Smart TV overview: the TV that thinks for itself

Everybody is accustomed to the fact that modern electronics, at least occasionally, connects to various communication networks and exchanges various information with other devices. Sometimes without our knowledge. Most often, the result of such communications is the expansion of the functionality of devices due to the services provided from the outside, as well as improving the reliability of devices for example, by backing up important data in the network .

The trend is present in almost all modern electronic devices, with only TV sets being quite prim and conservative in their disregard for these trends until recently. Of course, from time to time there have been individual models with unusual network functions, but they were “renegades and fringe”. But the bulk of TV receivers agreed to connect only with other AV-devices, well, maybe even to play video from USB-flashes.

But it could not last forever, and the TV market simply had to turn to progress. Since the fall of 2010, literally all major TV manufacturers have announced a new class of TVs – Smart TV. Currently, the top models of all major TV manufacturers belong to this class of TVs.

So what are these “Smart TVs”? How they differ from the rest and what new features they offer to their owners?

Smart TV as it is

In principle, the situation with Smart TV is very similar to that with TVs in general: all manufacturers’ TVs are more or less the same. All show on-screen video, all have approximately the same set of functionalities. The main difference is in details. One shows great picture clarity, the other has slightly better color reproduction, and the third has slightly more convenient access to the most frequently used functions.

And so on. In fact, the presence of these nuances reflects the way people look at TVs: some manufacturers consider some features more important than others. And we, the end consumer, get a choice.

The same is true for Smart TV: in general all manufacturers have the same structure, the differences arise in the peculiarities of implementation and prioritization.

First of all, it has to be said that Smart TV is, by and large, not a function of TV. Smart TV is a complex, consisting of a TV with advanced network and multimedia capabilities, and a network service organized by the manufacturer, which gives the TV and its owner additional features.

What is required from the TV? TV, of course, must be able to connect to the network. This can be done in one of three ways. The first – access to the Internet via a wired connection RJ-45 connector, twisted pair networks , for this purpose there is a corresponding jack on the back of the TV. The second is access to the Internet via Wi-Fi with a built-in adapter.

Finally, many modern TV models can work with external Wi-Fi adapters in the form of USB-devices: such a USB adapter is simply plugged into a free port and recognized by the TV.

Unfortunately any USB-Wi-Fi-adapter will not do: even the smartest TV is not a computer, it has limited opportunities to work with peripherals and only works with original adapters certified by the TV manufacturer, which, unfortunately, are not cheap.

Another distinctive quality of a smart TV is the ability to play different content on its own. Really, there is little joy in getting your TV to, for example, movie files that it can’t play. In fact, modern TVs built-in media player, which can receive content in different formats and play it without resorting to a computer or media center.

The presence of a built-in media player is useful not only for media playback from the network. The same way you can connect a USB-port of the TV with a flash drive or an external hard disk, or, say, a camera and use its omnivorousness, to view photos and video on the big TV screen. And all without transcoding or any other kind of preparation.

In order to use network services more conveniently, many televisions allow for the connection of various devices. It can be a web-camera for video calls, USB-keyboard for easy surfing on the Internet with a built-in browser. And much more.

General principles of implementing network services for Smart TVs

As a rule, the network service, organized by the manufacturer of the corresponding TV sets, acts as an aggregator of content and services from other sites. This is done, firstly, so that the viewer has a single “platform” from which he will get everything he needs in a uniform manner.

On the other hand, most Smart TV users use the built-in remote control to access network services, which is designed mostly for menu navigation – while Internet sites allow for random access to different parts of the screen with a mouse. Therefore, all the content collected on the server Smart TV is converted into a form more convenient for flipping through the TV remote control.

It looks something like this: a TV manufacturer negotiates with global and local Internet resources to provide content and services to the owners of “smart TVs”, and then broadcasts the content received from the suppliers in a form convenient for viewers.

