Wi-Fi TV for TV

Like cell phones, a Wi-Fi network uses radio waves to transmit information over a network. The wireless adapter converts the transmitted data into a radio signal. This same signal will be transmitted through the antenna to a decoder, known as a router.

How do I connect my TV to the Internet?

Not so long ago I used to connect a 16-bit gaming console to my TV (instead of a regular antenna), I did not know what the Internet is, and I could not even think that in 10 years it will be necessary to connect the Internet to the TV itself. Moreover, it does not necessarily need to be connected via cable, because most televisions now have built-in Wi-Fi. Yes, technology advances very quickly. Today, a television with Smart TV can, to a certain extent, even replace a computer.

I have noticed that many users, after buying a modern TV, immediately ask themselves about connecting to the Internet. True, not everyone can do it. Why, I’ll tell you in this article. Let’s also look at the main ways in which you can connect the Internet to your TV. Here is the answer to a very popular question: “What do I do if my TV doesn’t have Smart TV? But you want it to be able to watch YouTube, videos over the Internet, install some applications, use the browser, etc. And let’s also try to find out what features Smart TV offers once the TV gets access to the Internet.

What kind of TV can be connected to the internet?

You can only connect the internet to a TV with Smart TV. Here everything is clear and logical. If you have a TV without Smart TV, it doesn’t need the Internet at all. Because there are no applications with which you can watch videos, open web sites, etc.

There are models of TVs without Smart TV, but with a LAN input. Under the network cable. And it is kind of possible to connect to the TV with a cable from the router, but why, if it has no smart functions. On these models, the LAN port is actually used to connect to the router. But not to access the Internet, but to watch photos, videos, and listen to music from devices in the local network via DLNA technology.

Is there Smart TV support?

If you chose and bought a TV yourself, then you should know whether it has Smart TV or not. If you don’t know, you can look at the box, it usually has all the basic features.

If it does not say on the box, or there is none, then pay attention to the remote control. There should be a button to call the Smart TV menu. It is usually signed as such. On Philips TVs, for example, this button has an icon in the form of a house. On Samsung – a button with a colored rhombus.

If you still can’t find out if you have a Smart TV or not, check its characteristics on the official website, or in an online store (preferably a popular one). Just type the model of your TV in the search box on Yandex, or Google. For example: LG 32LN575U.

Open the official site, or some other popular resource.

How do I choose and what should I pay attention to?

When you come to the store or go to such articles, the eyes are simply confused. First, from the abundance of such boxes, all of them beautiful and well suited to any interior. Secondly, from the price range. So how to choose?

The most important thing is not in a hurry and look closely first of all to the technical characteristics. Let’s start in order.

Resolution support

The most interesting thing is that the same resolution can be written differently in third-party stores. And a person who does not understand it – starts to get confused. For example, a resolution such as 3840 pixels by 2160 is written differently: 4K UHD, Ultra HD, UHDTV-1, etc.

The resolution determines the quality of the picture, and the higher it is, the more detailed the picture will be. But it is very important to take into account the resolution of your TV, because we are going to buy a set-top box for it. There is no point in buying a set-top box with 4K resolution if your TV works at maximum 1920 x 1080 pixels.

To see what resolution your TV works at, just take a look at the documentation or owner’s manual for all the specifications. Keep in mind that the resolution will determine the price, and it doesn’t make sense to just overpay for a wider format. Below I will present a table with the values of the most popular resolutions for set-top boxes.

Operating System

Almost all set-top boxes run on the Android operating system, which has different versions from 4.0 to 11. Each new version has a faster and more optimized system, as well as additional functionality. But if you take them as a whole, they are about the same, although the interface design may differ slightly.

Processor and RAM

This is a very important thing in electronics. With a weak processor on the screen may be small freezes or delays when displaying widescreen video or when connecting to IPTV.

Top Models

I decided to give you a small rating of SMART TV set-top boxes, which I compiled myself. I have used my experience when choosing a device as well as the feedback from customers on online shopping sites. Here you can find both expensive models and good budget ones.

NOTE! This is a portal, not a store, all prices are in rubles and just show the average value in different online stores.

