STACK #199 May 2021

TECH LIFE

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STACK ’ s Tech Tip

1. Turn it off! Yep, every TV has a lifespan, so if you leave it on 24/7, you’re effectively shortening this. Get into the habit of switching the TV off when you go to bed at night to extend its lifespan. And don’t forget about the savings made on electricity usage. 2. Clean it! Ideally, your TV should be cleaned multiple times Maintain your TV wreck the screen. Use a dry microfibre cloth to clean the screen and surrounds. 3. Ventilate! After prolonged use your TV will heat up, so ensure that the unit has plenty of ventilation to prevent it from overheating. Ideally, you’ll want at least 100mm of space at a minimum around the unit. In a perfect world, the TV should be mounted or positioned with plenty of space all around. 4. Surge protection! More and more electronics users are considering protection against electricity spikes and surges that can damage precious tech. (See page 9 for an in-depth look at surge protectors.) 5. Protect the screen! Do you have young children in the house? Try your best to keep hands and sharp objects away from the TV screen. Speaking from personal experience, this is a guaranteed way to permanently destroy the viewing experience. 6. Bright lights! Monitor the brightness and contrast levels on the TV, as most will be set to maximum in the factory. By lowering these settings, you can extend the life of the TV. per week to keep out the dust. Not only will dust damage internal components over time, it can also

MAY

H ow often should you upgrade your TV? Well, according to a TV launch event we attended back in 2007 hosted by a charismatic CEO, the magic number was four years, tops. And he emphasised the tops. Of course at the time, we baulked at that suggestion, but that was back when the reveal of television pricing necessitated a seat and a stiff drink. Now, you can walk into a JB Hi-Fi store and land a 65-inch TV for under 700 bucks! However, today there’s merit in what that ebullient CEO said all those years ago. Technology in televisions evolves at a dizzying pace, so that TV you bought in the mid-year sales in 2016 would bear little resemblance under the hood to a current model rolling off the production line this year. So much has changed in those four to five years that when you see the technology side-by-side, it’s almost on recognisable. But buying a TV is a personal experience and will vary

upon what is required. Are you seeking a model to replace a TV in the main viewing area of a house? One for the bedroom or kids' room? Holiday home? And, with all the advances in technology, how do you know what TV to buy and what features you need? Searching for a newTV can be a daunting experience, full of terminology that can be confusing. What’s HDR10+ and refresh rate? Do I need a 4K TV or an 8K? What is the difference between LED and OLED? Well, this month is our annual visual spectacular at STACK where we not only reveal the latest TV models landing at JB stores this year, but also demystify all the TV terminology and help you make an informed buying decision when it’s time to upgrade. And given we’re all spending more time at home these days, there’s never been a better reason – or indeed an excuse – to buy a brand new, state of the art television.

On The Radar

You were top of the tech pops in 1984 if you managed to get your hands on the nascent Epson ET-10, the first handheld TV. Featuring a two-inch LCD screen, the ET-10 had 52,800 pixels, projected vision in full colour, and its diminutive dimensions meant it could be slipped into a pocket or handbag with ease. Battery or mains-powered, the ET-10 was an exciting portent of the future of visual technology. What was the hottest tech in… 1984

Ooh, how can it be June next month? Are we really almost halfway through the year already? Well, if you love smartphones then you’re going to love our June issue, because this is the month we deep dive into the world of mobile communication and assess what’s new, what’s hot, and what you’ll want in your pocket in 2021. On top of that, we’ll be looking at what cracking tech deals tax time can offer you this year.

MAY 2021

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