Internet TV

louise1966 · 03-06-2012, 18:16

~I have read this on another post, so forgive me for repeating a post. I am purchasing a new tv and want to be able to access the internet. One of my considerations in choosing a brand, therefore, is the cost of the wifi dongle. Which universal dongles are suitable for which brands? I am considering a LG or possible a samsung, although my current tv is the latter and the screen is faulty. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

Arkudos · 03-06-2012, 18:53

No TV offers access to the Internet really, just access to apps that use the Internet, which apart from iPlayer and YouTube are generally appalling.

You'd be better off going with whatever TV you think has the best picture for your price range then buy an Internet connected TV box that you can upgrade for much cheaper than a TV. Have a Google for; Roku, WDTV Live, Apple TV, Boxee Box and similar to see what I mean. Most Blu-ray players have the same features as their TV counterparts so you could even just get one of the, then you've got Apps and the best format player in one.

stevemorg · 04-06-2012, 08:06

why not connect the pc to the tv .get a wireless keyboard with a touch-pad and surf the net from the sofa.

gomezz · 04-06-2012, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arkudos

Roku, WDTV Live, Apple TV, Boxee Box

All of those and similar offer only crippled access to what it is available. I use an Acer Revo nettop for this sort of thing which gives me unlimited access.

David (2) · 04-06-2012, 11:53

PC~TV hook up is the best. If you buy a Smart tv with the idea of using it like a normal pc you will be disapointed. You need a proper keyboard for a start. Using TEXT style input on a remote control or virtual on screen keyboard is way too ANNOYING + VERY SLOW for typical pc use. And thats before you find out that the guts of a Smart tv are limited in various ways too.

louise1966 · 04-06-2012, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevemorg

why not connect the pc to the tv .get a wireless keyboard with a touch-pad and surf the net from the sofa.

I have been told a couple of different options. Which cable gives the more superior performance? And I have found them to be quite expensive. Do you know if there is a universal cable available? Thanks.

louise1966 · 04-06-2012, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by David (2)

PC~TV hook up is the best. If you buy a Smart tv with the idea of using it like a normal pc you will be disapointed. You need a proper keyboard for a start. Using TEXT style input on a remote control or virtual on screen keyboard is way too ANNOYING + VERY SLOW for typical pc use. And thats before you find out that the guts of a Smart tv are limited in various ways too.

David, thank you. This info is most helpful. Thing is, it's possible to buy an internet ready tv now quite reasonably, so why not have one anyway? I am not going to be watching 3D tv, but the tvs I like are 3D ready and don't cost much more than one which isn't. I may change my mind when 3D tv without having to wear the specs comes out shortly.

louise1966 · 04-06-2012, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomezz

All of those and similar offer only crippled access to what it is available. I use an Acer Revo nettop for this sort of thing which gives me unlimited access.

When did the acer revo nettop come out? It seems like a brilliant buy. Can you give me any info on how I use it and all that it can do for me? Much appreciated. Thanks.

gomezz · 04-06-2012, 21:13

It is is basically a general purpose computer running either Windows or Linux and can access and run anything a PC can although it struggles doing more than one thing at once so I don't recommend replacing your current desktop / laptop with one but have it dedicated to the job of feeding the TV. The model I have comes with a wireless keyboard and mouse and is connected by HDMI to my TV.

cantisque · 04-06-2012, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by louise1966

I have been told a couple of different options. Which cable gives the more superior performance? And I have found them to be quite expensive. Do you know if there is a universal cable available? Thanks.

Universal cable? I guess that would be HDMI, the video and sound are delivered through the same cable. Most modern PC's have HDMI ports on them.
You can buy them in Poundland and they're identical to the more expensive ones in terms of picture quality.

louise1966 · 06-06-2012, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by cantisque

Universal cable? I guess that would be HDMI, the video and sound are delivered through the same cable. Most modern PC's have HDMI ports on them.
You can buy them in Poundland and they're identical to the more expensive ones in terms of picture quality.

I meant a universal brand. I do have an HDMI lead, so I'll use that.

Orbitalzone · 06-06-2012, 18:32

Remember that most computers connected to a TV still enjoy all the delights of constant updates, security fixes etc and so aren't quite as smooth to operate as blu ray player or Sky+ box....but they do provide the best features without a doubt.

I'm guessing a net top running a decent Linux media operating system means little updating, no antivirus nonsense and probably a pretty good user experience?

flashgordon1952 · 06-06-2012, 22:14

i remember haveing a form of internet tv on my NTL become virgin digital tv operator .
It useda huge keyboard andused basically for messageing. But it worked and worked well until just before virgin took over them.

