How To Turn Your TV Into a Smart TV

An internet-connected television, or smart TV, can stream video material straight from websites like YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu. Since more consumers are turning to streaming services rather than cable TV or DVDs for their entertainment needs, smart TVs have grown in popularity.

Convenience is these devices' primary advantage. It's completely integrated into your TV, so you don't need any extra devices (like an external box)! Converting your existing LED LCD/LED/LCD to a smart model might be a viable alternative if you'd like to upgrade it to be able to connect to Wi-Fi networks, or if it doesn't have this capability at all, whether at home or work.

Difference Between Smart TV and Normal TV

Unlike regular TVs, smart TVs can connect to the internet over Wi-Fi. The ability to run built-in TV apps may also be included on a Smart TV. A television is a gadget that combines sound and visuals. All televisions have the same objective, although they operate differently from one another. Their constituent parts could also vary. For instance, the screens of LCD and LED televisions vary, as does the way the image is presented on the screen.

Smart TVs are faster than regular TVs, which is the primary distinction between them. Since smart TV is more capable, it is referred to as smarter. Its primary feature is Wi-Fi internet access, which is now essential in today's technologically advanced and internet-dependent world.

Additionally, smart TVs may come with built-in apps that provide them access to online content. As long as the TV has internet access, these apps also let it stream media without the need for any further hardware. Additionally, ideally, it has an integrated web browser that enables access to online material.

How To Turn a Standard TV Into a Smart One

Just plugging your laptop into a TV is a simple way to make it smarter. This essentially transforms any TV into a large-screen PC that connects via HDMI. With a simple HDMI cable purchase (it might only cost about $20), almost all modern computers can easily connect to a TV. A $20 USB-C to HDMI cable can be used to connect laptops that do not have full-sized HDMI ports. It should detect the connection, send audio, and display the screen on the TV.

Make your ordinary TV into a smart TV by using an external streaming device. These are little boxes or dongles that can connect to the internet and broadcast music and movies. You may be familiar with popular streaming gadgets like Google TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Google Chromecast. Ensure that your TV contains at least a single HDMI port before doing anything else because these gadgets use HDMI. If your TV isn't HDMI compatible, you would need converter. However, these converters tend to be unreliable and sacrifice quality in terms of both picture and sound.

Steps And Devices for Transforming Your TV into A Smart TV

Even in cases when your TV is not "smart," you can still easily and affordably upgrade it to a smart TV. Connect your regular TV to the internet, launch your preferred streaming apps, like YouTube and Netflix, and watch anything you want, whenever you want, by attaching a streaming device or game console to the HDMI port! We'll walk you through the best ways to turn almost any ordinary TV into a smart TV. To turn your LED TV into a smart TV, you can use a number of gadgets. These are a few of the most well-liked choices:

1. Amazon Fire TV Stick

Choose a Fire TV device if you are an Amazon Prime subscriber. With a recognizable interface connected to your Amazon account, these reasonably priced streaming gadgets connect easily to your HDMI port and operate flawlessly with your prime membership. The Fire TV Cube is a high-end, voice-only alternative, and the lowest option is the Fire TV Stick Lite. With a Fire TV device, you can stream content from all of the main streaming services to your non-smart TV, including Peacock, Max (formerly known as HBO Max), Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, and, of course, Prime Video.

Additionally, Fire TV Sticks employ built-in CPUs to power the streaming experience, freeing up your TV to focus on other content. This generally results in TVs, especially older models, running more smoothly and quickly. The Fire TV Stick, the power adapter, and the Alexa Voice Remote are all included in the box that comes with your device.

Step 1: Insert the Fire TV Stick into any accessible HDMI port on your TV, and make note of the port's label (it should say either HDMI 1, HDMI 2, or HDMI 3). These ports are often located around your TV's rear and point downward. This will be the "source" for your Fire TV Stick.

Step 2: Attach the Fire TV Stick's USB power cord, and then insert the USB into the power adapter that comes with it. To ensure maximum performance, you need to plug in an outlet after that.

