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If you’re looking for a new TV, you’ll find that pretty much every single one is now advertised as a smart TV. There are literally just a couple of TVs released recently that aren’t smart.
But what does that mean? There are so many different ‘smart’ products you can buy for your home now, from doorbells to lightbulbs to even your refrigerator. Usually, that means accessing the device from your phone or tablet to control it remotely, but with a TV it’s different.
Smart TVs are pretty simple, but there are different things to consider. Not every smart TV is the same – while they all have some sense of shared functionality, some are better at it than others and some have extra ‘smart’ features that make the TV even more useful.
So, let’s look at what a smart TV does, and what you need to look for when choosing the one for you.
What is a smart TV?
Essentially, a smart TV is one that connects to the internet, allowing you to access different apps. The most popular apps are for streaming services (like Netflix or Prime Video) but some app stores will also have basic games, or fitness apps that include workouts you can join in with.
For a smart TV to work you’ll need to connect it to your home internet network. You can do this over WiFi or, if your TV is close to the router, you can use an ethernet cable for a more reliable connection.
Most apps you use on your TV won’t need a super-fast connection – even streaming in 4K isn’t too demanding – so while a wired connection will always be better, prioritize any games consoles or computers you have if your router doesn’t have many ethernet ports. WiFi will work fine.
The apps for the most popular services will usually be installed on the TV when you first power it on, so you’ll just need to enter your account details. Others you might have to download from the app store that you’ll find on your TV’s menu.
Are all smart TVs the same?
In short – no. Smart TVs have a few differences that can impact your experience. One of the biggest is just in-app availability – not every TV can download every app.
Netflix is pretty much standard, and Prime Video is on most TVs too. But some apps, like Hulu, Apple TV+ and Disney+ are only available with certain manufacturers.
Which makes it important to check, because if you want the convenience of having all your streaming content available from the TV alone, then you don’t want to buy one that doesn’t have your favorite platform.
There are ways around that, of course – most apps are available on PlayStation 4/5 and Xbox One/Series consoles, so if you have one of those already then you won’t miss out, and you can always buy a streaming device like a Roku to plug into your TV if you’re still missing an app you want.
But it is a little bit easier if your TV has the app already since you don’t have to switch between different inputs to watch your show.
The other key difference between smart TVs is the operating system or platform. This is the software that controls how you use your smart TV. Some TV manufacturers use their own platform, while others use a shared platform, and some will use different platforms depending on the model of TV.
For example, LG TVs all use webOS, the company’s own platform. But Hisense use VIDAA on their cheaper TVs, with better TVs getting Android TV instead.
Different platforms have different app stores, giving you access to a wider range of apps if you choose a better one, but they also perform differently too.
Android TV (various manufacturers), webOS (LG) and Tizen (Samsung) are much faster and more streamlined than the platforms used on entry-level TVs like VIDAA.
It also comes down to the processor your TV has, but we’re talking the difference between a menu loading instantly or taking a few seconds – it might not sound like much, but once you’ve tried a better platform, you’ll notice just how much better it feels to use.
Benefits of a smart TV
The main benefit of a smart TV is that you can enjoy a lot more content without having to connect extra devices like a streaming stick. Some even give the most popular platforms a dedicated button on your TV’s remote, so with just one click you dive into that latest series of a boxset everyone’s talking about.
Some smart TVs have extra benefits too that are a little closer to other smart devices in your home. A lot now come with voice control, although make sure to check the spec before you buy – some come with the technology built in, while others work if you have an existing smart speaker already.
The main benefit of this is that you can cut out some of the button-presses you need and just ask to watch a particular movie, instead of searching for it. It’s also great if you tend to lose the remote down the side of the couch, although be aware that some need you to speak into the remote for the voice control to work.
Then there are smart TVs that can connect to your other smart devices, acting as a sort of hub. You can ask the TV to control your smart washer, or dim your smart lightbulbs, or in some cases even livestream the feed from your smart doorbell – great if you’re looking out for the pizza delivery before you start movie night.
Smart TVs: A Summary
When buying a smart TV, think about the streaming accounts you already have and try to get a TV that lets you watch those apps without an extra device. It makes life much easier, being able to access everything from one remote.
That being said, for most people picture and sound quality is more important, and it is still relatively easy to hook up a console or streaming stick if you want a better TV that doesn’t have the apps you want. But try to get a TV with a faster OS like Android, Tizen or webOS if you can – you’ll really notice how much quicker it is to use.
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