THL BOX1 PRO EPLUTUS

It is possible to connect a SATA 2.5 or SSD external drive and have access to it through a special app that works with both Android and iOS. Works great with 4K images. Supports 4K Ultra HD, Full HD 1080p, HD 720p, etc. Processor with 8 cores, RAM of 2 GB and additional memory of 16 GB. It is possible to play.

The processor	1.5GHz
OS	Android 6.0
Video formats	VC-1,H.265,MPEG-2,MPEG-1,MPEG-4,DIVX,REALMEDIA
Resolution	3840*2160
RAM	2GB
Maximum flash memory	16GB (microSD)
Connectors	2 USB, HDMI, AV, DC Power Port, RJ45, TF Card Slot
Average price	3750

Xiaomi Mi Box 3

Global version, which supports many languages. Works with Android 9. Supports 4K resolution movies (3840 x 2160). Has a wide pool of format support, both video and audio. Works with 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi on the 802.11n standard. Processor model Cortex-A53 Quad-core 64bit with 4 cores. One of the most popular and high-quality Chinese models.

How to make a regular TV smart TV?

Want to connect to the Internet and watch videos from YouTube, movies and series from Megogo, Okko and other online services on your old TV, rather than buy a new one? Then a set-top box, which costs from 1500 rubles, comes to the rescue.

The best set-top boxes for digital TV and Internet access are connected to your TV via HDMI. To view 4K video you need an HDMI 1.4 cable, for 4K at 60 or 120 fps – 2.0, for 8K – 2.1. One side of the cable connects to the set-top box and the other to the TV. Instructions usually indicate which port supports the highest quality picture.

If your TV doesn’t have HDMI connectors, look for a model with an RCA output. The picture quality will be lower, but if there’s no alternative, that’s fine too. There are also adapters from HDMI to RCA – they cost from 500 rubles. But this will not greatly affect the quality of the picture.

Connect the set-top box to a power outlet or a USB port – depending on which cable is included. Turn it on with the remote control. Most models offer you to choose all the settings at once. In the others, you have to open the menu by pressing the MENU, SETTINGS, OPTIONS or cogwheel button on the remote control.

Find the “Network” item. If the device is connected to the Internet via Ethernet cable, just select this option. If connecting via a Wi-Fi router, find the SSID (name) of the network and enter the password. Once you’re connected to the internet, all that’s left to do is install the apps you want and sign up for them.

What else can I do with the best set-top boxes?

• Monitor social networks and communicate in messengers.
• View news and important notifications.
• Subscribe to TV shows and blogs.
• Watch videos from the cloud, smartphones, computers, and laptops.

The best smart TV set-top box will expand the capabilities of simple and smart TVs. It plays 4K video at 60 frames per second, sharp picture and smooth motion in action movies. HDR support greatly increases contrast – you can see fine details in the shadows, and whites look crystal clear.

This set-top box has a free one-year subscription to the Apple TV+ online movie theater, and in addition you can install Netflix, Disney+, Okko, Megogo, Amazon Prime Video.

The set-top box supports all Apple multimedia services. You can play in the cloud service Arcade in 4K resolution and with a stable speed of 60 FPS. For music there is Apple Music, and iOS supports the installation of any applications available for iPhone and iPad, including messengers, games, players, news services, social networking clients and others.

The set-top box knows how to control a “smart home” with Apple HomeKit technology. To turn on the lights or run the laundry, just say the command out loud – the voice assistant Siri works with the microphone in the remote.

The main ways to connect

Mains cable

The basic connection method for televisions manufactured mostly before 2013. It may be hard to believe, but TVs were first connected this way back in the 90s. In 1996, WebTV technology was introduced, which was applied to what was popularly known as a “poopy TV. In essence, the televisions went online like computers – they had their own operating system, similar to a browser. You could watch the evening news or shows – for example, the most popular TV series at the time, Friends.

TVs were connected by cable before Wi-Fi technology was built into them. This connection required a cable. To get that “in the know” look in the store, tell them you need a “patch cord”. This is the slang name for an ordinary patch cord (cable) with special connectors. One part of the cord plugs into the router, which gives you access to the Internet. The other is in a special connector on the TV Most often this connector is located on the side, on the right side of the TV.

This method of connection provides the fastest Internet speed. No matter how cool Wi-Fi is, it will always be at least a little bit, but still inferior to a cable connection. This means that with cable you will have a fast connection to the Internet, a stable image and almost instant loading of any application installed on the TV – for example, YouTube.

