TV terminology is quite confusing, which is why it is sometimes difficult to understand various TV technologies. Especially if you are new to the TV industry and are just looking for the best TV. In this case, you may not even understand what certain technologies mean and how they will affect your viewing experience. (Quantum HDR explained)
However, understanding TV technology can be very important when buying a new TV. So we recommend that you read this article before making a purchasing decision.
What is Quantum HDR?
Let’s start with a simple definition of this technology, as this is the first step to understanding this technology.
Quantum HDR means your TV uses High Dynamic Range technology, and Quantum means your Samsung TV screen is made using quantum dots.
HDR itself is more difficult to understand, but in general terms, HDR is an acronym for High Dynamic Range. It shows how bright (or dark) the image can be on the screen.
HDR has been introduced in some cameras to help capture as much detail in an image as possible for the lightest and darkest parts of the image. In simple terms, it works like this. The camera captures multiple images at different exposure values and then combines them in order to enrich the final image of the lightest and darkest areas with the greatest possible detail.
Samsung has brought HDR (High-Dynamic Range) technology to its new 2019 TVs (and all TVs to come). However, it should be understood that Quantum HDR is just a marketing name given to equipment that supports HDR10 and HDR10 + standards. Samsung is not the only company to give unique marketing names to support HDR10 / HDR10 + standards. For example, LG calls this technology HDR super and HDR Pro (if you are considering purchasing an LG TV, you can also read our article on this technology).
Quantum HDR 12x vs 16x
As I said, these are just marketing names given to support HDR10 / HDR10 + standards. While HDR 10 supports image brightness up to 1000 nits, HDR10 + supports up to 4000 nits.
It wasn’t until 2018 that Samsung announced support for HDR10 + technology. And no new HDR technologies were being developed in 2019. To somehow highlight the new TV models in 2019, Samsung has come up with unusual names for standard technologies. There is nothing new or special behind these names. This name just has to show the buyer what is on the TV, something special that was not supported in older TV models.
What is Quantum HDR 12x
However, it is difficult to understand the difference between Quantum HDR 12x / 16x. There is no information on the difference between the different Quantum HDR Xs. But it can be assumed that this is just another marketing gimmick, which means how many metadata streams will be processed by the TV’s processor to make the picture more detailed. Another assumption (sounds even more realistic) is that 12X is the peak brightness multiplier (100 nits base brightness). Consequently, the peak brightness for the Quantum HDR 12x will be 1200 nits.
Quantum High Dynamic Range vs High Dynamic Range
You should understand that High Dynamic Range is the name of the technology, while Quantum HDR is the marketing name given to support this technology in Samsung TVs. Other TV manufacturers have their own names for this feature. As such, you simply cannot compare High Dynamic Range to Quantum HDR simply because one of them is technology. While the other is just a marketing name that indicates that Samsung TV supports HDR technology.
It sounds a little strange, but this is how it works. It’s as silly as comparing a Retina display to an LED display . The first is the commercial name, and the second is simply the name of the technology.
Quantum HDR vs Quantum HDR 12X
As we said, there is no clear information on the net. But based on the assumption that Quantum HDR 12X stands for peak brightness (12 × 100 nits), it can be assumed that Quantum High Dynamic Range is just a commercial name for all TVs that support HDR (without emphasis on peak brightness).
