Can You Access The Internet On Your TV?
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
May 22, 2011 5:07pm CST
The in-laws have told John that they will buy us a new telly at Christmas and I've been trawling the net just to see what's out there as I haven't done so for a while.
How things have changed in such a short space of time! For starters, I've been reading about Smart TV which is a way of accessing the internet from (either) a dongle or a wireless device such as a Smartphone. From what I can gather apps from the Smartphones can be beamed to the telly but I need to read a bit more about Smart TV in order to understand it.
I do know that 3DTV hasn't really caught on (which explains the sudden explosion in Smart TVs) but I reckon it will once the televisions WITHOUT the need for glasses come on stream.
Personally, I prefer HD and Smart TV also appeals to me. I have no idea how much the in-laws are prepared to pay for a new one for us but they tend to be reduced before Christmas anyway to make way for the newer models.
So, do you have Smart TV or something similar? I believe some hard disc recorders work in the same way.
It's quite exciting in the telly world at the moment! Favourites include a Philips Ambilight and a Samsung (both nice to look at) and a Sony (reliable, had them before) but they have changed manufacturers and don't look as flash for the money.
Do you stick to the same telly manufacturer or change them depending on price or features?
So, do you have Smart TV or something similar? I believe some hard disc recorders work in the same way.
It's quite exciting in the telly world at the moment! Favourites include a Philips Ambilight and a Samsung (both nice to look at) and a Sony (reliable, had them before) but they have changed manufacturers and don't look as flash for the money.
Do you stick to the same telly manufacturer or change them depending on price or features?1 person likes this
10 responses
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
23 May 11
We have 2 HD flat screens in the kitchen, one 27" and the other one is 42". We have a57" I think in the living room. Except for the little one in the kitchen, they're all connected to the internet. The 42" is connected to my pc and I use it as a monitor. Theres a card you can buy to add to your pc that would let me be on here lest say and be able to watch the tv in a small corner of the screen at the same time. I didnt buy it since I have another tv that I can watch while Im working or typing on here. I wouldnt go and buy a tv JUST because I can access the internet because I can already do this and when and if I want to watch tv at the same time, Id rather buy that card and add it to my pc.
I dont buy according to the brand. I buy according to the price because, lets face it, tv's today dont last very long and technology is updating too fast now, so why spend the money.
I hope you find what you want or need. Good Luck!!
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
23 May 11
I forgot to say, whatever you get, make sure its HD because for us in June I think, everything will be broadcast in HD, so if you dont have it, well you're pretty much f*cked!! I think eventually, it'll be this way in every country.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
23 May 11
I know the country is going digital first then the HD will come later. I know that Sky has 50 HD channels now as opposed to only a handful a couple of years ago.
We still have a long way to go to catch your country up though!
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
24 May 11
Oh I didnt know that, I thought HD was to be something that would happen worldwide 
Here its all both for a while and then in June I think, HD ONLY!
Here its all both for a while and then in June I think, HD ONLY!
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 May 11
I am told that since I have a wireless network, I can access the internet with the kids' wii, but I haven't actually tried.
The TV itself isn't that smart. 
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
23 May 11
Our TV is not that smart. It is a big massive rear projection thing that is about 5 years old. So young really, but looks outdated these days as most of the TV's now are slimline things. I must have been one of the last big huge TV's ever made!
Technology is moving so fast that it is impossible to keep up. I grew up (not all that long ago) with a black and white TV! I have all this stuff that is useless now, but was state of the art and expensive only 12 - 13 years ago when I bought it. An SLR film camera that I cannot even give away, yet it was worth over $1000 when I bought it. A video camera that I paid $1600 for is now worthless as well! 
TV's are the same. People give them away on Freecycle here daily. I have no need for a smart TV. We just use a media player to play downloaded files on our old ones.
Technology is moving so fast that it is impossible to keep up. I grew up (not all that long ago) with a black and white TV! I have all this stuff that is useless now, but was state of the art and expensive only 12 - 13 years ago when I bought it. An SLR film camera that I cannot even give away, yet it was worth over $1000 when I bought it. A video camera that I paid $1600 for is now worthless as well!
TV's are the same. People give them away on Freecycle here daily. I have no need for a smart TV. We just use a media player to play downloaded files on our old ones.@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
23 May 11
Yes, it was the same with me on the internet last night, finding out about Smart TV that I never even knew existed up until then.
When I worked I subsribed to "What Hi-Fi Sound & Vision" and would receive a magazine packed with all the latest technology every month. Obviously, I cannot afford the 3-monthly subscription anymore, therefore I get behind with finding out about new, er, "stuff!"
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
23 May 11
We have a huge screen not flat old TV, we can't at the moment afford cable, let alone a 3D TV, lol.. I use to be able to do all sorts of upgrades but unfortunately not having a job I am lucky to have internet. lol
Therefore no upgrade for me anytime soon.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
23 May 11
We're not going for the 3D option as it's seriously hyped up over here and Smart TV has come out because of the lack of interest in 3D. Doesn't stop Sky plugging it relentlessly though!
@changjiangzhibin89 (16763)
• China
24 May 11
Over here,the store of household appliances sells this kind of TV that you said.I am a layman and don't know how the Tv combines with computer.My existing Tv is domestic LCD TV,which can be used as computer screen.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
23 May 11
Well, we don't know what the budget will be yet, which is frustrating but at least we won't settle for a Goodmans!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
23 May 11
They don't believe you, I take it? I could cope without a telly for most of the time but we do watch a fair amount of sport (mainly football) and the odd drama here and there. I wouldn't miss it if we didn't have it but it's a pain watching programmes on the computer as the picture quality isn't as good. Why there isn't a device that can do EVERYTHING I do not know but I guess this Smart TV is a step in the right direction.
@mrgpk63 (444)
• United States
23 May 11
Not Yet but I know My Cable Company either Offers the Service Now or at a Later Date.
You either Need a Cable Connection or maybe Wireless. You don't need a Flat Screen or LED TV to Receive the Internet on the Television. But it is Nice to have a New Fancy Digital TV.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
23 May 11
Yes it is as ours is an old-fashioned analogue version with a Sky digibox in order to receive digital channels. The whole country will be going digital soon so it makes sense to have a new, digital television as the picture is better. It is on Mum's anyway!
@Orson_Kart (6776)
• United Kingdom
23 May 11
I bought a new Sony LED backlit TV only last year and there is limited internet options with it, if you buy THEIR dongle. I haven't because it cost £70. I have recently been made aware of Smart TV from adverts promoting the new Samsung range, and I am very interested. Like you I am not fully au fait with their capabilities, but what I do know is....my Sony is WAY OUT OF DATE! grrrrr
@feeltheirie (301)
• Philippines
23 May 11
We have an LG tv, and my brother bought a desktop that is HDMI caapable. We are using the tv as a monitor as well. Hence, I can go online using the television.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
23 May 11
LG is South Korean isn't it? I found that out by Googling earlier. They are becoming more popular over here and I know Sky endorse the LG 3D television in their packages. Upstaged Sony!
