Samsung Unveils The Wall for Virtual Production at InfoComm 2023.
Samsung’s unparalleled features for any commercial environment, including virtual production, will be on display and available at the largest audiovisual conference.
Samsung Electronics America an industry leader in the global display market announced its new digital signage lineup, including The Wall Virtual Production, Samsung’s Interactive Display – WAC Series, Samsung Kiosk, Windows Edition, along with other new display solutions at InfoComm 2023, in Orlando.
“Technology is a vital part of any business, and our innovative signage lineup that’s on display at InfoComm is helping business across every industry grow,” James Fishler, Senior Vice President Display and Home Entertainment, Samsung Electronics America. “The newest addition to The Wall lineup is especially exciting, helping make production easier on TV, film and other creative industries by making production faster and easier.”
New Display technology featured on-site includes
The Wall for Virtual Production
Samsung unveiled a dedicated display The Wall for Virtual Production available globally from June 14.
“Virtual production studios can use ultra-large LED walls to create virtual content, integrating them with real-time visual effects technology to reduce the time and cost of content production,” said David Phelps, Vice President Display, Samsung Electronics America. “The Wall for Virtual Production leads the market in the application of this technology.”
The Wall for Virtual Production LED display has pixel pitch options of P1.68 and P2.1. It supports dedicated studio frame rates (23.976, 29.97, and 59.94Hz) while supporting gen-locking to synchronize the screen with a camera’s video signal. A high refresh rate of up to 12,288Hz, 1,500 max brightness, 35,000:1 fixed contrast ratio (for P2.1), and up to 170-degree wide angle enables incredible picture quality for virtual content.
The Wall for Virtual Production is based on modular technology for a variety of installation options, including a flat-screen or up to 6,000R curvature, based on the production environment and needs. It can be hung or stacked with other screens and is protected against dust and particles that are common in production environments.
The integrated Virtual Production Management (VPM) solution makes it easy to manage the screen and ensure high-quality pictures with an easy interface. To display high-quality colors accurately and consistently, The Wall for Virtual Production uses 3D lookup tables (LUTs) for color correction, wide color HDR gamut change, and color adjustment between individual cabinets or modules. The VPM can also detect any LED issues for easier troubleshooting.
Samsung will be collaborating with Lux Machina, a pioneer of Virtual Production and modern ICVFX(In-Camera Visual Effects), to showcase The Wall for use in Virtual Production. Lux Machina has implemented technology like this in television series like The Mandalorian and House of the Dragon as well as Broadcast events like the League of Legends World Championship, NFL Honors, and The ACM Awards.
“The Wall has been designed for Virtual Production.” says Zach Alexander, President of Lux Machina, “With a high refresh rate, true color representation, and a wide viewing angle, we believe that display technologies like this could help usher in the next generation of visual effects, making it that much easier for studios to deliver high quality Virtual Production projects.”
Samsung has been working with Wētā FX as a technical partner and will continue to work with them in the future. Wētā FX is a New Zealand-based digital visual effects company that has produced some of the highest-grossing films ever made, such as the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Avatar, and Avatar: The Way of Water.
“Samsung The Wall provides unparalleled picture quality as well as absolute blackness which is ideal for shooting content virtually. We know Samsung will be a valuable partner and innovator that will continue to propel the virtual production industry forward,” said Kimball Thruston, Wētā FX CTO. “We look forward to working with them in the industry and in our own projects later this year.”
The All-New Samsung QxC Series Crystal UHD Signage
In addition to The Wall, Samsung is introducing its full lineup of 20 new models in the globally available QxC Series Crystal UHD Signage Series. The displays feature significant upgrades in design and performance for unparalleled features and picture quality in any commercial environment.
The QxC lineup includes five QHC displays with 700 nits of brightness (75”, 65”, 55”, 50”, 43”), eight QMC displays with 500 nits of brightness (98”, 85”, 75”, 65”, 55”, 50”, 43”, 32”) and seven QBC displays with 350 nits of brightness (98”, 85”, 75”, 65”, 55”, 50”, 43”).
