Are smart TVs worth it?
Do you enjoy watching television and are looking to replace your current set? You should consider a smart TV. This can give you a better viewing experience.
Smart TVs have been available for long, and many people wonder if they are worth investing in. To find the answer to this, you should weigh the pros against the cons to determine if it is worth buying. A smart TV is highly interactive, versatile, and convenient. It, however, has privacy issues and limited apps. Since most people find the benefits to outweigh the demerits, it is safe to say that smart TV is worth it. Here is more!
Table of Contents
What is a smart TV?
Unlike regular televisions, smart TV is a digital device that contains inbuilt internet. Manufacturers of smart TVs combine both TV-based and computer-based technology in the making of smart TV. If you choose a smart TV, you should expect more content than simply the standard broadcast content that traditional televisions offer.
Smart TV offers internet services, interactive media, and live media. You can, therefore, stream different types of content through a smart TV. Before investing in a smart TV, you should ensure that you have wireless connectivity for it to work seamlessly. If you don’t have this, you can still connect a smart TV to Ethernet cables.
Different TV users find smart TV to be a valuable device. For instance, this device enables music lovers to stream music live through apps such as Pandora. If you enjoy watching movies, you will appreciate the presence of different apps on smart TV such as CinemaNow, Netflix, Amazon Video, and Vudu.
If the smart TV you have does not come with such preinstalled apps, you can always download them from the app store and stream numerous movies. This digital box also accommodates gamers since it offers a virtual playground for all your favorite games.
Some of the manufacturers that create quality smart TVs include Panasonic, Sony, Vizio, Toshiba, and Hisense. Since every brand has its strong points and weaknesses, you should compare them to get a good smart TV.
Here are some of the popular smart TV models
Name |
Resolution |
Weight |
Call to action |
Samsung 21 inch |
1080P |
6 pounds |
|
Samsung 43 inch |
4K |
27 pounds |
|
LG 43 inch |
4K |
17 pounds |
|
Sony 43 inch |
4K |
21 pounds |
How smart TV differs from a regular TV
Most normal televisions that people have been using in the past are quite limiting. Smart TVs are better than regular televisions since they provide internet services that you cannot find on regular television. Smart TV is not only used for viewing but also browsing the web. You can search for different content on webpages and even use a smart TV for work purposes. If you wish to type using this device, you should consider connecting it to a keyboard.
Unlike regular TV, a smart TV can help you watch different videos on demand. Since different manufacturers now offer smart TV models, you can find one that has extra features such as Skype. Choosing such a model gives you the chance to stay connected to your loved ones. It also differs from the regular TV in that it comes with a built-in camera.
Most regular televisions come with a remote that contains a few navigation buttons. A smart TV is more advanced since it has a remote that offers enhanced capabilities. Its remote includes a built-in microphone that allows you to use voice commands to control your viewing. You can even find a smart TV that is controlled through facial recognition. Since smart TV is based on HTML5 technology, it offers a more personalized experience than a regular TV.
Advantages of smart TV
Many people choose smart TV since it offers an integrated TV experience. You can do so much using a smart TV, including streaming, surfing, playing, listening to music, or checking your social media pages. It allows you to access your online activity from one position. The manufacturers of smart TV models design them to communicate with viewers. For instance, a smart TV can suggest certain movies you should consider watching and even accept voice commands.
Disadvantages
Though smart TV is quite versatile, it has some weaknesses that everyone should understand before purchasing one. Connecting this digital device to the internet can expose you to malware and hackers. Many smart TV users have been raising security concerns for a while now. Experts have been suggesting firewalls to be installed in smart TVs to minimize such issues.
Others feel as if smart TV can invade their privacy. This is because most smart TV models contain built-in cameras that can encourage spying. If you want to use a smart TV to access your social networks, you should beware of the risk of losing personal data. Entering sensitive data such as your passwords on a smart TV can lead to security issues.
Some people are also not impressed with the apps available in smart TV models. You may not get all the apps you like from a smart TV. Not every smart TV model allows you to add new apps. Such smart TVs can lead to monotony if you only have to rely on the same apps every time. Since some apps are personal, not everyone wants to share certain information on a large screen where everyone can see.
Conclusion: Is smart TV worth it?
Though no smart TV is perfect, some models are better than others. For you to find out if you require a smart TV, you should assess your situation. Invest in a smart TV if you are a new internet user looking for an excellent device to watch videos online. This is a digital device that is worth it.
FAQs
How can I improve safety when using smart TV?
If your smart TV has the option of turning off ACR, you should do this to make it safe to use.
Can I connect a webcam to a smart TV?
This depends on the specific model you are using. Some models come with USB ports that enhance such connectivity.
