Understanding Smart TV Better
Today’s television is much better than its predecessor. For example, TV screens now come in liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display (PDP), digital light processing (DLP), and light emitting diode (LED). These slim panels are a far cry from the conventional cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs.
And now comes the 4K TV technology that brings with it new – and better – possibilities. Technology is, indeed, evolving so fast such that many people are gasping to catch up with anything new it churns out. The so-called smart TV, for instance, is still not a fully understood TV innovation.
It might be a good idea to first get familiar with smart TV, since the technology is already quite commonplace nowadays. This highend device is supposed to combine the best parts of a computer and a TV set, according to the team at www.komando.com. One could spend days exploring a smart TV’s features and figuring out all the astonishing things it can do.
But even people who claim to be familiar enough with their smart TVs may not know its full capacity. There may be certain features that are just beyond the functional knowledge of smart TV owners. The komando. com team cites as example “built-in video games or live radio, which could unlock limitless entertainment.”
The website lists the smart TV’s less-known capabilities:
Stream live feeds. Live feeds are some of the most captivating videos on the internet. It’s hard to believe one can watch the mouth of an active volcano, or the middle of Times Square, or even a central square in Prague. Even if there’s not anything particularly interesting, it’s still hard to believe the places these streaming videos can take one, especially on a 60-inch screen.
For compatible smart TVs, the Ustream app can be downloaded for free live video streams from around the world. Much easier and more dependable than YouTube, Ustream will enable one to watch some of the most obscure corners of the world, including deep wilderness, aquariums, and sporting events.
For Apple TV users, their unit can even take them to outer space, via the Earthlapse app, which gives stunning high definition space views of the Earth taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Earthlapse also features an optional on-screen clock display and eight different ambient soundtracks to choose from. One may just sit back and enjoy these majestic views of the planet all day.
Web browsing. No matter how big a computer’s display, it probably can’t come close to a wide-screen TV. That’s why many people hook their laptops to their smart TVs using an HDMI cable. This cable allows one to “mirror” the activity on his computer directly onto his TV, including web browsing, YouTube, Amazon Prime, and whatever else he wants to see.
Hooking up a computer or tablet is relatively easy: Using the remote control, one may just set the TV’s input to “HDMI” and attach the special cable to both devices. Only that, as TVs, computers and tablets come in all varieties, he may have to find an adaptor or special cord before linking the units.
Many smart TVs already have a built-in browser, so one can theoretically search the internet without any computer at all. Although, these TV browsers are painfully slow and limited compared to the trusty laptop. But if one doesn’t have a phone or tablet handy, he may be able to track down websites with a remote.
Play video games without a
console. Suppose one is stuck in a house or hotel room. There’s a smart TV, but no other device, and there’s nothing to pass the time. If at home, one would flip on his Playstation, but of course, that’s far away. The solution? He can play games on the TV itself, without even need for a console.
Most smart TVs have fun and casual mini-games to download from their respective app stores.
For a more dedicated gaming experience, there’s Playstation Now. This streaming game service works with select Sony and Samsung smart TVs, allowing one to play all his favorite Playstation 3 games without an actual console. One only needs to subscribe to the service on the Sony website, then link to it on your Sony or Samsung television. Games are updated regularly, so there is no limit to the number and variety you can play.
Get fit. For those who don’t have time to go to the gym, their smart TV can help. Once upon a time, Nintendo’s Wii helped couch potatoes get into shape with its specialized digital workouts. Nowadays, many smart TVs have fitness and training apps built into their menus.
Samsung’s flagship app is Fitness VOD, which provides dozens of videos for yoga, aerobics, and bodybuilding. Real personal trainers guide users through various routines, and different videos are geared toward different skill levels. No special equipment or gym memberships are required, although one should probably position the TV in a room with plenty of space to move around.
Use as a Weather Station. The sheer size of a smart TV gives the weather report a feeling of authority. It’s hard to take a storm front seriously until its image is taking up three square feet of screen space.
To put a detailed weather report on the big screen, one may just download an app from Accuweather, The Weather Network or The Weather Channel.
Not only do these apps provide hourly forecasts and satellite weather images, some of them even have live streams of weather reports around the country.
Access social media. People who are in the habit of frequently checking their social media feeds, are in luck: Most name-brand smart TVs like Samsung, Sony, LG and Sharp have dedicated Facebook or Twitter apps available for their respective platforms. Updating their status on a big Smart TV can be clunky, but if one wants to check her Facebook or Twitter feed in a pinch, it’s good to know that she can do that on her fancy TV.
Listen to live radio. If one has a smart TV, he doesn’t need an old-time antenna radio to listen to his favorite music and talk show stations. He only has to download an app of his favorite AM/FM radio stations to stream live. If radio feels too old-fashioned, he can also play podcasts straight through his TV by connecting to iTunes or Google Play.
A better understanding of his smart TV can make one experience his set in a whole new way.