[Future Business Forum] Samsung Integrates 'AI' into TV... Chip, Not Panel, Determines Image Quality

Neo QLED 8K TV
On-Device AI Technology Implementation

Isn't it enough for a TV to have good picture quality and clear sound? Is the AI feature really necessary? Won't it just make the price more expensive?

A Samsung Electronics model is introducing the 2024 Neo QLED 8K TV new product. [Photo by Samsung Electronics]

Ham Cheol-hee, Master (Senior Vice President) of Samsung Electronics' Visual Display (VD) Division and a panelist at the Asia Future Business Forum, is an expert in developing 'Vision AI' technology for AI TVs such as the Neo QLED 8K TV. Vision AI refers to a function that combines 'computer vision,' which is mainly command-based, with data-driven 'deep learning.' Computer vision is an AI field where computers and systems interpret and analyze visual data to derive meaningful information.

The biggest change viewers can feel by incorporating AI into TVs is picture quality control. It means implementing clearer picture quality through 'System on Chip (SoC)' rather than 'panel competition.' We have entered an era where SoC determines the level of picture quality.

Unlike in the past when TVs were made by attaching panels to cathode ray tubes, modern TVs are equipped with advanced picture quality control technology. They have evolved into sophisticated devices that can be called 'extended computers.' TV performance is primarily influenced by AI technology powered by the processor. Even when using the same panel, the choice of processor can make a significant difference in picture quality performance.

The Neo QLED 8K TV, whose development was led by Senior Vice President Ham, is Samsung Electronics' flagship AI home appliance. The Neo QLED 8K TV contains the 3rd generation AI 8K processor. This AI SoC has been researched and developed by Samsung Electronics since 2020. Thanks to this chip, it is possible to implement 'on-device AI' technology that operates AI functions even without an internet network connection.

The 3rd generation AI 8K processor enhances TV picture and sound quality. The Neo QLED 8K TV includes 512 neural networks, eight times more than the previous year, and a neural processing unit (NPU) that is twice as fast. Neural networks detect areas of focus, analyze objects, people, and specific regions, and enhance contrast to add three-dimensional depth. It also features an upscaling function that converts low-quality images into 8K-level picture quality.

In particular, this TV detects voices using AI. The 'Active Voice Pro' senses differences in volume across content and recognizes voices to ensure that voices on the screen are not drowned out by background sounds. The voices of characters are heard more clearly. It also detects external noise. For example, when watching a movie leisurely on the weekend and a family member uses a vacuum cleaner near the TV, the noise is detected, and the sound is automatically adjusted by increasing only the voices of the characters on the screen so that movie dialogues can be heard clearly.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.