We’ll show you the best alternatives at your disposal to turn a normal TV into a Smart TV.
Although most models marketed today, smart features, not everyone has a Smart TV at home. In your case, it may be because you have purchased a model for a second room or that your television is already a few years old. But whatever the reason, Is there a way to turn your normal TV into a Smart TV? The answer is yes. Read on to discover all the alternatives available to you.
To keep it simple, we’ve divided this guide into two parts. First of all, we are talking about the best gadgets that turn a regular TV into a smart one. Then we put it on the table advantages of choosing one of the proposed solutions. Are you ready to take your TV to the next level? Let’s do it!
5 ways to turn a normal TV into a Smart TV
There is no device that allows you equip your TV with smart functions, such as access to major platforms, internet connection or latest generation games. Actually, the alternatives are many and here we collect the most notable.
Connect a computer to your TV
With a PC, it is possible to run any desktop application on a television, such as this user, who listens to music on Spotify
We kick off with one of the most versatile options: connect a PC to the TV. One way not to spend a single dollar with this method is: take advantage of a computer you no longer usebe it portable or desktop. What do you need to achieve it? One of these things:
- an HDMI cable. Attention! Only if the equipment has an HDMI output.
- A USB-C adapter. It is required if it is a laptop that does not have a video output, but does have USB-C connections.
- A VGA adapter. For older computers, VGA is the most common connection type. The truth is that it is the connection with less quality. You’ll probably need an RCA converter if your TV is a few years old.
chrome cast
The chrome cast is one of the recurring alternatives when it comes to equip a normal TV with the latest smart features. If you don’t know how it works, we’ll explain it briefly. It is a content receiver that is controlled from the mobile phone and is compatible with many services. To watch a movie or series, just open the corresponding service on your device and send the content to the TV. Playback buttons remain on the smartphone.
If you choose this alternative, don’t miss the guide to set up a Chromecast step by step. Instead, take a look at the comparison of the various existing models.
use your console
Modern consoles are true multimedia centers. It is not good to throw them away to give life to a Smart TV in a normal TV
Another option is to take advantage of your console’s multimedia capabilities. Both Play station from Sony as the Xbox from Microsoft are compatible with services such as: HBO, Prime Video, Netflix and YouTube. And, how could it be otherwise, they are ideal if you want to play on your television.
Buy a dongle or a set-top box
The expression dongle can be translated into Spanish as adapter or key. Refers to small format media players, such as the Chromecast with Google TV, the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick or the Fire TV Stick. These devices run on full operating systems (usually android), so you can enjoy a wide range of applications and services.
On the other hand, the so-called set top box, players with a larger size and which generally have greater throughput. Of course, the operation is very similar to that of dongles. They all come with their own remote control. The best models currently on the market are the Apple TV, the Roku Express 4K, the Xiaomi TV Box S or the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro.
Buy a Raspberry Pi
The Raspberry Pi, that little computer that opens up a world of possibilities
The fifth way to get smart features on a regular TV is with a raspberry pie. In reality, we are dealing with a small computer that can run desktop operating systems, such as Linux distributions. You can use it as a multimedia player thanks to its HDMI output and the support it offers for tools like Kodi. To find out how to get the most out of it, check out these six projects run on a Raspberry Pi (one of them is exactly a multimedia center).
Why it is worth turning a normal TV into a Smart TV and what is the best alternative?
There are several reasons why we advise you to convert your normal TV to a smart one. In fact, in most cases the investment you have to make is low and the benefits are many. Here are some of the ones we find most relevant:
The benefits of turning a normal TV into a Smart TV are huge. check this one out
- Access any content you want. The main use of a television is to display content. Without an internet connection and a modern operating system you will not have access to Netflix, HBO Max or Disney+. The best solution to this problem is to connect a PC, a Raspberry Pi, or one of the media players mentioned above. Easy, cheap and fast.
- Use your TV to surf the web. Almost all of the above devices allow you to use your TV to surf the web. That way, there won’t be a single video or song that escapes you.
- Be able to install advanced applications. Whether you choose to connect a PC, a Raspberry Pi, a dongle or a set-top box, you have advanced multimedia software such as Kodi or Plex at your fingertips. To see what each of these tools is capable of, read about the best Kodi add-ons and the best Plex features.
- Avoid buying a new TV. Even if your TV isn’t smart, it can have features that are essential to you. Without going further, your panel may be large or have good display quality. Why spend money on a new TV when yours works perfectly and fits your needs? Each of the proposals is valid to add functionalities to your TV without changing it for a more modern one.
Which method is best for you, given these benefits? Let’s see.
What is the best option to convert a normal TV to a Smart TV?
Access to content is the main motivation for a user to equip their normal TV with smart features
After everything mentioned in this article, you may still have doubts. We conclude this guide with an analysis of some cases and the best alternatives for each.
- you have a low budget. Take advantage of the capabilities of an old PC or buy a cheap player like Chromecast or Fire TV Stick.
- You want the highest resolution. There is no other option: you will have to spend a little more and choose devices like the Chromecast with Google TV, the Apple TV 4K or the Fire TV Stick 4K. Please note that your TV must be compatible to enjoy the content in full resolution.
- You are looking for the greatest customization. Avoid closed proposals, such as the Apple TV. Our advice is to look for a player with an OS based on Android or a Raspberry Pi. If you have access to tools like Kodi, you will typically be faced with hundreds of customization settings.
- You’re thinking about playing on your TV. So nothing better than connecting the console to your television. But if you don’t have one, Chromecast with Google TV offers access to Stadia and Fire TVs to Amazon Luna. In addition, you can install many games on any Android device. On Apple TV you have the App Store (and the Apple Arcade payment method) with many games adapted to the television.
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