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The Evolving Screen

A Deep Dive into Television Technology and Culture.

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Television: A Medium Defined

Telecommunication Medium

Television (TV) is a telecommunication medium dedicated to transmitting moving images and sound. It functions as a mass medium for advertising, entertainment, news, and sports, extending beyond the capabilities of traditional radio broadcasting.

Ubiquitous Presence

By 2013, approximately 79% of global households owned a television set. This widespread adoption underscores its significant role in modern society, serving as a primary source of information and entertainment.

Technological Evolution

From its rudimentary experimental forms in the 1920s to the sophisticated smart TVs of today, television technology has undergone continuous evolution. Key advancements include the transition from black-and-white to color, the shift to digital broadcasting, and the integration of internet connectivity.

Etymology: Seeing from Afar

Greek & Latin Roots

The term "television" originates from the Greek word tele (far) and the Latin word visio (sight). The term was first formally used by Russian scientist Constantin Perskyi in 1900.

Early Terminology

The anglicized version appeared in 1907, initially describing a theoretical system for transmitting images over wires. Alternative proposals like "telephote" and "televista" were also considered in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Modern Usage

The abbreviation "TV" became common by 1948. The term now refers both to the medium of transmission and the physical device, with slang terms like "telly" and "the tube" reflecting its cultural integration.

A Chronicle of Television

Mechanical Beginnings

Early television systems relied on mechanical scanning devices, such as the Nipkow disk, pioneered by inventors like Paul Nipkow and demonstrated by John Logie Baird and Charles Francis Jenkins in the 1920s. These systems, while groundbreaking, offered limited resolution.

  • 1884: Paul Nipkow patents the Nipkow disk, a foundational scanning concept.
  • 1909: Georges Rignoux and A. Fournier demonstrate the first live transmission of images using a rudimentary electronic retina.
  • 1925-1926: John Logie Baird demonstrates the first public transmissions of silhouette and then facial images using mechanical systems.
  • 1927: Bell Telephone Laboratories showcases a mechanical system with impressive image quality for its time.
  • 1930s: Mechanical systems reach resolutions around 240 lines before being superseded by electronic methods.

The Electronic Revolution

The development of the cathode-ray tube (CRT) by Ferdinand Braun and subsequent advancements in electronic scanning tubes (like the Iconoscope and Image Dissector) by Zworykin, Farnsworth, and Tihanyi paved the way for true electronic television. This transition offered significantly improved image quality and reliability.

  • 1897: Ferdinand Braun invents the cathode-ray tube (CRT), the basis for electronic displays.
  • 1926: Kálmán Tihanyi designs a fully electronic system utilizing charge storage principles.
  • 1927: Philo Farnsworth transmits the first electronic television image.
  • 1933: Manfred von Ardenne demonstrates the first completely electronic television transmission using a CRT for scanning.
  • 1936: The BBC launches the world's first regular high-definition (405-line) electronic television service.

The Advent of Color

Experiments in color television began early, with John Logie Baird demonstrating the first color transmission in 1928. Practical color broadcasting, however, gained momentum in the 1950s with the development of compatible color systems like NTSC in the United States, though widespread adoption took decades.

  • 1928: Baird demonstrates the first color transmission using mechanical scanning and color filters.
  • 1940: Peter Carl Goldmark introduces an electro-mechanical color system at CBS.
  • 1953: The NTSC standard for compatible color television is adopted in the US.
  • 1960s: Color television sets become more common, and networks begin broadcasting more color programming.
  • 1970s: Color sets surpass black-and-white sales, marking a significant shift in viewing habits.

Digital and Smart Era

The transition to digital television (DTV) in the late 20th and early 21st centuries enabled higher resolutions (HDTV, UHDTV) and more efficient use of bandwidth. This paved the way for "smart TVs" integrating internet connectivity and interactive features, fundamentally changing how content is accessed and consumed.

  • 1990s: Development of digital television standards, enabled by advances in compression technology (e.g., DCT).
  • Early 2000s: Digital television broadcasting becomes more prevalent, offering improved quality.
  • 2010s: Rise of Smart TVs, integrating internet services and apps directly into the television set.
  • Ongoing: Continued advancements in display technologies (OLED, QLED) and streaming services reshape the television landscape.

Transmission Systems

Terrestrial Broadcasting

The original method of television distribution, terrestrial broadcasting involves transmitting signals via radio frequencies from television transmitters to antennas. Government regulation has historically played a significant role in managing allocated channels and broadcast content.

Cable Television

Cable television delivers programming via coaxial or fiber-optic cables, offering a wider range of channels and services than traditional terrestrial methods. Its origins lie in providing reception in areas with poor over-the-air signal quality.

Satellite Television

Utilizing communication satellites, satellite television provides programming globally. Direct-broadcast satellite (DBS) systems, often using Ku-band frequencies, relay digital signals received via satellite dishes, offering extensive channel options, particularly in underserved regions.

Internet Television

Internet television (or online television) distributes content via the internet using video streaming. This model, distinct from Smart TVs or IPTV, has been significantly impacted by advancements in compression technology and the rise of streaming platforms.

Television Sets & Display Technologies

The Television Receiver

A television set integrates a tuner, display, amplifier, and speakers. Evolving from bulky CRT models to sleek flat-panel displays, sets have become central hubs for media consumption, displaying broadcast content, recorded media, and interactive services.

