How To Turn TV Into Smart TV

How To Make Your Old TV Smart Using These Streaming Sticks

How to Turn Your TV into a Smart TV

Find the USB port, or in some cases, HDMI ports work as well. Stick the dongle in, and select the respective option from the menu of the TV. Check for internet protocol, and youre in! Heres an extensive guide to help you with that.

Gets enough power from the USB port	Works for HDMI suitable for 720P or 1080P input
Easy to use
Clutter-free, compact use

If all you want is a simple cast on your screen from your desired apps, then the Chromecast clone might be the best option for you. Learn how to convert an old or non-smart TV to a smart TV with method two. Although this method is a cheaper substitute for the actual Chromecast, it gets the job done.

Recently, there was an uproar in the tech market regarding a Chromecast clone, EZCast manufactured in China. With perfect screen mirroring and cloned features, this device brought in a lot of reviews. To understand the difference between Chromecast clones and media players, lets look at how these clones work.

The basic feature at work here is screen-mirroring, and the only port you require is an HDMI port.

Can My Smart TV Crash Or Hang

100% they can and will, Smart TVs are just compact computers, so theyll be trying to work on Video Processing, up-scaling/converting to your monitor / TVs resolution.

There are plenty more specifics such as memory and processing power, very similar to your phone.This will happen for a variety of different reasons across a variety of different tools and platforms.

Typically it happens more often if youre using a cheap third-party tool that utilizes Android or Linux and doesnt have the right specifications for what its trying to do.

Can I Install Android On Usb Stick For TV

Simple answer, no it is not possible. Those Android sticks have an HDMI port. The small processor and memory inside the stick run Android and output it through the HDMI port which is plugged into your TV. Also, those sticks usually need an external power source.

How do I set up my Sonys Android TV for the first time?

Press the HOME button on the remote control.

Select Settings.

The next steps will depend on your TV menu options: Select Device Preferences Initial Setup. Select Initial setup or Auto start-up.

Also Check: Philips Smart TV How To Download Apps

Turn Your TV Into A Smart TV

Notably, converting a regular TV into an internet-capable media center is quite easy as long as you have a fairly new television with HDMI and USB ports. And if you do, you can use a smart media player or a streaming dongle to get all the features of a Smart TV on your existing TV.

Note: If your TV doesnt have an HDMI port, you can still use an HDMI-to-RCA adapter that plugs into the RCA ports given at the back of your TV.

Should I Buy A Smart TV Or TV And A Set

The answer is a Smart TV, with the price of a Smart TV getting smaller and smaller it becomes apparent that its purely better value than a set-top box.

A Smart TV is an all-in-one system that requires no third-party interruption, it requires fewer cables and they tend to have a completely inclusive update procedure making it easier for you or your family members to keep their TVs up to standard!

Regardless of the price difference in the specifications of Smart TVs between one another. Smart TVs offer better video processing and higher quality in the picture. If youre looking to save money with Smart Home Technology, check out my blog post here on Saving Money with Home Automation.

Streaming TV On Games Consoles

Most modern games consoles have the capability to connect to the internet and stream different players and apps. Netflix and catch-up TV are available on the following devices however, not all consoles support all streaming services:

PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
Wii and Wii U
Xbox 360 and Xbox One

Accessories For Any Budget

If you’re feeling budget-conscious, a streaming media player such as the is a perfect option for enjoying online videos and music on your TV. Pair Alexa with your smart speaker system to browse thousands of movies and TV shows from Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube and more. If you dont want the smart speaker, the plugs directly into your TV and comes with a convenient, voice-activated remote for easy browsing.

Also Check: Apple TV Local Channel App

The Best TV Dongle Which Uses Wi

There is no best Wi-Fi Dongle, most of them simply stream video wirelessly over your network from Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Video, and even Plex if you have a localized Network.

A lot of people call them PC-TV Sticks and theres a ton of them on the market that arent exactly great and essentially run on the same Linux-based software as the Roku.

Personally, I consider Roku as the best of the lower-tier types of PC-TV Sticks for user interactivity.

If youre a little more technical, the Roku is great. If you just want it to work out of the box, go for the Amazon Firestick / Google Chromecast.

The Amazon Fire TV Streaming service is pretty clean if you have Amazon Prime, but doesnt have a great Prime selection as it tricks you into seeing non-prime content that you need to pay for.

Dolamee Android TV Box

How to turn your old TV into a SMART TV

The Dolamee D5 TV Box is based on Android and allows you to side-load various apps and games. Aside from that, the TV Box supports up to 4K, but it doesnt have HDR.

