what is a smart tv? smart TVs have evolved roughly the same as smartphones. we used to have folding phones that haven’t really done much by today’s standards. you can only call and message on this phone. currently, almost all phones produced are smartphones, most of the TVs produced today are also smart TVs. what kind of tv do you have?
The easiest way to know if you have a smart TV is to check the remote control options and menu for the Apps section. See if it has apps like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, or Hulu. Also, see if there is a menu section for network connections such as Wi-Fi or an Ethernet port on the back of the TV. If you’re still unsure, Google your TV model number.
when you realize that your tv doesn’t have these features, there are after-sales services to turn the old tv into a smart tv. we want to explore several options, but first, make sure you have a basic recognition of all smart TVs.
what is a smart tv?
smart tv is a digital tv with built-in computer technology designed specifically for entertainment programs. it combines apps and the internet to give you an experience beyond direct playback and allow for playback and browsing features.
Smart TVs have a “TV OS” and a GUI interface. Apart from connecting to the Internet, they can also access video, music, and images by storage devices on your home Wi-Fi network.
The most popular apps used on smart TVs today include Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and YouTube. Many other third-party apps are also available for download so that you can adjust the smart TV to your taste.
when did smart tvs come to market?
Undoubtedly, the first HP MediaSmart smart TV was released around 2007. Samsung Pavv Bordeaux750 was more popular when it entered the market in 2008. By 2015, most major manufacturers, apart from budget models, have made smart TVs exclusively.
how to turn your old tv into a smart tv?
well, maybe you don’t have a smart tv and you’re not ready to pay for a new tv. not a concern, there are a few options on the market that turn your “non-smart” tv into a smart tv.
to turn your old tv into a smart tv, you need an external media player streaming. sometimes people may speak of this as a smart tv converter box. it’s more of a non-specialized term, but it’s basically a media player streaming.
connections
First of all, you should check that your TV has an HDMI port. It will most likely be so, but if it doesn’t, you can get an HDMI-to-RCA conversion.
If you’re turning an old CRT TV, you’ll most likely need this adapter [yes it’s true, you can even turn your grandfather into a smart TV by following these CRT TV steps.] (Cathode-ray tube is also referred to as Tube TV.) Even some old flat screens don’t have HDMI ports.
your “smart tv converter”
In the next step, you need to decide which media streaming player to use as a smart TV converter. All of this connects you to the Internet and lets you see its content on Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, etc. Let’s list some of the right options for you.
Note: If you don’t want to make much difference between these devices and simplicity is important to you – you can’t continue. I recommend you take the Fire TV Stick as a smart TV converter. If you are more interested in details and technical abilities, please read more.
Amazon Fire TV Stick
Fire TV is Amazon’s stream platform built on the heavily modified Android operating system. I would say that with a lot of focus on Prime media services Amazon should make the most of the market. There are literally thousands of apps available in it, so when it comes to streaming services, you won’t have few options.
The Fire TV Stick is slightly larger than a flash that connects to your HDMI port and a power cord comes out of its side to connect to the power outlet. The mobile remote has the Alexa button feature, so you can use voice commands to search for views, pauses, playback, etc.
Finally, if you want to make a few dollars more money, you can elevate it to 4k resolution with the Fire Stick4k.
Note: You can also connect your Amazon Echo to the Fire Stick. If you want to wire the Ethernet cable for better connectivity, you can use the adapter available here.
Amazon Fire TV Cube
Fire TV Cube offers all the same Fire TV services that Fire Stick offers with a few more.
FIRST, I’LL POINT OUT THAT IT’S BIGGER AND IT’S MORE OF A SEPARATE STANDALONE DEVICE THAT CONNECTS TO YOUR TV USING AN HDMI CABLE. ALTHOUGH IT’S ONLY 3.4 SQUARE INCHES, IT MAY NOT BE A GOOD OPTION FOR WALL-MOUNTED TVS, AS YOU NEED TO BE CREATIVE ABOUT WHERE IT’S LOCATED AND THEN HIDE THE WIRES.
If you prefer a wired Internet connection instead of a home Wi-Fi, Cube uses a direct out-of-the-box Ethernet port. Of course, this can be played more efficiently, but it’s more good for 4k playback by today’s standards.
