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What Is a Smart TV?

Smart Roku TVs.

Combining traditional functionality with streaming capabilities, a smart TV is a flat screen television that is equipped with integrated internet connectivity and a built-in operating system. This allows the smart TV to effortlessly stream content, play music, browse social media and so much more. Discover why smart TVs have become the centerpiece of contemporary multimedia setups while we explore the various features and benefits of having a smart TV.

Regular TVs vs. smart TVs

Standard, or regular, TVs lack built-in internet connectivity and other smart features that are found in smart TVs. Many standard televisions still boast a wide array of benefits though, like large flat screens with 4K UHD or 4K LED picture quality and various HDMI inputs and USB ports that let you plug in media players and devices. However, smart TVs also have the latest visual advancements and are already equipped to conveniently supply you with all of your streaming needs.

What does a smart TV do?

Smart TVs are becoming the standard for home entertainment because of their impressive functionality and exceptional efficiency. Common capabilities and operations of a smart TV include:

  • Wi-Fi or Ethernet internet connectivity. You can access online content and services directly on your television screen without the hassle of extra cables and devices.
  • Featured streaming services. Smart TVs provide access to all of the popular streaming services, conveniently letting you watch your favorite movies and TV shows.
  • Screen mirroring and casting. You can duplicate the entire screen of your smartphone, tablet or computer and present it wirelessly on your TV screen.
  • Web browsing and pre-installed apps. When you aren’t watching something, you can access a wide range of pre-installed apps, like web browsers and social media platforms as well as weather, news and entertainment apps.
  • Smart assistants and voice control. Most smart TVs offer voice control features that allow you to perform various tasks effortlessly.
  • Multimedia and gaming. In addition to accessing downloadable games and gaming streaming services, smart TVs support various multimedia formats for music, photos, videos and more.
  • Personalization. Personalized recommendations are provided by a smart TV based on your viewing habits, potentially exposing you to new content that you might’ve otherwise missed out on.

How do smart TVs work?

Smart TVs have built-in hardware components similar to standard TVs, such as a display panel, speakers and input and output ports, but the operating system is much more advanced. Depending on the manufacturer and region, different smart televisions use a variety of operating systems. And, most are designed to cater to specific developers, like Fire TV with Amazon and Android TV with Google.

The operating system begins to boot up once a smart TV’s power is turned on, enabling internet connectivity. Once signed into your internet provider, it presents menus, icons and other visual elements that can be controlled with the remote control or voice commands. In addition to providing plentiful streaming content, an operating system is also a necessary component for system updates.

Smart home integration

Most smart TVs are able to integrate with other smart home devices and systems, contributing to how you set up your smart home. Smart home integration is becoming increasingly more popular for various reasons, including energy efficiency, improved safety, more control and optimal convenience.

Smart TV cons

Despite its impressive functionality, smart TVs aren’t for everybody. Here are a few potential negative aspects of a smart TV:

  • Higher price. Standard TVs are more affordable than smart TVs since they don’t feature the same smart capabilities.
  • Privacy risks. Your viewing habits are tracked with a smart TV to recommend relevant ads and content.
  • Unreliable performance. Depending on the processing power of the smart TV, RAM and storage can run out when too many apps are used, which can hinder the television’s overall performance.

There are pros and cons of smart TVs. Determining whether a smart TV or streaming media player is best for you depends on your personal preferences and how often all of the features are used. However, given the significant popularity already gained, there is a strong possibility that smart TVs will soon be adopted as the television standard.See Disclosure 1

Smart TV FAQs

Even though smart TVs continue to gain prominence in the TV and home theater world, there is still some uncertainty surrounding the new technology. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding smart TVs.

What is the difference between a smart TV and a regular TV?

Standard flat screen TVs are not equipped with internal internet connectivity, which allows users to conveniently access various apps and other smart features.

How do I know if I have a smart TV?

Most manufacturers will include “smart” or “internet-enabled TV” in their branding on the TV’s packaging. If this isn’t applicable, you can check the TV’s menu and settings and look for any options related to connecting to the internet. A smart TV’s remote control also typically has dedicated buttons for popular streaming services, like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

What are the benefits of a smart TV?

There are many smart TV benefits, including immediate access to streaming services, internet browsing, screen mirroring and casting, gaming and the ability to integrate with other smart home technology.

Smart TVs are becoming increasingly powerful and intuitive, adding convenient entertainment to our daily lives as technology continues to advance. Providing a user-friendly, time-saving entertainment experience, smart TVs will only continue revolutionizing the way content is consumed. 

References

1. Tarver, Evan. “3 Predictions for TV in the Next 10 Years.” Investopedia, Dotdash Meredith. December 2, 2022. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/021816/3-predictions-tv-next-10-years.asp.