Samsung Quantum Dot TVs

Every time I get the opportunity to check out a Samsung TV demo, I leave impressed with just how bright and colorful they are. Our customers love Samsung TVs, too, and that reputation is earned in great part from their advanced neural processing and the vibrant color provided by their Quantum Dot panels.

Samsung enhances all of their QLED and Neo QLED TVs with Quantum Dot nanotechnology to really dial up the color, giving their TVs a reputation for a punchy, vivid picture. That's what the "Q" stand for.

"Quantum Dot" sounds pretty sci-fi, but what exactly does it mean? And do Quantum Dots make a difference for your picture quality? In short, yes. Let's talk about how.

What is Quantum Dot technology?

Quantum Dots are a powerful color-boosting technology that injects life into your favorite movies, shows, and games. This technology uses a special film layer of light-reactive nanocrystals that help deliver brilliant color at any brightness level. Each ultra-tiny nanocrystal boosts the light of a different wavelength. This widens and intensifies a TV's color range for higher levels of saturation than otherwise possible.

Quantum Dot TVs have a special film of nanocrystals that amplify light and color to provide a gorgeous boost in picture quality.

Basically, light from the back of the TV hits tiny crystal particles and these "dots" then re-emit the colors of light they were each designed to amplify. The relative size of each dot determines what type of light is amplified, and the overall film is filled with countless nanocrystals to cover a broad spectrum of colors. And because of how this color amplification works, increased brightness doesn't wash out colors in the process. You can view all of that rich color detail at full brightness.

QLED vs. LED

A standard LCD-LED TV can be direct-lit, edge-lit, or full-array with local dimming (FALD). This refers to the number of LED backlights in your TV and where they are located. Different backlight technologies impact a TV's picture quality and consequently, they're also a major determining factor in a TV's cost. Basically, the more lights in the back of your TV and the more control your TV has over those lights, the greater range of contrast the TV can display.

Direct-lit LED TVs have lights placed throughout the TV's back panel. These inexpensive TVs are pretty bright, but all the lights are controlled simultaneously, limiting overall contrast. Edge-lit LED TVs have lights built along two sides of the TV. They may not be as bright, but most edge-lit TVs support local dimming. Full-array technology has more LEDs built into the panel than direct-lit, and support for local dimming provides a greater level of precision, with more "lighting zones" than the best edge-lit TV.

All of Samsung's QLED TVs improve upon underlying backlight technology. All things being equal, a TV with Quantum Dot technology has richer, brighter colors than an equivalent TV using the same type of backlight without Quantum Dots.

Samsung's QLED TVs offer a bright, colorful upgrade over standard LED TVs with their famous Quantum Dot technology.

Samsung estimates that their Quantum Dot technology can increase the color gamut of their TVs by up to 50 percent. As a quick example, their QLED TVs are capable of producing more than a billion shades of color. Samsung has an impressive selection of QLED TVs available at a wide range of different prices and sizes, making it easy to take advantage of this technology.

Samsung Neo QLED TVs

The brightest and most beautiful of Samsung's LED-based TVs are their Neo QLEDs like the QN80H. The QN80H gets it stellar, detailed picture by combining Quantum Dots with a sophisticated backlight system made up of a vast array of Mini LEDs. And its picture is bright enough to cut through the ambient light of a sunny room. When combined with its anti-glare screen, you don't need to worry about where you place this TV.

The Neo QLED line of TVs are Samung's best-looking LED-based TVs.

Samsung's Neo QLEDs are also equipped with all the conveniences you've come to expect from a premium smart TV. The QN80H features music streaming with Bluetooth, a Smart Hub that makes finding your favorite video services easier, multiple options for voice control, and more. Plus if you're a gamer, you've got a full suite of 4K/120 Hz ports and easy access to cloud gaming services like Xbox Game Pass (subscription required). This TV can even analyze your room's ambient noise and enhances voices in the scene so you don't lose quiet lines of dialogue in the mix.

QLED vs. Neo QLED

So what makes Samsung's Neo QLED TVs look so amazing? Well, it has a lot to do with how those "Mini LEDs" work. Mini LED TVs pack in literally thousands of ultra-tiny lights, covering practically every inch of their back panel.

There are several times more lights in a Mini LED TV versus even a full-array LED TV. And all of Samsung's Neo QLEDs come with local dimming, so that vast collection of tiny backlights is controlled with incredible precision.

Neo QLED TVs are filled to the brim with thousands of itty bitty LEDs for incredible detail and contrast.

Mini LED technology allows for an amazing level of control for stunning detail and contrast. This advanced form of backlighting helps the fine detail in your picture to really pop. And just like how a QLED TV uses Quantum Dots to step up the color in comparison to a regular LED TV, so too do the Neo QLEDs. This makes Samsung's Neo QLED lineup some of the sharpest-looking TVs on the market right now.

Pair your TV with an Atmos sound bar system

Samsung offers an excellent line of powered sound bars to add some serious "oomph" to their gorgeous TVs. These bars cover a wide range of budgets and space requirements. The majority of their bars include a powerful wireless subwoofer to add extra impact to the action onscreen. And while they sound great paired up with almost any TV, they're almost all designed to play extra nice with Samsung's TVs.

Samsung's sound bars provide powerful home theater sound in a streamlined package.

A common feature of Samsung's premium bars is Q-Symphony. This technology allows the sound bar to coordinate with a compatible Samsung TV's speakers, working in concert for a fuller soundstage. You can find Q-Symphony on bars ranging from the moderately priced yet feature-packed HW-Q600F to the powerful HW-Q800F.

Bars like the HW-Q800F even let you pass a wireless Dolby Atmos signal from a compatible Samsung TV, for a cleaner, more convenient set up. And other features like SpaceFit use a connected Samsung TV's processing power to adjust the sound to better match your room for greater immersion.

Samsung's most expansive sound bar system, though, is the HW-Q990F. This 11.1.4-channel combo features a slim, speaker-packed bar, compact sub, and a pair of wireless speakers with both side- and up-firing drivers for overhead and wraparound sound effects. This system conveniently packs in everything you need for room-filling Dolby Atmos sound, without a lengthy installation or taking up a ton of space.

Samsung's HW-Q990F sound bar system fills your room with immersive surround sound to match their excellent TVs.

Get started today!

Samsung carries an excellent range of TVs. Our TV buying guide can help you sort through common TV features and our TV sizes and viewing distance article will point you towards the right size TV for your space. And if you're new to having a 4K TV, we also have an article that will let you everything you need to know to get the most out of 4K

There's a lot of info out there and picking up a new TV can be a big undertaking, so if you need a extra little guidance picking out the right TV for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our friendly Advisors. And don't forget that free lifetime tech support is included with your Crutchfield purchase.