q900R uses Samsung's Ambient Mode allowing it to blend in with the surrounding space when not in use.

We should expect the Q900R to appear for sale at the end of September, but pricing has yet to be revealed. I think we all know it's certainly not going to be a cheap TV to own regardless of which size you choose.

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