03-06-2012, 18:16	#1
louise1966 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: workington, cumbria Posts: 3,384	Internet TV ~I have read this on another post, so forgive me for repeating a post. I am purchasing a new tv and want to be able to access the internet. One of my considerations in choosing a brand, therefore, is the cost of the wifi dongle. Which universal dongles are suitable for which brands? I am considering a LG or possible a samsung, although my current tv is the latter and the screen is faulty. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

03-06-2012, 18:53	#2
Arkudos Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 473	No TV offers access to the Internet really, just access to apps that use the Internet, which apart from iPlayer and YouTube are generally appalling. You'd be better off going with whatever TV you think has the best picture for your price range then buy an Internet connected TV box that you can upgrade for much cheaper than a TV. Have a Google for; Roku, WDTV Live, Apple TV, Boxee Box and similar to see what I mean. Most Blu-ray players have the same features as their TV counterparts so you could even just get one of the, then you've got Apps and the best format player in one.

04-06-2012, 08:06	#3
stevemorg Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 139	why not connect the pc to the tv .get a wireless keyboard with a touch-pad and surf the net from the sofa.

04-06-2012, 10:48	#4
gomezz Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Buckingham Posts: 28,590	Quote: Originally Posted by Arkudos Roku, WDTV Live, Apple TV, Boxee Box All of those and similar offer only crippled access to what it is available. I use an Acer Revo nettop for this sort of thing which gives me unlimited access.

04-06-2012, 11:53	#5
David (2) Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: S.West England. Posts: 18,037	PC~TV hook up is the best. If you buy a Smart tv with the idea of using it like a normal pc you will be disapointed. You need a proper keyboard for a start. Using TEXT style input on a remote control or virtual on screen keyboard is way too ANNOYING + VERY SLOW for typical pc use. And thats before you find out that the guts of a Smart tv are limited in various ways too.

04-06-2012, 18:30	#6
louise1966 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: workington, cumbria Posts: 3,384	Quote: Originally Posted by stevemorg why not connect the pc to the tv .get a wireless keyboard with a touch-pad and surf the net from the sofa. I have been told a couple of different options. Which cable gives the more superior performance? And I have found them to be quite expensive. Do you know if there is a universal cable available? Thanks.

04-06-2012, 18:35	#7
louise1966 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: workington, cumbria Posts: 3,384	Quote: Originally Posted by David (2) PC~TV hook up is the best. If you buy a Smart tv with the idea of using it like a normal pc you will be disapointed. You need a proper keyboard for a start. Using TEXT style input on a remote control or virtual on screen keyboard is way too ANNOYING + VERY SLOW for typical pc use. And thats before you find out that the guts of a Smart tv are limited in various ways too. David, thank you. This info is most helpful. Thing is, it's possible to buy an internet ready tv now quite reasonably, so why not have one anyway? I am not going to be watching 3D tv, but the tvs I like are 3D ready and don't cost much more than one which isn't. I may change my mind when 3D tv without having to wear the specs comes out shortly.

04-06-2012, 18:46	#8
louise1966 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: workington, cumbria Posts: 3,384	Quote: Originally Posted by gomezz All of those and similar offer only crippled access to what it is available. I use an Acer Revo nettop for this sort of thing which gives me unlimited access. When did the acer revo nettop come out? It seems like a brilliant buy. Can you give me any info on how I use it and all that it can do for me? Much appreciated. Thanks.

04-06-2012, 21:13	#9
gomezz Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Buckingham Posts: 28,590	It is is basically a general purpose computer running either Windows or Linux and can access and run anything a PC can although it struggles doing more than one thing at once so I don't recommend replacing your current desktop / laptop with one but have it dedicated to the job of feeding the TV. The model I have comes with a wireless keyboard and mouse and is connected by HDMI to my TV.

04-06-2012, 21:36	#10
cantisque Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 2	Quote: Originally Posted by louise1966 I have been told a couple of different options. Which cable gives the more superior performance? And I have found them to be quite expensive. Do you know if there is a universal cable available? Thanks. Universal cable? I guess that would be HDMI, the video and sound are delivered through the same cable. Most modern PC's have HDMI ports on them. You can buy them in Poundland and they're identical to the more expensive ones in terms of picture quality.

06-06-2012, 15:15	#11
louise1966 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: workington, cumbria Posts: 3,384	Quote: Originally Posted by cantisque Universal cable? I guess that would be HDMI, the video and sound are delivered through the same cable. Most modern PC's have HDMI ports on them. You can buy them in Poundland and they're identical to the more expensive ones in terms of picture quality. I meant a universal brand. I do have an HDMI lead, so I'll use that.

06-06-2012, 18:32	#12
Orbitalzone Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sussex Posts: 12,173	Remember that most computers connected to a TV still enjoy all the delights of constant updates, security fixes etc and so aren't quite as smooth to operate as blu ray player or Sky+ box....but they do provide the best features without a doubt. I'm guessing a net top running a decent Linux media operating system means little updating, no antivirus nonsense and probably a pretty good user experience?

06-06-2012, 22:14	#13
flashgordon1952 Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: brentwood essex Posts: 3,634	i remember haveing a form of internet tv on my NTL become virgin digital tv operator . It useda huge keyboard andused basically for messageing. But it worked and worked well until just before virgin took over them.

DS Forums

Internet TV