One of my favorite things to see at IFA 2024 was Vestel's Block TV, which is currently just a concept but I'd love to see it become a reality.
The concept is simple: What if you could change the size or features of your TV screen without having to replace all the other electronic components? That could save you money while also creating less electronic waste.
In the Block TV, the stand and the display are separate parts. The stand would contain all the processing and connections, and the display is just the screen. You can choose what screen size you want to start with, and if you decide you're ready to move up from a 48-inch TV to a 65-inch model later, you can simply remove the small screen and pop in the new one. Instant upgrade!
Likewise, it's possible that a new console in the future will have some cool new mode that you really want to take advantage of, but your TV doesn't support it… yet. You could keep the display and upgrade the rest once a new version of the stand with additional features is available.
Vestel has focused primarily on the ability to change the screen size, but this concept got me thinking about the possibilities. One obvious aspect would be the ability to get better screen technology as it becomes available, not just a different size than the current one, so that it could be one of the best OLED TVs around, if you want to one day.
But imagine options that take this customization even further: perhaps a display with a sound bar built into the bottom for people who really want the best TV in terms of sound… or maybe one that has the sound bar at the bottom. and Up- and side-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, if you don't mind paying more. You can choose how seriously you want to take it.
You may be able to choose between a glossy display or a matte display, like the fantastic one on the Samsung S95D, depending on how problematic reflections are in your room (or whether you want to display ambient art in it).
And while I've focused on upgrades, it would also make these TVs easier to repair and maintain, potentially: if something hits the screen and breaks it, you only need to replace one part, rather than throwing the whole thing out in favor of a new one.
I'm not convinced this will ever see the light of day (Vestel always comes to IFA armed with cool TV ideas that don't make it into products you can buy), but given our heightened awareness of sustainability and waste, I really hope an idea like Block TV has a chance.
