What were the top specifications for home appliances in Y2K?
Flat TVs were all the rage at the turn of the millennium.
However, at that time, these were flat screen CRT (cathode ray tube) TV sets
that were quite bulky and heavy. A 29-inch flat TV was on everyone’s wish list,
paired with a video-CD mini-component system, some with multiple disc trays so
you could watch your favorite movie, which usually consisted of a 2-disc set,
without interruption.
Plasma was being touted as the next big thing in television
technology, particularly for larger screen sizes. Projection TVs were also
available in the market, mostly for home theaters and corporate board rooms.
Automatic defrosting was a much-vaunted feature for premium
refrigerator models at that time; the top-of-the-line models were frost-free
and double-door. Microwave ovens were becoming a staple for most kitchens,
promising fast and convenient defrosting, heating, and cooking.
Large, top-loading, single tub washing machines advertised
built-in detergent and fabric softener dispensers as a selling feature, more
advanced than the twin-tub washer-spinner combos where you had to pour in the
detergent, etc. with each manual cycle.
For air-conditioners, a remote control, as well as
programmable timer, were top specifications.
Home internet was available as a dial-up service from ISPs
(internet service providers), with prices ranging from PHP 1,600 to PHP 2,500
for 100 hours per month for speeds of up to 56kbps. At that time, Wi-Fi
connectivity was just stuff that you saw in the movies.
Televisions
LG Curved OLED TV 55EA9800
Billed as “The Ultimate Display,” this is the first Curved
OLED TV in the world. It is extraordinarily slim at only 4.3mm thick, and is
unbelievably lightweight at only 17kg. Its transparent crystal stand makes it
look like it’s floating on air. Embedded on the stand are Clear Speakers
utilizing piezo actuator audio technology for superb sound quality. Of course,
it also packs LG’s Smart TV and 3D functionalities. Admittedly, pricing is
still prohibitive, but this is a harbinger of the cutting edge technology that
we can expect in our homes in the near future.
LG Curved OLED TV
55EA9800
Samsung Curved UHD TV UA65HU9000
In the TV technology race, Samsung laid its claim to the
world’s first Curved Ultra HD TV. Its 3840x2160 screen resolution offers four
times the pixels of full-HD for greater picture clarity and detail, while the
gentle curve of the screen makes for a more immersive viewing experience. But
what makes this a real stand-out is the separate UHD Evolution Kit where you
conveniently plug in all your connections, which are typically hard to reach as
these are located at the side or back of the TV. The kit also contains the
processors, firmware, and software that operate your Smart TV. When new
upgrades become available, you can just buy the latest Evolution Kit instead of
buying a new TV, thus protecting your expensive UHD TV from obsolescence.
Samsung Curved UHD
TV UA65HU9000
Sharp Aquos Quattron Pro LC-80LE960X
Banking on its proprietary 4-Primary Color Technology, the
Sharp Aquos Quattron Pro line of Full-HD TVs claims to produce brilliant images
equivalent to 4K Ultra-HD resolution. This is possibly the only HD TV available
locally with THX certification - assurance that the TV is truly cinema quality.
With the dearth of Ultra HD content, the Aquos Quattron Pro allows you to enjoy
improved viewing quality even of HD content through 4K-upscaling. At the same
time, Sharp claims that this Smart 3D HD TV is future-proofed as it is also
able to process Ultra HD content.
Sharp Aquos
Quattron Pro LC-80LE960X
Devant UHD230
Devant claims to have overtaken the industry leaders as the
bestselling TV in the country. Their success has been built on providing
affordable, yet competitively spec’d TVs. It is making its entry into the
large-screen UHD battleground with its UHD230, a 4K UHD TV with 3840x2160
resolution. Featuring an 85-inch LED screen, it is ready for the shift to
digital broadcasts with its built-in ISDB-T receiver. Its smart TV features
include access to the Opera Store, web browsing, Skype with built-in camera,
and the usual social media apps. The package comes with two pairs of active 3D
glasses.
Devant UHD230
TCL E5690
Not everyone can afford the stratospheric prices of the
premium brands, and TCL has carved out a niche among the budget-conscious. The
TCL E5690 is a 55-inch 4K UHD TV powered by a quad-core processor, running on
Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) for smart TV functionality with access to the TCL app
store. A built-in camera has face recognition as well as gesture control. And,
of course, the best thing about this TV is its very affordable price tag.
TCL E5690
