JAYNE AUGOYE writes about a brand of TV that combines internet services with television programmesJUSTlike any other electronic appliance, television has undergone various transformations over the years. In the early days, it was only available in black and white. But after 1953, colour became part of its success story. Today, there is the Plasma, 3D, LED and LCD, all of which make this household gadget a delight.Apart from television sets that have capacity for double viewing, smart phone manufacturers have come up with Smart TV sets. Akin to an internet-enabled phone, this new technology offers a number of internet -connected services.They offer applications, media streaming, web browsing, games and, most importantly, Internet Protocol Television. All smart TVs accept an Ethernet cable at the back of the TV, while some others support wireless connection. The process of connecting your TV to the internet is very similar to that of a laptop.A number of Smart TV platforms come prepackaged, or can be optionally extended, with social networking technology capabilities, with which users can both get updates and also post to. With this special TV, the user has access to Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and Skype amongst many others.Smart TVs allow viewers to search and find videos, movies, photos and other content on the web, local cable TV channels, satellite TV channels or local hard drive. These devices also enable consumers to view all of these advanced services on their flat screen TV, via a single device.With Panasonics Viera Cast smart TV, it is possible to stream multimedia contents from the Internet directly into select Viera HDTVs and Blu-ray disc players. Other features the brand boasts include Netflix, which gives viewers unlimited access to watch thousands of TV episodes and movies streamed from Netflix on new VIERA CAST-enabled HDTVs. Pandora also gives music lovers the opportunity to create their own unique stations, playing just the type of music they love, and to listen to it directly through their Panasonic VIERA CAST HDTV and home theater systems.There is also Skype on Your TV that integrates the popular Skype software application directly into Panasonic HDTVs. Skype software allows users to make free voice and video calls to other Skype users. Owners can now make and receive Skype voice and video calls directly from select new HDTV models. To conduct a Skype video call on a VIERA CAST HDTV, a specially-designed high-performance Panasonic camera, which is sold as a separate accessory, is simply plugged into the television. The camera includes a special microphone system that can easily pick up sound from couch-distance. It will deliver up to 720p high-definition video quality, depending on the consumers internet bandwidth.With Twitter access, owners of Viera Cast-enabled Panasonic HDTVs can also tweet and discover whats happening now without needing to leave the comfort of their TV viewing room.Samsung introduced the Internet TV in 2007. This enabled the audience to receive information from the Internet while, at the same time, watching conventional TV programming. However, with the most recent models, the user has an unlimited access to YouTubes library of 3D videos. With the device, you can stream movies and TV shows, browse the web, chat with friends, update your Facebook stators, and use applications right on the screen. It also has an easy-to-set-up wireless connection. With a feature like Hulu Plus, the user can stream a missed programme live. You also get access to Netflix, which makes it easy for the owner to browse and select movies of choice.With Toshiba Smart TV, the user gets more high-definition viewing and access to his or her favourite videos, TV programmes, movies, music, photos and more over the internet. With latest LED technology pictures, it also goes a step further to allow the user to turn his/her iPod touch, iPhone or iPad into an advanced touch-screen remote control. The TV also allows up four people to save their own personal settings, including volume level and favourite channel list.Another of such brands, Sonys Smart Tv, comes equipped with Sonys Bravia Internet Video service, which includes support for standard Internet streaming sites like Netflix, HuluPlus, and Amazon Video On Demand. Other services include Sony-only services like Sonys Video on Demand and Music Unlimited (powered by Qriocity). Other Internet-connected features include Skype support for video chat in 720p (although youll need to purchase a separate camera and mic for that), and Track ID, which lets your TV check the Gracenote database to find the song name, artist, and album information for whatever song is playing on the TV at the moment.Factors to consider when buying a smart TVCan I access the whole World Wide Web from my TV'On cheaper models, an Internet browser will not be includedmeaning you will not be able to view cyberspace like you do via a computer. You will only have access to applications. More expensive models will feature a browser though that is compatible with most websites. So you can sit on the sofa and both surf and search the web as well as TV channels.How fast should my broadband be'In order to get the most from any Smart TV and be able to download movies from LoveFilm, stream videos via YouTube or have Skype video calls without any hitch, it is recommended that a minimum 2Mb internet connection is needed.Do I need a special remote control'Every Smart TV will come with a remote suitable for its use. To download applications you simply follow the instructions on screen and you can use pop-up on-screen keyboards to type. But LG offers a remote control that works more like a computer mouse on its top-end models while Samsungs top-range sets come with a touch remote that has a small LCD screen, meaning you can watch another channel to the one thats showing on the main set.What else can I do with a Smart TV'Smart TVs are an evolution of the DLNA standard. This stands for Digital Living Network Alliance, a piece of technology included in a range of gadgets and devices so they can talk to each other. This means they will easily connect and allow you to wirelessly send photos or music to your TV for example from some mobile phones.How do I connect to the internet'Smart TV is designed to be easy-to-use. Every set in its class has an Ethernet port allowing you to plug in a cable that connects to your broadband modem or router. But this means your TV needs to be situated near to that box.Source:www.pluggedin.co.uk
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