Get internet TV
Which device is king of your living room?
Despite 20 years of technology breakthroughs, chances are that it’s still the TV that takes centrestage in your living room.
And even though screen usage for mobile phones, tablets, laptops and PCs has increased, the latest figures from audience monitoring experts BARB showed that in 2010 the number of hours a week spent watching TV actually rose to an average of 28 hours, compared to 25 in 2001.
Given all the choice we have for our entertainment, that might come as a bit of a surprise.
Hard to break habit
What is changing, though, is the way we use TV.
Only two of the top ten shows from last year were soap operas and reality shows, and the World Cup topped the list of programmes that were watched whilst viewers were also tweeting, sending an email or updating Facebook on another device.
If this new behaviour of ‘more screens, more often’ sounds familiar, then it’s probably time to rethink the role of your TV altogether.
So why not cut down the number of devices you use at once by investing in an internet-enabled TV when you upgrade?
Like a set-top box, but better
There are many internet enabled TVs available now that will plug into your home network using either Wi Fi or an ethernet cable, and they’re often not much more expensive than a set without this technology.
Once connected, they can access the internet via your home router, just like your PC, laptop or phone and because of the way you use a TV – with a remote control rather than a keyboard or mouse – you’ll usually find that accessing internet services is slightly different.
An internet enabled TV may come with a built-in browser and will usually have an on-screen menu with custom entries for email, BBC iPlayer, 4 on Demand and movie rental services.
So it works more like a set-top box than a desktop PC, but don’t be fooled by this apparent simplicity.
Many internet-enabled TVs can do almost as much online as any of your other devices.
Plus, you’ll often find customised content like YouTube channels and clever ways to look at Facebook or Flickr using your TV – depending on the exact model and brand.
Streaming media
The obvious application for hooking your TV up to the internet is to watch movies or TV shows on-demand using sites like BBC iPlayer or LoveFilm.
This also means that it’s simple to watch video files or listen to music from your home PC via a networked TV and you can stream HD content directly from a hard drive anywhere in your home without getting bogged down in complex software issues.
What’s more, an internet-enabled TV can download new firmwares, which are patches from the manufacturer, so it’s futureproof too.
Still not convinced you need a TV that can go online? Ask for a demo next time you’re in store or check out our latest range of TVs in at Tesco Direct.
Find out more:
Consider buying
-
Sony KDL46 EX524
This giant 46-inch screen might seem excessive for watching YouTube clips, but get this: add a USB camera and mic and you can make Skype video calls.
-
Sony KDL32 CX520
Buying an internet-enabled TV doesn’t mean spending a fortune. Sony’s KDL32 CX520 has all the Bravia® bells and whistles plus an ethernet port for less than £450.
-
Toshiba RL853B
Featuring web TV access, Full HD 1080p, 4 HDMI ports and view Freeview HD channels without subscription, with the added convenience of wireless content sharing. An iPhone can also be used instead of the remote.