The Internet Revolution began in the late 1990s, and it has since had a great impact on the development of the television, completely changing its concept altogether. Before the era, people simply watched TV. The television has evolved into a device that interacts with users, allowing them to choose which content to watch, play games, make purchases and retrieve information in an entirely new way. The age of smart TV has arrived.
According to market research firms, smart TV sales are expected to surpass 100 million units worldwide, accounting for more than 40 percent of total TV sales in 2016. In the US, the services provided by Netflix, an over-the-top (OTT) provider, recently made up around 50 percent of total Internet traffic after 6 p.m. Along with better picture quality and larger screens, “intelligence” has also become an irreversible trend in the TV industry.

Watching TV versus Experiencing TV

Using an antenna to watch a few terrestrial channels—ones that are transmitted by radio waves from an Earth based transmitter—has already become a distant memory for many of us. Cable networks and telecommunications companies now provide thousands of channels that are broadcasted via the Internet, rather than as radio waves over the air. In addition, videos are continuously produced and uploaded on YouTube, while OTT providers like Netflix allow viewers to stream a seamlessly endless collection of films and television shows.
Moreover, TV manufacturers are adding more content for consumers to watch and enjoy. They are introducing new features that allow users to share photos, videos and messages with family members, and boast web searching, shopping and game services. In particular, Samsung Electronics is planning to release more than 500 smart TV games in this year. The content that users can enjoy on their smart TVs is constantly increasing.

However, it is also true that many people still think of TV as a device to watch content on while relaxing at home on the couch. For these consumers, TV manufacturers provide standard televisions without smart features at relatively lower prices.
There are a few things to consider when buying a standard TV. Consumers first need to check if there are any problems with the reception of terrestrial broadcasts in their homes. Then, they may require a cable, satellite or IPTV subscription, depending on their needs. If consumers are going to connect a standard TV to a media adaptor like Chromecast or a game console, they will also need to ensure the devices are compatible and that there are no connection terminal issues.

The State Of Smart TV In 2016

In a way, Samsung’s previous Smart TVs illustrate the history of the smart TV. In 2008, the company introduced the PAVV Bordeaux 750—the ancestor of smart TVs—and launched various internet services including news and weather information features. Since then, Samsung has been a leader in the development of the smart TV in all aspects. In 2010, it opened the world’s first TV application store, and adopted the Smart TV user interface (UI) Smart Hub a year later in 2011. Samsung then added voice, action and face recognition features in 2012, introduced a customised content matching system in 2013 and implemented gaming services and accessibility features in 2014. Last year, the company incorporated Tizen for fast and broad connectivity.

Today, the focus is on how to provide an easier and more comfortable user environment in a world flooded with content that consists of live broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), OTT and user created content (UCC), as well as a diverse range of games. This is because the primary purpose of TV is to provide a convenient, relaxing and entertaining experience to users.

Also many more exciting services are on the way. TV PLUS, which was launched in Korea in September 2015, is the world’s first VOD service with virtual channels. The service enables users to watch popular VODs in the same way they watch standard TV channels. Samsung is planning to expand the service globally with the launch of TV PLUS in Southeast Asia this year.

Undergoing Ceaseless Evolution To Meet Consumer Needs

Up until now, the smart TV has advanced in a way that provides viewers with more content choices and enhanced convenience. Today, its uses are greatly expanding, as it provides entertainment and controls important features in our homes. In fact, as our homes get smarter and smarter, the smart TV industry is making it a priority to improve the connectivity capabilities of smart TVs. After all, the television of today could very well serve as a hub that connects things in our homes, including appliances, doors and even faucets.
Samsung decided to feature IoT-hub technologies in the entire 2016 SUHD TV line-up. In addition, the Smart TVs, which make up more than 90 percent of Samsung’s 2016 TV line-up, will be equipped with IoT-ready features that can connect with other smart devices. Samsung’s Smart TVs will also run on the Tizen operating system which is highly compatible with other mobile gadgets and home appliances.
With their 2016 SUHD TV, users can check the status of their laundry or see what’s going on in their baby’s room. A simple press of a button on the TV remote creates an ideal environment for either watching movies or sleeping. This convenience will soon become the norm.

“TV will evolve incessantly according to the changing lifestyles of customers. Setting a certain goal at the moment would limit the potential of TV,” said Hyun Suk Kim, President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung is striving to go beyond the confines of today’s TV, such as design and user environment, and research future TV technologies,” he added.
*** Disclaimer: Features, applications, etc. are region / country dependent.

