How to use a Smart TV set-top box to watch Internet TV, an overview of Smart TV set-top boxes

To view Internet pages and Internet TV using a TV, you need to buy a special device, which is called a Smart TV set-top box (Smart TV). This device allows you to watch videos, write to social networks, process photos and listen to music on the Internet.

Smart TV set-top box and its capabilities

Smart TV is a technology that allows you to integrate television and the Internet into one. Most modern TVs are equipped with a built-in Smart TV function. If you have a fairly modern TV, but there is no Smart TV function, then you can buy a smart set-top box.

A smart TV set-top box is a small device that connects to the TV on one side and to the Internet on the other side. Set-top boxes usually run on the Andorid operating system, although there are also devices with Windows and Linux systems. Smart devices are usually connected to the mains using a power supply, however, some power devices are connected directly to the TV.

In total, there are two types of Smart TV set-top boxes:

1. Stick . It is a simplified version of the Smart set-top box, which has limited functionality for working with the Internet and watching video files in high quality. It looks like a flash drive. An HDMI connector is usually used to connect to a TV. The built-in Wi-Fi receiver is used to connect to the Internet. Usually does not store files, but processes all information in real time.
2. “Box” . It is a full-fledged Smart set-top box (we will consider its functionality below). In appearance, it resembles a medium-sized router. The device has a large number of connectors for connecting a wired Internet (although a Wi-Fi receiver is usually also available), a microphone, a video camera, a keyboard and other devices. You can also connect a hard drive to the device for storing information.

Connecting and watching Internet TV using the Smart TV set-top box with wifi for TV: https://youtu.be/bP-YG90B9q8 Using the set-top box, you can perform most of the functions that computer users with Internet access have:

1. Search for information.
2. Use of electronic services.
3. Browsing Internet pages.
4. Making calls (if a microphone is connected).
5. Work with graphics and photographs.
6. Watching high definition movies.
7. Listening to music.
8. Use of social networks.

Review of Smart TV boxes, rating of TOP-5 best Smart TV devices: https://youtu.be/wcwgxiP7VGw

How to use a Smart TV set-top box for a TV: how to connect the Internet and set up Smart

To start the device, you need to connect it to the mains and select the Smart function on the TV (on some TVs, this technology turns on automatically when you turn on the set-top box). After starting, a working panel will open in front of you, on which you will see a lot of icons with which programs are launched. For convenience, icons are usually grouped into thematic blocks. You can select and run certain programs using the control panel of the set-top box (the main buttons are the arrows and the “OK” key). If you have a USB port on the set-top box, then it is recommended to connect a wireless keyboard with a touchpad or scroll wheel to it – using wireless technology, you can control the set-top box remotely, and using the touchpad or scroll wheel will make selecting programs and scrolling pages much easier. To run a program, select it using the arrows and press the start button. If you are tired of the program, select the “Close” function, or press the return key (this key is implemented differently on different remotes, but in most cases it looks like an arrow that points from right to left). Also, using the operating panel, you can configure some settings of the set-top box (for example, language). To do this, you need to find and launch the special “Settings” icon. Another useful program is the Google Play service – with its help you can buy and download third-party applications to the set-top box. How to connect and set up a Smart TV set-top box after purchase: https://youtu.be/88IJysDbu3Q or press the return key (this key is implemented differently on different remotes, but in most cases it looks like an arrow that points from right to left). Also, using the operating panel, you can configure some settings of the set-top box (for example, language). To do this, you need to find and launch the special “Settings” icon. Another useful program is the Google Play service – with its help you can buy and download third-party applications to the set-top box. How to connect and set up a Smart TV set-top box after purchase: https://youtu.be/88IJysDbu3Q or press the return key (this key is implemented differently on different remotes, but in most cases it looks like an arrow that points from right to left). Also, using the operating panel, you can configure some settings of the set-top box (for example, language). To do this, you need to find and launch the special “Settings” icon. Another useful program is the Google Play service – with its help you can buy and download third-party applications to the set-top box. How to connect and set up a Smart TV set-top box after purchase: https://youtu.be/88IJysDbu3Q To do this, you need to find and launch the special “Settings” icon. Another useful program is the Google Play service – with its help you can buy and download third-party applications to the set-top box. How to connect and set up a Smart TV set-top box after purchase: https://youtu.be/88IJysDbu3Q To do this, you need to find and launch the special “Settings” icon. Another useful program is the Google Play service – with its help you can buy and download third-party applications to the set-top box. How to connect and set up a Smart TV set-top box after purchase: https://youtu.be/88IJysDbu3Q

Functionality – what is a Smart TV set-top box for?

The use of the set-top box is carried out using programs that, for convenience, are grouped into categories:

1. Web browser (Chrome, Firefox and others) . This category includes all programs that are used to view Internet pages. Entering information and switching between interactive browser blocks is carried out using the remote control and keyboard. To move between interactive blocks, you need to use the keyboard arrows. The browser correctly opens most Internet pages and can work with Flash. All information is displayed at a resolution of at least 1920 x 1080.
2. Media . All programs that are used to play video files, photos and music that are located on external media are located here. Standard programs for working with media are MX Player, Media Player Classic and others.
3. Games . Here are the games that you installed on external media or downloaded directly from the Internet. Unfortunately, set-top boxes have rather narrow functionality, so they will not “pull” many computer games.
4. Watch TV (on some devices this section is called “TV”). Here are applications that allow you to watch TV in standard mode. Here you can select the type of signal to be used for playback (standard radio, cable TV, satellite TV). Also in this section there are often applications for watching movies and short videos using Internet sites (YouTube, Netflix, MEGOGO and others).
5. Apps . This section includes programs that were downloaded from the Internet and which for some reason were not included in other sections. These can be services for working with social networks, editors, maps, and other services.

What is better to buy – a Smart TV or an Android set-top box?

To take advantage of Smart technology, you can buy an Android set-top box or TV with integrated Smart technology. When choosing, you need to take into account both the advantages and disadvantages of the set-top box and TV.
If you do not experience difficulties when working with new products and your budget is not too big, then it is advisable to buy a Smart TV set-top box. If you do not get along well with technical innovations and are ready to spend a lot of money on a purchase, then give your preference to a TV with a built-in Smart function. How to choose a Smart TV box for your TV: https://youtu.be/ngKjggOwbsI

A smart set-top box is needed to connect the TV to the Internet. With this connection, you can watch movies and pictures, write to social networks, draw and play computer games. The set-top box is connected to the TV using a cable, and to the Internet using Wi-Fi or a LAN cable. The main models of set-top boxes are Sunvell T95, MXQ Pro TV Box and TV Gen 4.