Smart TVs and Internet Browsing

Loplop · 27-03-2013, 14:22

Hi Everyone,

I've recently been given the task of discovering what sort of options there are for browsing the internet on your TV.

We only need to have access to an internet browser, nothing else.

Aside from SmartTVs, I've discovered a piece of software called Kylo, Linux TV which is currently in development and Android TV Sticks.

The Kylo Browser would be ideal if it wasn't for the fact it requires a desktop computer to run.

The Android TV Sticks are a pretty good solution, however I believe there could be an increase in cost effectiveness if we could just obtain a piece of hardware that allows us to run a browser and nothing more. All the apps and other gubbins that come along with the Android TV Sticks aren't required.

Does anybody know of any other pieces of hardware that might do the same job?

Any input/help/reccomendations are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

grahamlthompson · 27-03-2013, 14:35

How about the Rasberry-Pi ?

MeanMint · 27-03-2013, 14:36

To save you the trouble I would not even bother. Most of the smart TV's I have seen will only allow you access certain parts of the net, eg Youtube, BBC news etc. So not real web surfing.

The main problem is the interface, which is a TV remote, which just cannot compare to a mouse and a keyboard.

However your TV could be a monitor attached to a PC and bingo, internet browser on TV.

koantemplation · 27-03-2013, 14:48

Yes I would definitely NOT recommend Smart TVs for internet browsing.

They are too slow and you really want to watch TV on a TV and not in a small widow while browsing the net.

A cheap laptop would be much better.

Loplop · 27-03-2013, 15:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeanMint

To save you the trouble I would not even bother. Most of the smart TV's I have seen will only allow you access certain parts of the net, eg Youtube, BBC news etc. So not real web surfing.

The main problem is the interface, which is a TV remote, which just cannot compare to a mouse and a keyboard.

However your TV could be a monitor attached to a PC and bingo, internet browser on TV.

We're looking to distribute a product and as mentioned, the Android TV Sticks are ideal, but a little 'overkill' for our requirements and we were wondering if there were any products available that might just allow us to have an internet browser on any TV with a HDMI or USB input

loracan · 27-03-2013, 15:06

Absolutely depends on what you hope to get out of it - I've got one of those rikomagic minipcs, got nowhere with it. Also have a samsung tv with web browser and whilst it's limiting to use the remote, I can access various tv streaming websites - bit of a pain getting rid of the popups but ideal for the purpose. I've also used the wii to browse internet and that is very easy to use. They all have their limitations though and I've found it as easy to hook the laptop up via hdmi.

tealady · 27-03-2013, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loplop

however I believe there could be an increase in cost effectiveness if we could just obtain a piece of hardware that allows us to run a browser and nothing more.

How do you propose the user will interact with the browser? The browser starts then what does the user do?

Loplop · 27-03-2013, 17:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by tealady

How do you propose the user will interact with the browser? The browser starts then what does the user do?

User interaction isn't required.

However I've seen various keyboards compatible with these Android TV Sticks

tealady · 27-03-2013, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loplop

User interaction isn't required.

Then what is the point of the browser? Why would I want to purchase your piece of kit?

Loplop · 28-03-2013, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by tealady

Then what is the point of the browser? Why would I want to purchase your piece of kit?

It's to display one of our products, currently we use rather hefty mini-PCs whereas we're planning to release a new product which uses a browser instead.

grahamlthompson · 28-03-2013, 10:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loplop

It's to display one of our products, currently we use rather hefty mini-PCs whereas we're planning to release a new product which uses a browser instead.

As I already said

http://www.newit.co.uk/shop/proddeta...od=RaspberryPI

http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/desktops/2...y-pi-50009851/

c4rv · 28-03-2013, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by grahamlthompson

As I already said

http://www.newit.co.uk/shop/proddeta...od=RaspberryPI

http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/desktops/2...y-pi-50009851/

The Pi is a good option but can be tricky to setup unless you pay extra to have one preconfigured.

The Android sticks are ready configured and can be had for around £45. You will need to add a wireless keyboard/mouse (around £20) if you don't have one already but once set up you can remote control the device.

Question ? are you looking at streaming media to the device or storing on USB drive or something ?

grahamlthompson · 28-03-2013, 11:53

If it's a static display, why not simply stick a jpeg slide show on a USB stick, or a video loop?

If the TV doesn't support the format a cheap media player from about £20.00 will do the job.

Chris Frost · 28-03-2013, 13:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loplop

It's to display one of our products, currently we use rather hefty mini-PCs whereas we're planning to release a new product which uses a browser instead.

The problem is that we don't have a clear understanding of what you want to do. It's all a bit too vague.

i.e. "a browser" means different things to different people. It could be that you want to surf the web live. Or that you want to distribute a mini-web-site on a USB stick complete with a browser interface..... or you just want a slide show / video on USB stick and "browser" is your way of describing how it will play.... or none of the above!!

Also, if there's no interaction from the viewer then what's the point of a browser?

