Color depth, measured in bits, determines the range of colors a TV can display. An 8-bit display can display 16.7 million shades, while a 10-bit display can display an impressive 1.07 billion colors. However, there are 8-bit displays that increase the color range without changing the underlying technology by using dithering or frame rate control (FRC) technology.
FRC increases color depth by adjusting the brightness of the backlight to create additional hues. Manufacturers often refer to these displays as “10-bit” displays, combining 8-bit technology with FRC, and claim they can display up to 1 billion hues. While these displays do offer more hues than standard 8-bit displays, they still fall short of the 1 billion hues of true 10-bit displays.
This can lead to some confusion, especially because manufacturers like Samsung are often reluctant to explicitly mention the use of dithering technology in their TVs and monitors. However, it is sometimes possible to determine the presence of FRC indirectly, and through certain settings in the TV menu you can accurately recognize the type of screen in your TV.
General Information about Samsung TV Displays
- OLED TVs: Typically feature 10-bit displays.
- Crystal UHD TVs: Usually come with 8-bit displays.
- QLED TVs: Depending on the model, they can feature either 8-bit + FRC or 10-bit displays.
Indirect Methods to Determine Display Type:
Method 1: Checking Specifications
Until 2020, Samsung included the number of shades in the specifications and noted if dithering technology (FRC) was used. However, post-2020, Samsung’s specifications are less clear. For example, QLED TVs may only mention support for 100% of color shades, which isn’t specific enough to determine the bit depth.
Method 2: Local Dimming Technology
- Supreme UHD Dimming: Indicates an 8-bit + FRC display.
- Ultimate UHD Dimming (Pro): Indicates a 10-bit display.
Direct Method to Determine Display Type
The most accurate way is to use the service menu (hidden menu). This menu contains information about the model of the display installed in the TV. The procedure for accessing the service menu is detailed in the article “TV Samsung Secret Menu, Entrance, Possibilities.”
In this menu, you can find the model number of the display. However, detailed information about the model number is not readily available to the public, making it difficult to find the specific characteristics. You can check the FRC parameter in the “Debug” section of the service menu. This section contains parameters used for debugging the TV in service centers. If the FRC parameter is set to “ON,” it means that the dithering technology (FRC) is active. If this parameter cannot be set, then FRC is not used in the TV.
