Internet capable Television

CBFreak · 14-09-2012, 14:48

I'm hoping to save up for a new TV in the January sale.
I really want a TV that is capable of connection to the internet but as I've never owned one before I need some advice on what to actually look for.

Do I need a Smart TV or a TV with a HDMI Connection? Do I need an additional box to link between the TV and the PC?

I am utterly clueless here.

chrisjr · 14-09-2012, 15:31

HDMI is a digital audio/video connection system, nowt to do with this interweb thing.

And you don't have to connect the TV to the PC for internet access either. A Smart TV with an ethernet connection (or possibly WiFi - though rarer) connects to the broadband router for internet access.

But don't expect anything like the same internet experience as a PC. You may get a selection of services it can link to which can vary from make to make. So you need to look closely at the maker's websites for what range of sites it can link to.

Nigel Goodwin · 14-09-2012, 15:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBFreak

I'm hoping to save up for a new TV in the January sale.
I really want a TV that is capable of connection to the internet but as I've never owned one before I need some advice on what to actually look for.

Do I need a Smart TV or a TV with a HDMI Connection? Do I need an additional box to link between the TV and the PC?

I am utterly clueless here.

You need a (so called) 'Smart TV', but accessing the internet on one is absolutely dreadful - the facilities are poor (it's a very basic browser), and without a mouse and keyboard it's all but unusable.

Assuming you still want to to do it?, you need an ethernet lead to the back of the TV from your router, or some sets have WiFi built-in and can connect via your WiFi.

If you use Skype at all?, you can get sets with Skype built-in, that's more of a usable feature.

c4rv · 14-09-2012, 16:06

Smart TV generally refers to TV that connected directly to the internet via ethernet cable or via wifi (either built-in or with a approved wifi dongle). They mostly then connect to a web portal provided by the TV manufacturer that then has options for connecting to different services. Smart TV do not need another box or PC, they effectively have a basic PC built into the TV. Some TV sets to support keyboards and mouse that have been approved by the TV company (i.e. charge load of money for stuff that can otherwise be purchased for a few quid).

As mentioned, internet on smart TV is pretty poor. Most can also manage iplayer, youtube and other streaming video services but they are not remotely near connecting a PC or laptop to the TV. If you ask most smart TV owners, the novelty soon wears off.

Where smart TV are worth considering is that they can often playback video stored on your PC/Laptop or file server. So if you have movie or TV show file on your laptop/PC, using a protocol known as DNLA, you TV can connect to your computer and play the file back.

liamhere · 14-09-2012, 16:07

i have the big samsung (55ES8000) and its works fIne for me....iplayer is great
i have skype on the tv so can make and take skype calls from the sofa
not cheap but i am happy

Nigel Goodwin · 14-09-2012, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by liamhere

i have the big samsung (55ES8000) and its works fIne for me....iplayer is great
i have skype on the tv so can make and take skype calls from the sofa
not cheap but i am happy

I can't help but notice you mentioned iplayer and Skype, but NOT general Internet browsing

iplayer and Skype are fine, you don't need a competent browser, nor a mouse any keyboard.

ironjade · 14-09-2012, 17:36

Smart tvs for dumb people. I know because I've got one and it's a total waste of time/money.

tasker · 14-09-2012, 18:37

I really don't get smart tv's at al.
I have one and it never gets connected to the net, they are slow, they don't have hard drives (i know you can plug flash drives and such).
Ultimately they are not computers, they don't have the processing or ram power.
Added to that , regardless of how much these love film people and sky seem to want to ram it down our throats, the internet infrastructure in this country is so old we don't have the ability to have millions of people who are lucky if they get 2 meg streaming films.
its a tv and thats all.

c4rv · 14-09-2012, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by tasker

I really don't get smart tv's at al.
I have one and it never gets connected to the net, they are slow, they don't have hard drives (i know you can plug flash drives and such).
Ultimately they are not computers, they don't have the processing or ram power.
Added to that , regardless of how much these love film people and sky seem to want to ram it down our throats, the internet infrastructure in this country is so old we don't have the ability to have millions of people who are lucky if they get 2 meg streaming films.
its a tv and thats all.

yet millions of people can happily stream to their PC, games consoles, tablets and phones without problems.

