It’s never a good idea to buy a Smart TV based solely on specs, cosmetics, or some well-written ad copy. A Smart TV’s on-screen user interface (UI) may be simple or complex, beautiful or ugly, heavenly or hellish, but there’s really no way to tell without giving it a thorough test drive. Some important things to take note of are: how long it takes for the Smart TV to turn on; how much time it takes for apps to load; and how quickly the Smart TV is able to switch between apps. If any of these steps seem to take a long time in the middle of a busy showroom, it’s going to feel like you’re living in slow-motion when you’re using the Smart TV in a quiet family room.
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Why Buy a Smart TV?
Generally speaking, a Smart TV is a display device with built-in Internet connectivity for access to streaming media and other online services. Smart TVs also include integrated applications (apps) that give the TV extra, often non-traditional functionality. Several years ago, when TVs with limited Internet connectivity were first released, they were called Connected TVsÂ:—but connected doesn’t sound nearly as appropriate as smart when it comes to televisions. [Attempting to provide “clarity for consumers and retailers alike,” the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) released voluntary guidelines for Ultra High-Definition (UHD) TVs that defined the minimum requirements for a TV to be labeled a Connected UHD TV. In addition to specifying video and audio codecs, the voluntary requirements are similar to those outlined in this Buying Guide for what defines a Smart TV. Voluntary means most companies are going to ignore the guidelines and call it a Smart UHD TV or something more compelling than Connected Ultra HDTV. So much for clarity…]. Frankly, considering that the capabilities of the latest Smart TVs go way beyond simple browsing of websites and basic movie streaming, the smart nomenclature isn’t all that far off the mark.
Get the GuideNetflix and YouTube are Smart TV Favorites
A new poll suggests that Smart TV owners are fond of the streaming video options.
A new poll suggests that Smart TV owners are fond of the streaming video options.
Get the GuideTHX Media Director Puts George Lucas in Your TV
The new feature will adjust a TV based on the program's metadata.
The new feature will adjust a TV based on the program’s metadata.
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