With the development of modern technology, such a concept as Smart TV has come into our lives. At its core, Smart TV (translated into Russian as “smart television”) is a computer in the TV form factor that supports its capabilities. Or, to put it another way, a TV with an installed operating system, a symbiosis of a TV and a computer. What is it and what benefits do we get using this technology?
Smart tv
What opportunities does Smart TV technology offer us?
The main advantage of this technology is that it completely replaces broadcasting, enriching the viewing with new opportunities. Now you can watch films, programs and shows without advertising, you can create your own program of TV shows, follow the latest in the world of cinema, record a program or film you are interested in, and then watch it at any time convenient for you. Most smart TVs have a web browser. Therefore, you can surf the web, you can follow the news, exchange rates, check mail, order goods and services. Another important plus: by connecting the keyboard and installing the appropriate applications, you will get full access to your social networks. Well, the camera, either built-in or connected external, will allow you to chat with friends and arrange video conferences.
Game lovers will also be pleased with the capabilities of Smart TV. Almost all smart TVs have several installed gaming applications. And owners of Android devices have the ability to download and install games that are no different in quality from computer ones.
Another nice feature of smart TVs is the ability to view videos and photos from external drives (from drives, smartphones and flash drives) on the big screen.
Key Conveniences and Disadvantages of Smart TV
Let's look at the main benefits of smart television.
An important convenience of smart TVs is a simple Internet connection using Wi-Fi or a network cable. Significantly simplifies the management of such TVs, the ability to create an account for easier and faster interaction with applications. A variety of control methods also can not but rejoice. Smart TVs can be controlled using a variety of remotes, including touchscreens and with the effect of a laser pointer, using a virtual or real keyboard, using gestures and voice controls. An important convenience is the ability to download photos, videos and audio directly from a PC to the large screen (Smart Share function).
What are the disadvantages of smart TV users?
Many users note the fact that most smart TV models do not support .avi and .mkv video formats, which is inconvenient due to the wide distribution of these formats. Another drawback that users quite often note is outdated built-in gaming applications. Very many buyers of such TVs are annoyed by the active tracking of the user to collect information about his preferences and the formation of targeted advertising. And, of course, the cost of such televisions (and they cost much more than ordinary ones) cannot be a plus.
Smart-TV set-top boxes
Does the appearance on the market of smart TVs mean that now, in order to feel all the delights of Smart-TV, you have to throw away your old TV? No, almost simultaneously with smart TVs, a large number of Smart-TV set-top box models appeared on the market that allow you to make a full-fledged smart out of your old TV. These consoles are also called TV-box or “Android-prefix”. The range of such devices on the market is huge, although the components, as a rule, do not differ in variety. Often the price difference depends only on the design. According to the design of the set-top box, these are divided into two groups: TV sticks and TV boxes. A distinctive feature of the former is its small size, comparable to the size of a large flash drive. Their main advantages are compactness and mobility. TV boxes are already stationary devices with full functionality, a full-fledged smart TV set-top box. The reviews say that mainly buyers are interested in TV boxes.
Smart TV Operating Systems
Smart-TV technology uses several operating systems. If we take smart TVs, we find that Samsung TVs have the Tizen OS operating system. Its feature is the convenient Smart Interaction control system, which allows you to control the TV using gestures or a touch panel. In addition, the remote control is equipped with a gyroscope, which allows you to use it like a digital pointer. Also, this OS is distinguished by a global search system in which you can enter a request without being connected to the network and the Social TV service, thanks to which you can, for example, chat with friends without interrupting watching a movie. The Tizen OS system can also offer the user a face recognition feature with a webcam. This feature helps maintain the confidentiality of correspondence, personal data and web browsing history.
In LG TVs, the Web OS is responsible for the smart functionality. At its core, this application allows you to use many services without a browser, such as YouTube, VoD, Picasa, Zoomby. This operating system has a pleasant interface, is equipped with a convenient user assistant that allows you to quickly and conveniently get acquainted with the capabilities of the TV, has a multi-window mode, and the Smart Share function makes it very easy to display video, photo and audio files from external sources on the TV screen. Also implemented voice control.
Sony Smart TVs run on the Android OS. This platform is familiar to a large number of users and is distinguished by its excellent functionality, wide capabilities and excellent compatibility with peripheral devices. A large number of widgets and applications adapted for TV, access to a huge number of games on the Play Market, the ability to connect a keyboard and mouse, the presence of voice search - all this is highly appreciated by users. In addition to Sony, preference for the Android OS was given to such manufacturers of TVs as Philips, Kiwi, Skyworth, etc.
As for the Smart-TV set-top boxes, the situation here is practically no different from the smartphone market. The market is divided between two players, Android and Windows, and the lion's share of the market belongs to the first. Recently, the hit of sales is an 8-core console on the Android OS. In many ways, this OS is so popular due to the fact that it is less demanding on resources than Windows. In addition, users are attracted by the huge amount of content created for this platform.
Smart TV set-top box: reviews
We bring to your attention the analysis of user reviews of Smart-TV consoles.
- Smart TV set-top box x96: reviews
X96 is one of the most optimal models to date. She has a standard equipment, a 4-core Amlogic processor, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal memory (expandable with Micro SD memory cards). However, there is a highlight in this model, which was liked by the user and which many people paid attention to. This is the ability to connect an external IR receiver. In this case, the prefix can be hidden in some secluded place, for example, on the back of the TV. In this regard, users also note the very modest dimensions of the console (92 mm × 92 mm × 19 mm). Of the minuses, most users note the lack of Bluetooth support, which eliminates the ability to use many wireless devices.
- Smart TV box Android: reviews
Users who choose Android-based consoles note the convenience, functionality and a very convenient device interface. The latter is not surprising when you consider that Android OS was originally created for smart TV. Game lovers note almost unlimited content for download on the Play Market. The only negative that was found in the reviews of some users is non-Russified software. We recommend that you pay attention to this issue before you purchase a smart TV set-top box. The reviews indicate that most often such users purchased devices on AliExpress.
- Smart TV set-top box Inwin: reviews
Almost all who have left feedback about the device under the Inwin brand note the high quality and reliability of these consoles. The company offers a fairly wide range, so everyone can find a device to their taste. All models are controlled by Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Users often note the support of 4K format in the latest models, as well as the presence in some models of the AV output, due to which it became possible to connect the set-top box to older TVs.
Which is better, according to reviews, the prefix smart TV?
After a comparative analysis of reviews of consoles purchased in 2017-2018, we found that most users who are more interested in the quality and filling of consoles than their cost preferred the x92 and x96 models. Moreover, many users noted the prefix x96 mini for its dimensions (85 × 85 × 25 mm) and excellent functionality. Users who are forced to pay attention to the cost of consoles made their choice on the basis of price / quality ratio. And here the TX2 model was noted for its high performance, support for modern standards and access to a large number of free applications and content.
How to connect a Smart-TV set-top box?
The main way to connect a set-top box is to connect via an HDMI input. However, some models have an AV output, which allows you to connect earlier models of TVs. At the same time, the signal quality suffers, on some TVs the text even becomes unreadable. In this case, setting the maximum font size in the prefix settings may help.
For the rare case when the set-top box does not have an AV output and the TV has an HDMI input, there are special adapters or, as they are also called, HDMI-RCA converters. Such converters are powered by USB, so one USB connector on the console will be constantly busy with you. Some consoles are equipped with a basic set of programs, which suits those users who do not want to search and install something. Another option: only the operating system is preinstalled in the console, the user will have to install everything else using the Google Play service, and this is quite simple.
We wish you success in choosing your console.