Samsung Unveils A Bendable TV And Its Curved, 105-inch Ultra HD TV
Samsung has shown off its new beandable TV, an 85-inch (216 centimeters) prototype that adjusts the curvature of its screen with the use of a remote control.
The LED set was debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. LG has also introduced a smaller 77-inch (196 centimeters) flexible TV that is organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology-based. Both Samsung and LG suggest that a curved screen enhances the viewer's experience.
The technology allows the owners to determine how bent they want the screens should be taking into account the number of persons watching them and how far they are sitting from the TV. The screens would have an additional benefit from being able to flat against a wall when not in use. LG's TV has also appeared on show at the company's CES booth.
However, industry experts are not convinced there is a market for this innovation. "The challenge for the companies is to show that the world really needs it," Martin Garner, a TV tech consultant from CCS Insight, said at the CES.
"However, it is a nice try at differentiation."
Neither Samsung nor LG, two South Korean manufacturers, gave an estimate price or release date for the bendable TVs. Both offer versions and showed off new giant sized 105-inch (267 centimeters) concaved screened variants in an extra wide aspect ratio of 21:9.
With a mechanical system that pushes out the TV's edges, it's strange to see an 85-inch TV bend before their eyes and though it is a very impressive demo, the added cost and questionable improvements means the prototype may not see the light of day as an end-user product.
A Samsung executive said the technology gives the viewer a 3D-like effect without having to wear 3D glasses. Samsung called its use of post-processing tools to adjust input image as the "auto depth enhancer" and analyses images to recognize parts of the image in the background and foreground. It boosts contrast in areas to separate planes. Features also included enhanced micro-dimming LED panels and in addition to the 105-inch curved television, Samsung will also offer 78, 65 and 55-inch curved 4K LCD televisions.