THE TELEVISION PARADIGM

TELEVISION, according to Wikipedia “is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound”

Simply speaking television refers to the system of transmitting visual images and sound over long distances. It involves the following; capturing of live events, transmitting the data of video and audio signals through the airwaves, cable or internet, reception of the transmitted signals by dedicated devices like the television set, computer or a mobile device for viewing.

The technology behind television is as follows; image capture, signal processing, video encoding, video display and sound rendering.

In image capture, the lens of a camera focuses light onto the image sensor. The image sensor on receiving the light, converts it into electrical signals with the aid of the CCD (charge- coupled-device) or CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor.

Thereafter the signal processing is carried out by the video processing unit (VPU), which enhances the image quality, adjusts the brightness/contrast and adds color, adjust color, temperature, saturation hue and also removes unwanted noise.

The next stage is the video encoding, which involves compressing the video data for transmission using known format like MPEG (moving picture expert group) or any other format, before the encoder converts the uncompressed video into a compressed digital format.

Then the transmission for broadcast television is carried over the airwaves using radio frequencies (RF), whereas for cable television, the signal is transmitted through coaxial cables. While for satellite television the signal is transmitted via satellite which re-transmitted to a receiver on earth.

At the reception, a television (TV) tuner, set top box (STB) or decoder receives the broadcast signal and decodes them, while the decoder extracts the original video data from the transmitted signal.

The displays which may be liquid crystal or light emitting diode display(LCD/LED), plasma, organic light emitting diode(OLED) display the video and audio signal for viewing.

The television paradigm has spurred a lot of industries including; broadcast and media, electronics and manufacturing, entertainment and culture, technology and innovation.

In addition the television industry has generated millions of jobs worldwide; from production and broadcasting to sales, advertising, marketing and maintenance.

The television industry has contributed immensely to economic growth, global trade and international cultural relations. Its only drawback is its environmental and social impact across communities.

Overall the impact of television to society has been profound, while also presenting challenges and opportunities for the future.

The future of television is left to anyone’s imagination with the advent of the following technologies; the internet, the augmented virtual and virtual reality (AVR/VR) and wireless and internet technology.

I am not predicting the death of the television as we know it now, but eventually the future television will be augmented virtual and virtual reality (AVR/VR) head set or wireless projected holograms or the computer.

In terms of viewing culture I predict it will be personal, immersive, tailored to viewer’s preferences and their sense of reality.

 

 

SOURCES:

• The television will be revolutionized by Amanda Lotz.
• The end of Television? By Milly Buonanno.
• The Television engineering handbook by Jerry Whitaker.
• Modern Television engineering by R.G Gadzharov.
• Digital Television: technology and standards by Philip A. Chimento and Alfonso Macchiiavello.