Today, almost all household appliances that you have long been accustomed to have a “smart” prefix. Smart phones, smart light bulbs, smart TVs. No, no one supplied them with artificial intelligence. Manufacturers simply mean Internet access and the ability to either remotely control, as in the case of lighting, or install applications, as is the case with TVs. But if today it is much more difficult to buy a dumb phone than a smart one, then with TVs the situation is exactly the opposite. The situation is further aggravated by the fact that it is simply not customary to change them every couple of years, which is why many continue to use LCD panels from the past or even the decade before last. But they can be made smart.
Even an ordinary TV can be turned into a Smart TV, and inexpensively
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Making your TV smart is quite simple. Especially for this, manufacturers produce special TV boxes or TV sticks, which are mini-computers with a built-in operating system, a Wi-Fi module and a number of other components that provide the TV with all the functions of smart analogues. We are lucky that they cost mere pennies.
Content:
- 1 Can a TV be turned into a Smart?
- 2 Increasing capabilities through smart Android consoles
- 3 Full-fledged set-top boxes 3.1 Advantages and disadvantages of set-top boxes
- 3.2 TOP 3 popular SMART set-top boxes
- 4.1 Pros and cons
“Smart” technology is a trend of the 21st century. It surrounds us everywhere. Even air conditioners and fans have become “smart,” not to mention TVs. But not every user can immediately afford to purchase a Smart TV. And modern technologies have provided a solution to this problem. Let's figure out how to turn a regular TV into a Smart TV. What options can you add? What equipment will be used for manipulation?
Which method of connecting Smart TV on a regular TV to choose?
To summarize, it is worth comparing all methods of organizing Smart TV for a more comfortable and functional use of the TV.
If you have a tablet, player or set-top box, buying an analog device seems completely pointless. Of course, these devices will not be able to provide the same image quality that a specialized set-top box or media player is capable of, but they can save money. If the financial aspect does not matter, then it is better to immediately invest in a new TV with a built-in Smart function.
When choosing a Smart TV connection method, you must proceed from your desires and capabilities. If you want to get maximum features and excellent quality, then you will have to pay more. If your requirements are low, then you can save money by using existing funds to gain more opportunities.
To connect Smart TV to a regular TV, you can use digital devices already in your home without overpaying for expensive engineering development. To enjoy the capabilities of Smart TV, use a smartphone or tablet, game console, media player or Blue-ray player.
Can a TV be turned into a Smart TV?
Features of Smart TV - advanced functionality that allows you to watch movies online, access social networks, watch videos from YouTube and other advantages. Is it possible to make such a device from a regular TV? Yes, but this will require assistive devices.
Let's look at what devices will make the TV into a Smart TV:
- Modern gaming consoles;
- Media players with advanced functionality;
- Smart series receivers and set-top boxes;
- Blu-ray players;
- Synchronization with smartphone, tablet.
The listed equipment expands the functionality of a classic TV and brings it closer to Smart TV. New functionality depends on the connected device, which can run on iOS or Android OS.
What is better to choose
To choose a specific model, you need to study the list of the best in the rating. Pricing policy has its place, since for a higher price you can get not only a high-quality product, but also a better image.
| Name | Functions | Price |
| Apple TV 4K | The set-top box allows you to get a clear picture, small details are visible, and the white color is crystal clear. To turn your TV into a modern one, this model is considered the best | About 14,990 rub. |
| Xiaomi Mi Box S | The device not only provides deep blacks and rich colors, but can also correct the necessary details itself. | About 6500 rub. |
| ZTE ZXV10 B866 | In the set-top box, the menu works at the highest level, pages scroll through smoothly. The owner receives rich colors and a smooth transition from color to color | |
| Rombica Smart Box X1 | There is no need to spend a lot of time on setup, just connect the set-top box to the network | About 5700 rub. |
| iconBIT Movie Home | Easy to use at home, at work and away. Record the video you want in advance and watch it in loop | About 4200 rub. |
| Xiaomi TV Stick EU | The console is surprisingly small in size, just the size of an index finger. At the same time, it will delight the owner with a range of colors and parameters that increase image quality | About 4000 rub. |
| iconBIT Movie Smart 4K | Despite the fairly good image quality, the set-top box is considered quite outdated. Support for online cinemas will work for no more than 5 years | About 3600 rub. |
| Rombica Smart Box v007 | The set-top box has the ability not only to use installed applications, but also television channels shown via the Internet | About 3200 rub. |
Full set-top boxes
This is equipment that has impressive dimensions and wide functionality. Selected according to characteristics. Allows you to stream video in 4K format. It connects not only to the network and TV, but also to the Internet via a LAN cable. Runs on Android OS.
