Samsung will be the first TV maker to offer bonus content including exclusive scenes from Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power in 8K resolution.
Four years after launching the first 8K TVs, Samsung is trying to kick-start sales of the struggling 8K format by partnering with content creators. After bringing Das Boot in 8K to its 8K TVs, Samsung has partnered with Amazon for the premiere of The Rings of Power.
- "Samsung will be the first to offer series content in 8K resolution through a custom sneak peek with exclusive scenes. Viewers will have the opportunity to experience the epic journey in unimaginable depth and detail on Samsung Neo QLED 8K TVs and “The Wall” 8K Micro LED displays," the company said.
Samsung did not confirm which generations of 8K TVs will be compatible but Das Boot was made available in 8K only on 2020+ models. Samsung rushed the launch of 8K TVs in 2018 before the necessary standards for video interfaces (HDMI 2.1) and video decoding were in place.
The Rings of Power will debut on Prime Video on September 1 in the Americas and September 2 elsewhere
"Major milestone" for 8K content
The company did not provide a list of bonus content that will be made available in 8K other than saying that it will include "exclusive scenes". It did not say either if it includes HDR. Samsung promised that more details will be announced soon – perhaps at IFA 2022 in the beginning of September.
- "Collaborations such as this mark a major milestone in bringing 8K – the most premium display technology – to the forefront for viewers," said Simon Sung, EVP and Head of the Sales & Marketing Team, Samsung Electronics VDB. "For the first time, fans can experience the stunning imagery of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on Samsung Neo QLED 8K TVs."
Update: Samsung had the following to say at IFA regarding access to the 8K content: "To access the content at no cost on Samsung TV Plus, users simply can select the “Samsung TV Plus” icon on any 2016-2022 Samsung Smart TV or launch the app on any Samsung mobile device. The sneak peek, which features exclusive scenes, is also available in 4K and Full HD on Samsung TV Plus."
If you are in New York, you can also watch 25 minutes from the series' first two episodes on Samsung's LED video wall at Samsung 837 starting today.
- "When considering how to immerse our global fans in the world of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Samsung’s exceptional technology and screens felt like a natural fit," said Andrew Bennett, VP of Global Device Partnerships at Prime Video. "Samsung’s depth, detail, and incredible passion for the series has started us on an amazing journey together – one we can’t wait for audiences to experience."
