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

Приставка Смарт ТВ и ее возможностиSmart TV

To view Internet pages and Internet TV using a TV, you need to buy a special device called a Smart TV set-top box. 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 whole. 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 box is a small device that connects to a TV on one side and to the Internet on the other. Set-top boxes are usually based on the Andorid operating system, although Windows and Linux devices are also found. Smart devices are usually connected to the mains using a power adapter, however some electrical devices are connected directly to the TV.

In total, there are two types of Smart TV set-top boxes:
Smart TV set-top box and its capabilities

  1. Stick . It is a simplified version of a Smart set-top box that 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. A built-in Wi-Fi signal receiver is used to connect to the Internet. Usually it 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). It looks like 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 to store information.

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

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

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

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

How to use Smart TV set-top box for TVTo 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 the set-top box is turned on). After launching, a working panel will open in front of you, on which you will see many icons with which programs are launched. For convenience, icons are usually grouped by thematic blocks. You can select and launch certain programs using the console control panel (the main buttons are arrows and the “OK” key). If you have a USB port on the set-top box, 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 significantly simplify the choice of programs and scrolling through pages.To start 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 consoles, but in most cases it looks like an arrow pointing from right to left). Also, using the operating panel, you can configure some parameters of the STB (for example, language). To do this, you need to find and run a 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 box after purchase: https://youtu.be/88IJysDbu3Qor press the return key (this key is implemented differently on different consoles, but in most cases it looks like an arrow, which is directed from right to left). Also, using the operating panel, you can configure some parameters of the STB (for example, language). To do this, you need to find and run a 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 box after purchase: https://youtu.be/88IJysDbu3Qor press the return key (this key is implemented differently on different consoles, but in most cases it looks like an arrow, which is directed from right to left). Also, using the operating panel, you can configure some parameters of the STB (for example, language). To do this, you need to find and run a 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 box after purchase: https://youtu.be/88IJysDbu3QTo do this, you need to find and run a 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 box after purchase: https://youtu.be/88IJysDbu3QTo do this, you need to find and run a 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 box after purchase: https://youtu.be/88IJysDbu3Q

Functionality – why do you need a Smart TV set-top box

The use of the prefix is ​​carried out using programs that are grouped into categories for convenience:

  1. Web browser (Chrome, Firefox and others) . All programs that are used to browse the Internet are placed in this category. Entering information and switching between the interactive blocks of the browser is carried out using the remote control and keyboard. Use the keyboard arrows to move between interactive blocks. The browser opens most web pages correctly and can work with Flash. All information is displayed in 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 – MX Player, Media Player Classic and others.
  3. Games . Here are the games that you installed on an external media or downloaded from the Internet directly. Unfortunately, the set-top boxes have rather narrow functionality, so they will not “handle” many computer games.
  4. Watching TV (on some devices this section is called “Television”). Here are the 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 signal, cable TV, satellite TV). Also, this section often contains applications for watching movies and short videos using Internet sites (YouTube, Netflix, MEGOGO and others).
  5. Apps . This section contains 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, editor programs, maps, and other services.

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

To take advantage of Smart technology, you can buy an Android set-top box or TV with Smart technology integrated. When choosing, you need to take into account both the advantages and disadvantages of the set-top box and the TV.
The main set-top boxes Smart TV based on AndroidIf you do not experience difficulties when working with new products and you do not have too large a budget, then it is advisable to buy a Smart TV set-top box. If you don’t 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

Device typeBenefitsdisadvantages
Smart TV boxLow price, additional power, many connectors for connecting external devices, compactness, portability.Setting is required, it does not integrate well with old TVs, control is carried out from a separate remote control.
TV with integrated Smart TVDoes not need to be configured, control is carried out using a single remote control, there are no problems with integration.High price, limited power, weak models play video poorly, difficult to transport.

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

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  1. Наталья

    Покупала смарт приставку родителям в подарок. Менять телевизор не хотят, пришлось им приставку подарить. Довольны, разобрались очень быстро, все эти приставки довольно простые в использовании и даже для пенсионеров не представляют сложностей. А вообще моё мнение – лучше телевизор с встроенным смартом, у меня такой, все уже настроено, пульт один. Но это, конечно, если телевизор готовы поменять, если это для вас дорого, то в принципе приставка хорошая альтернатива.

    Reply
  2. Анна

    Давно думаю о необходимости функции смарт тв, не могла понять точно, в чем различие. Спасибо за подробную статью с понятным объяснением!

    У меня вопрос. На покупку нового ТВ с этой функцией пока бюджен не предусмотрен, поэтому склоняюсь к приставке. В статье указано, что приставки не совместимы со старыми телевизорами  подскажите, пожалуйста, как определить, подойдет ли к моему теоевизору приставка? ЖК, 2011 года.

    И еще: можно ли использовать телевизор с приставкой только для интернета, если антенна для приема телеканалов отключена? Телек в последнее время не смотрю, а кино в интернете смотрела бы на большом экране. Я не совсем поняла, связана ли присиавка с телеантенной.

    Reply
  3. Александр

    Необходимость покупки Smart TV была неизбежна, теще подключал телевизор в котором не было встроенной функции подключения интернета и т.д.
    Очень удобная альтернатива замене телевизора. Можно подключить фактически на любой телевизор, в независимости от года выпуска, типа, диагонали и стоимости. Главное – чтобы были входы под “тюльпаны” или HDMI (есть почти у всех, относительно новых ТВ). Все очень быстро настраивается, просто работает, а также позволяет использовать телевизор на 100%. Статья помогла разобраться в нюансах, определить необходимый тип приставки и сделать правильный выбор, на основании требований заказчика, в данном случае – тещи:)

    Reply
  4. Виталий

    Такой вопрос. Есть древний телевизор, еще кинескопный, но с портом HDMI. Как определить, сможет ли он работать с приставкой, т е есть ли какие-то еще технические ограничения, кроме наличия порта HDMI, для нормальной работы старых телевизоров с вышеупомянутой в статье приставкой?
    И еще вопрос, могут ли приставки такого типа использоваться в качестве декодеров цифрового сигнала для аналогового телевизора, чтобы не покупать отдельную приставку?

    Reply