Samsung’s Odyssey Ark offers an immersive gaming experience with its curved design.
The colossal 55-inch Odyssey Ark is a remarkable 4K mega-monitor that seamlessly combines the finest features of Samsung’s gaming and TV screens. Our team had the privilege of experiencing this expansive pivoting panel firsthand.
Samsung made a significant impact at CES 2022 with the Odyssey Ark, a remarkable 55-inch, 4K curved gaming monitor boasting a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. this innovative display captured the attention of many, but unfortunately disappeared from the spotlight shortly after. However, it has now made a comeback.
Samsung made a visit to New York City prior to its semi-annual Samsung Unpacked event and extended an invitation to for a hands-on experience with a highly anticipated gaming monitor. This particular monitor is set to become one of the most sought-after devices of the year, especially due to its impressive height when rotated. (Further details on this feature will be discussed shortly.)
Witness the Powerful Arch of the Ark.
Samsung has chosen to utilize its exclusive Quantum Matrix Technology Mini LED technology instead of an OLED display, resulting in accurate lighting expressions and meticulous HDR control for exceptional picture quality. Serving as the central processing unit, Samsung refers to its Neural Quantum Processor Ultra as the brain behind the device. This in-display image processor purportedly enhances visual detail and aids in upscaling content to a maximum resolution of 4K.
In terms of connectivity, there are numerous options available for connecting multiple devices. The TV includes four HDMI 2.1 ports, and it is equipped with AMD FreeSync Premium support. This feature is specifically designed to eliminate any issues related to choppiness, screen lag, and image tearing when used in conjunction with a compatible Radeon GPU.
The 4K display boasts a delicate 1,000mm curve, which is relatively small compared to other large curved panels. This measurement, also known as “1000R” in monitor terminology, represents the radius of a circle that would be formed by aligning these monitors side by side. The smaller the millimeter count, the tighter the curve. In addition to its expansive screen size, this panel offers numerous features commonly found in Samsung’s TVs and gaming monitors. These include the Samsung Gaming Hub, an all-in-one streaming platform that allows gamers to stream their favorite titles from popular services like Xbox Game Pass, Nvidia GeForce Now, and even lesser-known platforms like Google Stadia.
The Ark is designed to accommodate users who are accustomed to using multiple displays for productivity tasks or for monitoring several windows simultaneously. Its standout feature, Multi View, enables the simultaneous display of multiple windows on a single panel, simplifying their manipulation.
The Ark is tailored for individuals who are familiar with utilizing a multi-display configuration for productivity purposes or for monitoring multiple windows concurrently. Its key feature, Multi View, permits the display of multiple windows at the same time on a single panel, streamlining their management.
With the Multi View feature, you have the flexibility to modify, expand, and resize the dimensions of each window ranging from 27 to 55 inches. Additionally, you can freely reposition the windows according to your preference and effortlessly switch between different window ratios such as 16:9, 21:9, and 32:9. This allows you to conveniently have your game displayed in one window, a YouTube video in another, and even your preferred review in a separate window, enabling you to customize your viewing experience to your liking.
The Ark Dial, an included remote, enables you to manage all of the Odyssey’s menu and control the positioning of this window.
Operating windows and selections through the Ark Dial proved to be an enjoyable experience, similar to navigating menus with a mouse’s scroll wheel. Rest assured, if the rotating wheel takes up too much desk space for your liking, the Samsung Universal Remote is provided as an alternative. Regardless of your choice, both options offer a more user-friendly approach compared to the cryptic edge buttons commonly found on traditional monitors for onscreen display.
The Rotating Panel: Fair Play in Action.
The Odyssey Ark’s matte-black exterior appeared flawless when observed closely, however, it was the audio quality that truly amazed us. Samsung refers to it as “Sound Dome Technology,” and it left a lasting impression. The combination of speakers positioned in each corner of the screen and two woofers at the center created a powerful and immersive sound experience. It is not for those who are easily startled, as the resulting crescendo of sound is truly remarkable. Furthermore, the curved screen enhances the overall home theater experience.
When considering that curve, what do you think about rotating it 90 degrees from the norm? It would be negligent of me not to mention Cockpit Mode, or portrait mode as an alternative. By simply adjusting the base of the monitor slightly, rotating the screen became effortless, with just the right amount of flexibility to indicate the beginning and end points.
The Cockpit Mode, standing at approximately four feet tall, might appear daunting or superfluous initially. However, when paired with Dolby Atmos sound and the sleek curvature of the screen, engaging in games such as Microsoft Flight Simulator presented a completely fresh perspective. In this mode, we could view multiple angles through stacked windows. The experience was equally immersive with Forza Horizon 5. By incorporating a few extra accessories, the Odyssey Ark could easily become a simulation game enthusiast’s ultimate fantasy. It also performs admirably in landscape mode!
What is the departure time for the Ark?
The opportunity to purchase this impressive device will be available soon. Pre-orders are currently open, and the official release is anticipated for early September. If you are prepared to make a purchase and have the funds available, you can secure your order now and enjoy a discount. Additionally, pre-orders will come with a special bonus of a e-certificate that can be used towards any other product on, except for the Odyssey Ark.
Please anticipate our forthcoming formal evaluation of the Odyssey Ark in the upcoming weeks, as soon as PC Labs acquires a loaner sample for our comprehensive testing. We eagerly await the arrival of the Ark, as it is one of the most highly anticipated gaming displays of the year.