How to Watch Anything on Your Smart TV?
Modern TVs are vividly colorful and can reach epic proportions. More importantly, their newfound smarts have fundamentally transformed the way we approach and consume media. Even though choices abound, are you sure you’re taking advantage of everything your TV can offer?
This guide examines how you can enjoy content via a smart TV. You’re likely familiar with some and might not have thought of others. Explore them all and turn your TV into a multimedia powerhouse!
Streaming Service Apps
The days of having to wait for a movie or show to air are long gone. Even TiVo-ing seems quaint with so many streaming platforms around. They’re the modern-day cable TV equivalent, except with far more options and nuanced controls.
Streaming services range from Giants like Netflix or Hulu to highly specialized ones like NASA’s own free app. Some come preinstalled with your TV, while others are available from its digital store. They provide access to thousands of quality shows, documentaries, and movies. You can search for content manually or browse the recommendations. However, algorithms based on your watch history are also good at predicting what you’ll enjoy next.
Some services make their entire content library available regardless of tier. Others will lock content or ad-free watching behind higher paywalls. There’s also the matter of fragmentation. More services keep appearing, which can strain your monthly bills.
Live Streaming Apps
Live streaming apps deserve their own segment since they differ from conventional streaming services. As the name suggests, these apps specialize in delivering live content. They mostly center on sports but may broadcast concerts or other events. While usually more expensive than conventional services, livestream apps offer recordings, in-depth game commentary, and analysis that sports fans love to support.
Video Sharing Platforms
Hollywood bigwigs might still be important for shaping our collective pop culture, but they’re not the only ones running the show anymore. People want relatable entertainment, and their interests are far broader than the mainstream would have you believe. That’s where video-sharing platforms like YouTube and TikTok come in.
Having billions of active users makes both mainstreams, too. However, the scope of content on offer is so vast that anyone can find hours to binge. Everyone from world-famous influencers to your next-door neighbor is putting content out there whose quality will surprise and delight you.
There’s even a kid-friendly version of YouTube with none of the comment drama. Ads are really getting annoying, but you can make them disappear if you’re willing to pay yet another monthly sub.
Using a VPN
Ever watch a trailer for an engrossing show only to find out your country’s version of Netflix doesn’t offer it? Virtual Private Networks provide an effective and elegant way of circumventing this.
VPNs are a must for any TV watcher as they can change your location. Download the smart TV app, choose from where in the world you want to appear to be, and enjoy previously locked content with abandon.
Hopping from one location to another isn’t the only reason for you to start using a VPN. Advertisers can use your IP address to track your online movements and deliver targeted ads they hope you’ll fall for.
You should never transfer sensitive data without a VPN’s encrypted connection, especially if you’re away from home and using publically available Wi-Fi. The best ones work across multiple devices, so getting a VPN for your smart TV comes with comprehensive protection for all your other online activities.
Slower connection speeds are a potential concern when using VPNs. That’s why you should research different providers and pick the one whose VPN has the least impact on your TV’s performance. They’re not hard to find – just check out some expert reviews and what real customers have to say. Alternatively, you can take a look at Reddit’s VPN comparison table.
Casting from Your Smartphone
Connecting your TV and smartphone exponentially expands your viewing options!
Doing so mirrors or casts what the phone displays onto the TV. This is useful in any situation where you want to sync a stream seamlessly. For example, you and a friend could be watching the same show in different rooms at the same time.
More importantly, casting lets you display content your TV doesn’t have access to or which it would be a hassle to transfer. It’s the most straightforward way to browse your phone’s gallery or watch videos you recorded on a big screen. Casting also works with presentations, letting you use a smartphone and TV instead of projectors, laptops, and storage drives.
Smartphones make using parts of the TV easier, too. Typing on a phone’s keyboard is much faster, so you can find shows easily or use the web browser for limitless access to information.
Apps designed specifically for smart TVs aren’t the same as their regular alternatives. They have to accommodate the different screen layouts and often lack some advanced features. Casting the original app via your phone might sometimes look awkward, but the added functionality is worth it.
Conclusion
They might not be able to do your math homework just yet. Still, smart TVs are leaps and bounds ahead of dumb ones when it comes to content variety and accessibility. Take what you’ve learned from this article to heart and expand your viewing horizons dramatically!