Smart TVs explained – your guide to Smart TVs
July 22nd, 2014
Time to upgrade to a new TV? Overwhelmed with choice? Not sure if one of those “Smart TVs” you keep hearing about would be worth buying?
If you have questions, Appliances Online has answers. Here’s our guide to Smart TVs, where you can find the facts:
What is a Smart TV?
The definition of a Smart TV is a television with digital connectivity, allowing it to access the internet as well as your home’s digital devices (e.g. smartphone, tablet, computer etc.).
This allows you to access and share more media from a greater variety of sources, and to enjoy a more interactive entertainment experience from your television.
Is a Smart TV a digital TV?
Yes, but so are most other modern non-Smart TVs.
As Australian TV has completely switched over to digital broadcasting, any new television you purchase should be able to access your area’s digital channels – you don’t need to buy a Smart TV just for this.
What can a Smart TV do for me?
An LG Smart TV with webOS in action
By connecting your Smart TV to the internet, you can enjoy features and benefits such as:
- Streaming video – Watch YouTube and other streaming videos in big-screen glory.
- Catch-up services – Enjoy ABC iView, SBS On Demand and similar services from Australia’s digital TV channels to watch the shows you missed when they first aired.
- On-demand services – BigPond Movies Portal and other similar services allow you to legally download films and television as part of their subscription packages.
- Apps – Just like on your smartphone or tablet, the apps on a Smart TV make it quick and easy to enjoy online content, including social media and even games!
- Skype – Using the built-in camera found in some Smart TVs (or an optional camera accessory) and a Skype app, you can make video calls to your friends and loved ones from the comfort of your own living room.
- Built in PVR – Some Smart TVs allow you to record live TV to watch later without the need for a separate PVR appliance, recording the content to a built-in or external hard drive or USB stick. This can even let you pause and rewind live TV, so you’ll never miss a thing!
Does a Smart TV require special connection?
To access digital TV channels, your Smart TV just needs to be connected to an aerial, just like a standard digital TV.
To access digital content from the web or your home’s devices, you’ll need to connect your Smart TV to your home’s network, either by physically linking it to your router using an Ethernet network cable, or following the manual’s instructions to wirelessly connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network.
Unless a TV station offers a streaming download of their programing, you won’t be able to watch its broadcast shows using a Smart TV’s online connection only – the two sources are handled separately, so you will still need an aerial.
Some Smart TVs include Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) connectivity, which can make it even easier to network compatible devices together and share content.
For example, if your home includes a DLNA Smart TV and a DLNA Blu-ray player, you can watch a Blu-ray movie on your Smart TV even when the player is in a different room, all through wireless networking via DLNA.
How to use a Smart TV:
Many Smart TVs have a lot of functions to manage, so their manufacturers have included features to make controlling the TV that much simpler, including:
- Voice Command – Tell your telly what to do by speaking to it via an audio sensor built into your remote control, or using an app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Facial Recognition – Using its built-in camera or camera peripheral, a Smart TV can recognise the faces of its users, and automatically adjust its settings and log into certain accounts and services to suit individual preferences
- Motion Control – Some Smart TV remote controls include a motion sensor, allowing them to function almost like a magic wand. Other Smart TVs can sense motion without the extra peripheral, allowing you to control your TV with a wave of your hand.
- Remote control apps – Turn your smartphone or tablet into a remote control by downloading the appropriate app. In some cases, you can even remotely program the TV’s PVR to record a show while you’re out of the house, so you’ll never miss a thing!
- Special remote controls – The extra features of a Smart TV can be a bit much for a standard remote control to handle, so some Smart TV manufacturers integrate keyboards and other intuitive control methods for easier handling.
Do I NEED a Smart TV?
Like so many things in life, when it comes to Smart TVs, you get out what you put in.
Connecting a Smart TV to your home network has the potential to completely revolutionise the way you enjoy TV and other media, though this additional complexity isn’t for everybody. If you’d prefer to simply enjoy broadcast TV, a non-Smart TV may be a better choice for you.
Many non-Smart digital TVs include built-in USB and HDMI ports that can allow you to enjoy digital content from USB sticks and other external digital storage devices. However, not all devices or file formats are compatible with all TVs, meaning you may require a media player to access their content – this is when the built-in media player found in most Smart TVs really comes in handy!
LG BP440 Smart 3D Blu-ray player
Smart TVs aren’t the only appliances that can offer Smart connectivity– some modern PVRs and Blu-ray players can also access apps and online content, even when connected to a “dumb” TV. Some modern gaming consoles can also provide similar experiences, and set top boxes and converter kits are also available to add Smart features. If you already own or are planning to purchase one of these Smart peripherals, you may be able to save a few dollars on your choice of TV by opting for a non-Smart model instead.
If you’re just interested in a Smart TV’s wireless connectivity, this can sometimes be added to a regular digital TV through the use of a dongle, to help you connect your TV to your home’s wireless network and share content. However, not all Wi-Fi dongles will be compatible with all TV types, and setting up wireless connections can sometimes be tricky without the help of a Smart TV’s software.
Got more questions?
Our team has answers! Contact the Appliances Online experts on 1300 000 500 with all of your questions regarding Smart TVs or any other home appliances – we’re here to help, 24/7, 365 days a year.
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