The Evolution of Home Entertainment

It’s safe to say that a lot has changed over recent years regarding the way we watch TV, watch movies, consume media and work at home!

In 1956 the TV was introduced to Australia and changed our world! Now we are moving through a similar evolution regarding how we consume entertainment which is changing the way we live in our homes.

Jim’s Antennas takes a look back at home entertainment and is predicting what the future may hold. 

How the Lounge Room Has Changed 

In the past, the TV was the focal point of the lounge room, with all other furniture and decor oriented around it. However, as technology and design trends have evolved, the lounge room has transformed into a multifunctional space that is less centred around the TV. 

One of the most significant changes in the lounge room is the move towards open-plan living so the lounge room has become a central hub that connects seamlessly to other spaces such as the kitchen and dining area. This has led to a shift away from the TV being the primary focus, as people now prioritise creating a cohesive and inviting space that encourages interaction and conversation. 

Interestingly though, TVs are now slimmer than ever and less invasive to the room overall. In fact, manufacturers are recommending that a 75-inch TV is the best option for the ultimate viewing experience. This is far larger than  the traditional TV, yet as we often wall mount TVs, conceal cabling and in some cases, have them hidden entirely from view in a sideboard, the units are taking up less space than ever, despite their larger size. 

The way TVs are used has changed dramatically in the past few years although I’m sure there are still fights over who has the remote control 😀. 

Traditional free-to-air programs are being consumed less and less by younger people who choose streaming services without the interruptions from advertising and their preference to watch programs when it suits their schedule, and not the other way around.

The requirement for a TV in place of a screen is also a significant change – for example in one home, people find themselves in different rooms, or they may be in the same room with their own personal audio set up, consuming their own content.

The space to come together and watch a TV at home has seen the rise of media rooms rather than this happening in the lounge / living room.  

In the living room, what is starting to be seen as an option for many homes is having an inactive TV screen transform into a piece of artwork. This new technology has been pushed to the mainstream market mainly by Samsung and their ‘The Frame’ range. 

The Vice President of Samsung Consumer Electronics, Jeremy Senior was quoted saying this technology “allows Australians to have not just a TV, but a customisable and personalised screen that can be used to showcase and purchase art, experience content, work, play and connect with their favourite people.” 

Arguably, an even better feature is the Samsungs Ambient Mode.This allows the TV to completely blend into the background wall by superimposing a picture of the wall behind on the screen. This removes the dominance of the screen in the room, creating a more sophisticated environment and is great for families with young children who get obsessed with the TV being on. This technology may just be enough to trick them into believing that the TV has really disappeared. 

The New Working from Home Dynamic

Australia leads the way globally with hybrid work models of working from home and the office. Adaptavist published survey findings of its Reinventing Work Report in October 2022 that showed Australia had the highest percentage of hybrid workers (34%) compared with those in the US, UK and Canada (with an average of 29%).  

Slightly more Australian workplaces were also offering hybrid options to staff (50%) 

What does this all mean? Well, for starters, most houses now include some form of working from home set up – which may include multiple screens, a desk and an ugly but expensive desk chair. 

A lot of manufacturers are realising the need for consumers to be able to use their screens – TVs and monitors – for similar purposes and hence the requirement for them to be able to communicate with each other. It’s becoming more and more common for screens of all kinds to offer some form of Unified Communications (UC) compatibility and be able to act as standalone conferencing devices for friends, family, colleagues and customers.

How can these communication hubs work in today’s world and in the future?

Audio Innovations

Audio across the board has experienced massive leaps and bounds in the past few years. From creating incredible surround sound experiences, to multi-room access to speakers and music / audio to personalised headset devices – sound matters!

When people started working more online and remotely, it quickly became extremely important for companies to be able to provide clearer, more accurate audio. In addition, voice-activated virtual assistance in the home and beyond  such as Alexa and Siri have grown in popularity and accuracy. These virtual assistants can now help you control so much of your home such as lighting, heating, music, blinds…to name a few, while being protected by consumer-level WiFi routers that now have built-in cybersecurity.

With a complete shift towards having a ‘wireless home’, it has become so important to hire a professional installer, such as your local Jim’s Antennas technician, to ensure that everything is wired up accurately and reaches all corners of your home.

Don’t Forget About the Children

So many of the current changes in entertainment technology in the common areas of homes are geared towards teenages and adults. But what about the younger kids? They are easily captivated by a screen on a device at home, in the car or at a cafe. Screen time is an issue for all households.

Even if you are a parent that avoids using technology to entertain your kids, providing them with access is almost a non-negotiable given the increased delivery of learning accessed via screens on apps and online. 

Could something like an all-in-one entertainment space that includes a chair, desk and a small screen be the next big thing to take off?

All Things Gaming 

Gaming has come a long way from being holed up in a small, dark, cupboard like room. Though, with more slender technology, less cords and less room required for computer “brains”, a small room setup may still be beneficial for some. However, with the growing popularity of games where dancing or exercising is required, the size of the room and the space available directly in front of the TV could play a factor. 

Products such as curved displays, Virtual Reality helmets have improved overall immersion into these digital worlds. 

Taking all this into consideration, the need for increased multimedia immersion – for work, rest, and play – that’s adaptable to any sized dwelling, is the constant that appears to be the requirement for the future of home entertainment spaces.

The team at Jim’s Antennas ensure they stay up to date with the latest technologies so they can assist with the installation and set up at your home, office or place of business.