Home entertainment technology has just spiked. Aside from the streaming wars and the peak of digital content at consumers’ fingertips, the pandemic has turned homeowners’ attention to their living room, media room, or home theater.
After moving movie nights and streamed premieres into their home, more people have become ready to take the plunge on an entertainment technology upgrade. The starting point for such a transformation begins at the centerpiece of the room, the display. While choosing a new TV used to just involve the size, there are now dozens of choices ranging from standard HD to 4K to even 8K, available as OLED or LED flat screens, projectors, smart TVs, curved TVs, laser and more. This decision is an investment and a factor in the viewing experience for years to come.
Manufacturers offer a range of tempting features and stunning resolutions, now including both 4K and 8K. A home technology professional can be a guide in the decision of form factor, features, and resolution.
First, the choice between a flat screen or a projector must be made. The size of the room can easily help narrow down the decision; a room with an existing TV stand or mount can usually easily transition to a new screen or screen size. Or homeowners might want to switch to a projector, if they have enough wall space for a big screen but want to manage the cost, as well as the space to mount a projector. Or, for homeowners who want a large size but don’t challenges for space and mounting, newer technology like laser projectors provide 4K picture quality and large size options, typically 100 inches or more diagonally. If they already have an automation system, a projector might also be a more appealing option for simpler control from remotes and a mobile app.
Once this decision is made, content and resolution are the considerations. As 4K content has become more accessible on streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney+, and more, 4K adoption has been picking up. Many homeowners are ready to upgrade their HD displays to Ultra HD, but if seeking an upgrade, why not go 8K? Beyond availability of content, availability of hardware becomes a factor.
While it’s 16 times the resolution of 4K, 8K content is still at a minimum. Many manufacturers debuted 8K displays at CES 2020 this year, with many more to arrive during 2020. In the meantime, consumers can be comfortable knowing that 4K will reign for many years to come, and the transition to 8K will be beyond on the horizon.
Guiding homeowners through display choices for a home theater is a great opportunity for dealers, whether working with a new customer or offering an upgrade for an existing client. Home entertainment spaces are on the rise, and 4K is the next adoption point that can become a catalyst for homeowners to consider additional automation, audio, and a networking upgrades for the ultimate home entertainment experience.
Since joining the PowerHouse Alliance in 2009 as executive director, Dennis Holzer leads its 12 distributor members in dealer communication and industry outreach. He represents an overseeing eye of the residential and commercial AV, security, IT, home entertainment, and consumer electronics industries. With over 30 years of experience, Holzer has done everything from road warrior salesman, to spending over 15 years as president and owner of Hamburg Brothers, an independent wholesale electronics/white goods distributor.
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