Are you one of the 90 percent of adults identified by Ofcom that watch television, without fail, each and every week? Probably – we’re a nation of television addicts after all. This is no real surprise given the fact we have such a range of award winning shows available to us, and that advances in technology mean that when we watch our favourite characters or sportsmen, it’s as though we’re right beside them. So, how can things improve? Today we look at the past, present, and future of television to provide a little glimpse at exciting times ahead…
THE PAST
If you were around to watch TV in the sixties, your TV would have been a cathode ray tube (CRT) model, which everyone proudly sported until the 1990s when LCD and plasma burst onto the scene. Initially, consumers weren’t sure which option was best, but over time LCD revealed itself as superior to plasma for being more energy efficient, and boasting a longer life-span. Plasma screens were eventually completely discontinued in 2014.
THE PRESENT
The most recent developments in television have come at the hands of digital TV, which has granted viewers access to far more channels, as well as advanced features including electronic programming, interactive services, and recording. The switch to HD technology has also revolutionised people’s viewing, and clarity just keeps getting better. Currently 4k ultra high definition is the best standard available, and as well as a number of free HD TV channels, Netflix and BT are now offering the opportunity to watch your favourite shows in HD.
THE FUTURE
Moving forwards, we’re expecting to see a leap to 8k HD technology, refining the viewing experience even further. But the newest technology on the TV block is OLED – a type of LED technology, only 1000x faster than its current counterparts. As well as improving picture quality, OLED could completely change the way that televisions look – LG for example, have created an OLED screen that can be completely rolled up! Understandably, as still relatively new, OLED technology comes with quite the hefty price tag, but as manufacturing costs fall – this type of superior technology should find its way into the homes of people across the country.
In a recent interview with Paul Lever from Cheapest Electrical he stated, “Make no mistake, this is the most important advancement in TV technology in more than a decade, and a vast improvement over both LCD and plasma.”