If your TV doesn’t support 4k, it’s not an issue, but if you want 4k resolution you’ll need a Fire TV Cube or a Fire Stick4k. If your Wi-Fi can’t keep up with 4k playback, then you should use the built-in Ethernet connection on fire TV Cube. If you decide to buy the Fire Stick4k, you’ll probably want to get an Ethernet adapter for it.
Fire TV Cube also has an Alexa smart microphone embedded at its base, so if you’ve never had an Amazon Echo, somehow you can show up with a double arrow.
Google Chromecast Ultra
Chromecast uses the “dongle” method instead of being a standalone device such as the Fire TV Box, such as the Fire Stick. Its design is slightly larger than the Fire Stick and is the reason for inserting an Ethernet port.
Since Chromecast with Google TV supports all 4k and HDR video formats, the Ethernet port will be useful if you exceed the P1080 resolution. It’s also compatible with Google Home voice commands.
Unlike previous versions, Chromecast with Google TV has a remote. This is a step above the need to control everything over your phone or tablet using the Google Home App and integrate third-party supported apps.
Apple TV4k
Let me start this section by stating that I’m stubborn with Apple TV devices. They are unprovoked expensive and will soon be outdated.
The functionality you pay for comes with Apple TV devices and starts being available with other popular players through downloadable Apple apps. These features allow you to play a lot of media from your iOS devices, including from the iTunes library. Many smart TVs are now being offered with support for Apple AirPlay2 and fire TV, and Roku recently announced that it has Apple TV plans.
You can do almost anything other popular devices do, such as live streaming from the most popular media services. Also, its built-in Siri is like Alexa on Fire TV and Google Home on Google Chromecast.
simply put, this is an option i need to explain to you, but it is not recommended.
Roku Premiere
It’s another simple and easy-to-use solution, such as the Fire Stick, although Roku’s design is flawed in some way. It is a small, lightweight box that uses pendant wires – one to the TV’s HDMI port and the other as an electrical wire. The HDMI cable usually doesn’t allow you to be flat on the base of your TV because it’s very lightweight, so it hangs itself off the wire. There’s a velcro that sticks around it, but there’s another issue when you want to move it.
Roku Premiere has a great interface. Some may have a better reaction than other broadcast media devices. They have almost as many apps available as Fire TV, but Fire TV excludes them from the competition scene in the Gaming Apps section.
The remote is also not as good as the Fire TV. Roku uses IR technology, so we need a direct vision to control Roku. In that case, you won’t be able to hide the box behind the TV. There is an option that (albeit with price increases) you can solve this issue by preparing Roku Premiere Plus.
a few more tips
HOW DO I KNOW MY TV IS HD?
IN THIS PERIOD AND TIME, YOUR TV IS MOST LIKELY HD, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A FLAT-SCREEN. HD TV IS SIMPLY ANY TV THAT ENJOYS P720 SCREEN RESOLUTION OR HIGHER. AS OF 2018, IT ACCOUNTED FOR 85% OF ALL USED TVS.
ONE WAY TO DETECT HD BEING YOUR TV IS TO SEARCH FOR ITS MODEL NUMBER ONLINE. A SIMPLE SEARCH OF THE MODEL NUMBER ON GOOGLE USUALLY REDIRECTS YOU TO THE MANUFACTURER’S PAGE WITH TV SPECIFICATIONS. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND THE MODEL NUMBER BEHIND THE TV. IF THE RESOLUTION IS MINIMAL (P7201280*720), YOU HAVE AN HD TV.
How do you know if my TV has Wi-Fi?
If your TV has Wi-Fi, there should be a Wi-Fi Alliance logo – in the box and often at the bottom of the screen at the base of the TV. In the settings menu, you can also find it in the Network Connections section or Wi-Fi Setup. Again, by simply searching the TV model number on Google, you should easily answer this question.
results
AGAIN, IF YOU BUY A NEW TV TODAY, IT WILL PROBABLY BE AN HD SMART TV, WHICH HAS BECOME QUITE STANDARD. BY CONNECTING TO THE INTERNET AND THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE THIRD-PARTY APP, YOU’LL FIND THAT IT’S A SMART TV.
If you find that you don’t have a smart TV, you can turn an old TV into a smart TV with an external media player. I recommend buying a fire TV Stick or Fire TV Cube.
