How do you know a smart TV? Are all TVs smart? Well, in this article we will discuss how to tell if you have a smart TV and if the TV you have at home is really a smart TV.
With the increase in technology demand, various TV brands such as Samsung, LG, Hisense, Sony, TCL, Vizio e.t.c have shifted their focus to producing Smart TV.
In this article, we will guide you on how to tell if you have a smart TV at home. As well as the features that make your TV at home a Smart TV.
How to tell If you have a Smart TV
Below are the ways to know if your TV is smart or not.
Internet Wi-Fi Connection
All smart TV has built-in wifi which allows you to connect to a wireless network and are designed to connect to the internet connection over a wifi connection or ethernet.
Most smart TV has a host of new content available in their built-in app store. Where you can download or stream from apps such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney, Apple TV, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, etc.
Being able to browse the internet by connecting to your favourite browser or app to find the right content or connect to friends and family on social media via an internet wifi connection makes your TV a smart TV.
Connect Your Devices
With the screen mirror or screen share feature, you can easily share screen and display contents between your TV and smartphone, tablet, or PC. You can mirror or share content such as audio, videos, and pictures from your smartphone to your TV.
Another way you can connect your devices to your smart TV is through airplay. Most smart TV supports the airplay feature from apple device to their smart TV.
The airplay feature allows you to share movies, videos, photos, or presentations to your airplay 2-enabled smart TV. With his feature, you can also mirror what is exactly on the screen of your apple device to your TV.
User Interface
Most TV brands have a different operating system which is software that controls and coordinates apps that run on your TV. Most smart TV has a built-in interactive and intuitive interface or operating system.
The operating system allows you to control and access your smart TV through a graphical user interface (GUI). Most smart TV has a built-in interactive and intuitive interface or operating system.
TV brands such as Philips, JBL, Sony, Sharp, Nvidia, Hisense, and TCL operate on android TV. Panasonic TV operates on Firefox OS, LG TV runs on webOS TV and Samsung TV operates on Tizen.
Voice Control
With the advance in technology, you can control and interact with your Smart TV using your voice. You can select from multiple voice assistants such as Bixby, Alexa, Siri, ThinQ AL, and Google Assistant.
Once you choose the voice assistant that you are comfortable with, all you need to do is to say the word. Voice assistants are very intelligent and they respond differently to different situations.
How to Know Smart TV Model
To find the model of your smart TV you have to determine the serial number and model name of Your TV. You can locate the model name and serial number on your TV owner manual or navigate to the Settings menu on your TV.
You would know how to tell if you have a smart TV at home when you locate the model name and serial number on your TV
How Can I Turn my TV Into a Smart TV?
Connecting a streaming device or internet connection box to the HDMI port on your TV would allow you to access the internet on your TV.
How to Make a TV Smart
Here are the following ways that let you turn your TV into a smart TV:
Amazon Fire TV Stick
Using an Amazon fire TV stick allows you to access various movies and TV episodes from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Peacock. You can also listen to songs from your favourite music app on your TV.
Roku Device
You can connect your regular tv with a Roku streaming stick or Streaming Stick 4K+ with a Roku player. Roku devices allow you to convert your regular TV to a smart TV.
You can connect 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, and lots of other packages.
Apple TV 4k
Apple TV 4K allows you to 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 on the web. Apple TV 4K also supports streaming devices such as Roku, Fire Tv, Android Tv, and Google Tv.
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 affordable and is compatible with all streaming platforms. Its 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
Modern Xbox and PlayStation gaming consoles let you stream the internet on your TV. You can watch Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube, Apple TV+, and other streaming channels on your Xbox and PlayStation.
How To Know if Your TV Has WIFI
Most smart TV supports internet WIFI and if your TV enables a WIFI connection the WIFI logo will be visible on the box when you purchase your TV.
You can check the bottom of the screen on the base of your TV or navigate the settings menu, where you will find a network connection or Wi-Fi Setup section.
You can also simply google search your TV model serial number where you can find the specifications and features of your TV.
How do I Know if I Can Stream on my TV
The best way to know if you can stream on your TV is to first check your TV manuals or check for their features and specifications. Knowing the difference would guide you on how to tell if you have a smart TV at home.
Your TV is a smart TV if it can connect to the internet over a wifi connection without the use of a streaming device or internet connection box.
What Does a Smart TV do That a Regular TV Doesn’t
There are lots of things a smart TV can do as it comes with a wide range of features which includes:
- Browsing the Web.
- Watch videos on various streaming apps including Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube, Apple TV+, ESPN, and lots more.
- Listen to Music from streaming apps including 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.
- Uses an all-in-one remote control.
How do I know if my TV Smart TV?
The easiest way to know if you have a smart TV is by checking for the wifi icon on your TV or an Ethernet port on the back of the TV. You should also check the home screen for apps like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, or Hulu.
What TVs Are Considered Smart TV
A smart TV has built-in wifi which allows you to connect to the internet connection over a wifi connection or ethernet.