What we like about the D5 box is that the seller offers multiple power plug options, so no matter where you are, you should be able to use this thing without any adapters.

Also Check: Apple TV Channels List

Can I Stream In 4k

Absolutely, as long as your chosen dongle is capable of streaming in 4K your television is 4K compatible and your WiFi speed is fast enough, then you can stream as much or as little 4K content as you want to.

That said, we feel like we need to point out that while the Roku box is ready and prepared to pump out 4K, Amazons Fire Stick isnt, and youll need to choose a top-of-the-line Chromecast to stream 4K with Google. So, if 4K is important and you want to take full advantage of the four thousand pixel definition that your television is capable of showing, then the easiest way to do it is with Roku.

How To Turn Your TV Into A Smart TV: Make Sure Your TV Has An Hdmi Port

The first thing youll want to check is that your TV has an HDMI port. Youll need this port to hook up a smart media player. If your TV doesnt have an HDMI port, you can buy an HDMI-to-RCA adapter that plugs into the red, yellow and white cables located on the back of your TV.

What Do You Need To Turn A TV Into A Smart TV

There are quite a few peripherals that can be used in the process of making TV smart. This includes products like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, as well as Chromecast. Each of these will give your existing TV some level of smartness, but the extent and features that you get depend on which options you opt for.

Most of these work via HDMI, which essentially any TV made in the past 10 years will have. Its likely only very old TVs that will have you looking for an alternative to an HDMI smart TV adapter or smart TV plugin.

You might also want to read this:

Other Ways To Make Your TV Smart

How to Turn TV into Smart TV in 2021 [Guide]

Purchase an HDMI cable and connect it to any modern day laptop, smartphone or tablet. The screen on the device becomes the screen on the TV.
There are apps that mirror your mobile device screen directly to the TV. For example, you can pair your Samsung Galaxy S6 with your Samsung HDTV.
A Digital Living Network Alliance certified TV can receive media content from a smartphone as long as it is connected to the same internet router.

So, dont feel like youre missing out on the fun if you dont own a smart TV. You can get connected quite easily, in many different ways, at a cheap cost and enjoy all the benefits of a smart TV on your old TV set.

Be smart and make your TV smart!

Read Also: Is Discovery Plus On Lg TVs

How Does A Smart TV Work With Alexa

This depends on the software on the TV / The way youre doing it, if youre using a Dumb TV and using an external device itll have full integration via the WiFi connection as per my blog post here.

The same tends to go with Smart TVs as they are recognized as Smart Devices and utilize an API to get stuff done, Smart TVs with Alexa already integrated offer a super simple set-up when you first turn them on.

How To Convert Your Hdtv Into A Smart TV

You have an HDTV, dont you? At this moment, you regret your purchase decision because everyone else in your neighborhood might get smart TVs or your friends fantastic smart TV allures you.

In this article, I am going to help you turn your usual TV into a smart one. You can use different methods for this. So without further ado, lets get into the meat of this post.

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We Tell You A Few Smart Fixes To Bring The World Wide Web To Your Living Room But Before You Start Ensure You Have A High

Print Edition: Apr 12, 2015

Can you stream YouTube videos and browse the web on your TV, or download apps and play games on it? Well, the fast-evolving world of television technology could even reduce your latest acquisition, say, a flat panel full HD TV, to an outdated piece of furniture in just over a year. But don’t lose heart. It is just about time to smarten up your TV with a few smart add-ons. You may not be able to match up to the next phase of innovations, such as the 4k smart TV, but there are alternatives that can bring smart functionality and the Android OS interface to your drawing room. In fact, it could be a smart money move to upgrade your existing set, considering the high premium you pay for ‘smart’ or ‘connected’ TVs. But before you start, ensure you have a high-speed Wi-Fi connection to add more zing to your viewing experience.

LAPTOP

If you don’t mind a few wires running around, the simplest way of converting your TV into a smart one is to connect it to your laptop. All you need is HDMI ports in both the TV and the laptop, and an HDMI cable. Once you connect the two, whatever is displayed on your laptop will be streamed to the big screen. However, you might have to get up again and again to operate your laptop. A simple solution to this is to plug in a wireless mouse. If you need to type text to browse the web or update your Facebook status, consider using a wireless keyboard.

Digital Living Network Alliance

MHL cable

Price: Rs 500 onwards

SMART BOXES

Can I Use My Computer Monitor As A Smart Television

How To Convert Your Normal TV Into A Smart TV

While its technically possible to use a CRT monitor as a separate television and you can convert one to a smart TV by using a VGA to HDMI cable and an HDMI coupler to connect a dongle to it, it isnt really necessary as the monitor will already be connected to a computer thats internet-ready.