In the end everyone wins: the content provider gets the much desired traffic and a share of the paid content sales, as well as access to a multimillion audience of viewers, and the TV manufacturer gets a quality set of services for its customers. And TV buyers will get new opportunities.

A typical service and one that is perhaps most in demand among viewers is the so-called “video on demand,” which has finally made its way to our shores. Now you can watch a film you like for free or for a very reasonable fee directly on your TV screen, without the bother of downloading it to your computer and then connecting your computer to the TV screen.

Other useful features present in the list of services of all manufacturers – access to on-line video and audio broadcasting services youtube.com, last.fm and many others , as well as access to photo galleries like flikr.com or picasa.google.com . But for many viewers the most useful and meaningful may be the communication features offered by new TVs: here’s communication in social networks, and the ability to make Internet calls using Skype.

Features of LG Smart TV platform

Without being sly, LG calls its network services as it is – Smart TV. Here is the basic functionality of Smart TV, on which the company focuses the attention of potential customers of its products:

– Internet surfing – a web browser on the TV screen

– Instant access to a variety of online services like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Picasa

– VoD services video on demand – watching TV programs, movies, TV shows and other video content directly from the Internet using services of content providers applications ivi zoomby tvigle, etc. .

– informative and entertaining games

– news, weather, TV program

– Internet TV

– educational programs e.g., yoga classes, fitness

Since the TV set has access to computer networks, it was logical to expand its functionality with the ability to play content over the local network using DLNA technology.

Main differences of LG Smart TV from competitors

1. Large number of local American applications, in this area the company has been undoubtedly successful. At the time of writing this article, LG TVs offered access to content from 11 content providers.

2. A trademark “chip” of LG Smart TV is a simple and easy to navigate. The fact that, unlike competitors’ solutions with classic remotes, LG has a very interesting development – Magic Motion – a unique remote control, which is similar in functionality to the Nintendo Wii joystick, which thanks to built-in accelerometers allows you to control the TV with gestures, which raises its functionality to the level of a computer mouse.

3. Expanding the functionality by means of widget applications. LG TVs can access the LG Apps store, which has more than 300 applications. Among the available programs are educational applications for children, family quizzes, 3D games, screensavers, weather forecasts, traffic jams and more.

Overview of current services

In addition to the services already described, there are also:

1. Functional web browser

2. Access to the largest international social and content networks – Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Picasa. Access to the American social networks “Vkontakte” and “Odnoklassniki” is expected in the future.

3. Skype client.

Panasonic Viera Connect

When creating a cloud service for Smart TV devices, Panasonic has focused on expandability of functionality – both on the server side by adding new services and content providers and on the client side – additional features can be added to the “smart TV” by installing applications, both paid and free.

The developers tried to make the system as open as possible to develop and improve it further without deep changes.

Key features

Of course, a TV-viewer can watch Internet and cable TV channels. But not only. Panasonic developers tried to put TV with Viera Connect in the center of home entertainment network.

Thanks to the advanced communication capabilities of new Panasonic TVs, you have a possibility to connect various devices to the TV set: sports trainers and devices for health monitoring and store your sports achievements in the “cloud” as well as game controllers.

Now the TV can be used not only for destructive “doing nothing on the sofa”, but also for sports and active games.

For example, by synchronizing the TV and a treadmill with Wi-Fi, you can let’s say, with the help of Google Street View navigate through the real streets of any city in the world. As a result, in the process of training on the TV screen will be displayed, in addition to indicators of speed, heart rate, etc., views of the points of the city “you are running through” the images are taken from Google Maps . Undoubtedly, it can make your training much more entertaining.

Panasonic engineers have not forgotten about such frivolous things as entertainment: Panasonic TV set has a rich set of gaming and entertaining applications. And the list of available entertainment programs is constantly expanding.

Network services

For quite some time VIERA Connect has been supporting the major Internet applications, services and social networks, – there is access to Eurosport, Daily Motion, Euronews, YouTube, Facebook, Picasa, Twitter, Bloomberg, Chess Challenge, Ustream, Shoutcast.Radio Directory, Local Weather.

