In this blog post, we will examine the impact of the evolution of TV on modern society and our daily lives. Explore the role of TV, which has evolved beyond a simple video device to a center of communication and information.
In the Joseon Dynasty, there was a king and his brother. A woman whom they both loved died and came back to life as a shaman. The brothers became enemies, and the situation grew increasingly tense. This is the story of a fictional drama called “Moon Embracing the Sun,” which depicts the love between three people in the Joseon Dynasty. Due to the appearance of handsome and beautiful Korean actors, the show reportedly had a viewership rating of over 40%. This means that four out of ten people were watching the drama “Moon Embracing the Sun” on TV. So, what were the remaining six people watching on TV?
My father watches political, economic, and sports news. My mother checks the weather and enjoys dramas or movies. When the child is playing at the playground, my aunt watches the CCTV inside the house to make sure the nieces and nephews are playing safely. My cousin watches TV shopping and sometimes sings like in a karaoke room. She also video calls her girlfriend abroad or her grandmother who lives far away. My music-loving cousin listens to music or watches music videos on a visual radio. My curious younger cousin can’t resist searching for answers whenever he sees something interesting on TV and insists on watching educational programs. My younger sister, who is currently obsessed with her peer group, can’t stop using social media even while watching TV. This isn’t a story from the future. These are all things we can do with TV right now.
When TV was first invented, it was just a device for instantly transmitting images. But since then, it’s gotten a lot of new features. Now, as you can see from the examples above, it can do everything you’d expect from a video device at home. It took a lot of time and effort to develop the technology to shoot videos, convert them into electrical signals to send over long distances, and then convert those signals back into images. The invention of the scanning plate, which converts electrical signals into video, marked the debut of mechanical TV. The evolution of TV, including electronic TV, color TV, and flat-panel display TV, was driven by the contributions of many technologists. Over the past 50 years, the core of TV manufacturing and services has been the ability to capture, transmit, and reproduce images in various colors, with high clarity and on large screens, with minimal distortion. However, the times have changed. While signal transmission and reception, as well as video processing technologies, have advanced significantly, the market is now seeking something beyond these technical advancements. TV is now facing a transformative period.
So, how should we define TV today? Etymologically, TV is an abbreviation of “television,” which means “to see from a distance.” The dictionary definition describes it as “a device that transmits images using radio waves.” However, Apple’s Apple TV is a small box without a display screen, functioning merely as a set-top box that displays external signals on a TV. Google launched Google TV, which displays a search window upon startup. Samsung and LG’s TVs are smart TVs that can run various programs and are also called 3D TVs, reflecting the next-generation video implementation issue. However, except for the higher-level video implementation function, there is no significant difference in terms of service and functionality from the IPTV service provided in the past, which may cause confusion.
IPTV is a service provided by companies with communication networks in collaboration with content providers to offer various functions. The only difference is that they are not integrated into the TV but come in a set-top box form. To understand this confusing situation, it is necessary to briefly review the background of the term “smart TV.” The term “smart TV” did not naturally emerge due to functional changes but was first used for marketing purposes. After Apple introduced the iPhone and presented a new paradigm with smartphones, the term “smart TV” appeared in the TV market.
There is another important difference between the existing definition and next-generation TV products. As mentioned earlier, Apple TV, Google TV, Samsung’s smart TV, LG’s 3D TV, and IPTV all receive information through the internet rather than via antenna waves. Aside from the difference in input devices—a keyboard and a remote control—the boundary between TVs and computers is becoming increasingly blurred. Therefore, we need to redefine what a TV is. If we define it broadly and comprehensively as “a device that transmits and processes various information, including video, through electrical signals,” it will be valid for the time being.
We have examined and adjusted the functions and definition of TV. I wrote this article to help you understand today’s TVs, which perform various functions. Now, let’s broaden our understanding of TV by briefly looking at its social role.
Some people used to call TV a “idiot box,” implying that it makes people stupid. This is because it causes people to sit in a room all day, watching TV and excluding other social activities. As a result, some students become disconnected from society and face difficulties, which has become a problem. On the other hand, CCTV is a device that performs a positive function by preventing crime. Although there is controversy over the invasion of privacy, it can be said that CCTV fulfills its role of making society safer as long as it does not go too far. In this way, TV has both social dysfunctions and functions.
Meanwhile, in science fiction movies such as ‘The Fifth Element,’ there are scenes where aliens study human culture and history through TV, as if absorbing all of Earth’s memories. This is consistent with the current trend of drama content bringing different cultures closer together and deepening mutual understanding. As such, TV plays a significant role as a channel of communication in society, though it can also be a source of miscommunication. Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that TV is an essential device for modern social survival, and its use requires self-control and caution.
In the early 20th century, we merely received one-way video information through TV. However, today, TV is increasingly being utilized as a two-way communication tool, and its influence and impact are growing accordingly. Therefore, understanding next-generation TV goes beyond seeing it as a mere device for transmitting video information, enabling a comprehensive and concise understanding of how we use digital devices today.
Currently, the functions that TV can perform are being integrated, and its role is expanding. Based on examples from other electronic devices, it is not impossible that once a certain threshold is reached, TV may shift toward focusing on specific roles again. Spending a weekend evening imagining the roles TV will play in the future and the transformed forms it will take as it continues to deeply penetrate every aspect of modern life could be an intriguing endeavor.
