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Laurance's avatar
Laurance
Dialled in
2 years ago
Solved

Smart TVs

I need to buy a new tv. With my current TV I receive all channels and apps through a Cat cable running from my VirginMedia modem.
All new TVs for sale are Smart TVs which if connected to my modem? can offer me Freeview and Smart TV features on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime and more. Do I need a Smart TV or just a tv monitor? Can anyone please advise?
Do I buy a Smart TV but not use all it's features as I already get features through my modem? 
Thanks in advance

12 Replies

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  • japitts's avatar
    japitts
    Very Insightful Person
    2 years ago

    "Smart" just refers to the TV having apps in-built, and the ability to use your home internet connection (via Ethernet or wireless) to use those apps.

    If you only want to use the Freeview broadcast tuners via an external antenna, or connect to a set-top-box via HDMI lead and use it as a monitor - that is also perfectly fine.

    • Laurance's avatar
      Laurance
      Dialled in
      2 years ago

      Many thanks for your reply. Can you advise? I get access to all apps etc via my VirginMedia modem. Do I get a Smart Tv and just treat it as a monitor for the modem?

  • japitts's avatar
    japitts
    Very Insightful Person
    2 years ago

    I presume that when you refer to a VirginMedia modem, you mean a TV set-top-box? A modem is what provides your internet connection. There's pictures of VM's TV boxes at https://www.virginmedia.com/care/tv-fault/which-tv-box 

    But if so, then yes - you can just connect your TV to your VM TV box using the HDMI lead and the TV will provide the pictures for whatever TV-box functions you use. You don't need to use the TV's "smart" functions if you don't want to.

    • Laurance's avatar
      Laurance
      Dialled in
      2 years ago

      Thanks again. I am using  a VirginMedia modem, which is connected by Cat cable to a Tivo box connected to TV So no need for a Smart TV just a dumb-TV to receive all via the VM modem and Tivo box?

  • japitts's avatar
    japitts
    Very Insightful Person
    2 years ago

    On a TiVo, the only purpose of the Ethernet > homehub connection is to allow multiroom streaming & remote-recording facilities.

    If you want to use the facilities on your TiVo, then all you need is an HDMI lead to any TV. The TV doesn't need any internet connection to do this, your TiVo has its internet connection inbuilt.

  • Roger_Gooner's avatar
    Roger_Gooner
    Alessandro Volta
    2 years ago

    It's usually better to use the apps on a TV box than the TV. However be aware that buying a dumb TV means a TV which is basic and won't support the features a lot of people want such as UHD and HDR.

    • Laurance's avatar
      Laurance
      Dialled in
      2 years ago

      Many thanks. Ironically to buy a “dumb” TV could cost lots more ££. So I picked up a Bush 50” Smart TV from Argos £249.99 payable over 12 months interest free. Can’t grumble.

    • roy247's avatar
      roy247
      Hero
      2 years ago

      Some users have said the apps are better on their smart TV than the virgin box, it all depends on the TV and their opinion.

       

       

  • japitts's avatar
    japitts
    Very Insightful Person
    2 years ago

    UHD & HDR won't matter on a TiVo which doesn't support them anyway.

    If the OP was ever to upgrade to the newer V6 or convert to TV360, then a future-proof TV is potentially a wise idea.

    • Laurance's avatar
      Laurance
      Dialled in
      2 years ago

      Sorry I'm abit unclear 

      Sorry I'm abit unclear....What dies UHD & HDR mean? What do you mean when you say "TiVo which doesn't support them anyway"?

      I already have the newer V6 

      • japitts's avatar
        japitts
        Very Insightful Person
        2 years ago
        Laurance wrote:

        I already have the newer V6 

        In an earlier post I provided a link to photos of the boxes and you confirmed you had a TiVo - the clarification helps.

        The TiVo only supports SD & HD channels. V6 supports SD, HD & UHD, and Roger was suggesting that a "non-smart" TV is less likely to support those newer standards. Whether that matters to you is another question.

  • Roger_Gooner's avatar
    Roger_Gooner
    Alessandro Volta
    2 years ago

    If you've bought the TV I think you have, it supports UHD and HDR.