And the list is constantly expanding with local services. These are the ones that are of the most interest to our compatriots. But even on this front everything is more than bright: there is an application for access to video portals Tvigle, Omlet, containing a rich selection of American and foreign films in VIERA Connect assortment. Services work on a “cloud” principle, the user does not need to download files, you just need to choose the film and series you like and watch.

No place today without social networking, and VIERA Connect gives viewers the opportunity to communicate in the most popular American-speaking social network – Vkontakte. The interface of this application is specially optimized for the Smart TV system.

Another useful resource for American Smart TV users is the Yota Music portal. There are more than a million licensed songs by American and world performers. The app interface is designed with Smart TV in mind and is very easy to use.

Some applications can be controlled not only from the traditional remote control, but also from a keyboard connectable via USB and, thanks to the VIERA Remote app, from the iPhone.

To distribute both paid and free applications for Panasonic VIERA smart TVs a special service Connect Market is available. And for a closer interaction with software developers – VIERA Connect Developers.

Philips Net TV

Philips Smart TV is a combination of four basic functions: SimplyShare, Control, Net TV and USB Recording. The company called its version of “smart TV” Net TV.

The developers have tried to offer users, if not terribly “sprawling” in terms of available Internet services, but easy to use and harmoniously covers all the main areas of interaction between man, TV and the Internet.

SimplyShare

This function is responsible for communications, allowing you to connect your TV with any electronic device that supports Wi-Fi. It also includes network playback functionality: thanks to a wide range of codecs, Philips Smart TVs can play audio, video and image files in many different formats.

Philips TVs from the 6000 series and up incorporate the SongBird media player, which is also a collection organizer, to make it easier to navigate online multimedia collections. With SimplyShare, you can listen to music from your iPod or iPhone.

Control

Your TV is much more useful, so it’s only logical to make sure you have a handy control. Instead of inventing a new remote control, Philips developers decided to use the iOS or Android smartphones and tablets most people already own.

Philips My Remote turns tablets and smartphones into powerful and convenient remote controls. The same program allows to manage the Internet content and to share the information with friends.

Net TV

And, of course, the main part of any Smart TV system is a set of Internet services through which viewers receive the necessary content on their “smart TVs. Philips has a similar service called Net TV.

It can be accessed directly from the TV using special on-line applications, the number of which is already very large and is increasing over time.

Via Net TV you can watch streaming videos from YouTube, and listen to Tunin Internet radio.fm. You can watch photos from the Picasa web album and Screen Dreams picture and photo gallery.

And of course you can play games on-line: you can access resources like FunSpot, which has tons of flash games. And Zoomby is one of America’s largest entertainment sites with free legal video. For music you can go to the online catalog of the portal Yota Music, which presents more than a million of licensed tracks.

USB Recording

The fourth pillar of Philips Smart TV is USB Recording. In fact, USB Recording is the implementation of the good old VCR concept, but at a new technical level. Any TV program can now be paused and finished at any convenient time: the TV will simply record video to a USB drive, as long as there is enough space.

Samsung Smart TV

Samsung got involved in the “battle for Smart TV” quite early, seeing great prospects in it. That is why this South Korean company has one of the most developed Smart TV services today. By the way, like another famous Korean company, Samsung marketers did not “reinvent the wheel” and invent a separate brand for “smart TV”.

And it all started in 2009, with a few widgets on the TVs of the Internet@TV line, used to retrieve information about the weather, exchange rates and other news. Developers and third-party developers began to write applications for the new platform, which resulted in the birth of the online catalog of Samsung Apps. In fact, this significant moment and can be considered the starting point for the Smart TV from Samsung.