To connect you need:
- Run an Internet cable to the device. If you buy it from a provider, this item and the connection itself will be handled by him within the framework of the concluded contract.
- Connect the set-top box to the network using a special cable.
- Connect the receiver and TV using the HDMI cable included in the kit.
- Using the TV remote control, go to the menu. Select the signal source - HDMI 1 or 2 depending on the connector into which the device is connected.
- Take the remote control from the set-top box and carry out the rest of the settings through it.
Important! You shouldn't buy such expensive equipment if your TV doesn't support high-quality video formats. Old TVs will not come with any additional Smart TV equipment.
After setting up and turning on, the functionality of the TV will expand significantly. It will be possible to use services for playing content, such as Netfilm, Hulu and others. You can also download applications through the Apple store.
Advantages and disadvantages of consoles
The advantages of full-fledged equipment include good broadcast quality and high functionality. Video in 4K format will be broadcast without sticking or glitching. The dimensions of the case also affect the performance of the device. It will last a long time due to the built-in passive cooling unit.
The disadvantages include the need to constantly update the operating system. And for it to proceed without any problems, it is worth purchasing good equipment with official long-term support from the manufacturer.
TOP 3 popular SMART set-top boxes
Various manufacturers offer good equipment to make Smart TV from a regular TV. The most popular, reliable models include:
- Apple TV 4K is a good set-top box with a long service life. You can connect an Apple TV+ subscription to it to watch the latest cinema. Additionally, a three-axis gyroscope is provided. The remote control acts as an electronic mouse or pointer. It runs on a battery that is recharged via USB. There are three ports for connection: HDMI, LAN and power connector. Network connection speed up to 1000 Mbit/sec. It simultaneously operates on two Wi-Fi frequencies, which affects the broadcast speed. Easily synchronizes with your Apple account, phones and tablets of the same brand. There is built-in memory of 32 and 64 GB. And Bluetooth 5.0 interface.
- Xiaomi Mi4 is a good budget set-top box that acts as the main competitor to Apple. There is no LAN cable input. Internet connection via Wi-Fi. All standard applications are connected immediately. And you can install additional ones through Google Play. Additionally, a graphics accelerator is built-in, which makes it possible to play some online games. RAM 2 GB. Built-in – 8 GB. Supports 4K resolution. There is also Bluetooth 4.1.
- Nvidia Shield TV is a media player with 4K support. Powered by Nvidia Tegra X1 processor with 3 GB of memory. OS – Android 8.0 with built-in Chromecast technology, allowing you to view bookmarks and videos from Google Chrome. There is a built-in 16 GB storage. Connection to the Smart Home system is allowed.
All three consoles meet the high demands of users and turn a regular TV into a Smart TV. It is better to purchase equipment from trusted electronics centers or from official suppliers.
TV set-top box for Android TV
It is clear that set-top boxes with Android TV from first-tier manufacturers will cost more. But, if you want to save money, you can take something less famous, but no less popular and functional. For example, the H96 Max RK3318 box, which is technically superior to everything listed above.
It is not necessary to buy consoles from A-brands
This thing has 4GB of RAM and 32/64GB of internal storage, and also comes with Android 11 . This is the most modern version of Google's TV operating system currently available.
Price: from 2050 rubles
Buy a TV set-top box with Android
Essentially, this is an improved version of Xiaomi TV Box , only with a more attractive design and at a lower price. There is support for 4K, Dolby Audio, voice control from the remote control, and much more. And this thing costs only 2 thousand rubles in the basic configuration.
Compact sticks to expand TV functionality
Stick is a device that looks like a classic flash drive. It connects directly to the TV via the HDMI connector. No additional power source required. Control is carried out using the remote control supplied in the kit. The system operates over a Wi-Fi connection and provides access to almost all applications necessary for Smart TV.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of Stick are their compactness. You can carry a smart TV in your pocket. Moreover, the device supports all popular video and audio content formats. The built-in operating system is based on Android. And therefore it is easy to synchronize tablets, smartphones, and laptops with the device. Supports Wi-Fi at a high level and data transfer speed. If desired, you can even play simple video games through such a console.
