How to make a smart TV from a regular TV

In modern conditions, technology is increasingly becoming the prefix Smart. After all, almost all the technology surrounding a simple layman becomes “smart”. It’s no surprise that there’s a refrigerator in the kitchen that can change its temperature using the application on a smartphone, or an air conditioner, which itself selects the desired temperature in the room.

And on the shelves you can already find multicookers, the functionality of which is not only in cooking, but also in playing the radio and remote control all from the same phone.

Among all this variety of different techniques, an ordinary TV that simply shows shows no longer seems so complete. However, an ordinary user should not be upset, since an outdated TV can be improved by connecting a home computer to it, but this is not entirely convenient. In addition, the TV device will be controlled via a mouse and keyboard, which is connected directly to the system unit, which also does not have the best effect on comfort use. If the user wants to use all the advanced features of modern technology, then you should turn to Smart TV technology.

What is smart TV

This technology will transform the old TV, turning it literally into the flagship of television technology. This is done by acquiring a device or set-top box that connects to the TV. Smart TV technology provides the user not only with comfortable viewing of any TV shows or series, but also is able to provide full access to the Internet and various applications.

These features make this technology extremely progressive, which is why it is popular all over the world. The user now does not have to buy a new device in order to enjoy modern technology. In addition, a TV equipped with Smart TV technology will have a much higher price tag than a device without this add-on.

How to make smart on ordinary TV

In order to transform an ordinary TV, a small set-top box or additional device is enough. There are several types of such devices. Their list and connection methods will be discussed below.

Typically, these consoles work on the Android system, which allows them to be completely universal for absolutely any model of a TV device, even for an old TV. Also, Android OS provides the ability to use a variety of applications, as well as viewing sites and playing any movies or TV shows (if they are officially available for viewing). Users of this OS on smartphones know that this system is quite flexible and allows you to install third-party applications, which provides users with the freedom to use absolutely any additional upgrades and improvements.

If an application is installed on the console that interferes with full functionality, it can always be removed without problems. In special situations, the operating system can be "rolled back" to its original state. In this case, only the initial applications will be left on the console. That provides the ability to use the device "from scratch."

What is required

In order for the TV to have this technology, it is enough to purchase and connect a special device that allows you to make Smart TV out of ordinary TV. Before you start buying, you should familiarize yourself with all the options for consoles. About them in order.

SmartTV stick. The simplest and at the same time universal device for creating smart TV from a conventional TV. It is a small module that looks more like a regular flash card than a console. The price category ranges from $ 40 to $ 80. The most widely used version on the Androin system, due to its versatility and convenience. Often the device is equipped with a special remote control, which makes working with the device more comfortable.

Smart TV set-top box. This console has slightly larger dimensions than the device presented above. However, large sizes are caused by much greater performance. Despite the fact that often these consoles have the same Android OS, the functionality and performance of such consoles is much higher than that of the SmartTV sticks described above. The biggest favorites in this segment of consoles are the consoles from Xiaomi and Apple.

Such consoles not only support high-quality video playback and full surfing in Internet, but also playing games on the Android and iOS platform, which brings them to a completely different level. For a comfortable game on the remote control from Apple there is a full gyroscope.

Important! For a comfortable and full use of all functions, the console needs a stable high-speed Internet connection. If it is missing, then there may be problems with image quality or the speed of downloading content.

Users of these consoles have an unlimited choice of media resources from the Internet. The price of such devices is correspondingly much higher than the others, but the functionality in this case is many orders of magnitude wider than that of simple Chinese counterparts.

Smartphone or tablet. Also, instead of an additional console, a phone or tablet based on Android or iOS is suitable for creating a “smart” TV from a regular one.

Reference! For a more comfortable use, the device should have powerful enough characteristics so that there would be no “freezes” or other software problems.

Instructions on how to do

After all the options for creating from a conventional Smart TV have been described, you should consider how to connect and configure the gadgets presented.

SmartTV - stick. The simplest device to connect has the shape and appearance of a simple flash drive. However, it is not connected to the USB connector, but to the HDMI port. By connecting this device to the TV, on the TV itself, go to the “Signal sources” settings and select the HDMI connector. After that, the settings menu of the SmartTV itself - a stick - will appear on the screen. Using the remote control from this set-top box, the user can easily set basic parameters, such as time, date, Wi-Fi connection, etc. For each device, these settings are individual, therefore, complete instructions for setting up and managing this console are always included with the device.

Smart TV set-top box. Connecting this console is also not difficult, since it often comes with an HDMI cable, which should also be connected to the TV port. Then you should configure the TV as described in the previous paragraph, and proceed to configure the console. As in the previous case, detailed instructions are attached to all official devices, which describes all the steps a user needs to connect and operate a console.

Smartphone or tablet. For users who want to connect a mobile phone or tablet to a television screen, there are several basic ways to carry out this difficult operation.

Using the HDMI connector. The easiest way to connect to a TV is to connect via a mini HDMI connector. This port is present on some tablet models. If such a connector is not found on the existing device, then you can use an adapter or an adapter like microUSB - HDMI.

Having a converter of this, it is enough to connect a smartphone to it, and the adapter to the TV port. In the settings for receiving TV signals, establish a connection via HDMI, after which the TV will automatically select the required resolution and display the smartphone screen. If the picture looks too stretched, you should use the manual adjustment of the screen settings.

Wi-fi connection. The most convenient and practical connection of the phone to the TV. In order to carry out switching between devices, the following steps should be taken:

1. On the phone, in the Wi-Fi settings, select the Wi-Fi Direct function, after which the automatic search for devices to connect will begin.
2. In the TV settings, select the “Network” sub-item and find the Wi-Fi Direct option in it.
3. In the menu that opens, select the desired phone model and connect the two devices.
4. After the connection request appears on the smartphone, confirm it.

Now the user has the opportunity to play almost any media files, as well as run games and applications installed on the phone.

Important! It should be remembered that when using a Wi-Fi connection on a mobile device, the charge is usually quickly consumed.

What you need with a TV

Usually, connecting additional devices do not require any special actions from the TV. It is enough to open the menu of signal sources and select the necessary connector, after which the image from the set-top box or smartphone will appear almost immediately on the screen.

Many users have a problem with image resolution. This is expressed in the distortion or elongation of the picture. In this case, it is enough to use automatic configuration. To activate it, you need to go to the menu and find the "Automatic setup" item, after which the TV itself will select the necessary resolution and screen format. If the automatic setup did not help, the user can use the manual selection of the screen format and resolution.

A connection problem is also possible when a TV device has problems with the HDMI port or is missing at all. In this case, adapters or adapters to working or existing connectors can come to the rescue. The most versatile solution could be an HDMI-VGA adapter. However, it should be borne in mind that the VGA connector does not support audio transmission, therefore such converters are usually accompanied by separate outputs for sound such as mini-jack or “tulips”.