Transforming Your TV into a Smart TV Made Easy

Have you ever looked at your TV and thought, I wish I had a smart TV? With the ease and flexibility of streaming, it’s understandable why you may feel left out of the loop. However, you don’t need to buy a new TV to join in on the smart television trend. In this article, we’ll discuss how you can make your current TV a smart TV without breaking the bank.

Firstly, it’s important to understand that a smart TV offers streaming services and the ability to connect to the internet. However, you can still access these perks without the smart TV label. One simple way to convert your TV into a smart TV is by using a streaming device such as a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or Apple TV. These devices are relatively inexpensive and offer a wide range of streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. Simply plug the device into the HDMI port on your TV, connect to Wi-Fi, and start streaming your favorite shows and movies. It’s that easy!

Section: Ways to Make Your TV a Smart TV

1. Get a Streaming Device

One of the easiest ways to make your TV a smart one is by using a streaming device. These small and affordable gadgets connect to your TV via HDMI and enable you to access a plethora of streaming services, like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and more. Some of the most popular streaming devices are the Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku Streaming Stick, and Google Chromecast. All you need is a stable internet connection and a compatible device, and you can start streaming your favorite shows and movies on your TV.

2. Use a Gaming Console

If you already own a gaming console, like an Xbox or PlayStation, you can use it to turn your TV into a smart one. These consoles not only allow you to play video games, but also let you stream content from various apps, like Netflix, HBO, and YouTube. Moreover, they come with voice-enabled remotes and controllers, making the streaming experience much more convenient and hands-free.

3. Invest in a Smart Blu-ray Player

Blu-ray players have come a long way since their inception. Nowadays, you can find smart Blu-ray players that offer built-in Wi-Fi and access to various streaming platforms, like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Additionally, they offer superior image and sound quality, making them a great option for movie enthusiasts.

4. Purchase a Smart TV Box

Smart TV boxes are all-in-one devices that convert your regular TV into a smart one. They come pre-loaded with various streaming apps and offer additional features, like web browsing, gaming, and voice control. Some of the most popular smart TV boxes are the Nvidia Shield TV, Apple TV, and Xiaomi Mi Box.

5. Use a HDMI Dongle

HDMI dongles are similar to streaming devices but are much smaller in size. They connect to your TV’s HDMI port and allow you to stream content from various apps, like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube. Some of the most popular HDMI dongles are the Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, and Roku Streaming Stick.

6. Connect Your Laptop or PC to Your TV

If you don’t want to invest in any additional devices, you can simply connect your laptop or PC to your TV via HDMI. This way, you can stream content from various websites, like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube. Additionally, you can use your laptop or PC as a secondary screen and extend your work or gaming setup.

7. Use a Smart Soundbar

A smart soundbar is a great way to enhance your TV viewing experience. They not only offer superior sound quality but also come with built-in Wi-Fi and access to various streaming services. Some of the most popular smart soundbars are the Sonos Beam, Bose Soundbar 700, and Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400.

8. Install a TV Box Launcher

A TV box launcher is a software that replaces your TV’s default home screen with a more streamlined and smarter interface. It allows you to access your favorite apps and content with ease and offers additional features, like voice search and personalization. Some of the most popular TV box launchers are Android TV, Roku TV, and Amazon Fire TV.

9. Turn Your TV into a Smart Home Hub

If you want to take your smart TV setup to the next level, you can turn it into a smart home hub. This means that you can control your smart home devices, like lights, thermostats, and cameras, from your TV. Some of the most popular smart home hubs are Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit.

10. Get a Custom Smart TV Solution

If you want a more personalized and tailored smart TV solution, you can hire a professional company to install and set up your system. They can offer you a range of features and services, like custom interfaces, voice control, and optimization for your specific needs and preferences. Some of the most popular smart TV solution providers are Control4, Savant, and Crestron.

Section 2: Adding External Devices to Make Your TV Smart

In case you have an outdated TV at home, you could use some external devices to turn it into a smart TV. Many smart devices can be attached to your TV, giving it a boost in functionality and viewing experience. Below are some external devices that you could use:

1. Streaming Devices

Streaming devices allow you to stream videos, movies, and TV shows on your TV from the internet. Popular streaming devices available in the market include Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Chromecast, and Apple TV. These devices can be plugged into the HDMI port on your TV, and they come with a remote control to navigate and find the content you want to watch easily. They require a stable internet connection to function correctly.

2. Smart Blu-Ray Players

Smart Blu-ray players are an excellent choice if you want to enjoy your favorite Blu-ray movies with added smart features. These devices allow you to stream content from apps such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, in addition to playing your Blu-ray discs. You can connect your smart Blu-ray player to your home network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet for easier access to online content.

