The TV receiver market is one of the fastest growing. What was a novelty yesterday is hopelessly outdated today. Technology changes, formats, forms… Let’s try to figure out what’s relevant today and what we can expect tomorrow, what innovations manufacturers have prepared for us in 2015. In the second half of 2014 the situation on the TV market has changed dramatically – some technologies began to develop rapidly, while others went out of business. British online magazine TechRadar tried to look into the future and to advise its readers which TV technologies will be popular in 2015 and which TV sets are worth buying. So, the main trends in the TV market in 2015.
EUROPEAN SMART-TV nomination 2014 – 2015: LG 55LB870V
TV with bent screen.
The situation with the curved TVs is not clear yet, this technology is still gaining popularity. These TVs are already produced by such giants as Sony, Samsung, and LG.
Other companies are going to show their curved TVs in 2015, too. The disadvantage of such TV-receivers is their high cost, they are in the premium class. Skeptical experts doubt the usefulness of TVs with screens concave to the center and it is still difficult to evaluate the future of such TVs in the long term.
OLED is the technology of the future?
Many experts predict a bright future for OLED TVs, thanks to their superb contrast, color rendering and negligible pixel response time. OLED Organic Light Emitting Diode technology requires no backlighting at all.
This technology has made it possible to significantly reduce the weight of the TV, and to make the body thinner than the LED-TV. Also this technology allows to give the screen a flexible form, for example, bend it. At the moment the promotion of OLED TVs on the market is hindered by high prices, but British experts have no doubt that in the future they will start to fall in price and will be available to the mass consumer.
4K UHD TVs
For the development of 4K technology, 2014 was a breakthrough year. 4K or UHD TVs are the next big step in improving picture clarity after HD High Definition . True, another step, 8K, has already been taken, but this is the distant future. 4K screen resolution is 4 times better than Full HD quality!
Their popularity growth used to be held back by price, but now 4K TVs are becoming more affordable. In the third quarter of 2014, global sales of Ultra HD televisions increased by 500%. All major brands have started to release UHD TVs. Smaller brands have recently hit the market for TVs priced under $1,000. Samsung from Korea has announced that it will soon launch a budget 4K television. British experts from TechRadar believe that Ultra High Definition technology has come seriously and for a long time.
Over time, the cost of 4K TVs will only fall and they will be more and more popular. In relation to our conditions there is only one question – where can we get content of this format?? Let’s hope that with time there will be movies and shows of the appropriate quality on our television as well.
Plasma TV
If you have decided to buy a plasma TV, keep in mind that, according to British experts, this technology is almost dead. At the end of 2014, the last leading plasma manufacturers LG and Samsung previously announced by Panasonic announced their withdrawal from the plasma TV market and the complete phase-out of production, although in 2013, 31% of Samsung’s total revenues were from “plasma” sales. But there’s another side to that coin – leftovers are selling out at fantastically low prices.
3D TVs
TechRadar experts predict the imminent end of 3D technology due to the small amount of content. 3D is becoming an unnecessary option for consumers and TV manufacturers refuse to use this technology in TV models aimed at mass demand, thus making them cheaper. Perhaps this option will remain in premium TVs.
SMART TV
The most popular option today. All of the leading manufacturers are integrating this option into their televisions. SMART TV has revolutionized the world of television, gave a tremendous boost to its development. In the near future this technology will only be improved and developed. Let’s take a closer look at this option. Today an advanced TV-user can’t imagine watching TV without SMART TV function.
Each manufacturer has a different name for this feature, but the meaning is the same: “‘Smart TV'”. This option each manufacturer has its own set of functions, but what unites them is that they all have Internet access and a set of the most popular consumer applications, the ability to watch movies from online movie theaters, play video and audio files. The leader in this segment, according to TechRadar, is the South Korean company LG.
LG Smart TV
The company leads the way with a simple and easy-to-use interface that lets you display videos from a number of completely different sources on the same screen. No more hassle with settings – SmartShare app will display any picture, video or MP3 file from your computer, tablet, smartphone, camera, flash drive or hard drive including via Wi-Fi . A lot of content is available from LG Cloud online storage as well.
Experts say it’s great to have a built-in 3D World service for finding and watching 3D movies and 3D games.