Display Evolution

Display technologies have transformed television viewing. From early mechanical disks and ubiquitous CRTs, the market has shifted towards flat-panel technologies like Plasma, DLP, LCD (including LED-backlit), and increasingly, OLED, offering thinner designs and superior image quality.

  • Disk: Early, low-resolution mechanical systems.
  • CRT: Vacuum tube technology, dominant for decades, known for deep blacks but bulky form factor.
  • DLP: Uses micromirrors for projection; found in projectors and some rear-projection TVs.
  • Plasma: Utilizes ionized gases in cells; offered excellent contrast but higher power consumption.
  • LCD: Liquid-crystal displays, widely adopted due to thinness and lower cost, often LED-backlit.
  • OLED: Organic light-emitting diodes offer self-emissive pixels for superior contrast and thinner designs.

Resolution Standards

Television resolution has advanced significantly. Standards range from Low-Definition (LDTV) used in portable devices, to Standard-Definition (SDTV: 480i/576i), High-Definition (HDTV: 720p, 1080i/p), and Ultra-High Definition (UHD: 4K, 8K), each offering progressively greater detail.

  • LDTV: Lower resolution, suitable for small screens (e.g., 320x240).
  • SDTV: Standard Definition (e.g., 720x480i or 720x576i).
  • HDTV: High Definition (e.g., 1280x720p or 1920x1080i/p).
  • UHDTV: Ultra High Definition (4K: 3840x2160p, 8K: 7680x4320p).

Content, Genres, and Funding

Programming and Genres

Television programming encompasses diverse genres, from dramas and comedies to news and reality shows. Production costs vary significantly, with dramas often being the most expensive. Genres are tailored to entertain, inform, and educate a wide audience.

Funding Models

Television financing globally relies on a mix of government funding, advertising revenue, licensing fees, and subscription services. Advertising remains a primary revenue source for many networks, influencing programming decisions and advertising rates.

The Role of Advertising

Television's extensive reach makes it a powerful advertising medium. The first paid television advertisement aired in 1941. Advertising spots fund a significant portion of programming, with viewership metrics like Nielsen ratings influencing ad placement and cost.

Global Market Dynamics

Market Share Overview

The global television market is substantial, with North America historically holding the largest revenue share. Key manufacturers like Samsung, LG, and TCL dominate the market, reflecting significant global production and sales figures.

Worldwide TV Manufacturers Market Share, H1 2023
Manufacturer Market Share
Samsung Electronics 31.2%
LG Electronics 16.2%
TCL 10.2%
Hisense 9.5%
Sony 5.7%
Others 27.2%

Consumer Trends

Consumers typically purchase new television sets every seven years, with the average household owning multiple units. The market continues to evolve with the increasing affordability and adoption of smart TVs and advanced display technologies.

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References

References

  1.  Diggs-Brown, Barbara (2011) Strategic Public Relations: Audience Focused Practice p. 48
  2.  "Sending Photographs by Telegraph", The New York Times, Sunday Magazine, 20 September 1907, p. 7.
  3.  Television 1873–1927,Television: The Official Organ Of The Television Society, Vo1, No1, March 1928, Television Press Ltd, London, p11.
  4.  Baird, J.L., "Television in 1932", BBC Annual Report, 1933.
  5.  "New Television System Uses 'Magnetic Lens'", Popular Mechanics, Dec. 1934, pp. 838–39.
  6.  "M.I. Krivocheev – an engineer's engineer", EBU Technical Review, Spring 1993.
  7.  [2]
  8.  M. Le Blanc, "Etude sur la transmission électrique des impressions lumineuses", La Lumière Electrique, vol. 11, 1 December 1880, pp. 477–81.
  9.  Western technology and Soviet economic development: 1945 to 1965, by Antony C. Sutton, Business & Economics – 1973, p. 330
  10.  Baird Television: Crystal Palace Television Studios. Previous color television demonstrations in the U.K. and U.S. had been via closed circuit.
  11.  Peter C. Goldmark, assignor to Columbia Broadcasting System, "Color Television", U.S. Patent 2,480,571, filed 7 September 1940.
  12.  "New Television System Transmits Images in Full Color", Popular Science, December 1940, p. 120.
  13.  "CBS Demonstrates Full-Color Television", The Wall Street Journal, 5 September 1940, p. 1. "Television Hearing Set", The New York Times, 13 November 1940, p. 26.
  14.  Bob Cooper, "Television: The Technology That Changed Our Lives", Early Television Foundation.
  15.  Baird Television: The World's First High Definition Colour Television System.
  16.  "YouTube TV – Watch & DVR Live Sports, Shows & News". YouTube TV – Watch & DVR Live Sports, Shows & News. Retrieved 2017-12-05.
  17.  Global TV 2010 – Markets, Trends Facts & Figures (2008–2013) International Television Expert Group
  18.  Global TV Revenues (2008–09) International Television Expert Group
  19.  iDate's Global TV Revenue Market Shares International Television Expert Group
  20.  OFCOM's Global TV Market Report 2009 International Television Expert Group
  21.  Butler, Fionnuala; Pickett, Cynthia. "Imaginary Friends". Scientific American. 28 July 2009. 26 March 2010.
A full list of references for this article are available at the Television Wikipedia page

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