What’s The Difference Between Smart TV And Regular TV

Technology advancement has brought lots of things among which is the Smart TV.

Although these days, nearly every TV on the market calls itself smart, What is a Smart TV? and What’s The Difference Between Smart TV And Regular TV? What benefits do they offer, and how do they stand out from the rest?

Before we dive in, you must however note that Smart TV has been around for some time now but not as popular as the regular ones.

The reason is that they are expensive and limited in supply, but these days, with lots of Tech companies coming into the game, many affordable Smart TVs are pumping up, therefore, making it one of the most sort after.

There is something that apparently distinguishes smart TV from regular ones.

Infact most of the exclusive TVs nowadays are web-based and the popularity like the Netflix and YouTube apps are not unknown to anyone, they can only be served by the smart television, not by the other ones.

As we also know, a TV is a device that allows one to watch an image with sound.

While Smart TVs do more than watch images and sound but also can be interacted with.

The purpose of all Televisions is the same, but the manner in which they work differs.

Their components also differ. For example, LCD, LED and OLED televisions vary in their screens and in the way in which the picture is displayed on the screen.

Likewise, Smart Tv which though could be an LED or OLED has smart functionality

Let’s get a grip on these concepts of SMART TV before looking into the differences

 

 

What is Smart Tv

A Smart TV is a TV Set with integrated Internet and interactive Web features which allows users to stream music and videos, browse the internet and view photos.

Essentially, smart TVs are regular TVs that have the built-in capability to connect to the internet.

Because smart TVs are connected to the internet, they usually let you download apps just like you would on your smartphone.

Therefore, you can run apps and streamline services like weather, Netflix, YouTube, etc.

Smart Tv is indeed a clear example of advancement in Technology though it also has a few lapses.

 

Difference Between Smart TV and Regular TV

There are quite a number of unique features and benefits that distinguish Smart TV and Regular TV

Smart TVs come with an inbuilt operating system that allows them to do a number of things such as surf the internet, connect your mobile phone, video-conference with someone, and watch movies and videos online.

All these things are not possible using a regular LED or OLED TV, it just has to be Smart to enjoy all that functions.

Regular TV on the other hand, only allows you to just view regular channels which your cable operator provides.

These differences also explain why smart TVs cost a bit more as compared to regular TVs.

However, the fact that a Smart TV can do all the functions of regular TV plus access the internet, it tends to be the favorite of many.

 

Comparison Between Smart TV and Regular TV

Below is a table that shows the difference between Smart TV and Regular TV

Function	Smart TV	Regular TV
Description	A television that has access to the internet hence is ‘smarter’ than a regular TV	A regular television allows one to view images and listen to sounds, i.e. watch videos
Functionality	A hybrid between TV and computer	Regular TV
Internet	Access the internet	Cannot access the internet
Web Browser	Often has a web browser	Usually does not have an inbuilt web browser
Wi-Fi	Needs Wi-Fi for its features	Does not need Wi-Fi
Built in Apps	Had built-in apps	Does not have built-in apps
Streaming	Can stream content	Needs additional equipment to stream content
Touchscreen	May have a touchscreen	Typically does not have a touchscreen

 

How Smart TV Works

Smart TV simply works by connecting to the internet via a wired Ethernet connection or through built-in Wi-Fi that allows it to connect to the home broadband network.

While Ethernet provides the most stable connection, Wi-Fi might be more convenient if your TV is in a different room or a long distance from your router.

 

Smart TV Features

Whether you want to access TV on demand, surf the web, or stream films, these are all things you can do with a smart TV.

If you’re shopping for a new Smart TV, here is a list of the most important features to look for,

• Stream videos and music
• Browse the web
• Download and install apps
• Media Player
• Games
• Transfer Smartphone Content to Smart TV (vice – versa)
• Social media
• Create Photo Slideshows, etc

 

Benefits of Smart tv

Whether you want to access TV on demand, surf the web, or stream films, these are quite a number of things you can do with a smart TV. Offering you extra features to those provided by a regular television

1. Access to a large number of channels that offer TV programs, movies, and music without the need to connect a TV antenna or subscribe to a cable/satellite service.
2. With Smart Tv, you can get Access to Your Choice of Apps just like you would with your smartphone
3. When you invest in a smart TV, you can pause, rewind, record, and catch up on shows you missed during the previous week
4. You can easily keep In Touch With Your Friends through social media on your Smart TV
5. Browse The Web From Your Living Room
6. Play Games To Your Heart’s Content
7. Connects To Other Devices like Android or iPhone

 

Disadvantages of Smart TV

Although Smart TV platforms provide access to a lot of free channels and services, some of the channels may require either a monthly subscription or a pay-per-view fee.

Using a Smart TV may result in privacy issues.

Smart TVs and/or content app providers usually track your viewing habits to provide you with viewing suggestions.

While you can often limit the collection of this data, it can be difficult to find or reverse.

Do you really want to share everything you watch with your TV manufacturer?

Nonetheless, you still have the option to allow this tracking or not

 

Where to Buy Smart TV

Depends on where you are buying from.

Here in Nigeria, you can get a Smart Tv starting from 52,000 Naira and are readily available in Major online shopping sites in Nigeria 

See Smart TV offers in Nigeria

 

Available Smart TV Deals For You

 

…check it out: 

• Best Curved TV & Prices In Nigeria (+ Buyer Guide)
• 10+ Best Smart Watch & Prices in Nigeria 2023
• Jumia Brand Festival 2023: What Deals To Expect

 

Conclusion

In a nutshell, a regular TV does not have all of the smart tv features.

It is just basically a free-to-air TV that most people are used to.

However, there are many other devices on the market that provide some of this functionality to a regular TV, such as Chromecast, Roku TCL, etc.

These devices aim at turning a regular TV into a Smart TV which often comes at a price

This day, you don’t need much money to get a smart TV, depending on your budget, you can get a Smart TV within your budget.