Disadvantages - the lack of a LAN port, which provides a more stable connection to the network. During prolonged operation, the device may freeze due to the lack of a built-in cooling system.
Two popular stick options
The market for compact devices for turning a simple TV into a Smart TV is constantly growing. Two versions of devices are currently recognized as the most stable and high-quality:
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K – supports Full HD and 4K. Inside is a good 2.4 GHz processor. Connects via multi-stream MIMO wireless network, which gives a good Internet connection. In Russia, equipment is difficult to find and this is its only disadvantage.
- X96 S is a powerful device that supports all video formats except 8K. There is a slot for memory expansion – micro SD. Operating system – Android 9.0 with support for all related applications. Supports almost all modern codecs - suitable for different versions of TV.
The Styx comes with a remote control, which makes it easy to make settings and select the appropriate Smart TV options.
Mi TV Stick or Mi Box S
Xiaomi Mi TV Stick is a good thing, but not without its drawbacks. Therefore, it has an improved analogue - Xiaomi Mi TV Box S. This plus or minus is the same as Apple TV, but on Android. Unlike the stick, the box supports 4K video, high-quality audio speakers and comes with increased memory capacity and an additional USB connector.
Mi TV Box S is an improved version of Mi TV Stick with 4K support
Essentially, Mi TV Box S is just an improved version of the stick. If you have a Full HD TV at home and no advanced stereo system, there is no point in buying a box. Even a stick, which in terms of functionality, plus or minus, duplicates the older version, will be enough for you.
Price: 3900 rubles (with promotional code 400PODAROK)
Buy Mi TV Box S
But, if you own a 4K TV and have a stereo system with Dolby support, perhaps the best option would be the box. It will allow you to turn your old LCD panel into a kind of home theater for mere pennies. After all, the box costs only 1 thousand more than the stick.
Expanding the TV function using a tablet or phone
You can do without a set-top box if you replace it with a smartphone or tablet. It connects to the TV using an HDMI adapter or USB. Synchronization occurs differently depending on the operating system of the device.
For example, to connect an iPad or iPhone, you can choose:
- USB adapter. The easiest way to connect, which does not require additional time. But the phone will only act as a file storage device.
- You can watch movies in Full HD resolution via the HDMI interface, but you will need an adapter. After connecting the devices, just go to the TV menu and select the signal source - HDMI.
- The VGA input is only suitable for broadcasting video signals. It does not transmit sound, so it is practically not used.
- Via a wireless Wi-Fi channel, if the TV has such a module or an external device for a Wi-Fi signal is connected.
Important! Apple's internal settings are aimed at synchronizing with branded devices. Therefore, to view it you will need an additional application depending on the TV model. For example, Samsung SmartView for iPad is suitable for Samsung. With this connection, the tablet will become a multifunctional remote control.
It is important to remember that phones or tablets do not turn a regular TV into a Smart TV. Through them you can only broadcast video, photo content or display presentations on the screen.
Possible problems and their solutions
If, when you cable connect one of the above devices, as well as a Smart Stick via the HDMI connector, no image appears on the screen, you need to make sure that the input on the TV to which the equipment is connected is selected correctly. To choose the right port, you can look at the markings that are present near each input and output on the back and side panels of the TV receiver .
Problems can regularly arise when devices connect to the Internet wirelessly. This happens especially often with Smart sticks and SMART attachments. In this case, you need to check the firmware version of the equipment and update it to the latest one. If the update does not help, you can reset the device to factory settings and perform the setup again. Much less often, the problem may be related to the operation of the router, which is also reset to factory settings or reflashed.
So, if your old TV does not have Smart TV functions, you should not throw it away and rush to buy new equipment. From an ordinary TV receiver, you can make a “smart” multimedia device at home by connecting to it a set-top box, stick, Blu-Ray player, game console, smartphone or tablet with the option of connecting to the Internet. Connecting gadgets to the television panel is very easy - a detailed description of this process and setting up SMART functions can be found in the user manual for the device.
Game consoles or Blu-ray to turn a regular TV into a Smart TV
Good game consoles will add many more functions than with a phone or tablet. They will practically turn your TV into a Smart TV if you purchase an additional set-top box. For example, Xbox has all the necessary options for online games. And if you add the popular PS4 Pro console to it, you will have access to Internet surfing and downloading applications from the PlayStation Store.
