Do you need smart TV on your TV?

The development of modern digital technologies has made ordinary bulky CRT televisions first light and elegant, and then smart. After all, Smart is translated as “smart”. Nowadays it is not just a device for watching TV shows, but a full-fledged entertainment and multifunctional center.

What is Smart TV

“Smart TV”, unlike a regular TV, expands the available functions of the TV receiver. It allows you to select and view the necessary content yourself thanks to additional programs and services installed on it. Such devices try to combine the functions of a TV receiver and a computer. In order to take advantage of all the available features, you only need Wi-Fi or a cable to connect your TV to the network. As a rule, each TV receiver already has a pre-installed set with additional services. Moreover, each manufacturer installs its own platform, both on a computer and on a TV.

REFERENCE! After going online, using the installed browser, you can find additional collections with media materials for each specific TV model.

Installed packages allow you to view the desired films or clips without using a browser.

Features with Smart TV

To start using all the services offered by the “smart device”, you first need to connect it to the Internet. You can do this in several ways:

• Using a LAN cable.All TV models have this port. It is usually located on the back of the device;
• Via wireless Wi-fi network. Modern models are equipped with adapters at the factory. However, not all devices have a built-in receiver. You can buy it and connect it yourself;
• If the device model is quite old, then it comes with a special set-top box for connecting to the Internet;

After the Internet is connected and configured, you can move on to the main functions that the “smart TV receiver” offers. These include:

• Possibility of Internet access. This can be done either using a browser or using special widgets already included in the package. For convenience, manufacturing companies separate services such as YuoTube and social networks - Facebook or Twitter. Some TV models have pre-installed widgets for Russian social networks;
• Possibility of voice and video communication using Skype. Some TV receiver models are already equipped with a built-in video camera. However, for most TVs you will have to buy and connect it yourself;
• Play video and audio content from external media. It is also possible to view files from a tablet or smartphone via a wireless Wi-fi network;
• You can control the functions of the “smart device” using a smartphone or tablet running on the Android and iOS operating systems. To do this, you need to install a special program on them. More expensive TV models support voice and gesture control functions. Control is also available from a wireless keyboard;
• If an interesting program is being broadcast, but there is no way to watch it, then you can record the program on a USB flash drive or external hard drive.Expensive models can do this, even in the absence of the owner’s home, you just need to make the necessary settings;

REFERENCE! Recording on external media is only possible for digital broadcasting, and also if there is no copy protection.

Is it worth paying for Smart TV: pros and cons

Smart devices have a number of undeniable advantages:

• It is possible to view and record only the necessary content;
• In addition to music and movies, there is access to a huge amount of videos in Full HD format, radio stations, a full-fledged browser, voice communication, and games. You can connect wirelessly to a PC and further expand the functions of the TV;
• Unlimited access to Google Play. These are various applications, maps, educational materials, mail service, office applications;
• Ease of use. After all, this can be done both from a regular remote control and from the keyboard or voice;
• There is no need to be afraid that a couple of years after purchase the device will be useless. Since the technology is developing, which means the service is expanding and there are more functions;

REFERENCE! The listed Google Play functions are only available for models running the Android operating system.

Among the disadvantages are:

• A regular LCD TV, when connected to a computer, can perform exactly the same functions and even more. Since Smart TV mainly presents entertainment content;
• The availability of certain content and available services is regulated by the manufacturer;

To summarize, we can say that if you have a good LCD TV, then you can refuse to buy its more advanced brother.Since a regular LCD, when connected to a PC or set-top box, can perform the same functions as a Smart TV, however, it costs less.