COMING SOON ON THE CHANNELS

VOICE& GESTURE CONTROL

Samsung has already introduced voice and gesture controls in its latest TVs, but the technologies are far from perfect. So much so that the old remote seems like the more natural way in comparison with these. But Samsung has given a strong insight into the future. While now you can use voice only to adjust volume or jump channels, soon you will be able to go online and search for something just based on voice commands. Similarly, gesture control might seem like a workout in the gym now, but once Kinect-like sensors start being incorporated in TVs it will be as easy as swiping a finger to change channels. LG and Lenovo are also working on similar technologies.

Visible light communication

This is a data communication medium using visible light between 400 THz (780 nm) and 800 THz (375 nm). Ordinary fluorescent lamps or LEDs can be used to transmit data for up to 2 km at speeds of up to 500 Mbit/s. TV makers like Samsung think this is future of TV—it was also the past as the first remotes were based on the same concept. To start with, this technology could change the way commercials are aired.

MULTI-SCREEN CONTENT

While watching TV many of us are also constantly fiddling with our mobile phone, tablet or laptop. So it is only natural that technology will try to integrate these screens for a value-added experience. The NDS Service Delivery Platform, for instance, lets developers create app that integrate with the content on TV. So you can tweet a link about the show about the show you are watching on TV.

And that is just the tip of the iceberg as far as apps are concerned. In fact, with many service providers across the world you can already take your TV content to multiple screens. Follow-me functions being adopted by NDS, the leading global provider of end-to-end software solutions for TV industry, Intel and others let you take your TV programme from the TV to your phone or tablet and then to your car screen with as much ease. The electronic programme guides (EPGs) are also evolving and you will soon be able to get more info about a show from your TV screen itself. On the flip-side you might also see a lot of EPG-based ads—like a cookware ad as you are looking at the info of a cookery show. Advanced user interface likes Snowflake will give an immersive 3D navigation, which can be accessed from devices other than your remote. Snowflake gives you the same interface whatever screen you use it on. This means it also responds to touch, like on a tablet.

In India, the Digital Direct Broadcast Foundation has announced the launch of a platform that integrates a set-top-box into a dual-core TV which will have smart features like internet, cloud computing, 14-bit colours, motion enhancement and 3D.

TOLED TVS

TOLED or transparent OLED TVs will be thin. And by thin we mean they could come even in the form of stickers or posted and even embedded in car windscreens. TOLED TVs will have transparent screens which means you will be able to incorporate them in places that already have transparent screens like airports and display windows. German company Loewe has already showcased a TV with a transparent screen. Aptly called the Invisio, the TV vanishes when it is switched off.

FACE RECOGNITION

Face recognition too is available on Samsung TVs now. Once the TV recognises the user in front, it switches to that person’s app, Skype account and channel settings. With its processors headed for set-top-boxes, Intel is working on a technology that distinguishes who is watching—man, woman, adult, child—and packages content accordingly. Well, it can prevent children from watchingcontent and also help advertise narrowcast commercials to relevant audiences.

ULTRA DEFINITION, 4K & 8K

While we feel proud of our Full HD (1920x1080p) televisions, screens with a mindboggling 3840x2160p resolution already seem to be on their way. But the chances are this definition will be more popular in the extra-large screen sizes, like the 82-inch UD LCD showcased by Samsung. TVs with these screens are expected to have good zoom features that let users get a up-close and personal view of the action. Just imagine you having a better view of a caught-behind decision than any one on the cricket ground! Since UD content will be hard to find, the chances are such TVs will be able to play Full HD and HD Ready content too.

4k is rounding up a 3840 x 2160p resolution to 4000p. It is different from other displays because you won’t notice individual pixels on the screen however close you are to it. There is no content in 4K now, but everyone seems to be preparing for the next jump in pixel count.

8K or Ultra HD has a resolution of 7680x4320p (33.2 megapixels), which is 16 times the number of pixels of the 1080p HDTV standard (1920x1080 or 2.1 megapixels). BBC Research & Development has plans to trial UHDTV during the 2012 London Olympics, erecting 15-m display screens at three locations in London, Glasgow, and Bradford.