Installed set of online services include Skype video calling system some LG TV models already have a built-in video camera , video hosting YouTube, Yandex search engine, social networks Facebook and Twitter, online cinema Megogo HD, etc.
The choice of additional applications that can be installed on LG TVs via SmartWorld system is poorer than competitors. But most users won’t notice this disadvantage as the preinstalled apps are enough for them.
British experts put Panasonic in second place.
Panasonic Smart Viera
The universal smart features in Viera TVs have become even smarter. My Home Screen gives you instant access to your favorite content on your TV screen, which you can fully customize to your needs, just like your computer desktop. It is now possible to control the TV with voice commands, no need to push buttons on the remote control.
Swipe&Share 2 program.0 allows you to easily pair your TV with your smartphone or tablet to show photos, videos, and web pages to family and friends. It is possible to control the TV from the same smartphone or tablet without being distracted by looking for the remote control. TV can connect to the Internet via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, you can make Skype video calls and more.
The third place is firmly taken by Samsung.
Samsung Smart Hub
In terms of the number of available applications, the televisions of the Korean technological giant Samsung are now ahead of everyone else. Continuously evolving Smart Hub interface provides access to features.
Samsung’s strong point is the streaming video playback. Therefore, they offer the consumer unique branded services: “family history” to share photos and messages through the TV, “Kids” with educational and entertaining content, and “Fitness” to help exercise.
The Smart Hub system did not make it to the top of the ranking, because it is somewhat complicated to set up and not flexible enough. Samsung has built its own apps into the center of the interface, whereas, according to TechRadar experts, not every family will want to use all of them.
However, Samsung’s flagship models, such as the UE55ES8000, are ahead of LG in introducing the latest. Advanced Smart Interaction technology allows you to control the TV not only by voice commands, but also with gestures or by simply touching the touch screen.
Sony Entertainment Network SEN .
Japan’s Sony launches two types of smart TV – its own Bravia TVs with the Sony Entertainment Network SEN interface, and the NSZ-GS7 set-top boxes with the Google TV software and hardware platform developed by Internet giant Google.
The fundamental difference between SEN and its competitors is its connection to Sony’s own cloud storage systems: Music On Demand and PlayMemories.
On Bravia TVs are available all those applications that are most popular with users, including Skype, Facebook, YouTube. On-line storage of recorded TV programs, movies, games, music and apps is available.
User interface is extremely user friendly. And more. Users can put off or remove certain services from the main menu on their own. However, it is not possible to freely “customize” the menu or buy new applications, as it is implemented in Samsung and LG.
And finally, Toshiba.
Toshiba Cloud TV
Toshiba Cloud TV is a wide range of new cloud services for Smart TV users. These services will help to create the most tailored environment for home entertainment, with features to access social networks and recommended content. Powerful search tool lets viewers easily find their favorite shows, TV shows, movies and sports programs on Electronic Program Guide EPG or their connected devices.
In addition to a variety of useful applications such as a web browser and updated weather forecast, using Cloud TV, users can play content that is stored on mobile devices. Moreover, the portal offers several social services: from Family Calendar a family calendar and Personal Messaging private messages to the tweets dynamically updated when a channel or program changes. Toshiba’s interface is simple and easy to use.
EISA award TV rankings 2014 – 2015
One of the most famous expert organizations is EISA European Imaging and Sound Association . Over the course of a year, EISA member editions review and compare the best and most noteworthy electronics, and then they summarize the results. Behind the EISA awards is the work of the most respected experts from 50 European magazines from the UK to America.
The EISA award rating of the best TVs 2014 – 2015 has identified the leaders in their categories. This year, the experts named the best TVs in the categories: SMART- TV, High-End TV, Full HD TV and 4K Ultra HD TV. EISA award status is valid until August 15, 2015, after which the list for 2015 – 2016 will be presented. But that doesn’t mean last year’s award winners will become obsolete. The association’s experts believe that EISA-award winners will be “ahead of the planet” for a long time to come!
EUROPEAN SMART-TV nomination 2014 – 2015: LG 55LB870V
LG 55LB870V won the SMART-TV category thanks to the WebOS platform, acquired earlier by the Korean giant from Hewlett-Packard.
