Now that smart TVs have effectively married Internet access with television, many people wonder if it’s worth it to invest in one of these new televisions. Before purchasing one, it’s important to decide what you want from a new television and know if you’ll actually use the special features attached to a smart TV. There are certainly plenty of advantages to owning a smart TV though, and here are just a few to consider.
Internet connectivity and streaming services
The biggest advantage of owning a smart TV is that it connects to the Internet and makes streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu much easier to access. In the very recent past, you would have to buy a Blu-ray player or some other media box to connect to these services, or get a special cable to hook-up your computer to the television, but smart TVs allow you to access them and any other streaming services with a single device. It’s certainly more convenient if you don’t have the space for a bunch of devices, and it might be more affordable of you shop around for the best smart TV deals near you.
Easier to use
The point of the smart device trend is to make everything more streamlined and user-friendly, and that’s exactly what you’re getting when you invest in a smart TV. Almost everything you might want to do with your smart TV can be done from one device. That means a single on-screen menu and a single remote. There may not be one universal user interface for all smart TVs, and some of you who aren’t as tech savvy will face a learning curve, but once you get used to doing everything with one device, you won’t want to go back to the way things used to be with multiple remotes.
Connectivity with other devices
Most smart TVs allow you to connect with other devices, either via wi-fi or USB ports. You can upload photos from your phone or camera to show on your TV’s screen or even connect a laptop to your set and use it as a large high-def computer monitor. Whether you want to use the smart TV for work or school, there are ways it can make working on tasks and transferring data much easier.
Finding a smart TV
There is a growing trend among manufacturers to make all TVs smart, but they are still relatively new on the market. You can find them for affordable prices, but you have to look around to make sure you find a TV that does what you want without breaking the bank. With that being said, manufacturers such as Apple, Sony, Hisense, Panasonic, and Philips all make great smart TVs. Decide how smart you want your TV to be and check out reviews for the sets that best suit your viewing habits and the features you’re looking for.