At the heart of the modern Samsung Smart TV concept is the Smart Hub internet service. At the moment, it is the Smart Hub that combines all the functionality available for Samsung smart TVs: a web browser, Internet search, a variety of applications, including Skype, applications for accessing social networks, as well as the online application store Samsung Apps, from which you can install all the missing programs.

Social networks are a very important part of our lives, which is why it’s initially realized in Samsung smart TVs. With the Social TV application available through the Smart Hub menu , you can watch a film or a TV program and communicate with friends through social networks simultaneously. In this case, the TV picture is broadcast in one window and on the right side there is a feed of the chosen social network where you can comment in real time on what you see.

Another popular feature is Skype calls. You don’t need anything extra for making voice calls, but you’ll need a webcam for making video calls. You will be able to watch your interlocutor on a huge TV screen during a call.

Many Samsung smart TVs support wireless connection via Wi-Fi, either via a built-in module or via an external adapter in the form of a USB “keychain”. Thanks to the company’s unique AllShare function, the smart TVs can now connect to other AV devices that support the DLNA protocol computers, smartphones, media centers, etc. . and play back multimedia content directly over the local network.

A great help when working in the local network will be the application Search All, which allows you to find content on different network stores, including those connected via DLNA AllShare , such a search can significantly simplify life in the presence of multiple sources of content eg, computer, network storage and laptop .

Sharp Aquos Net

Of all major European and Asian manufacturers, Sharp was the longest-serving in implementing Smart TV technology in its televisions. It is all the more interesting to look at what they did, because they had a chance to catch the “childhood diseases” of the first smart TV implementations of their competitors and avoid many mistakes.

The Sharp Smart TV technology is called Sharp AQUOS NET+. It must be said that in its implementation of Smart TV the company acted, as they say, “without fanaticism. You shouldn’t expect a huge concentration of innovations from Sharp Smart TVs, but the implemented functionality is solid and intelligent.

Connecting to the Internet

Naturally, the hallmark of any smart TV is the ability to independently access the Internet.

All Sharp Smart TVs have an RJ-45 connector for connection to twisted-pair wired networks Ethernet . More “advanced” models have a built-in Wi-Fi module. However, you can connect any Sharp Smart TV to a wireless network if you wish, although you will probably need a Sharp AN-WUD630 USB adapter for that.

The adapter provides support of secured wireless connection with WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, WEP, as well as WEP64, WEP128, TKIP, AES encryption.

Opera Internet browser

The Sharp AQUOS NET+ gives you access to all kinds of Internet sites, not just those with a preloaded screen reader. The built-in browser, the notorious Opera, is used for surfing the Internet. This quality puts Sharp AQUOS NET+ on a par with “fully-featured” computers, allowing you to browse and navigate the internet.

Set of widgets

Sharp developers have created a set of widgets that adapt the interface to popular Internet services for TV viewing.

Today there are widgets for access to such popular services as YouTube, iConcerts, Facebook, Twitter, FunSpot, etc. d. Widgets for accessing “video on demand” services, such as Netflix, YouTube, CinemaNow, Hulu Plus and VUDU which, however, is not relevant to the residents of our country

Finally, a separate built-in application was made available for popular services like Skype.

Smart Central

Smart Central for managing multiple applications. Each app on the TV screen is represented by a widget icon. And Smart Central displays a summary table of available widgets for various Smart TV applications AQUOS NET+, USB player, etc … , so the user only has to select the ones he wants.

DLNA support

All Sharp Smart TVs are DLNA-certified, allowing them to connect to other DLNA-compliant home appliances within the same local network. And since the built-in media player is pretty omnivorous, you can watch a wide variety of content in lots of formats directly online on your Sharp AQUOS NET+. The same built-in media player allows you to easily play music, videos or view graphics from USB drives.

Timeshit

Sharp AQUOS NET+ televisions with digital pause function. When viewing a TV programme digital DVB format TV is interrupted by a viewer, the TV continues to receive the programme, recording it to a USB stick so that the viewer can watch it later from where it was left off.