The disadvantages of this connection are the need to pull another cable. This is not always convenient – it can be difficult to hide the cable, and its appearance creates a mess.

Wi-Fi

A popular way to connect televisions, especially those with built-in Smart TV. To connect, you need to know the password to your Wi-Fi network. If you installed the connection yourself, you should definitely know it. If this was done by the specialists of the provider company, you need to study the documentation or call customer support.

Connecting your TV with a Smart TV set-top box

To connect the set-top box and the TV, you must carefully read the instructions and understand what connection methods it supports. Better yet, pay attention to it when you buy a set-top box. Most likely, you already have a TV and you know the peculiarities of its connection.

What do you need to pay attention to on your TV? The way it will receive the picture from the set-top box. It could be the modern way – the HDMI connector. Or maybe you have an old, “chubby” TV that was built back in the day when HDMI wire wasn’t even invented. This means that it probably has a way of connecting picture and sound that is tied to “tulip” ports. These are the kind of ports with tinted circles around them – red, yellow and white. Officially this is called an RCA connection. But you and I are experts (wink!), so we call it “tulips”. Having “tulips” doesn’t mean it’s time to take your TV to the trash. First, some Chinese craftsmen still make set-top boxes that can be connected using RCA. Second, you can buy special converters (adapters) on the Web that connect your TV with “tulip” but also have an output for an HDMI connection cable for your set-top box TV.

Once you have figured out how the picture will be transferred, it will be time to carry out the set-top box setup. On the device, pay attention to the available ways to connect to the Internet. Most modern set-top boxes (“Yandex.Module”, SberBox, Xiaomi TV Box, and others) have abandoned connection via cable, assuming that everyone at home has long since switched to a router with Wi-Fi. The presence of Wi-Fi in the room is important to consider when buying a set-top box.

Each device has its own menu of connection settings, so it is difficult to give a specific example of how to connect a set-top box to the TV. But the connection of the set-top box to the Internet is most often intuitive. You need to find the “Network connection” section in “Settings”, select Wi-Fi there, find the network to which you plan to connect, and then write the password of this network. You know it, don’t you? You don’t want to sabotage your neighbor and connect to his network, do you?

What is a Wi-Fi adapter for TV?

A TV Wi-Fi adapter is is a module that allows the user to receive and send signals into a wireless wi-fi network according to specially created protocols and along a certain route: from the router to the TV port.

Synopsis! Smart TVs also have this feature: look for information on the box or in the manual.

• There are no interfering wires.
• The device Syncs easily with PCsYou can also use your laptop, cell phone, and other devices to send photos, videos, and audio files to the big screen.
  Imagine watching comedies as a family or flipping through family photos at a higher resolution!
• The cable connected to the router will deliver not only Internet, but also TV over the network.
• You can control the device through a tablet or smartphone, but not every model supports it.

What to look for when choosing a Wi-Fi adapter for the TV?

• It is better to give preference to branded modelsThey are very durable and of high quality.
  A quality certificate is a must!
• Most of the adapters are designed for the specific brand.
  So for a Sony TV, it’s a good idea to buy the same adapter.
• Study all the important parametersThe most important things to know: the standard for transmitting and receiving the signal, the gadget’s power, the frequency range, and what encryption methods are used.

Determine the choice of appropriate in all respects model Wi-Fi adapter for TV will help rating the best devices 2023 from brands that guarantee high quality of their equipment.

Alfa Network AWUS036ACH

A universal adapter for your convenience.

Sensitive, powerful and compact model. Equipped with a pair of removable external antennas with an external gain of 5 dBi.

The adapter is even supported in CommView WiFi. Several times longer range than similar adapters.

Supports almost all popular operating systems. Works in any environment.

• Acceptable range of gadgets: Wi-Fi: 2.4/5 GHz;
• Wi-Fi scheme: 802.11 b, a, g, n, ac;
• maximum speed: 867 Mbps
• adapter connection interface: USB;
• USB parameters: 3.2 Gen 1.

Tenda U9.

Tiny but strong dual-band for little money to upgrade your PC.

The opening is great: even in an apartment of more than 100 square meters. the signal is stable and there are no failures. The communication protocol (Smart Home) is Wi-Fi.

