<div class="billede"><img src="pictures/mini-samsungu9000.jpg" alt="Samsung U9000 4K"></div>Samsung's new 4K U9000 & U8550: What We Know

Samsung's new 4K U9000 & U8550: What We Know

07 Feb 2014 | Rasmus Larsen |

Samsung announced very few details about its new Full HD TVs at CES, and the same is true for the new Ultra HD TVs. Here is what we know about the curved U9000 and flat U8550 so far.

Samsung 's new 4K TV U9000 and U8550

In 2014, Samsung will launch two Ultra HD TV ranges targeted for the mainstream market. They will replace the current F9000 model. The first of the new Ultra HD models is called U9000 and it is curved. Samsung also has a flat Ultra HD model coming out called U8550.

The curved U9000 offers Ultra HD - or 4K - resolution, which is four times higher than Full HD. It comes in 55, 65, and 78 inch sizes with Samsung’s 4K processor that can also upscale your SD and HD content. In addition, it has a limited form of local dimming that should improve black depth, but since it is an edge LED model the effect will be limited. Despite the curves, it can still be wall mounted, says Samsung.

U8550 is a slighter cheaper model - this one being flat. It will be available in 50, 55, 60, 65 and 75 inch sizes. It appears to be the direct successor to the current F9000, and it boasts the same picture processing systems as the U9000 and a similar design with a flat stand.

Both models support HEVC, the next image compression standard after MPEG4 (H.264). In addition, Samsung says that all of its 2014 Ultra HD TVs come with HDMI 2.0, which is necessary for 4K signals at 60 fps, and HDCP 2.2, which is the latest version of the industry-wide copy-protection standard.

The new Ultra HD TVs will obviously come with all of Samsung’s latest Smart TV features, including TV apps such as Netflix, HBO, YouTube and more. One of the new features is the “Multi-Link Screen” function that allows you to divide the screen into windows. The Evolution Kit port in both TVs also allows you to upgrade the TVs in the coming years - for a cost. The main difference between the U9000 and U8550 is that the latter does not support all of the gesture controls that the U9000 offer.

Samsung’s new Ultra HD TVs will hit the US and Europe in March or April together with the new Full HD TVs. FlatpanelsHD will publish a full overview of the 2014 TV line-up soon.