What makes a smart TV smart? Integrated internet, of course! A smart TV, also called a connected TV or CTV, is a goggle box with interactive, web-enabled features. A smart TV combines the powerful computer arrangement of a mobile device with the large-format screen of a modern television.

This powerful information apparatus allows you to scan the cyberspace, view photos, stream music, and of course watch your favorite amusement media, either through traditional broadcast or by streaming over-the-top and on-demand video. At that place are many smart TV platforms to cull from, with the highest rated ones including Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, LG, and Roku TV.

Smart TVs come with their ain preloaded operating organisation along with a selection of congenital-in programs or apps, usually including pop favorites such every bit Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, and more than. From at that place, yous can likewise add together or remove apps via a built-in app store, just equally you do on a smartphone.

The possibilities are endless, so yous can customize your own drove of sources for viewing sports and news, movies and TV series, kids programming, weather, listening to music, video chatting with loved ones and checking social media channels.

A young man laughs while video chatting on his smart TV

Much of the aforementioned functionality is often found in separate video streaming devices, as well equally some Blu-ray players and game consoles. The smart TV differs because it provides all the web-connected features in one standalone unit.

With a smart TV, you can besides admission your ain photos, music, and movies. A popular way to do this is through a deject-based web platform like Windows Media Player or iTunes, but you tin also hook upwardly directly to a reckoner or removable storage device, such every bit an external hard bulldoze or USB stick bulldoze.

Addition services can fifty-fifty notify you when your favorite show or sports team is playing. Innovative payment platforms on some smart TVs are besides providing easier checkout options, so you tin can easily purchase and access apps, movies, games, and more, using your remote control or a smartphone, laptop, or tablet.

How does a smart TV work?

Smart TVs connect to your home internet service, either through a wired Ethernet connection (for the almost consistent speeds) or through your personal WiFi network. When you get-go gear up it upwards, you will be prompted to enter network login information, as provided by your internet service provider.

Once you're connected, you'll exist able to admission a huge number of "channels" (apps) to view different media. Many of these are subscription-based, however, so yous will need to explore various streaming services and option the ones you want to sign upwards for, some for complimentary and about for a monthly cost.

In some cases, your WiFi signal may non exist stiff enough to adequately power a smart TV. In that instance, you may need to consider some options for upgrading your dwelling house wireless network. If you take an older modem/router, it's worth looking into getting a newer one made in the last three years to get optimal performance and compatibility with the latest wireless engineering.

If that doesn't do the play tricks, y'all may consider adding a WiFi extender to become expanded coverage in your home. Your TV may only be located too far away from your wireless router.

The standard remote control for a smart Tv set will exist familiar for those who accept operated a streaming video device. In many cases, yous can use pointer keys and an Enter or Select key, forth with a Home or Card push button, to accomplish much of the required navigation.

Some smart TVs at present characteristic additional navigation options that make information technology easier to collaborate with content through more natural means. These can include a second screen companion device that allow you lot to utilize a touchscreen, or motion-sensitive controls that allow gestural input similar pointing at the screen, or voice commands.

These innovative methods allow you to avoid the somewhat cumbersome text input of using an on-screen keyboard and remote to enter search queries. For example, some remotes (like Roku, among others) have built-in vox capability, which allow you to employ spoken commands like "Show local weather" or "Mute TV volume."

A young teen takes a virtual guitar lesson on a smart TV

What are the benefits of a smart Idiot box?

A lot of people opt for the smart TV because it removes the pace of having to connect a dissever connected streaming device, such equally a Roku or Amazon Fire. You become a huge pick of "channels" to view without having to hook up a Boob tube antenna or pay for a costly cable or satellite plan.

Yet, most smart TVs are also compatible with a broadcast antenna or satellite/cablevision, so you can get the best of all worlds. If you watch a lot of local sports over an antenna, for instance, yous can still do so with most models, besides equally getting the high-tech internet Tv set and over-the-top options.

Another growing trend is that smart TVs are compatible with smart dwelling house devices such every bit Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. And so non only tin you utilise them to change channels by vocalization command, but yous tin can fifty-fifty link your smart Tv to your connected dwelling system to view smart lights, doorbells, locks, thermostats and more.

Is there annihilation a smart Tv can't exercise?

Yeah, there are always some limitations to any engineering. Firstly, while about smart TVs include many of the same popular apps/channels, there may be some niche offerings that only come with particular brands. So it's worth doing some inquiry if in that location's a specific viewing pick you want. Y'all can do a spider web search to easily find consumer reviews on any model of smart TV.

Y'all should also know that some websites choose to block access by various devices or customize the mode content appears on different platforms, including smart TVs.

A remote points at a smart TV

What about security?

It is important to be enlightened that many smart TVs come equipped with their own webcams and microphones, which could increase the chances of exterior parties hacking these components to overhear, or for companies to use always-on monitoring for marketing purposes.

Meanwhile, malware attacks, such as viruses or worms, are also possible. This tin can allow hackers to access private information or fiscal details if you use your smart Tv set for online shopping.

For these reasons, it's important to secure your dwelling WiFi and use parental controls if you have children at home. There is also a growing market for smart Television-specific security and antivirus software, so you can cheque with the TV manufacturer to find out which program would exist uniform with the platform.

If you lot are extremely worried almost security risks, yous tin opt for a streaming media device instead, as these typically carry almost of the same features and functionality equally a smart Boob tube, but without a built-in microphone or webcam.

The big pic

There are endless ways to relish online media these days — and smart TVs are just i of the many great options you can choose from. If y'all're not quite ready to get a new TV, go for a set-elevation streaming device or a media stick instead. And if you are ready to upgrade to a smarter TV, take your time, practise some research, read reviews, and check the details to get one that has the features you want. For a smart shopper, in that location's an platonic smart TV out there waiting.

Find a streaming service for your Smart Television receiver with the CenturyLink Idiot box Recommendation Tool.

Jennifer Fossenbell enjoys the internet and enjoys writing well-nigh many things, including the internet. She lives in the Denver area with her children and spouse, who also relish the cyberspace. She too enjoys traveling and eating around the world, making verse and fine art, and continuing in the forest. More than at jenniferfossenbell.com.