Step 3: Switch the TV on now. Pick the source to which the Fire TV Stick is attached using the TV's control, not the Fire TV Stick remote.

Step 4: Put batteries into the Alexa Voice Remote for the Fire TV Stick, then press any button to turn it on.

Step 5: All that's left to do is finish the on-screen configuration. You will be seeing the Fire TV startup screen soon, so all you have to do is follow the directions using the Alexa Voice Remote on the Fire TV Stick to finish the setup. It is necessary to first log into your Amazon account and then connect the Fire TV Stick to the Wi-Fi network in your house.

Once that's done, you can select which video streaming applications to utilize, including Paramount+, HBO Max, Netflix, Prime Video, and others. With Prime Video, an Amazon Prime membership feature, you can watch thousands of well-known films and TV series, including the critically acclaimed Amazon Originals.

Whenever you turn on your TV, it should automatically switch to your Amazon Fire TV Stick if you've connected it and configured it to stream from that source. This makes using Fire TV for streaming effortless.

2. Roku

These days, the majority of TVs are smart, but many need to meet expectations. Sometimes smart implies complicated, as evidenced by cluttered home screens, perplexing settings, and remote controls with an excessive number of buttons. As a TV, it ought to function as one.

With a device for everyone, Roku is one of the pioneers of streaming TV. One of the easiest ways to transform a conventional TV into a smart TV is using Roku since they provide reasonably priced, user-friendly devices. Almost every streaming service you can imagine is supported by Roku streaming devices, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Apple TV+, Peacock, and many more.

Simple and reasonably priced streaming devices for every TV are Roku Express and Express 4k+. Because of its form, the Roku Streaming Stick or Streaming Stick 4K+ would be a better choice if your TV is wall-mounted. High-end gadgets with extra functionality are Roku Ultra and Streambar. Moreover, Roku is compatible with AirPlay, allowing you to wirelessly mirror your device to your TV if you own an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The other portable streaming devices support Chromecast technology; only this one supports AirPlay.

You will not be able to benefit from 4K without a 4K-compatible TV, nor from HDR without an HDR-compatible TV, even if your Roku player or Streaming Stick supports 4K Ultra HD (4K) or High Dynamic Range (HDR). When configuring your Roku device for 4K or HDR, there are additional criteria to be aware of in addition to a compatible TV.

To connect your Roku streaming device or Roku Streaming Stick and get it ready for on-screen setup and activation, follow the instructions below.

Step 1: Attach the Roku device to the television. Use the appropriate HDMI cable to connect your Roku device, or connect the Streaming Stick directly. You need to connect your Roku device to an HDMI input that supports HDCP 2.2 if you want to stream 4K or HDR content. If the HDMI connector on your TV is absent, use composite cords to connect your Roku device.

Step 2: When using a wired network, connect the Roku player to it. Should your Roku player have an Ethernet port, and you are utilizing a wired network, attach the other end of an Ethernet cable to a free Ethernet port in your router or network switch and the other end to your player.

Step 3: Plug in the power to your Roku device. It is advised that you connect the Roku streaming device to the wall outlet using a power adaptor, USB power cable, or both. To connect a Roku Streaming Stick 4K or Roku Streaming Stick 4K+, you need to connect the power adapter to the USB power cord, including the long-range Wi-Fi receiver. Only a few Roku players allow USB power to be used with any Roku streaming stick. If you are using a USB power cable to connect your Roku device to a TV's USB port, do so first.

Step 4: Turn on your television and choose the approp riate input. Turn on your TV with the TV remote, then choose the input from which your Roku device is attached. After turning it on, your Roku device should display the Roku logo on the TV.

Step 5: Set up the Roku remote. Simple remotes and voice remotes are the two different kinds of Roku remotes. Since only voice remotes contain a voice button, you can check to see whether you have the right kind if you need clarification.

If you own a Roku basic remote, note that it uses infrared (IR) light to transmit orders; thus, when you push a button, it must be pointing straight at your player. Just slide the battery cover open and put in new, compatible batteries to start using it. If your Roku player pairs with a wireless network, your voice remote will establish a direct connection to the wireless network over which your Roku player will communicate orders.

