smart tv question

glagys · 02-10-2013, 13:10

looking at getting one of these but most say they need a dongle
do they need a dongle??
or can they be cabled to my router

chrisjr · 02-10-2013, 13:13

What TV's have you been looking at? Some, by no means all, can use a WiFi dongle, some have WiFi built in and nearly all will have ethernet ports on the back. In fact I'm not sure I've ever seen a Smart TV with internet capabilities that doesn't have an ethernet port.

glagys · 02-10-2013, 13:24

Cheers was looking through Argos and a few said dongle required but would prefer a cable connection

koantemplation · 02-10-2013, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by glagys

looking at getting one of these but most say they need a dongle
do they need a dongle??
or can they be cabled to my router

It depends how much you want to spend. But you can get TVs with wifi built in and that have an Ethernet connection.

The dongle is only needed for wifi and only if there is no built in wifi,

chrisjr · 02-10-2013, 13:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by glagys

Cheers was looking through Argos and a few said dongle required but would prefer a cable connection

I would take the Argos descriptions with the proverbial portion of condiment.

I tend to look up the manufacturer's websites to check on the specs and also to download a manual if available before making any purchase.

Nigel Goodwin · 02-10-2013, 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by glagys

looking at getting one of these but most say they need a dongle
do they need a dongle??
or can they be cabled to my router

I've not seen one that doesn't have Ethernet, even if they do have WiFi or a dongle - Ethernet is still there as the preferred choice.

But as chrisjr says, always check before you buy.

ironjade · 02-10-2013, 14:32

Most of the so-called "smart" features will be a massive disappointment. Many require payment, the browser is slow, search results are rubbish and entering text is a nightmare. Apart from IPlayer, they are a waste of time.

Nigel Goodwin · 02-10-2013, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironjade

Most of the so-called "smart" features will be a massive disappointment. Many require payment, the browser is slow, search results are rubbish and entering text is a nightmare. Apart from IPlayer, they are a waste of time.

I completely agree

chrisjr · 02-10-2013, 17:00

So far the only "Smart" feature of my telly that I have used is iPlayer to watch a couple of things I missed and forgot to record. I did look at some of the other stuff on there but frankly can't see me using any of them any time soon. Maybe if I can work up the enthusiasm to subscribe to Lovefilm or Netflix that may change. On the other hand more likely to see a porcine aviator than that happening....

trayhop123 · 02-10-2013, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironjade

Most of the so-called "smart" features will be a massive disappointment. Many require payment, the browser is slow, search results are rubbish and entering text is a nightmare. Apart from IPlayer, they are a waste of time.

i concur

if you have a ps3 , this pretty much negate's the point of a 'smart tv'

02-10-2013, 13:10	#1
glagys Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 267	smart tv question looking at getting one of these but most say they need a dongle do they need a dongle?? or can they be cabled to my router

02-10-2013, 13:13	#2
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	What TV's have you been looking at? Some, by no means all, can use a WiFi dongle, some have WiFi built in and nearly all will have ethernet ports on the back. In fact I'm not sure I've ever seen a Smart TV with internet capabilities that doesn't have an ethernet port.

02-10-2013, 13:24	#3
glagys Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 267	Cheers was looking through Argos and a few said dongle required but would prefer a cable connection

02-10-2013, 13:43	#4
koantemplation Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Wolf359 Posts: 96,797	Quote: Originally Posted by glagys looking at getting one of these but most say they need a dongle do they need a dongle?? or can they be cabled to my router It depends how much you want to spend. But you can get TVs with wifi built in and that have an Ethernet connection. The dongle is only needed for wifi and only if there is no built in wifi,

02-10-2013, 13:48	#5
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	Quote: Originally Posted by glagys Cheers was looking through Argos and a few said dongle required but would prefer a cable connection I would take the Argos descriptions with the proverbial portion of condiment. I tend to look up the manufacturer's websites to check on the specs and also to download a manual if available before making any purchase.

02-10-2013, 14:10	#6
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by glagys looking at getting one of these but most say they need a dongle do they need a dongle?? or can they be cabled to my router I've not seen one that doesn't have Ethernet, even if they do have WiFi or a dongle - Ethernet is still there as the preferred choice. But as chrisjr says, always check before you buy.

02-10-2013, 14:32	#7
ironjade Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: London Posts: 8,651	Most of the so-called "smart" features will be a massive disappointment. Many require payment, the browser is slow, search results are rubbish and entering text is a nightmare. Apart from IPlayer, they are a waste of time.

02-10-2013, 16:53	#8
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by ironjade Most of the so-called "smart" features will be a massive disappointment. Many require payment, the browser is slow, search results are rubbish and entering text is a nightmare. Apart from IPlayer, they are a waste of time. I completely agree

02-10-2013, 17:00	#9
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	So far the only "Smart" feature of my telly that I have used is iPlayer to watch a couple of things I missed and forgot to record. I did look at some of the other stuff on there but frankly can't see me using any of them any time soon. Maybe if I can work up the enthusiasm to subscribe to Lovefilm or Netflix that may change. On the other hand more likely to see a porcine aviator than that happening....

02-10-2013, 19:10	#10
trayhop123 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 865	Quote: Originally Posted by ironjade Most of the so-called "smart" features will be a massive disappointment. Many require payment, the browser is slow, search results are rubbish and entering text is a nightmare. Apart from IPlayer, they are a waste of time. i concur if you have a ps3 , this pretty much negate's the point of a 'smart tv'

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