According to statistics released by Ofcom, 90 percent of adults can’t go a week without tuning into their favourite TV shows. And it’s hardly surprising given the fact that improvements in viewing quality make watching your favourite shows arguably better than actually being there in person. Those with the latest technology can already enjoy seeing individual beads of sweat on the brows of their sporting heroes, but how far have we come and what can we expect looking forward? Today we run you through the biggest milestones in television technology history and provide a little insight into what we can expect to see moving forwards…
Cathode Ray Tube…or CRT TV
From the sixties up until the 2000s, chances are that your trusty set-top box was a CRT number. These were the television of choice – usually sporting a 25” square screen, and maybe Teletext if you happened to have a newer model.
LCD and Plasma
In the 90s we were introduced to the wonder of flat screen TV. This was the first time our TVs were streamlined, and lighter models meant that they could be wall-mounted, or that they would no longer take up a whole corner of the room. It was also around this time that plasma screens came to life, with Phillips offering an ‘affordable’ 42” plasma for £10,000! Although consumers were briefly torn between LCD and plasma, it soon became apparent that LCD models were superior. Plasma screens were a lot less energy efficient and had a much shorter lifespan than LCD models. In 2014, manufacturers discontinued plasma screens entirely.
Digital TV
This next development completely changed the way that the nation watches TV. For decades people had been used to having to choose between just five channels. This changed dramatically when between 2008-2012 the nation switched from analogue to digital, and 26 million were instantly granted access to Freeview TV. As well as more channels, the switch to digital also brought with it additional features like electronic programming, recording, digital radio and interactive services.
HD Technology
The most recent development has been a switch to high definition technology that improves the clarity of the picture. 4k ultra high definition has been introduced by BT and Netflix, making it possible to watch sport or your favourite shows with the highest possible picture quality. There are now dozens of free HD channels available for those who’ve purchased a TV with HD capabilities.
The Next Five Years
Moving forwards the newest technology on the block is OLED, a variation of LED technology that’s 1000x faster, making it ideal for viewers of fast moving sports. In a recent interview with Paul Lever from Cheapest Electrical, he stated, “by now you’ve probably heard about OLED or organic light-emitting diodes. LG and Samsung both revealed potential models at this year’s CES, with the LG winning CNET’s Best of CES Award. 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.” As well as superior picture quality, OLED technology could also change the appearance of the TV – LG has already created a screen that can be rolled up! Although currently expensive, as manufacturing costs fall, OLED technology will become more accessible. When you team this with the 8k HD that’s just around the corner, the future looks bright (and far clearer) for all your television enthusiasts out there.
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