Gone are the days when we used to watch Black and white TV, as the world keeps evolving so is the technology world, many TV brands want their customers to enjoy a real-life view on their TV.
Most people have a smart TV at home BUT you keep asking yourself how do I know if I have a smart TV
In this article, we will guide you on how do I know if you have a smart TV at home or not and the features that make your TV a smart TV.
How Do I Know If I Have A Smart TV
A smart TV has built-in WiFi that allows you to access the internet over a WiFi connection and they run on an operating system (OS) just like a mobile phone. The operating system (OS) controls and coordinates apps that run on your smart TV.
Each TV brand runs on a different Operating system, Panasonic TV operates on Firefox OS, LG TV runs on webOS TV and Samsung TV operates on Tizen OS. While brands like Philips, JBL, Sony, Sharp, Nvidia, Hisense, and TCL operate on android TV OS.
Each Smart TV hosts new content that is available in their built-in app store. You can download or stream from apps including Netflix, Hulu, Disney, Apple TV, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, etc.
You can also mirror or screen share content such as audio, videos, and pictures from your smartphone, tablet, or PC to your Smart TV. You can also airplay from apple devices such as your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to display on your smart TV.
Voice control is another feature that can be found in a smart TV. This feature allows you to interact and control your Smart TV with your voice, just like you are interacting with a friend.
You can select from multiple voice assistants such as Bixby, Alexa, Siri, ThinQ AL, and Google Assistant. All you need to do is to say the word and the voice assistant will immediately respond.
How to Make a TV Smart
Here are ways you can make your TV a smart TV:
Amazon Fire TV Stick
Using an Amazon fire TV stick allows you to access music, movies, and TV episodes from apps such as iTunes, Spotify, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock, etc.
Roku Stick
Roku devices allow you to access the internet by connecting your TV with a Roku streaming stick or Streaming Stick 4K+ with a Roku player. Roku streaming devices support Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, HBO Max, Roku Channel, etc.
Apple TV 4k
Apple TV 4K is supported by various TV and you can connect your Apple device via the HDMI port of your TV. You can choose how you want to watch, on your TV, on your Apple devices, or the web.
Smart Android TV
You can connect your TV to the internet with an Android TV box through the HDMI port. A Smart android TV box is compatible with all streaming platforms and it supports streaming platforms such as Hulu, Prime Video, HBO max, Spotify, Apple TV, etc.
Google Chromecast
Google Chromecast allows you to cast your TV with Google TV by inserting it into the HDMI port on your TV. Google Chromecast supports a wide range of streaming apps such as Netflix, Peacock, Apple Tv, sling, Prime Video, Youtube, Espn, etc.
Tivo Stream 4k
Tivo Stream 4k is a media streamer that allows you to search, browse and create watch lists across all of your apps. It supports a variety of streaming apps and free content with Tivo+.
Gaming Consoles
When you connect your TV to a gaming console, you can stream the internet. You can also stream on apps such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube, Apple TV+, and other streaming channels supported by the gaming console.
How do I Know if I Can Stream on my TV
To know if you can stream on your TV, You can check your TV manual for its features and specifications. If you can set up and connect to the internet over WiFi network settings on your TV then you will be able to stream the internet.
How to Know if TV Has WiFi
A smart TV is designed to have a built-in WIFI network and apps will be displayed on the home screen of your TV. If you have a smart TV the WIFI logo will be visible on the home screen and settings menu where you will find a WiFi setup section.
How to Know Smart TV Model
To know the model of your smart TV, find the model and the serial number of Your TV. You can locate the model and serial number in the TV owner manual. You can also go to the Settings menu on your TV, but this step will vary depending on the brand of your TV.
If you are asking yourself how do I know if I have a smart, when you locate the model name and serial number google search it, to know if your TV is a smart TV.
What Does a Smart TV Do That a Regular TV Doesn’t
If you are asking yourself how do I know if I have a smart TV, with the features of a smart TV which include:
- Access the Web.
- Use streaming apps, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube, Apple TV+, ESPN, Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
- Higher Definition (HD) and Ultra Higher Definition (UHD) quality in terms of Images, graphics, and sound.
- Supports Internet WIFI and Bluetooth.
- Comes with an Ethernet connection which is faster, more reliable, and more secure than a WIFI connection.
- Use an all-in-one remote control.
How do I Know if I Have a Smart TV Samsung
To check if you have a smart Samsung TV, look at the back of your TV to check if there is a socket for an Ethernet cable. While at the back of your Samsung TV, carefully note the model number on a sticker or check your owner’s manual.
Then go on the internet to the Samsung website and input the model number in the search box. This will display the features and specifications of your Samsung TV.
How do I Know if my LG TV is a Smart TV
If you would like to know if your LG TV is a smart TV check the back of your LG TV or check your owner’s manual to determine the model number and serial number.
Go to the LG website and input the model number and serial number in the search box to display the features and specifications of your LG TV.
How do I Make my TV Into a Smart TV?
You can connect a streaming device, internet connection box, or an extra plug-in device to your TV which allows you access the internet on your TV.
What TVs Are Considered Smart TVs?
If you want to find out how do I know if I have a smart TV at home. A smart TV allows you to access the internet, use apps, browse, shop and stream, on your TV without using an extra plug-in device.
What is The Difference Between a Smart TV And a Regular TV?
A smart TV can access the internet, use apps, browse, shop, and stream videos. While a regular TV does not have an operating system or built-in WiFi and can’t connect to the internet unless you use an extra plug-in device.
Do You Need WiFi With a Smart TV?
You do not need to have a WiFi connection with your Smart TV. You can watch cable TV channels, connect to Bluetooth and use your TV as a standard TV without having any issues. But you won’t be able to access smart TV features like streaming content on demand from online apps.
With this comprehensive guide, you should be able to tell a friend if you have a smart TV at home.