Samsung is finally releasing its brand new Odyssey Neo G8. Its technical sheet is crazy, it displays 4K at 240 Hz. But, there is a catch, we explain why.
Samsung has formalized the arrival of three new PC screens: the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8, Neo G7 and Neo G4. As the name of the range suggests, Odyssey, these are gaming-oriented monitors. We already knew them, they were unveiled at CES 2022. If we’re talking about them now, it’s because they are now being marketed.
The Neo G8 spec sheet is monstrous
The new 32-inch Odyssey Neo G8 is the world’s first and fastest monitor to combine a 1000R curved VA panel in 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) with Quantum Matrix technology, an ultra-fast refresh rate of 240 Hz and a response time of 1 ms (GtG). 4K definition is also supported by a color gamut of up to 95% of the DCI-P3 gamut. As you can see in the photos, its design is inspired by the enormous Odyssey Neo G9.
The Neo G8 also uses Quantum Mini LED technology, which allows detailed and precise control of the LEDs, and therefore better contrast (less exceptional than OLED of course). Additionally, with Quantum HDR 2000 support, the maximum brightness is 2,000 nits. For once, it’s much more than what OLED technology allows.
4:2:0 downsampling is mandatory under these conditions
However, note a problem in this technical sheet which seems very solid: to take advantage of 4K at 240 Hz, you have to go through HDMI 2.1. In this specific case, the flow must be reduced to pass through the pipe. To get there, the Neo G8 has to go on a digital diet. In other words, Samsung applied a binary weight “loss” strategy with 4:2:0 sampling.
The basis of this technique is childish: our eye is less sensitive to spatial variations in color than to spatial variations in luminance (brightness). To take advantage of this, the images are not recorded in RGB encoding (where each pixel is assigned a value for red, green and blue), but in YCbCr. Thus, each pixel always has three values. The method used here is sub-sampling, that is, taking fewer samples than is actually needed. The 4:2:0 pattern halves the horizontal and vertical definition.
Impossible to say if the result will be imperceptible to your naked eye, nevertheless it will undeniably complicate post-production. Chroma downsampling has an effect on image quality. Especially in very fine and very pronounced color patterns, some colors may fade. For daily use, no problem exists. Almost all of the content we watch every day uses 4:2:0 chroma subsampling: DVDs, Blu-rays, and even Ultra HD Blu-rays, as well as TV, YouTube, Netflix, and more.
Neo G7 and G4, more classic
Samsung is also expanding its lineup of gaming monitors with the new Odyssey Neo G7, a 32-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) display with 1000R curved VA panel, 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time (GtG ). This performance is ensured by many of the same features as the Odyssey Neo G8 model, including AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Quantum Mini LED technology and Quantum HDR 2000 with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits.
The G4 could prove to be a great option for gamers looking for a monitor with all the essential gaming features. It is available in 25-inch format, the G4 monitor with Full HD definition (1,920 x 1,080) and a refresh rate of 240 Hz, a response time of 1 ms (GtG). Here we have a more classic IPS panel with HDR10 support. All this with AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility.
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