Does size matter? In the world of technology, it all depends on the consumer. The first generations of televisions were designed in a very simple form. Most were square, made of wood, and had a round dial to change channels. Nowadays, we have many different shapes and functions for televisions.
Culture and technology have had a large impact on the development of the design and features of the modern television.
The design of the television has drastically changed over time. For example, the 1948 Fada model was large in volume and it had a convex and oval shaped screen. It had four knobs used to tune and change channels. The structure was made of wood and it included a fairly large speaker underneath the twelve inch screen.
The television only had access to thirteen channels. The dial simply shows that the culture did not have access to many channels. Past televisions were simple because the lifestyle was simple. People did not need hundreds of channels and massive screens to be satisfied.Modern televisions now come in various sizes and have features to accommodate the consumers. For example, the Philips-Magnavox 50FD9955 is thin and has a fifty inch (diagonal) rectangular flat screen.
This television can be placed almost anywhere imaginable. It can be hung on a wall or even on the ceiling. The large size of this television represents modern society's need for bigger and better things. It has an on/off button, two channel buttons, two volume buttons, and other various buttons for adjusting the color. The channel buttons on the modern television represent the unlimited number of channels.
The structure is made of metal and plastic and it includes a speaker on each side. The plastic body is easier to mold, cheaper to produce, and easier customize the color. The television comes with standard audio/video jacks, cable jacks, and an S-Video jack to accommodate VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, and other accessories. These additional features did not just appear overnight, they developed with society to satisfy their needs.Television is designed around its culture.
In the past, watching television was a way for families to be together. Everyone gathered around the television and watched the same show. Families did not have the luxuries of owning more than one television and having hundreds of channels. Today, almost every room in the house has a television. People in different rooms are now able to watch their own shows.
Modern televisions also come in various shapes and sizes. Parents are able to equip their vehicles with small televisions for their children. Television has become part of most people's lifestyles.Various advancements in technology have made the transition to a complex television design possible. Captions have given the hearing impaired the ability to understand television programs.
Another feature, the remote control, makes changing channels more convenient. The Secondary Audio Program (SAP) feature enables consumers to receive a second audio signal in a different language. The V-Chip empowers parents to restrict the television shows that their children watch. Parents can block programs or channels that contain violence, sexual content, and anything else they deem inappropriate.
In the past, the V-Chip was not even necessary. Traditional programs did not contain violence or nudity. These features were not available for the first generation of televisions.
In conclusion, culture and technology have dramatically changed the appearance and functionality of the television.
The need for luxury in modern society has fueled the elegant design of the modern television. The availability of different materials has made it possible for designers to manipulate the shape and size of modern television sets.
