TV Evolution

The world of television has changed so much over the years, but one thing that hasn’t changed is our love for it. On average, people in the UK watch around three hours of TV every day. In years gone by, there were only a handful of channels to watch but, as time has gone on, there’s been an influx of streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ on top of well-established TV giants like Sky and Virgin Media.

But with the constant improvement and development of TV technologies, knowing which screen type is the best for your TV or having knowledge of the best size TV for gaming has become clouded. Lucky for you then that Reliant has so much choice! Delve into our history of TV here to find out how to know which TV to buy today.

The History of TV

The first mechanical TV was invented in 1925 by John Logie Baird and was unveiled in Selfridges in London. The first electric TV was showcased in America two years later by Philo Taylor Farnsworth, who was only 21 years old at the time. If we fast forward 30 years, we see the first invention of the television remote control by Robert Adler in 1956. It was sold with around nine million TV sets.

In the mid-1960s, the first colour TV hit the market. Wimbledon in 1967 was broadcast using Phase Alternating Line was a ground-breaking technology at the time. Then came HD. If we were to ask you which decade the first High Definition TV was sold, we bet you wouldn’t guess the 70s! With a 5:3 display aspect ratio, viewers were amazed at the clarity of their picture.

If we zoom into the future and land in 2012, you’ll find the very first 4K television. Following on from LED TVs, 4K was a huge milestone for TV-watching. However, it took just three more years for the first 8K TV to become available – but only if you could afford it! Sharp sold the first 8K TV for an eye-watering $133,000!

Today, the current TV market looks like this:

• Over 27 million UK households have a TV
• The latest technology includes OLED and QLED displays
• True 4K and 8K displays
• 120Hz and 144Hz refresh rates for seamless motion

All the latest TV technology, including models from big-name brands like LG and Samsung, is available at Reliant.

How to Know Which TV to Buy

With so many options on the market right now, it can be daunting trying to find the best TV for you and your setup. You may just need a TV for your living room but you could also be looking for the best-size TV for gaming. Whatever you’re looking for, you can find it at Reliant.

As well as QLED, OLED, 4K and 8K, there are now other things to think about like refresh rates. Usually, 60Hz is enough for your standard TV use. But, if you’re a gamer looking for the best TV possible, you can’t settle for less than 120Hz.

If you’re after a family TV that you can all enjoy your favourite TV shows and movies on, your best bet is to purchase an OLED TV. Fortunately, there are plenty available at Reliant! Then, when it comes to sound, there’s also a lot to choose from. The most popular and, arguably the best technology on the market, is Dolby Atmos. If you can pick up a TV with that sound technology, then you’ll have cinema-level sound in your living room.

So, what are you waiting for? Go and check out our wide range of smart TVs today!