Show Review Virtual CES 2021


February 2021 ertonline.co.uk


Samsung TV-wise, the main step forward was in line


with other manufacturers, with the LCD backlight being upgraded to a better mini-LED version. Samsung call its latest package of LCD and processing tech neo QLED. Unfortunately, being a virtual show, it was impossible to compare with the newest mini-LED and OLED screens, but I am sure this will be possible soon enough. Lastly, already announced before the show,


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Samsung highlighted a new 110-inch Micro LED TV (seen above) and showcased The Wall. Based upon the same direct view technology from Sony’s CLED and LG’s MAGNIT, Samsung’s is shipped as one unit, whereas The Wall is modular so any size/shape is possible.


DAY THREE


I spent my last day at CES visiting the other exhibitors on my shortlist. It wasn’t the same in terms of casually browsing around key areas of interest, but just like the in-person show, there was some wheat among the chaff:


ATSC - NEXTGEN TV This is US only for now, but the Advanced Television Systems Committee is an international non-profit developing voluntary standards for digital TV, representing the broadcast, broadcast equipment, motion picture, consumer electronics, computer, cable, satellite and semiconductor industries. It says it is defining the future of TV with ATSC 3.0 next-gen broadcast standards. NEXTGEN TV (sometimes called ATSC 3.0) is


the third generation of digital TV technology and a giant technological step forward for TV viewers. When combined with an Internet connection, NEXTGEN TV can merge broadcast TV with content from broadband sources. Look for the NEXTGEN TV logo marketed with television sets made by LG, Sony and Samsung. Example benefits include watching broadcast


TV, listening to a different audio track (like home and away sports commentary options), combined with social channels/data/driver tracker. It’s very much like what people are doing now


via TV, mobile and tablet, but built in to the TV itself. I can see this driving bigger screens even further to enable sufficient viewing space for all the windows. Products are needed, but ATSC says getting


content creators excited is important. Broadcasters need to get onboard and then manufacturers will follow.


CNET & PARKS ASSOCIATES I then attended a presentation entitled ‘The Next Big Thing: Home As The New Headquarters, VOD presented by Brian Cooley’. Here is a summary of a very good panel session: It took a pandemic to make our homes the


centre of work, education, shopping, entertainment and health and fitness – not just a retreat. Much of this new home-centrism will stick, while some will unbend to the way it was. We’ve seen a glimpse of what technology can do to enhance the at-home experience – will it be enough to keep a house as headquarters? Smart home has continued to grow, especially


the peace of mind that comes from security devices. Video doorbells, cameras and locks are all growing segments; using security cameras is also internal health monitoring of elderly loved ones. 5G is targeted as a home technology, not just


mobile. The “cost per Gigabyte” is much lower. Home security will be a good example of Wi-Fi/5G hybrid. Smart home products in the future should go straight to the cloud, not via Wi-Fi, which is a pain point. Every light switch could be an activity sensor and every smart speaker could be a “tone of voice” monitor. Whether people want that is another matter!


PIONEER On my way “out” of this year’s CES I stopped at the Pioneer booth, and I was shocked at what I found – nothing about residential AV, but a transformation statement: “By 2030, one company will be the key to a sustainable society of evolved mobility – Pioneer”. The brand’s President and CEO says Pioneer


aims to become a solutions company creating the future of mobility experiences. Possibly a smart move if it can pull it off. But I can’t help but feel sad, how times have changed since my early days in the industry when this company led the way with home AV and Plasma TV. It is a reminder that all companies have to remain relevant and keep innovating and be prepared to change course if they have to. With that, I headed for the exit… in reality I


just shut down my laptop. I left feeling this was time well spent but it wasn’t quite the same as normal and I have really just been subjected to all the marketing messaging with no “proof”. CES is due to return to Las Vegas 5-8 January


2022. Here’s looking forward to hopefully attending in-person.


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