Supported not only 2.4 GHz, but also 5 GHz range (work is allowed in two at once), as well as MU-MIMO 9 technology multistream transmission of information). Instructions are included.

How to choose the right one

All major technology manufacturers recommend using only their own components and additional devices. That is, if you have a Samsung TV, then it is better to buy a smart TV adapter for Samsung, for LG – only LG, and for Sony – Sony TM. Such devices are compatible with each other, they use the technical data as accurately as possible and there will be no problems with their setup.

The original wireless adapter will provide not only a connection to the global network, but also to all mobile devices. You will be able to display any image on the big screen from your smartphone, laptop or computer without using wires.

If you buy a Wi-Fi module of the same brand as your Smart TV, you get

• Excellent Internet bandwidth;
• Workflow compatibility;
• Proper encryption and use of the right frequencies;
• maximum signal strength and clarity;
• a good range of reception.

You will not need to delve into the technical characteristics of the module, this has already been checked by the manufacturer. But if you decide to buy a smart smart adapter from a third-party manufacturer, then pay attention to such important parameters:

The main characteristics

According to the type of connection, all Wi-Fi adapters for TV are divided into three groups:

1. PCMCIA is the originally introduced PC Card standard, which was defined and developed by the International Personal Computer Association for memory cards. Today, this slot is considered obsolete and is hardly ever found in TVs.
2. HDMI – a high-definition multimedia interface. This is a native audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed video or compressed digital audio from HDMI-compatible devices. Any modern HDTV, home theater system, game console, Blu-ray player, or receiver has such a slot. HDMI cable is also used to connect the TV tuner.
3. USB – You can use these ports to view the contents of your camera, camera, flash drive, or other USB devices on your TV. Wi-Fi adapters with USB connectivity are the most popular products on the market.

TV Compatibility

All quality TV adapters come in boxes or plastic packages that have information on the compatibility of the device with different TV manufacturers and models.

Carefully study for which TV devices this model of wifi adapter is suitable. If only compatible brands are listed on the package, it means that the product will work with all models of the specified manufacturer.

Also note that if the package with the SMART TV does not come with a wireless adapter, the basic technical parameters of the Wi-Fi receiver are specified in the technical data sheet.

Transmitter power

Transmitter power is an ambiguous parameter. It is not quite easy to really determine what the range of a Wi-Fi device depends on. The transmitter power and radio wave intensity setting only works on the router side, not on the subscriber’s device.

How to connect a Smart TV set-top box

Many users prefer to buy a regular TV without smart features and add them with one of the many TV set-top boxes, thereby saving a lot of money and getting the flexibility to choose a Smart TV platform. In this case, you will need to connect the set-top box to the TV set via any HDMI connector before setting up the network. Don’t forget to connect the set-top box to the mains using the included adapter.

After that, set up the TV set-top box connection to the network using any of the methods described above (depending on the type of connection it supports).

How to manage a Smart TV

The vast majority of smart TVs come with a remote control. It can be used both for banal channel switching and volume control, as well as for navigating through menu items. And many remotes also have a number of hotkeys that launch pre-installed applications. This can be a Netflix client, and voice assistant, and Russian services like our popular Kinopoisk.

But the included remote control is not always convenient and tends to get lost at the most inopportune times. Therefore, many users prefer to connect their smartphones to Smart TV and use them as a remote control. Fortunately, in the case of “smart” TVs it is not difficult to do this. Moreover, by connecting your phone to Smart TV you will be able to transmit an image to the big screen, which can also be very useful. For example, in this way you can easily watch with your family and friends the pictures or videos shot during the vacation, run the film downloaded to your phone, or hold a mini presentation. In general, this feature is very useful and necessary.

How to connect phone to Smart TV

There are different ways to connect your phone to the TV, but today’s article is unlikely to be about wired connection – it’s banal and, needless to say, pointless with the opportunities offered by Smart TV.

The easiest way to connect your smartphone to Smart TV for video streaming is to use Miracast technology.

• Activate Miracast in the TV settings.
• Turn on the “Wireless Monitor” function on your smartphone. It is usually found in the Settings -> Screen menu.
• Select your TV in the list of available Miracast devices.

The image from your smartphone screen will appear on your TV as soon as you perform the last step.