Advice. You should not turn a regular TV into a Smart TV through game consoles and additional set-top boxes if some of the equipment is no longer at home. When the goal is simply to increase the functionality of the TV, without access to online games at high speed, a separate Smart set-top box is sufficient.
The stages of connecting the equipment depends on the equipment itself. For example, game boxes have several connectors for connecting to the network, TV and Internet.
Game console
Gaming consoles can be a great addition to any TV; Smart TV features have been present in Playstation and Xbox since the last generation. The modern PS4 Pro supports streaming services, allows you to install applications from the PS Store and can access the Internet. Yes, buying a gaming console is not the most advisable decision if you only need Smart TV features. However, you shouldn’t buy a regular TV set-top box if you already have a console.
To expand the ecosystem of its own gaming devices, Sony also released the Playstation TV console. Its main advantage is support for portable games from PS Vita, as well as playback of content from the Internet. You can connect a PS4 controller to Playstation TV. The only drawback of the gadget lies in its relatively high cost at the start of sales - as much as $100.
General recommendations for increasing the functionality of TV
Not all TVs support 4K format and videos from the global network. Older models most often do not reproduce video above Full HD. And even more so, they are not designed for use while connected to the Internet.
This is important to consider before choosing a method to upgrade your TV to Smart TV. It can only be carried out on modern models of equipment with advanced functionality. The exception is viewing content from your phone.
When there is 100% confidence that a plasma or LCD panel can turn into a Smart TV, you need to select a conversion target. For full functionality of “smart” technology, it is worth connecting a Smart set-top box. For video games, just a game console is enough. And to watch a movie downloaded to your phone, you don’t need any additional equipment.
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What is Smart TV and its advantages
What sets Smart apart from the rest is that you can watch broadcasts by connecting an Internet cable. If the TV has its own operating system, it is possible to connect to the Internet and get many additional applications and services. Smart turns into a real multimedia device, which has advanced capabilities when watching programs, as well as when working on the Internet. The TV remote has a Smart button, which allows you to access a special menu with a large selection of applications.
The main advantages of Smart TV are:
- Internet connection. Today, TVs allow you to connect to the network in two ways: through a LAN port or Wi-Fi. The last method is considered the best, since it does not require any wires.
- Communication. Certain smart TV models are sold with installed cameras that allow you to make calls over the Internet. Now through the screen you can see a person with whom you have not communicated for a long time. The world-famous Skype application is best suited for this.
- Connecting external media. Every modern TV has the ability to connect via USB ports. Readable ones include external hard drives or flash cards. To watch your favorite movie, you don't have to wait for it to come out on television. You can download any movie hits and watch them at any time.
- Gesture control. In addition to joystick-style remote controls, there are TVs that understand gestures. In this case, the model must have a camera. You can also control smart TV using a modern phone.
- Record the desired TV program. Useful features also include the ability to record television broadcasts. In this case, you will need any memory medium. It must be immediately installed in the TV, since the desired video will be recorded directly on it.
- Games. If you wish, you can spend time playing the game and be sure that it is licensed. After all, all games are installed through official stores.
Advantages and disadvantages
Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of Smart TV technology:
- High definition images and video content;
- clear interface, like on a computer;
- a wide selection of prices or the opportunity not to spend additional funds (when connecting through an unnecessary smartphone or tablet);
- unnecessary programs can be reduced to a minimum;
- ability to work in several windows;
- the ability to create a smart device from an old TV;
- ability to switch from analogue to digital television.
- all the necessary software is already installed and only a switch is required;
- access to paid and free application stores (PlayMarket, AppStore) according to the owner’s taste;
- most models support 3D function;
- if there are free ports, you can also connect a joystick, keyboard, mouse, etc.;
- multitasking: while watching a movie or advertising, you can simultaneously communicate online or work;
Flaws:
- you may have to use different remotes, which can cause confusion;
- There is no guarantee that all images, especially those reproduced from the Internet, are of high quality.
- the cost of a good Smart set-top box is quite high;
- not all users like the rewind function; it’s not so easy to get carried away at first;
Despite the disadvantages, there are even more advantages. It is worth analyzing each of them and making your own decision.