LG has redefined the approach to Smart-TV, offering the user a simple, easy and interesting system. The new smart platform features an intuitive interface that provides access to all types of content, Internet services, home media, external devices, TV settings and television. Access is instant, with virtually no wait time. Easy to control smart features provides a new version of the remote control Magic Remote, as well as an interactive TV setup assistant, seamlessly integrated into its software. The interface is flexible and customizable.
A suite of dedicated picture and sound enhancement software and hardware, Full HD resolution, wide viewing angles, and an ultra-slim design with an almost invisible frame makes this 55″ TV the perfect choice even for the savvy user.
EUROPEAN HIGH-END TV nomination 2014 – 2015: LG77EC980V
With this model the Korean manufacturer decided to show that it can make the most beautiful TV, but the best in terms of performance. And it did! Concave screen, proprietary WRGB OLED matrix and Ultra HD resolution – all this is embodied in a 77-inch high-end novelty from LG. The picture is truly impressive!
A characteristic feature of this TV, in addition to the concave screen shape and 4K resolution, is a special matrix technology for shaping the color scheme WRGB, in which the traditional sub-pixel RGB three primary colors were added another – white. Thanks to this it was possible to expand the light range of the screen significantly, the image on it became bright and contrasting, and at the same time, natural. And what’s more interesting, for this TV the notion of “maximum viewing angle” has lost its relevance.
In addition to the super high-quality picture, this TV offers all the traditional LG functionality: the WebOS operating system, polarizing 3D, a full range of different switching and, as already mentioned, a stylish design.
EUROPEAN FULL HD TV nomination 2014 – 2015: Samsung UE55H7000
South Korea’s Samsung model wins in this category. For those who haven’t yet made up their minds to buy Ultra HD, the UE55H7000 offers the best picture in Full HD. Its ability to deliver the best Full HD TV picture was what influenced the jury’s decision.
Thanks to Micro Dimming Pro technology, the color reproduction is extremely accurate and contrast is high. Even and detailed dynamic scenes are smoothly displayed, because the TV set is equipped with a Quad Core processor. The picture is sharp and cinematic, and a wide range of settings allows you to adjust the images to the preferences of a particular user.
The Smart Touch Control remote control makes it easy to operate menus and features, and thanks to the Quad Core processor, everything runs smoothly. And the TV has a big enough set of interfaces, wireless connectivity and Internet access. Floating Canvas design helps keep your eyes only on the screen. Based on all of the above, the choice of EISA specialists becomes clear.
EUROPEAN 4K ULTRA HD TV nomination 2014 – 2015: Sony KD-65X9005B
In this category, the best model is the development of the Japanese company Sony, a premium-class TV KD-65X9005B. The Japanese manufacturer has surpassed all and has made not just a TV, but a real home entertainment center – an unforgettable picture, impressive sound and great design will not leave anyone indifferent. This TV is the most advanced device available today, capable of perfectly rendering ultra-high definition content with multi-channel audio. For Sony KD-65X9005B virtually no matter the type of device, which is the source of ultra-sharp content, as well as the way it switches and transmits data.
The 65-inch screen is built with the unique proprietary Triluminos development, offering a wide color gamut and natural, realistic color reproduction. X-tended Dynamic Range processor improves contrast, extends the dynamic range of the screen and allows you to scale low-resolution video up to 4K. Processor aided by revolutionary 4K X-Reality PRO technology.
Besides pictures of exceptional quality, the model shows serious sound capabilities. The slim body of the TV, in Sony’s signature Wedge design, features new Magnetic Fluid speakers that deliver true bass and clean highs. For audiophiles, especially those who value bass, Sony optionally offers its proprietary SWF-BR100 wireless external subwoofer, synchronized with the TV receiver.
TV news: there’s nowhere for apple to fall?
At the beginning of the year, many companies had already shown their innovations. Let’s start with Apple.
Apple iTV
It’s been a tradition since the days of Steve Jobs, that “Apple” before releasing a new product on a long-established market, meticulously investigate it. The idea of releasing a “smart TV” is firmly lodged in the minds of Apple specialists long ago, but it seems to me that it will be realized only this year. Photos and descriptions of the concepts are already floating around the network. Tim Cook’s guys hint that the TV will be stylish, functional, modern and unique.
