Having internet access is what makes a smart TV “smart”. However, do you really need this feature? Is it possible to use a smart TV without a connection to the internet?
Smart TVs that don’t connect to the internet
Yes, you can use your smart TV without a connection to the internet. A cable box or antenna, a Blu-ray/DVD player, a speaker system, etc., may all be connected to the TV. However, you won’t be able to utilize any of the built-in video streaming software.
If you purchase a smart TV and don’t utilize any of its “smart” features, it looks a little stupid.
Yes and no, in that order….
In the meanwhile, we’ll go through what a smart TV is able to do.
Is there anything a smart television can’t do?
Smart TVs may do so much more than a standard TV, but what can they do?
Thinking of a smart TV as just a standard television with internet access.
This internet connection enables your TV to speak to a wide range of applications, much like your smartphone.
Streaming video services didn’t truly take off until 2005. A TV using an internet connection didn’t have many advantages prior to this time.
In 2020, there are a plethora of video-streaming applications that are always bringing us fresh and exciting material. I’m sure you’ve heard of Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, YouTube TV, Sling, Amazon Prime, and so on.
As long as you have a smart TV, you may download any of these applications straight to your television and watch these video services in real time.
If you already have a basic cable package, these streaming services might serve as an excellent supplement.
Or, you may simply use your smart TV to watch Netflix and YouTube TV, for example, and not pay for cable at all. To achieve this, you’ll need an Internet connection, though.
Voice-activated smart TVs are now available on the market. In this method, you may use your voice to switch on and off your TV, as well as choose a movie or TV show to watch. Smart TVs may also be combined with protocols for smart homes, allowing you to manage many parts of your house from your TV.
Why spend money on a smart TV if you don’t have an internet connection? ‘
In light of everything we’ve learned about the capabilities of smart TVs, why would anybody purchase one if they didn’t intend to use it as a “smart” TV?
Currently, smart TVs are the only option.
Smart TVs will account for 32 percent of all home televisions in the United States by 2020. 1 in 3 American television owners has a smart TV.
There has been a noticeable shift in customer behavior, and manufacturers are responding. In light of this fact, you’re more inclined to purchase a smart TV than a regular one.
If you think of it as a smart TV, though, that’s a another matter entirely.
Just because you can, does not mean you have to get a smart TV..
As Tom’s Guide points out, “a smart TV costs roughly $100 more than a similar set that does not include smart features.” Nevertheless, the price gap disappears fast and soon most sets will be integrated with smart services.”
And as a result, smart TVs are becoming more common and their prices are equivalent to those of “dumb” TVs.
For the reason why smart TVs have extra functions.
Smart TVs include additional functions compared to ordinary, non-smart TVs.
For instance, the number of HDMI connections on smart TVs is often substantially greater.
More and more gadgets are being connected to our televisions through HDMI ports, and this is the most common method for doing so. We’ve got everything from gaming consoles and cable boxes to Blu-ray disc players and more.
You don’t want to be continuously re-connecting your gadgets to your television. This is typically not an issue with a smart TV since it has so many ports.
Dumb TVs often offer worse picture quality as compared to smart TVs.
Again, this has much to do with businesses prioritizing smart TVs and including the most up-to-date technology into them.
Because there are a lot of streaming product options available to consumers
Consumers are increasingly purchasing smart TVs, only to utilize another device to access the internet and video streaming services.
Let me give you an example of what I’m talking about.
PCs and laptops are now commonplace in most homes.
In my own personal experience, I often watch Netflix and Hulu with my laptop. On my bedside table is a laptop, and voila, a TV.
Amazon’s Fire Stick, Apple TV, and Google’s Chromecast are three of the most user-friendly and affordable HDMI streaming devices on the market.
These solutions make it simpler to go to your video streaming applications than using your smart TV’s interface.
It is possible to download and use video-streaming programs on today’s video game consoles, such as the XBox and PlayStation 3.
Some issues to be aware of while using a smart TV without access to the internet
Only a few issues are worth discussing while utilizing a smart TV that doesn’t have access to the internet.
Cost of a Smart TV
One is the expense, which we’ve previously discussed. Smart TVs typically cost around $100 more than their non-smart counterparts, on average. As a result, there is a narrowing of the cost difference.
Firmware updates for Smart TVs
Another risk is that your smart TV may not be able to receive firmware upgrades.
Firmware is a software program (or collection of instructions) that is embedded directly into a physical device. You’ll need a smart TV in this situation.
It is common for smart TV manufacturers to provide fresh firmware updates for their devices.
A “firmware update” is the term used to describe the process of distributing updates.
Why do smart TVs require firmware updates?
It is common for televisions to get firmware upgrades when new features are added or a defect is fixed.
To give you an idea of what to expect when you upgrade your smart TV’s firmware, here are some samples from Sony:
- The TV’s overall performance has improved after the update.
- When the [HOME] and [RETURN] buttons are pressed at the same time on a remote control, the TV resets.
- This update makes the Home screen menu more usable and functional.
You get the gist of it.
With an internet connection, you can generally get these updates automatically if your TV is smart. Unless you have access to the internet, you won’t be able to access them.
Having said that, most of these upgrades are merely “nice to haves” and aren’t required for your TV to function, so they shouldn’t be a deal breaker.
Create an account before you begin
Last but not least, certain smart TVs demand you to establish an account and “login” before they would allow you to update the software, which might cause issues throughout the setup process.
Even while this isn’t all that common, more and more companies are demanding it, so keep your eyes peeled.
Connecting internet for your smart TV
As a result, you’ve discovered that your smart TV can function without an internet connection. But what if you decide to take full use of all the video streaming applications that come with the service?
If you’ve got a smart TV, all that’s required is an internet connection.
A home internet connection is obviously required for this task. Here are two methods for connecting your TV to the Internet, assuming you have one of these:
Connecting your smart TV to the Internet through Wi-Fi
With most smart TVs, you can quickly connect to your WiFi network by inputting your network name and password directly into the TV.
When you press the Menu button on your remote, go to Network Settings and choose the option to connect to the Internet wirelessly.
You don’t need to attach any extra cables to your television to use this approach.
With this, you have a lot of flexibility in determining where to put your smart TV in your house.
Even so, you’ll still need to be inside the range of your WiFi network in order to stream!
How to connect your smart TV to the Internet using an Ethernet connection
An Ethernet cable may also be used to connect a smart TV to the internet.
Connect the Ethernet cable from the rear of your router straight to the HDMI port on your TV.
This option provides the strongest and most consistent internet connection, but it comes at the cost of a lot more cables!
In addition, unless you have a lengthy Ethernet cable and are prepared to run it throughout your house, your smart TV will likely need to be much closer to your router.
Conclusion
If you don’t have access to the internet, you can still use your smart TV.
There are no built-in applications or video streaming services such as Hulu or Netflix that you may utilize on this device.
There are various factors to keep in mind if you want to utilize a smart TV with no an internet connection:
- The cost of a smart TV compared to a dumb TV
- Access to firmware upgrades through the internet is inaccessible.
- First-time users may be required to create an account and update their TV software.
It’s entirely OK to use a smart TV without the internet, and in most circumstances, it’ll operate just fine!
What are your thoughts? Is a smart TV worth buying if you don’t have access to the internet?