Back in 2006, Samsung introduced the Bordeaux TV, which came with a round Swivel stand, giving the TV and stand together the shape of a wine glass.

With the rise of curved TVs, Samsung changed its stand designs again. In 2014, Samsung introduced the Aero stand, which had the same 4200R curvature (that is, curved with a radius of 4.2 meters) as the TV. It perfectly matched with the curved screen from all angles.
Then, in 2015, the V-Beam stand was introduced for SUHD screens, creating the illusion of the TV floating freely in the air.

The S9W brought new meaning to state-of-the-art technology, with a unique look created by Yves Béhar, an internationally acclaimed designer. The large and thin curved screen rests upon a gallery-like cube stand. The cube’s chrome material reflects the surface around it, with a black gradient at the top to make the frame look as though it is floating above, fading into the plinth.

In September 2015, Samsung introduced the Serif TV, teaming up with the famous furniture designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. Serif TV forms a clear capital “I” shape, its slim body broadening to form a flat surface at the top, like a small shelf. The Serif TV can be placed anywhere, either resting on a flat surface or standing directly on the floor using the detachable legs.

Wall Mounts and Stands, Pros and Cons

Each choice for setting up a TV has good and bad points, and it is up to each person to choose the option that works best for their situation. Stands have the advantage of organization and design. They need to be set down on a flat surface, like a wall unit or a table, making the TV like a piece of furniture, too. Stands are also relatively easier to move, in case you want to place your TV in a different location. Plus, using a stand together with furniture makes it easier to organize all the cables that connect to the TV and related equipment (like a cable TV set-top box, Home Theatre Systems or a Blu-ray player), arranging them so they are out of sight and tidy. However, using a stand does mean the TV will take up more space, reversing some of the benefits of that ultra-thin screen.
Wall-mounting a TV, on the other hand, can save a lot of space in a room, making it a good choice for designing an interior that is more open. By being installed on the wall, the TV is still quite visible from the sofa or other favourite location, but it is up and away from the flow of the room. Even curved TVs can be mounted on the wall. In fact, today’s curved TVs made by Samsung Electronics have been designed with their complete appearance in mind, from 360 * degrees. The bezel wraps around the TV, appearing straight from the front, but with the sides meeting the rear of the TV seamlessly in a restrained curve. The back of the TV has a clean and simple design made of elegant black metal. No matter where you set it up, a Samsung curved TV looks stylish and sharp from all angles.

But while wall-mounted TVs are popular nowadays, they do have their drawbacks. Not all walls can support a large TV—some are too weak, while other materials, like stone or slate, cannot be easily drilled into. Also, once a TV is mounted on the wall, it is fixed there and can only be swivelled if you want to change viewing direction.
Whatever choice is right for the consumer, it is best to select a professional installation. But the cost of hanging a TV on the wall or setting up a stand can vary a lot by country and by retailer—some do not charge extra for installation, but at other stores it is up to the buyer to arrange and pay for installation.
In addition, you can always change your mind. A TV on a stand can be placed on a wall, or a wall-mounted TV can be taken down and set up on a stand instead—although a consumer should always be careful to get the right make of stand. Just ask at an official retail outlet or support centre to be sure you get the proper stand for a particular TV. Of course, here too costs can vary widely, but a consumer should expect to pay roughly R2400 to R3200 to make the transition.
New Stands for a New TV Age

These days, there are new types of TV stands appearing on the market, giving consumers new choices in design, particularly in the European, CIS and Korean markets. One new type of floor stand growing in popularity is the tripod style. Three slender legs give the TV a real light look, but the stand is surprisingly strong and well-balanced. The tripod stand is good for people who want an open design look to their room, with the TV standing freely on the floor.

One of those tripod stands has another option that is quite unusual—it can also hold a Samsung soundbar. The soundbar can be attached just below the TV, so the entire system works together as an attractive unit. Not only has this stand been developed to provide the ideal fit and best possible support, it perfectly complements the elegant look of the two home entertainment devices.

However, for these new stands, they are limited to TVs that are 55 inches or smaller. Larger than 55 inches, and the TVs become too big and heavy for the tripod stand to support them.
Whether a consumer chooses to put their TV on a stand or mounted on the wall, today’s TVs offer a better viewing experience than ever. By selecting the TV mounting that is right for them, a consumer can make their experience even better.
*** Disclaimer: Tripod stands only available in certain countries.

Read more:
Hot Tips for Buying a Cool TV, Part 3-B: Samsung TV Stands
Hot Tips for Buying a Cool TV, Part 2: Know Your Displays
Hot Tips for Buying a Cool TV, Part 1: Size and Viewing Distance