The TV set will look like an iMac, but it will have powerful speakers and a modern operating system. Naturally it will be fully synchronized with your iPhone, iPad and iPod. With iTV, the user can use their iPhone as a controller, remote control or additional screen. Price is being kept secret, as is the model release.
Sony
The specialists of the famous Japanese company have decided that it is not serious to enter the market with two new models and have released a whole range of TVs, consisting of 12 models. All 2015 Bravia lineup TVs have 4K Ultra HD resolution and feature the new X1 4K processor, which outperforms last year’s TV processor and delivers even clearer, brighter and more contrasting picture, even when it’s not 4K content.
Not only does Sony’s new range of TVs boast superb picture quality, but also an incredibly slim body. The X90C is just 4.9mm thin, thinner than the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet. This model has two diagonals – 55 and 65 inches.
Some models in this line will begin to support Android TV for the first time, a new interface whose release has opened up new viewing and TV control options. Everything, that is usual for Android tablet or smartphone, is now available on a big screen: games, photos, music – all this with the help of familiar and familiar applications. The new TV set can be controlled by remote control, smartphone, tablet or voice commands. The TV is easily coordinated with mobile devices, and thanks to the built-in Google Cast you can duplicate any content from your smartphone or tablet to the big screen. Everything works quickly, conveniently and simply.
4K Ultra HD X94C and X93C models support high-definition audio, providing higher sound quality than CDs and full immersion in music.
The new lineup of Sony TVs will be available in Europe from February.
In addition to 4K Ultra HD TVs, Sony has updated its Bravia Full HD TVs.
4K Bravia | X94C | X93C | X90C | S85C | X85C | X83C |
KD-75X9405C | KD-65X9305C KD-55X9309C | KD-65X9005C KD-55X9005C | KD-65S8505C KD-55S8505C | KD-75X8505C KD-65X8505C KD-55X8505C | KD-49X8305C KD-43X8305C | |
Quality images | 4K X1 processor | |||||
4K X-Reality PRO | ||||||
TRILUMINOS Display | ||||||
X-tended Dynamic Range PRO | X – tended Dynamic Range | |||||
Motionflow XR | 1200Hz | 1200 Hz | 800 Hz | 800 Hz | 800Hz | 800 Hz |
Design | Wedge shape | Ultra slim | Thin curved screen | Slim | ||
Smart TV features | Android TV Google Cast, voice control, apps and games | |||||
One touch screen mirroring with NFC. | Duplicate screen | |||||
One-Flick Entertainment | One-Flick Entertainment no remote control | |||||
Photo Share Plus function | ||||||
Audio speaker system | High definition audio | Acoustic Labyrinth except 55″ model |
Bravia Full HD | W85C | W80C | W75C | W70C | R5C | R4C |
KDL-75W855C KDL-65W855C | KDL-55W805C KDL-50W805C KDL-43W805C | KDL-55W755C KDL-50W755C KDL-43W755C | KDL-48W705C KDL-40W705C KDL-32W704C | KDL-48R553C KDL-40R553C KDL-32R503C | KDL-40R453C KDL-32R403C | |
Picture quality | X-Reality PRO | Clear Resolution Enhancer | ||||
Motionflow XR | 800 Hz | 800 Hz | 800 Hz | 200 Hz | 100 Hz | 100 Hz |
Design | Slim | |||||
Smart TV functions | Android TV Google Cast, voice control, apps and games | Smart TV functions | Smart TV basic functions | |||
One-Flick Entertainment | ||||||
Duplicate screen | ||||||
Photo Share Plus | ||||||
The speaker system | Acoustic maze |
Panasonic
The famous Japanese company also presented its new 4K premium-class TVs VIERA TX-65AXR900 and TX-85XR940. They were presented at IFA 2014, and now they have reached America. AXR900 series is a flagship and Panasonic has put its best developments in it: local dynamic LED backlight, IPS panel itself with the finest elaboration of gradations and the widest color range… This is the best and most expensive model since plasma.
According to many experts, the color rendering of TVs of this lineup is practically a reference, one of the best in its class. And that’s with factory settings! And many experts called the color balance a reference, the company has beaten its record, which was set in the TVs ARX800.
