Six of the Best: TVs

As visual technology continues to advance, it’s becoming even more important to keep up with the changes and your customers’ expectations

A television is probably the most common piece of technology that a guest will expect to find in any hotel room. Most hotels have one in each of their bedrooms as well as reception areas and bars.

By updating your TVs you will be able to offer your guests the very best and exceed their expectations. Old television sets will not be Freeview enabled and you will need to update your sets to get the latest offerings. By having TVs that can provide these facilities, especially in the bedrooms, will allow you to present your customers with a selection of TV packages and upsell added extras such as films and music programmes. With the introduction of 3D TVs and further technological advances, take a look a this selection of the latest innovative sets to hit the market before you head out to upgrade.

Company: Airwave Europe
Name of product: Bose VideoWave
Description: The Bose VideoWave HDTV entertainment system eliminates the need for multiple speakers and connecting wires by integrating a home cinema system – complete with 16 loudspeakers – behind the screen display. This innovation from Bose delivers immersive and powerful cinema sound, but with no separate speakers, no bass module, and no speaker wires.
What are the selling points? This entertainment system offers vivid picture from an LED backlit display (1080p/100Hz) and extraordinary audio performance with no visible speakers or wiring to contend with. Music takes centre stage with an included dock for an iPhone/iPod; an innovative click pad remote provides easy, intuitive control of the TV and all connected sources. ADAPTiQ technology also customises the system’s sound during set-up to adapt to room’s acoustics. It also has an elegant design with a premium, hand-finished aluminium frame. It is also available in 46ins and 55ins.
Prices start from: Contact Jon for more information, [email protected]
Contact: 0845 555 1212 www.airwave.tv (in partnership with Bose)

Company: Global Entertainment Management (UK)
Name of product: LG LP631H range
Description: Incorporating LG’s revolutionary Pro:Centric technology, the LP631H range (Available in 32/37/42 ins) provides the hotelier with an interactive television system at a standalone price.
What are the selling points? All Pro:Centric sets feature a customisable GUI, information channel, unlimited language options, live weather feeds and the ability to remotely manage and clone all of a hotel’s televisions via a computer. With no need for additional infrastructure or set-top box investment, the associated cost and labour saving make LG’s Pro:Centric technology a compelling solution.
Prices start from: Available on request
Contact: 0845 260 2180 www.hoteltv.co.uk

Company: Philips
Name of product: Professional LED TV 32 inch MediaSuite, LED, DVB-T2/T/C MPEG 2/4 32HFL5008D/12
Description: This TV system comes with a variety of advanced hotel features, including MyChoice compatability which is a simple, low cost way to offer your guests premium TV channels, while delivering an additional revenue stream. It also has Philips OCIGEN installed, an innovative technology that gives the hotelier control over its connectivity and management.
What are the selling points? This clever piece of kit will allow the hotelier to add, sort and delete apps with minimum effort, thanks to its AppControl facility. It also offers Smart TV apps with dedicated services for hospitality; SmartInfo for branded, interactive hotel info pages and SmartInstall for easy remote instillation and maintenance. Plus its Secure SimplyShare capabilities will allow your guests to stream movies and music to the TV themselves.
Prices start from: Available on request
Contact: 0844 338 0488 www.philips.com/hoteltv

Company: Richer Sounds
Name of Product: Panasonic TXP42X60BL 42ins HD Ready Freeview HD Plasma TV
Description: The latest plasma panel gives an exceptionally natural picture quality. With a very high contrast ratio, this TV gives true, deep blacks and a great sense of realism.
What are the selling points? Panasonic has long been renowned for the quality of their plasma TV sets and with the TXP42X60BL it’s not hard to see why. With its 600Hz sub-field drive technology, the TXP42X60BL also creates super-smooth images, whatever the resolution. Always popular with gamers for their fast response times, the TV builds on its plasma strength by offering a game mode setting for even faster response, ideal for hotels that offer their guests games console facilities.
Prices start from: £291.63 + VAT
Contact: 020 7407 9090 www.richersounds.com

Company: Aquavision
Name of product: Aquavision Waterproof Television
Description: Aquavision is a waterproof, flush in-wall television solution designed specifically for bathrooms and other environments where a normal television will not work. The TVs are designed and manufactured to high quality standards in Aquavision’s own UK manufacturing facility.
What are the selling points? Available in a wide range of screen sizes, four product ranges combined with three enclosure styles, providing an unrivalled product and application range, covering almost any requirement. Providing a real wow factor to any hotel bathroom, Aquavision televisions are available in screen sizes 19ins to 40ins and glass finishes in polar white, black and MirrorVision. Aquavision televisions also come with a its very own on site two year warranty and can be upgraded to within five years.
Prices start from: Available on request
Contact: 01442 872 665 www.aquavision.tv

Company: Samsung
Name of product: HB890 Series
Description: This high-performing TV includes many features and an interface designed for ease of use. Its displays contribute to a pleasant room ambiance and a great view­ing experience because of its slim, streamlined design. With smart connectivity features, the screens offer myriad entertainment options for guests. Hotel staff members can customise the welcome menu with a straightforward interface. Additionally, hotels can stay on budget with affordable content-streaming options and other cost-saving features. The TV comes in 46, 55, 65 inch sizes.
What are the selling points? This television offers an upgraded guest experience with wireless connection to personal devices and a wide range of channel selections with the built-in DVB-T2/C/S2 tuner. It also allows the hotelier to customise important hotel content using the Samsung LYNKTM SINC Internet Protocol (IP) network, as well as control expenditures with energy-saving features.
Prices start from: (RRP) £2,200
Contact: www.samsung.com