CBFreak · 15-09-2012, 21:06

Thanks. I've looked at Smart TV's and they seem a bit above my price range.
I do have a PC so I just can't connect a cheaper TV to it? I mainly just want to watch videos from the internet on a bigger screen. I hate watching stuff sitting at the computer desk.

alan1302 · 15-09-2012, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by c4rv

yet millions of people can happily stream to their PC, games consoles, tablets and phones without problems.

Millions can and millions can't - depends where you live

chrisjr · 15-09-2012, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBFreak

Thanks. I've looked at Smart TV's and they seem a bit above my price range.
I do have a PC so I just can't connect a cheaper TV to it? I mainly just want to watch videos from the internet on a bigger screen. I hate watching stuff sitting at the computer desk.

Whether, or how easily, you can connect a PC/Laptop to a TV depends on what connectors are available on each.

Virtually every HD TV sold today will have HDMI sockets. Quite a few PCs and laptops also have HDMI. So that is by far the easiest method. The TV effectively becomes a second monitor for the PC/Laptop.

If the PC/Laptop has a DVI video connection then you can get DVI to HDMI leads for the video. The problem may be getting the audio connected. Some TVs dedicate one HDMI socket to PC use and often have a 3.5mm jack socket alongside for audio. You just run a lead to that from the headphone port on the computer.

Less common it seems is VGA for a PC connection. But if both TV and computer have VGA then that is a viable alternative to HDMI/DVI. Like DVI you will need a separate audio lead.

Johnbee · 17-09-2012, 13:11

I have a smart TV. I can look at web sites such as Dailymotion, but they are heavily censored. I reckon the biggest thing is that I could use Netflix, I think £5 per month for any films they have.

14-09-2012, 14:48	#1
CBFreak Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 22,069	Internet capable Television I'm hoping to save up for a new TV in the January sale. I really want a TV that is capable of connection to the internet but as I've never owned one before I need some advice on what to actually look for. Do I need a Smart TV or a TV with a HDMI Connection? Do I need an additional box to link between the TV and the PC? I am utterly clueless here.

14-09-2012, 15:31	#2
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	HDMI is a digital audio/video connection system, nowt to do with this interweb thing. And you don't have to connect the TV to the PC for internet access either. A Smart TV with an ethernet connection (or possibly WiFi - though rarer) connects to the broadband router for internet access. But don't expect anything like the same internet experience as a PC. You may get a selection of services it can link to which can vary from make to make. So you need to look closely at the maker's websites for what range of sites it can link to.

14-09-2012, 15:31	#3
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by CBFreak I'm hoping to save up for a new TV in the January sale. I really want a TV that is capable of connection to the internet but as I've never owned one before I need some advice on what to actually look for. Do I need a Smart TV or a TV with a HDMI Connection? Do I need an additional box to link between the TV and the PC? I am utterly clueless here. You need a (so called) 'Smart TV', but accessing the internet on one is absolutely dreadful - the facilities are poor (it's a very basic browser), and without a mouse and keyboard it's all but unusable. Assuming you still want to to do it?, you need an ethernet lead to the back of the TV from your router, or some sets have WiFi built-in and can connect via your WiFi. If you use Skype at all?, you can get sets with Skype built-in, that's more of a usable feature.

14-09-2012, 16:06	#4
c4rv Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Essex Posts: 16,218	Smart TV generally refers to TV that connected directly to the internet via ethernet cable or via wifi (either built-in or with a approved wifi dongle). They mostly then connect to a web portal provided by the TV manufacturer that then has options for connecting to different services. Smart TV do not need another box or PC, they effectively have a basic PC built into the TV. Some TV sets to support keyboards and mouse that have been approved by the TV company (i.e. charge load of money for stuff that can otherwise be purchased for a few quid). As mentioned, internet on smart TV is pretty poor. Most can also manage iplayer, youtube and other streaming video services but they are not remotely near connecting a PC or laptop to the TV. If you ask most smart TV owners, the novelty soon wears off. Where smart TV are worth considering is that they can often playback video stored on your PC/Laptop or file server. So if you have movie or TV show file on your laptop/PC, using a protocol known as DNLA, you TV can connect to your computer and play the file back.