The contrast achieved by Panasonic engineers with the new local dynamic LED backlighting or as they call it, “flicker” is a delight. LEDs are arranged over the entire area of the matrix, but they are divided into small zones. Video processor controls it depending on the current image: light areas keep high brightness, and dark areas are darkened even more, increasing visual contrast. The video processor processes the image in such a way that it retains high detail.
With an over-the-air signal, the TV handles at 5+. After upscaling the picture has no artifacts and you get an unusually high-quality picture.
Samsung
South Korean company Samsung is going to show its new Tizen-powered Smart TV at CES-2015 in Las Vegas. Tizen pronounced TIZEN is an open operating system based on the Linux kernel, designed for a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, in-car entertainment systems, smart TVs and digital cameras.
Mr. Hyun-suk Kim, executive vice president of Samsung Visual Display, did not bring clarity, but only fogged it up. He said Samsung will release and show the first Tizen Smart TV at the show, but there is no confirmation that the company will use the operating system in all of its smart TVs. Mr. Kim made it clear that a decision has not yet been made whether the Taisen Smart TV will be the main attraction at the Samsung booth. He further notes that even if the novelty is shown, “it will not be the main surprise from Samsung at CES.
Meanwhile the famous corporation has made flexible displays available for sale, but only for smartphones and tablets. TV carried in a tube is still just in the future.
LG
LG at CES-2015 will present new models of OLED and LCD TVs, but with a new, proprietary backlighting. This is backlighting based on Quantum Dots. True, their first competitor, Samsung is about to introduce a similar development.
Such screens have better contrast and color rendering due to better color gamut and selective backlighting of screen areas. All models with improved color gamut will have a Color Prime index. By this index you can distinguish the models with improved backlighting.
For 4K models LG uses LCD matrixes made by IPS technology, which provides greater viewing angles. Interestingly, for the sound component of their new TVs LG has attracted one of the world’s leading speakers – the company Harman-Kardon. LG’s achievement – Ultra Slim models have reached a thickness of several MILLIMETERS!
But that’s not all! The company will unveil a budget OLED TV. Here’s an excerpt from an interview with Mr. Ying-kyu Lee, vice president of the company and head of the TV division: “Making this great TV technology OLED available to even more consumers is what drives LG’s innovation. The corporation believes that this is the future of TV and we will continue to develop and expand our line of OLED until each consumer will be able to choose for themselves the appropriate option.
And lastly, I’ll say this..
One of the best and promising technologies, which will be actively developing in 2015, experts recognize the technology upscaling. The leader in this category is the Japanese company Sony, which introduced the best video processor that implements this technology – 4K X – Reality Pro. Let’s try to understand what this technology is and what its “feature” is.
Upscaling is when a standard recording is upgraded to near 4K parameters and HD recording becomes almost Ultra HD. Let’s try to figure out how it happens.
So we have a film recorded in HD. Sony’s 4K TV uses a built-in X-Reality PRO processor to enhance film with a range of image-enriching technologies, including Image Pattern Analysis and Reality Creation. The result is an amazingly bright and sharp picture, but at half the size of what is needed. That’s when the newly developed XCA8-4K chip takes over the picture.
The XCA8-4K upscales enhances HD and lower resolution images, even clips from a smartphone. Do you think the picture will be like an intercom picture, blurry, indistinct and unreadable?? Not a bit! The chip does not just increase the number of pixels, but uses a special 4K database along with processing algorithms to create a detailed 4K image. The database is called Reality Creation, which is created through a sophisticated “learning” method. Different parts of low HD and high 4K quality images go through an upscaling and downscaling process. Their correlation the process of relating to each other is calculated by statistical learning. This process results in two databases. One is called “transformation database”, the other is called “classification database”.
And while we’re just waiting for 4K channels to arrive, Sony Bravia 4K TVs can already handle our old photo and video archives.
What are some major trends in the TV market that could potentially captivate and “zombify” viewers?
What are the major trends that will capture our attention and keep us “zombified” in the TV market? Are streaming services dominating traditional TV networks? Will we see more interactive and immersive experiences? What about the rise of reality TV or the impact of social media integration? Share your thoughts on what you find most captivating and engaging in today’s TV landscape!