Get Connected with a Smart TV
Smart TV's are the future. For anyone who doesn't know about them, they're a great way to connect to the internet via your TV – and from there the possibilities are practically endless! Take a few moments to read our guide to smart TVs and see if they're the right choice for you.
What is a Smart TV?
Imagine streaming films directly to your TV, sharing photo albums from the web or holding a Skype video conference using your 42" wide screen TV. With smart TVs, all this and more is possible. The TV connects to your internet through your wi-fi router – most smart TVs nowadays are wireless, so there's no need for yet more cables!
Wi-fi Ready or Built-in Wi-fi?
You'll see some TVs advertised as 'built-in wi-fi' which means it's simply a case of connecting your TV to your wireless network to start using all its smart new features. TVs which are 'wi-fi ready' usually require the purchase of a separate dongle to use the wi-fi feature – be aware that these can cost around £50, so it makes more sense to opt for a TV with built-in wi-fi if budget is a consideration!
Choosing the Best Smart TV
So, how do you choose the best smart TV for your needs? With so many brands of smart TVs on the market, it can be a bit of a minefield knowing where to start. The usual suspects such as Sony and Samsung are popular choices, although expect to pay a bit more for these brands than others. For those looking for a smart TV on a budget, LG are an excellent choice – they offer value for money and all the features you'd expect from a smart TV.
What to Look For
Look for a smart TV which lets you download and use apps – BBC iPlayer and YouTube are two of the most commonly used apps which allow you to watch videos and catch up on TV shows on your widescreen TV. Whilst you can browse the web using your smart TV, the experience can be rather clunky, and it's better to download apps – you'll find apps such as Facebook, Twitter and Flickr available for most smart TVs.
You will save £1000's if you buy a television with the features that you need and will use not the features that they manafacturer wants to sell you.
Don't forget to check your download limits with your broadband provider before setting up your smart TV – if you're going to be streaming film rentals directly to your TV, you'll be using more of your download limit than normal. If possible, opt for broadband with unlimited downloads, to make the most of everything your smart TV has to offer.
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