How to connect your TV wirelessly

In the past, antennas were used to connect your TV. They were installed on roofs or balconies. The disadvantages of antennas were many. Long setup, periodic breakdowns of the unit, the need to pull the cable – all these disadvantages complicated the process of connecting to TV. And in bad weather there was interference.

A little later came cable and satellite television. It was a great alternative to antennas. But since 2020, cable TV is no longer relevant. High-speed Internet allows you to watch your favorite shows and programs without pesky commercials. However, in order to make a home theater, you must first connect your plasma LED TV to the Internet. Only then digital television in high quality will be available 24/7.

How to connect wireless TV: all the ways

There are several ways to connect your TV wirelessly. These include:

Even if the TV does not have a Wi-Fi module, you can connect it to the Internet. To do this, you buy a removable module that plugs into the TV. In the same way, you can create a wireless connection to the TV set-top box. It is called a Wi-Fi bridge.

Pros and cons of satellite TV

Now almost all satellite dishes are sold with Wi-Fi modules that allow you to connect satellite TV without wires. This equipment is called a satellite receiver. However, this method of connection has disadvantages:

Usually satellite TV and the Internet are used where there is no possibility to lay fiber optic. This is the main advantage of this type of connection – independence from other sources of communication.

Wi-Fi set-top boxes for TV and set-top boxes with Wi-Fi bridge

Old-style set-top boxes without a wi-fi module are connected to the TV and the Internet using removable modules. In this case two or three modules are purchased. One must be connected to the set-top box and the other to the router. If the TV also has no built-in receiver, the third module is connected to it.

To avoid having to buy and connect the modules, you can buy a modern Wi-Fi set-top box. Usually Internet service providers offer their own brand set-top boxes with free connection and setup. But before buying such equipment, it is better to look at the reviews of other users.

Do not choose set-top boxes from ISPs just because they offer free connection and setup. There are clear videos on the Internet describing how to do it yourself. Therefore, you should buy only the equipment that is suitable for the price/performance ratio.

Smart TV applications

Wireless TV on TVs with built-in Wi-Fi can be connected directly, without cables and set-top boxes. To do this, you’ll need to install the appropriate Smart TV app.

Using a Wi-Fi adapter

To connect to the home network with the TV, which is not equipped with a Wi-Fi module, you need to buy a special adapter. Visually, this device resembles the most ordinary flash drive. It is inserted into a USB or HDMI connector. As for the connection to the Internet via Wi-Fi, it is carried out on the same principle as in the case of Smart TV models. Remember that sometimes there are problems with compatibility. Therefore, it is better to buy branded devices from the same manufacturer as the TV.

What features should I look for when selecting an adapter? Focus on the following parameters:

Few people know, but even the most ordinary router can be turned into a Wi-Fi adapter. How exactly? You’re about to find out.

Almost all routers work in several modes. One of those is adapter mode. If your router supports this function, then you can set up a wireless Internet connection on your TV without too much trouble. To do this, follow the step-by-step instructions:

1. Open the router settings, and then select adapter mode.
2. The router will receive the home network signal and then transmit to the TV;
3. The TV and the router must be connected with an Ethernet cable.
4. Check that the connection works.
5. This is a wired type of synchronization, so you won’t have to enter a password.

Possible connection problems

In the process of setting up the connection, the user may encounter various problems in the form of software crashes and system errors. However, it is very easy to solve this kind of difficulties. The simplest, but most effective option is to reboot the equipment. Turn off the router and TV, and then reconnect them.

If the previous recommendation didn’t help, then you need to roll back to the SmartHub default settings. You can do this as follows:

1. Go to the apps section.
2. On the remote control press “Tools”..
3. Go to the Reset User Settings tab.
4. Enter the updated security code – 0000.
5. Wait for the process to complete, accepting all notifications.

The software will be reinstalled with default settings.

A third way to fix the problem is to update the TV operating system firmware if you have a Smart TV model. To update, go to the support section, then switch to the “Software Update” tab.. Use the command “Update Software Over the Internet” command.. Wait for the end of the installation process of updates.

If there is no access to the Internet, you can update by downloading a new version of the firmware to a flash drive or hard disk. What to do if the suggestions above have not helped? Reboot the router; this might be the problem. Check whether other devices such as smartphone, tablet or laptop are connected to the internet. If there is no internet on all gadgets, then call your ISP.

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