Smart TVs are vulnerable to cyber threats

According to the Consumer Council, only one of nine tested smart televisions performed satisfactorily in cybersecurity, suggesting that smart TVs should be treated like any other smart devices, such as smartphones or computers. It urges customers to consider cybersecurity performance before purchasing in order to mitigate risks of personal data leaks. 

The first test on smart TVs involving nine models of 55-inch Ultra HD (4K) ranging from HK$3,890 to HK$21,980 in price revealed that models in the higher-priced OLED category had higher overall ratings for picture quality.

However, the expert panel found that three types of screens did not vary significantly in picture quality for digital TV broadcasts, suggesting that the lower-priced LED or mid-priced QD/Mini LED categories would be sufficient to satisfy the needs of general users.

The tests also showed that OLED TV sets would be more suitable for those who prefer better picture quality.

Among the tested models, a Samsung OLED TV priced at HK$15,980 ranked the highest in terms of performance in picture quality, sound quality and accessibility features such as font magnification and color contrast settings, which are suitable for the elderly. 

It rated higher than the LG OLED TV priced at HK$21,980 and Sony OLED TV priced at HK$18,999.
While two models of QD/Mini LED TVs, Panasonic and LG, priced at HK$9,980 and HK$10,980, respectively, received poor visual ratings when viewed from different angles.

However, the Panasonic model ranked the highest in terms of cybersecurity and privacy settings.

Regarding higher-priced 8K resolution TVs in the market, the Council observed that the majority of streaming platforms and online videos have yet to reach the 8K mark. 

The council advised consumers to consider carefully before purchasing high-specification products.

(Stacy Shi)