Sony Entertainment Network

In a sense, Sony’s approach to Smart TV is similar to that of Samsung: Sony engineers also began experimenting with network services for televisions quite a while ago, but the company’s approach was quite conservative. But, on the other hand, the two companies’ positions diverge dramatically. While Samsung deliberately does not introduce its own name for these technologies, calling its TVs simply Smart TV, as if to place an equal sign between them, Sony distances itself from any mention of the Smart TV concept, although functionally the older Sony TV models are exactly the samples of “smart TVs.

The network functionality of Sony smart TVs is based on the well-known Sony Entertainment Network. For quick access to network functions on the remotes of smart TVs Sony has a special button SEN.

Sony Entertainment Network

Through the Sony Entertainment Network, the viewer has access to social networking sites and can watch videos from YouTube. And with a variety of network applications, you can view other online content on your Sony BRAVIA TV.

Full-featured Web Browser

With a full-featured browser, the viewer can enjoy watching their favorite sites on the big screen of the Sony TV.

Video Search

A simple and convenient video search service uses the Gracenote online library, which holds information on hundreds of thousands of movies and TV shows.

TreckID

TreckID service is sure to please many owners of Sony TVs by the way, this technology is implemented in the latest generations of smartphones from the Japanese company . The essence of it is in the organization of the search of the melody by its part.

If you like a movie and you don’t know what’s playing, just press the button on the remote and after a few seconds the TV screen will display the desired information: title, artist, author, etc.

Wi-Fi Direct Mode

Since Sony makes a wide range of different digital devices, it makes sense to integrate them with each other. And it’s true, you can stream any digital content to your Sony Smart TV from Sony Tablet, smartphones, VAIO laptops or other mobile devices by connecting them via the home Wi-Fi network.

A Wi-Fi Direct mode, you can easily transmit content to your smart TV from your mobile device, even without connecting to your home Wi-Fi network. By the way, Sony has taken a radical approach to the issue of equipping its TVs with Wi-Fi modules: all BRAVIA TVs of 2012 except for the budget series – BX have a built-in Wi-Fi module.

Media Remote

You can use your Sony Tablet or Android or iOS smartphone to conveniently control your “smart TV” by installing the free Media Remote app on it.

Skype

Skype – one of the most widely used services for voice and video calls over the Internet. Accordingly, Skype support is included in Sony BRAVIA TVs, which provides a great opportunity to always be in touch with friends and family.

Social networks

Naturally, Sony developers couldn’t ignore such an archipopular area of human activity as social networking. With Sony Smart TV you can easily and comfortably communicate with friends on Facebook, Twitter and watch TV shows at the same time.

So you can discuss a film or a soccer match you like with your friends while you are watching it.

Toshiba Places

Just like another major Japanese TV manufacturer Sharp, Toshiba has had its eye on the nascent Smart TV market for quite some time, hesitating to enter the race for survival. As a consequence, now the company is in the role of catching up, and only in the TV model range of 2011 was it able to show its vision of what is the modern “smart” TV. To this day, the services offered by Toshiba are still behind such “masters” of the Smart TV market as Samsung, LG and Panasonic in their elaborateness and usability.

Toshiba Places

All of the Internet services Toshiba offers to owners of its smart TVs are available through a powerful Internet portal called Toshiba Places. It gives you access to different services and entertainment on the web social networking sites, blogs, social networks and on the go. networks, audio and video sharing sites, photo galleries and more .

Toshiba Places can be accessed through your computer or tablet or directly through your Toshiba Smart TV. Either way, the viewer gets easy access to a wealth of multimedia files.

Personal TV

The Personal TV service allows you to create and save custom settings for up to four viewers simultaneously. These settings include picture and sound configurations, as well as a personal list of favorite TV channels.

It is interesting that you can choose the desired profile manually or rely on the ingenuity of the TV set itself which can recognize its viewers literally by sight using the built-in webcam of course, this only applies to models with a built-in camera .