Then there's the equally vague "It's to display one of our products....... we're planning to release a new product which uses a browser instead." So is this for a demo in your own showroom, or do you want to send info for display on a retailer's own TV on their shop floor, or is it something else entirely different?

You've been working on your project and have a clear vision of what you want to achieve. But when it comes to explaining that to us you have left too many holes for us. Please try to be more specific and complete in your description. It may be that we can suggest something entirely different as a solution that will be simpler and more cost effective.

tealady · 28-03-2013, 14:11

Why do you need to show the product on a tv?
Is the product something people will use in conjunction with a tv? Because if it is, a quick review of this forum will show that the vast majority think that browsing on a tv is shit and only useful as a secondary display.

Loplop · 28-03-2013, 15:07

Basically, our product is going to get a stream of data from a server and display that as statistics in a far more 'attractive' UI.

We already have a product that does this, but for this newer iteration our clients are simply going to be given a piece of software to have installed on their server and a piece of hardware to plug into their TV that can access the website that is going to display these statistics.

Using Raspberry Pi's, Mini PCs or any other variation of such a device is a backward step as that is basically what we do.

When I say browser, what I mean is that our product is going to use a webpage to convert and display the data it receives, I do apologise for being a bit vague but I can't disclose too much information.

This route is to cater for clients or potential clients of ours that don't have a Samsung SmartTV, which we are developing an app for.

Chris Frost · 28-03-2013, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loplop

The Android TV Sticks are a pretty good solution, however I believe there could be an increase in cost effectiveness if we could just obtain a piece of hardware that allows us to run a browser and nothing more. All the apps and other gubbins that come along with the Android TV Sticks aren't required.

The Android sticks are cheap. They're a mass market product, and so they benefit from scale of volume which makes them exceptionally cost effective. Anything with fewer features means less market appeal, smaller volumes and so higher costs.

Bespoking in the way that you is possible. But unless you want some very significant volumes (10,000+ units) then I doubt it's worth a manufacturer's time to change the coding.

It is possible to put just a self-contained operating system + browser on a USB stick. But without the architecture of the PC it is plugged in to those files are useless. You need a hardware backbone.

You dismissed it earlier, but I think your best bet would be Raspberry PI. It's a self contained mini-PC with enough customisability to make something bespoke to your needs in-house.

27-03-2013, 14:22	#1
Loplop Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 5	Smart TVs and Internet Browsing Hi Everyone, I've recently been given the task of discovering what sort of options there are for browsing the internet on your TV. We only need to have access to an internet browser, nothing else. Aside from SmartTVs, I've discovered a piece of software called Kylo, Linux TV which is currently in development and Android TV Sticks. The Kylo Browser would be ideal if it wasn't for the fact it requires a desktop computer to run. The Android TV Sticks are a pretty good solution, however I believe there could be an increase in cost effectiveness if we could just obtain a piece of hardware that allows us to run a browser and nothing more. All the apps and other gubbins that come along with the Android TV Sticks aren't required. Does anybody know of any other pieces of hardware that might do the same job? Any input/help/reccomendations are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

27-03-2013, 14:35	#2
grahamlthompson Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redditch Worcs Posts: 17,293	How about the Rasberry-Pi ?

27-03-2013, 14:36	#3
MeanMint Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 420	To save you the trouble I would not even bother. Most of the smart TV's I have seen will only allow you access certain parts of the net, eg Youtube, BBC news etc. So not real web surfing. The main problem is the interface, which is a TV remote, which just cannot compare to a mouse and a keyboard. However your TV could be a monitor attached to a PC and bingo, internet browser on TV.

27-03-2013, 14:48	#4
koantemplation Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Wolf359 Posts: 96,797	Yes I would definitely NOT recommend Smart TVs for internet browsing. They are too slow and you really want to watch TV on a TV and not in a small widow while browsing the net. A cheap laptop would be much better.

27-03-2013, 15:05	#5
Loplop Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 5	Quote: Originally Posted by MeanMint To save you the trouble I would not even bother. Most of the smart TV's I have seen will only allow you access certain parts of the net, eg Youtube, BBC news etc. So not real web surfing. The main problem is the interface, which is a TV remote, which just cannot compare to a mouse and a keyboard. However your TV could be a monitor attached to a PC and bingo, internet browser on TV. We're looking to distribute a product and as mentioned, the Android TV Sticks are ideal, but a little 'overkill' for our requirements and we were wondering if there were any products available that might just allow us to have an internet browser on any TV with a HDMI or USB input

27-03-2013, 15:06	#6
loracan Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 905	Absolutely depends on what you hope to get out of it - I've got one of those rikomagic minipcs, got nowhere with it. Also have a samsung tv with web browser and whilst it's limiting to use the remote, I can access various tv streaming websites - bit of a pain getting rid of the popups but ideal for the purpose. I've also used the wii to browse internet and that is very easy to use. They all have their limitations though and I've found it as easy to hook the laptop up via hdmi.

27-03-2013, 17:03	#7
tealady Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: colchester Posts: 15,352	Quote: Originally Posted by Loplop however I believe there could be an increase in cost effectiveness if we could just obtain a piece of hardware that allows us to run a browser and nothing more. How do you propose the user will interact with the browser? The browser starts then what does the user do?