14-09-2012, 16:07	#5
liamhere Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: birmingham U.K Posts: 1,930	i have the big samsung (55ES8000) and its works fIne for me....iplayer is great i have skype on the tv so can make and take skype calls from the sofa not cheap but i am happy

14-09-2012, 16:40	#6
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by liamhere i have the big samsung (55ES8000) and its works fIne for me....iplayer is great i have skype on the tv so can make and take skype calls from the sofa not cheap but i am happy I can't help but notice you mentioned iplayer and Skype, but NOT general Internet browsing iplayer and Skype are fine, you don't need a competent browser, nor a mouse any keyboard.

14-09-2012, 17:36	#7
ironjade Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: London Posts: 8,651	Smart tvs for dumb people. I know because I've got one and it's a total waste of time/money.

14-09-2012, 18:37	#8
tasker Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: south yorkshire Posts: 1,263	I really don't get smart tv's at al. I have one and it never gets connected to the net, they are slow, they don't have hard drives (i know you can plug flash drives and such). Ultimately they are not computers, they don't have the processing or ram power. Added to that , regardless of how much these love film people and sky seem to want to ram it down our throats, the internet infrastructure in this country is so old we don't have the ability to have millions of people who are lucky if they get 2 meg streaming films. its a tv and thats all.

14-09-2012, 22:37	#9
c4rv Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Essex Posts: 16,218	Quote: Originally Posted by tasker I really don't get smart tv's at al. I have one and it never gets connected to the net, they are slow, they don't have hard drives (i know you can plug flash drives and such). Ultimately they are not computers, they don't have the processing or ram power. Added to that , regardless of how much these love film people and sky seem to want to ram it down our throats, the internet infrastructure in this country is so old we don't have the ability to have millions of people who are lucky if they get 2 meg streaming films. its a tv and thats all. yet millions of people can happily stream to their PC, games consoles, tablets and phones without problems.

15-09-2012, 21:06	#10
CBFreak Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 22,069	Thanks. I've looked at Smart TV's and they seem a bit above my price range. I do have a PC so I just can't connect a cheaper TV to it? I mainly just want to watch videos from the internet on a bigger screen. I hate watching stuff sitting at the computer desk.

15-09-2012, 21:30	#11
alan1302 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: West Yorks Posts: 6,180	Quote: Originally Posted by c4rv yet millions of people can happily stream to their PC, games consoles, tablets and phones without problems. Millions can and millions can't - depends where you live

15-09-2012, 21:30	#12
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	Quote: Originally Posted by CBFreak Thanks. I've looked at Smart TV's and they seem a bit above my price range. I do have a PC so I just can't connect a cheaper TV to it? I mainly just want to watch videos from the internet on a bigger screen. I hate watching stuff sitting at the computer desk. Whether, or how easily, you can connect a PC/Laptop to a TV depends on what connectors are available on each. Virtually every HD TV sold today will have HDMI sockets. Quite a few PCs and laptops also have HDMI. So that is by far the easiest method. The TV effectively becomes a second monitor for the PC/Laptop. If the PC/Laptop has a DVI video connection then you can get DVI to HDMI leads for the video. The problem may be getting the audio connected. Some TVs dedicate one HDMI socket to PC use and often have a 3.5mm jack socket alongside for audio. You just run a lead to that from the headphone port on the computer. Less common it seems is VGA for a PC connection. But if both TV and computer have VGA then that is a viable alternative to HDMI/DVI. Like DVI you will need a separate audio lead.

17-09-2012, 13:11	#13
Johnbee Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3,956	I have a smart TV. I can look at web sites such as Dailymotion, but they are heavily censored. I reckon the biggest thing is that I could use Netflix, I think £5 per month for any films they have.

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Internet capable Television