Sometimes it seems as if the world of flatscreen displays is dense with terminology that is deliberately created to mislead – from endless, deceptively similar acronyms to old tech rebranded with new jargony monikers.
Developed by Samsung, QD-OLED is one of the newest and most exciting kids on the flat-panel block. For once, its name represents exactly what it is: a combination of the Quantum Dot (QD) displays, endorsed by market leader Samsung as well as the likes of Hisense, Vizio and Roku, and OLED technology – of which Samsung’s arch-rival LG is the dominant player, as the sole supplier of large OLED panels to other manufacturers.
The two screen types have different strengths and weaknesses, and combining them could potentially yield results greater than the sum of the parts, achieving that holy trinity of TV manufacturing: vivid colours, high peak brightness without light bleed, and dark, saturated blacks.
But how will it work? When will it be available? And why has Samsung, an avid anti-OLED campaigner until now, done a U-turn? First of all, since QD-OLED is a hybrid, let’s recap the individual components before tackling the whole.
How does OLED work?
OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) is a type of display that uses an organic carbon-based film through which two conductors pass a current, causing it to emit light. To produce an image, an OLED TV combines blue and yellow light from OLED sources to create almost white light. This is then passed through a colour filter made up of red, blue and green subpixels.
This story is from the January 2022 edition of What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2022 edition of What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
7 Of The Quirkiest Hi-Fi And Home Cinema Products On The Planet
Enough of the serious stuff, time for some oddballs...
SCREEN STARS
These systems pick from the cream of the AV crop to provide the most immersive experience possible
Wire we waiting?
These high-end headphones will provide a real treat for your ears-maybe it's time to upgrade
5 SIMPLE DEMO STEPS TO HELP YOU REACH HI-FI SYSTEM NIRVANA
Choosing the right hi-fi kit can be tricky. We reveal how to audition and compare components with confidence
TEAMING WITH TALENT
With so many great hi-fi products on sale, matching them up can be tough. So we have done it for you
COMPACT DISC'S STAR HAS FADED, BUT WE LOVE IT ANYWAY
What Hi-Fi? explains why the original silver music disc still appeals
Sennheiser Accentum Wireless
The Accentum sound solid enough, but they're hardly a thrilling listen
iPad Pro 12.9 6th Gen
The best tablet for movies and music is now even better
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Out with the old Bose and in with the new
Q Acoustics 5040 Home Cinema Package
Want to inject some energy into your home cinema sound? Look no further