The bezels on the QxC series are consistent and even on all four sides of the display, using the same thickness and dimensions to create a symmetrical design. The VESA mounting holes are in the center of the displays to ensure secure mounting. The series is 28.5mm thick, 40% slimmer than the previous model.
All QxC displays offer an easy and intuitive new user interface, 4K UHD resolution, Tizen 7.0 for optimized performance of web services and industry-leading durability. SmartView+ wirelessly connects the displays to up to six devices at once, while anti-glare panels minimize light reflection for an unimpeded viewing experience. Plus, all QxC models have an Eco Sensor that can detect the brightness of the surrounding environment and optimize the brightness of the display accordingly.
Samsung ushers in the era of The Wall All-in-One LED displays
Samsung is also unveiling The Wall All-in-One LED (Model name: IAC), a 130-inch full HD LED screen with 16:9 ratio. Its pre-assembled frame kit allows users to install the display simply by hanging it on the wall.
The Wall All-in-One LED has a slim 56mm design (up to 64mm with the Slim Fit Wall Mount). The screen provides 1,000 nits of peak brightness and a 3,840 Hz refresh rate for stunning video quality. The built-in Samsung S-Box for integrated media play and Microsoft 365 deliver the commercial tools to make the most out of the large LED display in business environments.
Samsung Interactive Display – WAC Series reimagines classroom teaching
The new Samsung Interactive Display (Model name: WAC), which leverages Android OS and provides intuitive usability, will be available for InfoComm attendees to experience in person. Designed with the needs of educators in mind, the WAC Series enables educators to customize their home screen user interfaces (UI), activate multiple screens, share up to nine displays at once regardless of OS or device, and utilize intelligent education apps to enrich student learning. Users can also take advantage of the integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Unveiled in 65-, 75- and 86-inch models, the WAC Series is built to integrate into any classroom setting. Its connectivity is enhanced with a 3-in-1 USB-C port, which enables hassle-free screen connection, touch control, and external device charging (max. 65W). In addition, the HDMI output function allows teachers to share content on a bigger screen, particularly useful in a lecture theater. The added capabilities of WAC Interactive foster greater skills development for all students while helping enhance teaching practices.
Samsung and its partner, Cisco, a worldwide leader in technology that powers the Internet, will further illustrate how Interactive Displays are set to transform all levels of education with the launch of Cisco’s The Room Bar Pro, a new visual communication (VC) device. The Room Bar Pro links up to three displays for greater collaboration and video conferencing, and now connects to Interactive Displays, enabling remote learners to see active whiteboarding wherever they are. As schools continue to embrace hybrid learning, these added capabilities ensure that all students remain engaged and productive throughout the day.
Beyond the classroom, Samsung’s partnership with Logitech underscores how the launch of the Rally Bar Huddle, a new, lower-priced VC device, aims to modernize huddle spaces and smaller meeting rooms. The product eliminates the use of a PC to run a meeting as popular conferencing tools such as Microsoft and Zoom are already supported. Logitech will host an on-site demonstration of the technology, walking through how the Rally Bar Huddle is a cost-efficient meeting solution that works with Samsung’s Interactive Displays. In addition, the company will further illustrate how the Rally Bar runs Microsoft Teams on other Samsung Displays.
Industry-First Carbon Footprint Certification From TUV Rheinland
Separately, Samsung Electronics announced that its 2023 Smart Signage lineup has earned a series of certifications for environmentally preferable products from highly recognized institutes in Germany and the U.S.
The 2023 Smart Signage (QMC Model) and The Wall All-in-One (IAB Model) have become the first signage models to receive a product carbon footprint certification from TÜV Rheinland, a global testing body. Established in 1872 and headquartered in Cologne, Germany, TÜV Rheinland provides quality and safety certification services to multiple industries.
The organization calculates its carbon footprint certification by evaluating the number of greenhouse gases generated throughout the entire product lifecycle, ranging from production to disposal, based on internationally recognized standards. The certification from TÜV Rheinland follows another recent and notable recognition for Samsung from the Carbon Trust.
The 2023 Smart Signage (QMC Model) has also earned an ENERGY STAR 8.0 certification from the Environmental Protection Agency for its energy efficiency and an Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) certification in recognition of its eco-conscious efforts, such as its recycled plastic use.
