STACK #199 May 2021

FEATURE LIFE TECH

SURGE PROTECTION

VIEWING ANGLE

– something to consider A power surge can wreak havoc on the tech inside your TV, computer or any other electrical appliance. Surges can originate internally when power-hungry appliances like refrigerators and tumble dryers start up, or externally through lightning strikes. But don’t despair, there’s something you can do to protect your precious appliances. A surge protection power board is designed to act as a multi-plug adaptor for all your electrical inputs, while offering protection to the connected devices by safely absorbing any unwanted power spikes. Rule of thumb – the higher the joule rating on the product, the

This is an important consideration, especially for a big family or those who like to entertain a large group for sporting events or movie nights. The optimal viewing position for your big screen TV is dead centre with the middle of the screen ideally at eye level. But move to the side of the couch or room and you may experience a reduction in contrast and less vibrant colours. This can vary depending on the type

of screen you’ve chosen – OLED TVs will deliver consistent image quality from every angle, while some Samsung and Sony models feature Ultra-Wide Angle and X-Wide Angle, respectively. Like the aforementioned distance test, you should also size up the viewing angle when checking out TVs in-store.

better the protection. If you love your tech, you’ll want to protect it. Pro tip: Always buy a surge protection block with more plug outlets than you need – you’ll end up using them. Belkin Pro Series 8-Way Surge Protector This one features eight sockets and the beauty here is the double spacing between sockets allows for those annoying oversized adaptors to be plugged in, too. It’s protected for under and over voltage and offers protection for telephone, aerial and networking ports.

RESOLUTION

4K ULTRA HD has rapidly become the industry standard for big screen televisions. 4K resolution comprises 3840 x 2160 pixels – that’s four times the amount of Full HD (1920 x 1080). Ultra HD adds more depth and colour resolution, resulting in sharper and more lifelike images. And the picture will remain crystal-clear, even if you’re sitting way too close to the screen. There is a lot of 4K content to enjoy, too, with a great range of classic and new release movies and TV shows available on 4K physical discs, as well as various streaming services offering a plethora of choice. Moreover, with many smartphones now sporting built-in 4K cameras, you’ll be able to enjoy the footage you’ve shot in stunning UHD on a big screen. 4K TVs can also upscale content that’s of lower resolution, which means your DVD and Blu-ray collection will look even better than it did in Full HD.

8K is sort of still the new kid on the block and offers another major leap in image resolution, delivering four times the pixels of 4K and 16 times that of Full HD. 8K boasts 7680 x 4320 pixels, enabling larger displays to maintain maximum image sharpness and clarity. Simply put, the more pixels-per-inch of screen, the sharper the image. Add HDR (High Dynamic Range) and a wide colour gamut and you’re looking at currently the best possible image quality, especially on larger screens 85 inches and up. Many 8K TVs ultilise AI to upscale/convert lower resolution video.

Jackson Surge Protected Board Offering a whopping 10 sockets, this surge protection board from Jackson also features six fast charge USB-A ports for added convenience. Crest Platinum 6 socket 2 USB Equipment Protector

8K

4K

GET SMART

The Platinum 6 offers protection for six sockets, TV antennas, modem and phones. It also has two fast charging USB ports.

A Smart TV connects to the internet, opening up a world of entertainment possibilities, and can also be integrated into a smart home ecosystem. Most Smart TVs offer voice control functionality with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support, and many come with the most popular streaming apps already loaded and ready to browse. A user friendly onscreen interface makes navigation a cinch, and the powerful processors within can automatically adjust the picture and sound according to the environment surrounding the TV for the optimal viewing experience. When choosing a Smart TV, consider the kind of smart functionality that will best suit your needs.

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