Samsung has launched its latest ultra-premium TV, the 75-inch ES9000, in the SA market. And, believe it or not, there are South Africans lining up to buy it, despite its six-digit price tag.

The TV includes a pop-up high-definition camera in its top bezel. It offers motion and voice control, along with facial recognition so that individual users will automatically be logged into their own Skype accounts when using the application.

The company says it has 41% market share of SA’s flat panel sector, and 28% globally. Justin Shaw, business leader for Samsung’s TV division, says the market for 60-inch and larger TVs is growing in SA.

The TV includes a dual-core processor, a refresh rate of 200Hz and a 7,9mm-thin bezel. It offers full high-definition 3D and includes all of Samsung’s Smart TV functionality.

It comes preinstalled with a number of apps and content, including for fitness and children’s entertainment, many of which make use of the built-in camera for interactive functionality.

The ES9000 also integrates with other Samsung devices, including its smartphones and tablets. Users can now upload up to 1 000 images from other Samsung devices to Samsung’s cloud service and have them pushed to the TV.

From a connectivity perspective the TV includes three USB ports, digital audio-out, three HDMI ports along with a DVI audio and the standard component-in.

Shaw won’t be drawn on when Samsung’s video-on-demand services will be available in SA. He says a minimum of a 4Mbit/s line is needed to stream HD content, but that 8Mbit/s and higher is preferable and this remains some way off for SA.

The ES9000 costs R110 000 and is available immediately. Samsung says it has had more than 50 preorders and that it expects to sell 300 to 400 panels in the SA market before the end of the year. — (c) 2012 NewsCentral Media