27-03-2013, 17:04	#8
Loplop Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 5	Quote: Originally Posted by tealady How do you propose the user will interact with the browser? The browser starts then what does the user do? User interaction isn't required. However I've seen various keyboards compatible with these Android TV Sticks

27-03-2013, 17:33	#9
tealady Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: colchester Posts: 15,352	Quote: Originally Posted by Loplop User interaction isn't required. Then what is the point of the browser? Why would I want to purchase your piece of kit?

28-03-2013, 10:24	#10
Loplop Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 5	Quote: Originally Posted by tealady Then what is the point of the browser? Why would I want to purchase your piece of kit? It's to display one of our products, currently we use rather hefty mini-PCs whereas we're planning to release a new product which uses a browser instead.

28-03-2013, 10:31	#11
grahamlthompson Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redditch Worcs Posts: 17,293	Quote: Originally Posted by Loplop It's to display one of our products, currently we use rather hefty mini-PCs whereas we're planning to release a new product which uses a browser instead. As I already said http://www.newit.co.uk/shop/proddeta...od=RaspberryPI http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/desktops/2...y-pi-50009851/

28-03-2013, 11:27	#12
c4rv Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Essex Posts: 16,218	Quote: Originally Posted by grahamlthompson As I already said http://www.newit.co.uk/shop/proddeta...od=RaspberryPI http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/desktops/2...y-pi-50009851/ The Pi is a good option but can be tricky to setup unless you pay extra to have one preconfigured. The Android sticks are ready configured and can be had for around £45. You will need to add a wireless keyboard/mouse (around £20) if you don't have one already but once set up you can remote control the device. Question ? are you looking at streaming media to the device or storing on USB drive or something ?

28-03-2013, 11:53	#13
grahamlthompson Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redditch Worcs Posts: 17,293	If it's a static display, why not simply stick a jpeg slide show on a USB stick, or a video loop? If the TV doesn't support the format a cheap media player from about £20.00 will do the job.

28-03-2013, 13:41	#14
Chris Frost Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cheshire Posts: 6,462	Quote: Originally Posted by Loplop It's to display one of our products, currently we use rather hefty mini-PCs whereas we're planning to release a new product which uses a browser instead. The problem is that we don't have a clear understanding of what you want to do. It's all a bit too vague. i.e. "a browser" means different things to different people. It could be that you want to surf the web live. Or that you want to distribute a mini-web-site on a USB stick complete with a browser interface..... or you just want a slide show / video on USB stick and "browser" is your way of describing how it will play.... or none of the above!! Also, if there's no interaction from the viewer then what's the point of a browser? Then there's the equally vague "It's to display one of our products....... we're planning to release a new product which uses a browser instead." So is this for a demo in your own showroom, or do you want to send info for display on a retailer's own TV on their shop floor, or is it something else entirely different? You've been working on your project and have a clear vision of what you want to achieve. But when it comes to explaining that to us you have left too many holes for us. Please try to be more specific and complete in your description. It may be that we can suggest something entirely different as a solution that will be simpler and more cost effective.

28-03-2013, 14:11	#15
tealady Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: colchester Posts: 15,352	Why do you need to show the product on a tv? Is the product something people will use in conjunction with a tv? Because if it is, a quick review of this forum will show that the vast majority think that browsing on a tv is shit and only useful as a secondary display.

28-03-2013, 15:07	#16
Loplop Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 5	Basically, our product is going to get a stream of data from a server and display that as statistics in a far more 'attractive' UI. We already have a product that does this, but for this newer iteration our clients are simply going to be given a piece of software to have installed on their server and a piece of hardware to plug into their TV that can access the website that is going to display these statistics. Using Raspberry Pi's, Mini PCs or any other variation of such a device is a backward step as that is basically what we do. When I say browser, what I mean is that our product is going to use a webpage to convert and display the data it receives, I do apologise for being a bit vague but I can't disclose too much information. This route is to cater for clients or potential clients of ours that don't have a Samsung SmartTV, which we are developing an app for.

28-03-2013, 16:59	#17
Chris Frost Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cheshire Posts: 6,462	Quote: Originally Posted by Loplop The Android TV Sticks are a pretty good solution, however I believe there could be an increase in cost effectiveness if we could just obtain a piece of hardware that allows us to run a browser and nothing more. All the apps and other gubbins that come along with the Android TV Sticks aren't required. The Android sticks are cheap. They're a mass market product, and so they benefit from scale of volume which makes them exceptionally cost effective. Anything with fewer features means less market appeal, smaller volumes and so higher costs. Bespoking in the way that you is possible. But unless you want some very significant volumes (10,000+ units) then I doubt it's worth a manufacturer's time to change the coding. It is possible to put just a self-contained operating system + browser on a USB stick. But without the architecture of the PC it is plugged in to those files are useless. You need a hardware backbone. You dismissed it earlier, but I think your best bet would be Raspberry PI. It's a self contained mini-PC with enough customisability to make something bespoke to your needs in-house.

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