From 'idiot box' to super smart: how today's futuristic TVs are keeping us connected
New smart TV models feature ultra HD and curved screens for cinema-quality viewing, and internet connectivity
Once branded the “idiot box”, televisions today are anything but, with flexible screens that can go from flat to curved with the press of a button, the ability to sense when you leave the room and automatically pause the picture, wafer-thin designs that are only a half-inch thick, and glasses-free 3D viewing. The modern TV is a futuristic mix of technology, style and function.
The best sets on the market were on display in early January at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. A paradise for technophiles, with over 160,000 visitors this year, the annual event showcases next-generation innovations from some of the world’s brightest minds and biggest brands. The buzz around TVs this year was 4K ultra-high definition (UHD) and super-ultra-high definition (SUHD) technology, with cutting-edge designs from major brands including Samsung, LG, Panasonic and Sony.
So what are 4K UHD and SUHD, and how are they different from the high-definition viewing that’s common now? “4K or ultra-high definition TV means there’s a pixel ratio that is four times that of standard HD,” says Hong Kong-based technology expert and lecturer Clive Dawes. “This means a much clearer and crisper picture, so even when standing close to the set you see minimal pixelation.”
Korean giant LG has added organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) technology to its 4K sets. OLED provides better contrast in pictures, because each pixel produces its own light and can be “turned off” to create deeper blacks and make colours pop. As an added benefit, Dawes says, OLED sets are thinner and lighter and can be made in huge sizes - LG’s 77-inch model EG9900, for instance, can flatten or bend with just a touch of the remote control, helping to create an authentic cinema in your living room.
But technology marches on at a daunting pace, and Dawes says the release of Samsung’s new SUHD TV line at CES may give 4K technology a run for its money. “SUHD uses Quantum Dot technology [QDots], which gives a larger colour palette [that’s] closer to the cinema experience, with whiter whites and darker blacks,” he says. Experts claim QDots provide better energy efficiency, lower costs and brighter, more vivid colours – Samsung, for example, claims its SUHD TV line provides 64 times more colour expression than a conventional set. And the Korean powerhouse isn’t the only brand jumping on board with this high-definition trend – TCL, LG and Sony also have QDot technology in the pipeline and plan to roll out sets this year.
The latest TVs, however, aren’t just for entertainment - they are also becoming a household hub for “smart living”. Your TV can now wake you up in the morning and sync with other devices to give you information such as the weather, time, your schedule and last night’s sleep patterns. It’s part of the “internet of things”, or IoT, era where technology connects our everyday devices to share information.
“The internet of things is the hottest topic in tech right now,” says Karen Chupka, senior vice-president of International CES and corporate business strategy for the Consumer Electronics Association. “It’s all about the opportunity to connect everyday items like cars, home security systems and kitchen appliances to networked devices like PCs and smartphones for greater control and management of our everyday lives.”
At CES 2015, Samsung announced that by 2017 all its TVs will be IoT-enabled. “Samsung is focused on smarter living,” says Tim Baxter, president and CEO of Samsung Electronics America. “For example, smart TV can provide live streaming videos from IP cameras for security and energy consumption status for efficiency.”
Design is another key factor when it comes to the latest in television innovation, from curved screens, decorative bezels and casings to ultrathin models. At CES, Sony launched its thinnest-ever 4K LCD TV, the X900C Bravia – it’s even slimmer than the brand’s smartphones, measuring less than 5mm thick. And curved and flexible screens were seen everywhere on the CES floor - the curve is said to provide a more immersive viewing experience, giving an almost 3D depth to pictures.
The aesthetics of the sets haven’t been ignored amid the new technology. LG recently partnered with Swarovski to create a limited-edition curved OLED TV built on a clear stand encrusted with crystals, which makes it look as though the screen is floating on air. And in collaboration with Korean artist Sung Yong Hong, Samsung recently designed a one-off, 78-inch curved TV with a gold lacquered rear-face, painted with iconic scenes from the history of television. The set was auctioned off at Christie’s in Hong Kong in the autumn, with proceeds going to Orbis, an NGO dedicated to saving sight worldwide.
With so much new technology on the market, there is much to consider if you are looking to buy a TV. Dawes says before handing over your credit card, you should do your research and ask questions in order to make sure you end up with technology that best suits your home’s size and layout.
“Consider your internet capability - as TV habits change and consumers move to more a la carte viewing via streaming services such as Netflix, the file sizes required to capitalise on this technology require super-speedy internet connections,” he says.
“Ask yourself: how big a screen do you need? With curved TVs, for instance, there is a sweet spot - a point at which the perfect picture can be viewed from your seating position. Obviously, in Hong Kong's small apartments, not everybody can get the best seat on the sofa. But being in a small apartment means you are likely to be closer to the screen, thus increasing any immersion and making the most of the high picture resolution these screens provide.
“Also ask yourself: do you require [a smart TV]? Do you expect to [use] YouTube, Facebook and streaming content, or will you be sticking to more traditional methods? Once you have a good idea of your needs, go to a shop and speak to the assistants there about what they have, then compare what they say to what reviewers are saying online.”
No matter what your wish list contains - full integration, high definition, cinema-quality sound and pictures, or simply a small box on which to watch your favourite reruns - in 2015 there is sure to be a set that’s perfectly suited to your home and lifestyle.
