Time to buy a new TV... ole, ole, ole!

Brazil 2014 kicks off in two weeks' time. But before you rush out to pick out that supersized flatscreen TV set hoping to watch all 64 World Cup matches in 4K resolution or stereoscopic 3-D glory, you may want to check your options before you get upset about your new TV.

Though 25 World Cup matches were broadcast in 3-D for South Africa 2010, Fifa has yet to make public its decision on stereoscope for the 2014 games. Many have concluded that 3-D will be sidelined for Brazil 2014.

Sony and Fifa have agreed to produce three full matches in 4K resolution, also known as ultra high definition (UHD), but the broadcast of these three matches also depends on territorial broadcasters and if they are able to air the matches in the bandwidth-intensive 4K resolution.

For now, the three 4K matches will be:

One game from the round of 16 on June 28;

A quarter-final on July 4; and

The final on July 13.

Only Brazil's TV Globo, which has been testing 4K broadcast, has announced plans for public 4K broadcasts for the three matches.

In Singapore, both SingTel and StarHub say they will show all matches in 1,080i high-definition (HD) resolution, instead of the slightly sharper 1,080p format, and the matches will be available in both stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.

All matches will be available via set-top boxes and the mioTV Go app, but not content apps such as the mioTV Play app on Samsung smart TV sets.

StarHub will carry SingTel's exclusive World Cup content under the Media Development Authority's cross-carriage rule. It will not offer On-Demand or Catch-Up services for World Cup matches, as "these options must be offered by SingTel before they can be cross-carried on StarHub TV", its spokesman said.

Two sets or more at home

MediaCorp will broadcast four matches over free-to-air TV and SingTel will broadcast live matches at 30 People's Association Community Clubs islandwide (visit www.pa.gov.sg for screening schedules).

The continuing confusion over broadcast quality and availability has not deterred football fans like Mr Abu Bakar Abdullah, 41, a commercial pilot.

He spent $2,000 on a 60-inch full-HD LED TV from Courts this month, to replace the five-year-old 50-inch set in his living room.

He said: "I've always wanted a smart TV and the World Cup is a good reason to upgrade. I want to see every blade of grass on the pitch during the game."

The expected demand for new TVs for the World Cup has prompted retailers to offer bigger promotions, including free subscription to the World Cup, on top of discounted prices, to tempt people to buy bigger TV sets.

Courts Singapore's commercial director, Mr Tim Nolan, said: "The World Cup is one of the most-viewed events globally and customers started shopping for their TVs as early as April.

"We have observed that most consumers have an average of two TV sets per household and most go for bigger screens when they replace their old TVs."

Mr Gerard Tan, account director for digital world at the research company GfK Asia, said purchases of TV sets with 46-inch or larger displays have increased by 36 per cent in the first quarter of the year, compared with the same period last year.

While the value and volume of TV sales overall has declined, demand for sets that offer 3-D and smart features, such as an app store, grew between 7 and 9 per cent in the first quarter, over the same period last year.

UHD TVs are also driving sales. About 1,400 were sold in the first quarter, twice as many as in the previous quarter.

While UHD and curved TVs are drawing buyers, nothing works as well as a price cut, said Mr Nolan.

He added: "Consumers are always looking for value and with the spiralling rate of technological innovation, brands are able to integrate features at prices that do not burn a hole in pockets."

Next >> Choosing the right TV

Plasma versus LCD/LED versus Oled

Plasma

Though considered a dying format, the plasma screen has an advantage in colour quality and in generating deep blacks and bright whites.

Pros: Better colours

Cons: No longer supported by many brands

LCD/LED

Liquid crystal display (LCD) screens use liquid crystals to light up the screen. They are cheaper and come in many display sizes, which explains their popularity over plasma ones. But they lack the colour punch of plasma models.

Light-emitting diode (LED) displays are LCD screens that use backlit LEDs. LED models use less electricity and can be used to make very slim TVs.

The active dimming feature in LED, which controls the light and dark in parts of the screen, also means it delivers better colour representation.

Many brands have started to refer to LCD TVs as LED TVs because of the increased use of LED backlighting.

Pros: Cheaper, available in many display sizes

Cons: Motion blur

Oled

Organic light-emitting diode (Oled) screens work without backlight and are much smaller than individual LED lights. Each Oled diode lights up independently from one another, giving sharper and brighter colours.

Pros: Good colours, wider viewing angles

Cons: Expensive

Next >> Full HD VS UHD, Display size

Full HD versus UHD

Plasma, LED and Oled are terms that refer to the display technology.

Full high definition and ultra high definition (UHD) refer to screen resolution.

Full HD means a resolution of up to 1,080p (1,920 x 1,080), which is the resolution that Blu-ray movies provide. The "p" stands for progressive and this is sharper than 1,080i (with the "i" for interlace).

UHD, also known as 4K, offers a much higher resolution of 2,160p (3,840 x 2,160).

It is possible to find Oled full-HD TVs, as well as LED UHD TVs in the market. As UHD offers better resolution, combining this with an Oled screen for an Oled UHD TV would make for an expensive TV.

As there is little 4K content available, many UHD TVs can upgrade full-HD content to UHD quality, though there will be some loss in details, as the sharpness is not offered as a native source.

Display size

TV manufacturers do not stick to a size template so it is possible to find varying sizes of display (47 inches, 55 inches, 65 inches and more) across the brands.

LG, for example, may have a 49-inch set and Samsung may offer only 47-inch or 55-inch models.

Large screens look impressive, but details can get lost with each jump in size. Most full-HD content looks great on screens up to 55 inches, but be prepared to see some loss of details on full-HD screens of 60 inches or larger.

Several cable or free-to-air shows are available only in lower resolutions. These can look worn or be lacking in colour saturation and brightness on a gigantic screen.

If you are upgrading from a TV that is more than five years old, remember that older TVs have a bigger bezel than the current crop of screens.

So a 55-inch TV with a one-inch bezel can have the same external dimensions as a 47-inch TV with a wide bezel. This visual illusion can make your new 55-inch TV appear to be the same size as your older, smaller TV.

In other words, if you have an old 42-inch TV in your bedroom, you can now fit in a much bigger TV display in the same space.

Next >> Functions, 3-D, Curved TV

Smart functions

Smart TVs have displays that can run apps, and can be connected to the Web. They can also be used to surf the Web and play video games. Some can even record shows to a connected external hard drive.

The extra convenience can drive up the price. On the other hand, some smart TV features can be replicated with TV streaming devices such as Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, or with game consoles such as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 4.

3-D

Once the darling of TV makers, stereoscopic 3-D failed to take off and has since been relegated to a secondary feature that the brands try not to focus on.

For those who are still interested, there are two systems available.

LG uses the passive system. All that is needed are lightweight and cheap 3-D glasses to enjoy the effect.

Most brands adopt the active shutter system that offers sharper 3-D images. But this requires expensive glasses and maintenance.

Buyers should also consider what content is available. Some TV brands convert ordinary or 2-D content into 3-D. But for the most part, you will need a 3-D Blu-ray player and 3-D Blu-ray movies.

Curved TV

The latest gem of Korean TV makers, curved TV screens converge laterally towards the viewer for a more immersive experience.

LG and Samsung work it differently. All four Samsung curved TV models here curve much more than the lone LG curved TV model sold here, but that one has the only Oled curved screen available here.

However, Samsung's curved screens are the only ones that can be wall mounted.

sherwinl@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on May 28, 2014.
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