3. Apple TV

Apple TV is a streaming device; it is not a television. Any TV, even standard, non-smart TVs, can be equipped with an HDMI device to enable internet-based streaming. You will recognize the UI if you own a Mac, iPad, iPhone, or any other type of Apple device, and you may even log in using your Apple ID. Apple TV has access to every major streaming service, including Netflix and Prime Video. Since Apple TV supports AirPlay, you can use it to mirror your screen and stream apps from a Mac, iPhone, or iPad. AirPlay is only compatible with Apple TV streaming devices.

Together with AirPlay Mirroring access from Mac PCs running OS X Yosemite 10.10+, Apple TV provides Siri voice search functionality. Take these actions to link your LED TV to Apple TV:

Step 1: Insert the HDMI cable into one of the HDMI ports on your television and the other end into the HDMI port on the backside of your Apple TV. In the event that an HDMI port is not accessible, component cables should be used (three RCA connections are required).

Step 2: If your devices still need to be connected via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, plug both ends of another Ethernet cable into each one of them. This will enable them to share internet access without the need for wireless signals, which may eventually cause performance to deteriorate due to interference from nearby devices like microwaves or cordless phones that use similar frequencies.

3. Chromecast with Google TV

The most recent Chromecast is a streaming device that works perfectly. Google TV comes pre-installed on the new Chromecast, whereas previous models could only stream movies, TV shows, and other media from an Android device or the Chrome web browser. Thanks to its compatibility with all major streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Max, as well as its fully functional Play Store that offers hundreds of additional apps for installation, Google TV is what will really make your regular TV smarter. The third-generation Chromecast and other traditional Chromecast devices

Follow the steps below to set Chromecast:

Step 1: Attach the Chromecast to the television. To connect your Chromecast to your TV, use the HDMI lead that comes with it. Next, insert the USB into a power source or your TV as well. Make sure the computer or smartphone you plan to use to set up the Chromecast device is linked to the same wireless network.

Step 2: Activate your Chromecast device. You may set up Chromecast or Chromecast Ultra using the Google Home app. If every mobile device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network and you have previously set up your Chromecast on one of those devices, there's no need to repeat the setup process on another device.

Step 3: Install the Google Home application. Downloading the Google Home app will be necessary using your smartphone. You may get this from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. This might be installed on your Android smartphone already. The Home app is not required if you're using Chromecast on a computer as opposed to a mobile device. As an alternative, make sure Google Chrome is installed. Use your Chrome browser to navigate to Google Chromecast and adhere to the instructions on the screen.

5. Smart Blu-ray Players

To make your LED TV smarter, there are a number of Smart Blu-ray Players available. To ensure it will meet your unique wants and expectations, check reviews before purchasing a Smart Blu-ray player, as not all of them have the same features or capabilities. Present-day Blu-ray players frequently function as smart TV streaming gadgets. Check out the Blu-ray players from LG, Magnavox, Philips, Sony, and Toshiba if you enjoy playing your Blu-ray discs just as much as you enjoy watching Netflix on your phone.

The following procedures can be used to link your LED TV to a smart Blu-ray player:

Step 1: Insert one end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI port on the smart Blu-ray player and the other end into your LED TV.

Step 2: Insert your power cord, switch on both gadgets and start having fun!

Conclusion

These days, the majority of OEMs release Smart TVs rather than traditional cable TVs. However, some individuals still need to use their antiquated, non-smart TVs and would like to broadcast media on a larger screen. Indeed, it is feasible to effortlessly transform your regular TV into a smart one by following a few simple procedures. This has been made simpler by the introduction of TV sticks by companies like Amazon, Realme, and others.

In conclusion, upgrading your LED TV to a smart TV has a number of advantages, such as increased content accessibility and the ease of having everything integrated into one unit. Your LED TV may be turned into a smart TV with the correct hardware, allowing you to take advantage of all the advantages of streaming media straight from the internet.