That means that you can just watch whatever you want to through your monitor, which is already connected to the internet, and for all intents and purposes, is already a Smart TV.

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How To Turn Your TV Into A Smart TV

Smart TVs have enhanced at-home entertainment by making it possible to watch streaming services, like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime, without the need for extra cables or devices. But, if you dont want to upgrade your TV, you still have options to turn your existing TV into a smart TV.

How Does Smart TV Work

To understand how smart TV works, it is important to understand what it is. A smart TV operating system integrated which allows for user-interface and access to application software without the need of another component. It works by connecting to your Ethernet or Wi-Fi, just like a computer. When you connect your TV to the internet connection, an ISP is generated. You can now navigate through the menu and use pre-downloaded apps or download apps via the app store. Pretty simple, right?

Can I Get Netflix Without A Smart TV

Yes! In addition to being able to turn your TV into a Smart TV for free, a lot of the newer TVs now have Netflix as an App built-in, a lot of older TVs and budget newer TVs dont.

So, to get your Netflix and Chill on easily, you may find that the Google Chromecast, Amazon Firestick, and Even the Roku is the way to go.

There are alternatives like the Raspberry Pi and even using Plex which we will discuss later.

Tips For Buying A New Smart TV

If, instead of turning your old TV into a smart TV, you decide to buy a new one altogether, choosing one from all of the available models can be daunting. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when buying a new smart TV.

Determine your budget: With the number of manufacturers of smart TVs today, youll definitely be able to find one that fits your financial needs. Set a budget, then canvass models that will fit into that budget. If some TV models have the same prices, comparing features will determine which is better.

Choose 4K resolution: TVs with 4K resolution are now common enough that their price has become relatively more affordable. Theres a good chance that any TV that has been recently manufactured will be in 4K. This also means that 1080p TVs, a slightly lower resolution, will be even cheaper. But if you can afford the higher end model, then you should go for it. There are also 8K resolution TVs that are more expensive, but the technology hasnt been adapted by enough media providers yet to make enough of a difference, when compared to a 4K model.

Size matters: The size of the TV you choose really depends on the space you have available, and the distance you will be sitting away from it. The larger the screen, the further away you can position yourself and still view the picture comfortably. Sizes and recommended distances are as follows:

65-inch screen between 2.1 to 2.5 meters.

50- to 52-inch screen between 1.7 to 2.2 meters.

Also Check: How To Cast To Vizio Smart TV From Android

What Features Make A TV Smart

To be able to call a TV smart in this day and age, it needs the ability to connect to the internet, seamlessly stream music and videos from the internet, play various kinds of audio, video, and image files, and have access to an AI-powered digital voice assistant. An easy way to turn a dumb TV into a smart TV is to buy an affordable smart streaming device that can plug into your existing TVs HDMI port and offer the following features:

Internet connectivity via an Ethernet port or Wi-Fi.
Have features like smartphone or tablet screen mirroring and DLNA.
Preferably, have access to audio and video streaming apps like Disney+ Hotstar, Prime Video, Netflix, and YouTube.
Have access to digital voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri.

So, those are the best ways to convert your existing TV or a monitor into a smart TV. This way, you can save some money by not buying a brand new TV or repurpose old TVs or monitors into smart TVs. You can also use the monitor in your work setup to double up as a device to listen to music or watch movies and TV shows.

The Best Way A Streaming Stick Or Dongle

The easiest and most effective way to add smarts to your dumb TV is a good streaming stick or dongle. There are numerous options in this category, all offering different features and abilities that let you connect to online services.

Listing out your specific requirements will help you choose the best streaming stick or dongle for you. For this, you should figure to what kind of content you want, which will help you pick the best device for you. For example, if you watch a lot of content on Amazon Prime Video or Netflix, the range might be ideal for you. On the other hand, if you have a lot of Apple devices, you might prefer the Apple TV range for its seamless ability to interface with your iPhone or Mac computer. Similarly, if you have an Android phone to use as a controller, you could use a Chromecast.

Some of these high-end devices may be able to draw power from one of the USB ports on your TV itself, while others may need to rely on a wall adapter to draw enough power. You’ll therefore have to make sure you have either a free USB port or a wall socket for the adapter.

Some of these devices can be purchased for under Rs. 1,000, turning your smartphone or computer into the controller and provider of internet connectivity to your TV. And if you can buy devices from abroad, you have various options such as the Roku Streaming Stick+ and Xiaomi Mi TV Box to choose from as well.

Read Also: How To Stream Peacock On Apple TV

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