3. Gaming Consoles

Gaming consoles such as the Sony PlayStation and Microsoft Xbox One are more than just gaming consoles. They also come with a built-in app store that allows you to download streaming apps such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. These consoles can be used for gaming, streaming shows, or movies, or even browsing the internet. However, gaming consoles can be more expensive than other smart TV devices.

4. Media Players

Media players such as the Western Digital TV Play and the Nvidia Shield are compact devices that can stream media from the internet or from your local network. These devices boast high-quality audio and video playback, and some even allow you to play media files from a USB stick or an external hard drive.

5. Smart Speakers

Smart speakers such as the Amazon Echo Show or the Google Nest Hub can not only play music or offer you voice control, but they also come with a built-in screen that can be used to stream content on your TV. This setup allows you to use voice commands to instruct the smart speaker to stream shows or movies online.

6. DVR Devices

If you have cable TV subscription, then consider getting a DVR device that can record TV shows and play them back later. The more advanced DVRs in the market today come with built-in smart features that allow you to stream content from online services like Netflix or Hulu. Such devices include the TiVo Stream, which allows you to stream live TV and recordings to your mobile devices.

7. USB Dongles

USB dongles are a cheap and easy way to add smart features to your TV. These small devices can be plugged into the USB port on your TV, and they usually come with a built-in Wi-Fi connector. They allow you to stream movies, shows, and music directly from the internet or your smartphone.

8. HDMI Switches

HDMI switches are great for users that have many devices they would like to connect to the TV at once. These devices have multiple HDMI ports and selecting the desired device can be done by simply pressing a button on the switch. They typically include smart features like mirroring content from your smartphone to your TV, internet browsing, or streaming videos.

9. Wireless Display Adapters

Wireless display adapters like the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter and Google Chromecast are excellent for streaming video content from your PC or smartphone to your TV. These devices act as a wireless bridge between your TV and your device to stream the content wirelessly. They are affordable and easy to set up, and some models also allow you to play games on your TV using your smartphone or laptop as the controller.

10. Smart Home Devices

Smart home devices are not just for home automation; they can also be used to turn your TV into a smart TV. You can connect smart home devices such as the Google Home Mini or the Amazon Echo Dot to your TV and use them to stream content hands-free. You’ll simply have to use voice commands like “Hey Google, play Stranger Things on Netflix,” to enjoy your favorite shows. These devices may require a home network and a stable internet connection to work correctly.

Adding external devices to your TV can be an exciting and affordable way to turn your non-smart TV into a smart entertainment hub at home. Choose the external device that best fits your budget and needs to start enjoying the benefits of a smart TV.

Ways to Convert your TV into a Smart TV

In this section, we will discuss the various ways to convert your TV to a smart one. You can select any of the following methods to start enjoying smart TV features.

1. Streaming Media Devices

Using media streaming devices like Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, or Roku is one of the most common ways to convert your TV into a smart one. With these devices, you can access online streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and more. The installation and setup of these devices are reasonably simple, and they usually come with a user guide.

2. Gaming Consoles

Game consoles like Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation serve multiple purposes, one of which is to convert your TV into a smart one. These consoles come with streaming apps that enable access to online content services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and more. They also have features that allow you to play games from a gaming library.

3. Smart DVD or Blu-Ray Players

The latest smart DVD or Blu-ray players come with built-in internet connectivity and access to online media services. With this option, you can play your DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and stream from online media services like Youtube, Amazon Prime, or Netflix. You will require a TV with HDMI input to use this method.

4. Smart TV Boxes

Smart TV boxes like Android TV, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV allow users to stream music, movies, and TV shows directly on a television. These boxes function like a mini-computer connected to the TV through an HDMI port and require an internet connection to handle streaming. The experience of using a smart TV box is similar to that of a traditional smart TV interface.

5. PC Connection

If you own a PC or laptop, you can connect it to your TV to stream content from the internet. Almost all laptops and PCs have an HDMI port, which can be connected to a TV for big-screen viewing. You can also use a wireless connection if your TV supports it.

In conclusion, you can convert your standard TV into a smart one, and choosing a method depends on your preference and budget. With affordable devices like media streaming sticks and the advantages of smart TVs, you do not need to break the bank to upgrade your TV to a smarter version.

Wrap it up

And that’s it! Now you know how to turn your traditional TV into a smart one. With all these new possibilities, you can enjoy watching your favorite shows and movies in an entirely new way. Thanks for reading and I hope you found these tips helpful. Don’t forget to come back to our site for more tech-savvy articles in the future!