Smart TV: What you need to know
by Ty Pendlebury |- No comments
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Smart TVs feature a home screen that gives you access to apps, video and more!
(Credit: CBS Interactive)
Given the popularity of smartphones, such as the iPhone, it was just a matter of time before the concept of a "connected device" translated to televisions. But what is a smart TV and what does it do?
Editors' note:
The term "Smart TV" was first coined by Samsung and was subsequently adopted by LG and Philips. However, there's no industry-wide categorization with other TV makers, such as Sony, which is marketing similar panels as Internet TVs instead. In this article, the term "smart TV" is used generically to refer to TVs with Internet-enabled capabilities.What does smart TV mean?
Like a smartphone, a smart TV offers a number of "Internet-connected services" that normal televisions can't offer. It has the equivalent of a computer built into it, giving you a greater number of services. These televisions offer apps, media streaming, Web browsing, games and, perhaps most importantly, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV). IPTV is a specific Internet video standard, but is also used nowadays as shorthand for any video streamed via the Internet to your TV. It can take the form of short clips or continuous "live" channels.While these features aren't new, and have been a part of some televisions and settop boxes since 2005, the term "smart TV" has given them a name.
Why do I need one?
While smart TVs have plenty of whizz-bang features, there is one that promises to revolutionize how we use our televisions. Just as Personal Video Recorders (PVRs) brought with them the idea of "time shifting"--where you were no longer restricted to watching a program when it was aired--IPTV is the next "killer app" of smart TVs.Not only that, but smart TVs use a system called DLNA that lets you stream media from computers or phones to your TV. If you currently download a lot of video or music from the Web, then the right smart TV can access that content directly without you having to copy it onto a disk or USB stick!
How do I connect my TV to the Internet?
All of the smart TVs currently accept an Ethernet cable at the back of the TV, while most also support wireless connection. To connect to the Internet, you will need to set up a home network, and the process is very similar to connecting a laptop.Some TVs support wireless connectivity but don't have it onboard, instead requiring an optional dongle that usually costs around S$100 (US$80.35). Our preferred method is a wired connection, however, and while you may want to hide the cable, it will provide a more stable link.
Did you know?
Smart devices have been with us for a long time. According to Wikipedia, the first smartphone was released in 1993. The IBM Simon was a touchscreen phone before its time with applications that we now take for granted, such as email, a calendar, an address book and games.What can I do on a smart TV?
Aside from lacking productivity functions, such as email and word processing, a smart TV is a lot like a computer. It enables you to browse the Web, watch YouTube and catch up on social networking. Some of the TVs (such as those from Samsung) currently support Flash as well, which means a better Web browsing experience.However, as the category is new, there are inevitably features that will come and go. For example, how many people will use Facebook--which many regard as a private activity--on a TV in front of their family when they can easily use a laptop in front of the TV?
To us, the most exciting capability of smart TV is the ability to access video-on-demand (VOD) services. At the moment, only selected Asian countries such as Korea and Japan offer VOD options. You'll find dozens of specialty channels offering surfing, football, music and almost anything else you can imagine.
Panasonic is making a big deal of its forthcoming games titles, which will include titles by Gameloft, in addition to a number of exercise games that utilize an optional monitor wrist band.
Skype is another useful application, which, with the addition of a Webcam, lets you talk to friends and family on your TV.
How do TV apps work?
All of the smart TVs have a homepage that lets you access the different functions, and from there are also links to individual app stores. At the moment, all of the apps available on smart TVs are free, but the manufacturers are hoping to translate the popularity of paid apps on mobile devices to televisions.Sony and Panasonic have traditionally been different in that new features are automatically downloaded once available, and become selectable from the main page. However, Panasonic has just announced its own app store, so this may change.
There're currently apps for Internet radio, weather forecasts and entertainment as well as games.
Can I use apps across TVs or devices?
Unfortunately, all of the different TVs have their own unique operating environments, and you can't translate apps from one device to another. However, most smart TVs have their own remote applications on the Android and Apple app stores that will enable you to control the TV from anywhere in the house.What if I don't want a new television?
If you have bought a flat-panel TV recently, then there is another way to get the smart TV features without having to buy a new television. Several companies offer settop boxes with smart features onboard. Investing in a media player is also an economical way to bring streaming content to your home theater system.How do I control the TV?
To many people, a "smartphone" is a handset with a touchscreen, but when your TV is 2m away this makes it hard to "touch". As a way to get around this, manufacturers have come up with several different methods for controlling smart TV.Our current favorite is LG's Magic Motion remote. It acts like a Nintendo Wii-mote and enables you to naturally point at objects on the screen. This comes in particularly handy when navigating Web pages.
The original story first appeared on CNET.com.au
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