The Sylvox Portable TV is one of the IFA 2023 launches that I knew I’d track down to the show because the presentation is just too good: a floating, waterproof, wireless TV.
It’s only 15 inches in size, with a chunky design needed to make it float, but also to make it easy to grab. You can connect to its Full HD screen via HDMI, but it also has Android 11 built in so you can access streaming services or plug in a USB drive to watch without cables.
That doesn’t include power: Sylvox claims the battery lasts “3-6 hours,” presumably depending on brightness and whether you’re streaming or using HDMI (or archived video).
Understandably, Sylvox didn’t show up with a pool to a crowded and chaotic tech show, but the company does have a kitchen sink on its stand, so, naturally, the first thing I asked was to soak it.
As you can see in the photo above, there was no fear about it – the Sylvox team has happily started popping the thing down.
The portable TV comes with a chunky stand that rotates around the device, meaning you can either place it behind the screen so it’s angled slightly upwards (ideal if you’ve got it on your kitchen counter or something) or in front of it. to the screen so it’s angled slightly downwards, which is helpful if you’re lying down (nice in the bath, maybe). It can also be used above the screen to hang on a hook, so it’s effectively wall mounted.
The most inelegant part of its design is the port coverage, since HDMI wasn’t exactly designed with waterproofing in mind when it was being developed for the best TVs. Anyone who used one of the best waterproof speakers of the era before waterproof USB-C existed will be used to the idea of covering things up with a little plastic flap.
As you can imagine, it’s not the most unique design or the dazzling screen – it offers 400 nits of maximum brightness – but it’s reflective enough so it won’t always be easy to see.
And while I haven’t spent much time using the Android software, keep in mind that it uses regular Android, not Android TV, and when I’ve used it in the past on TV-style devices (like portable projectors), it hasn’t been there. most brilliant experience.
But I find all of this quite forgivable, because I really don’t need a premium finish or high screen quality for something I imagine putting at the end of the bath to binge on a Netflix show while I soak, without worrying. that it falls. Or wear something sporty while I cook, without fear of grease spitting on it, because I know I can just wash it after.
The £539 (around $680 / AU$1,000) price tag is a little higher than I think is ideal, but if you’re looking for a way to look At home with the Furies on Netflix while you’re in your Jacuzzi, that’s money well spent, right?
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