Olly Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 Do any of you have 'smart' (i.e. internet access) TVs? I realised recently that I watch more on iPlayer via the internet than on the actual TV. As my laptop screen is a bit small for that, and as I need a new TV anyway, I thought I might get the Apple TV for £99 and get a new HD Ready TV. I went to John Lewis to ask advice, and came out rather baffled - I think the salesman assumed that I had rather more knowledge of TV related stuff than I actually possess! He dismissed Apple TV 'it's just streaming stuff from your computer' and suggested that a Smart TV would be better. Now I'm unsure. Do they have full internet access? Are they easy to use? Does anyone have Apple TV and love it/hate it? I don't think I want to read my emails or Facebook on the telly - I just want to be able to see iPlayer and ITV catch-up, and maybe show my photos on there as it would be good to have them on a big screen. Any pros and cons? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 I was put off smart TVs as they have different levels of access. With some, the cheaper ones I think, you need to buy a dongle compatible to the particular telly. My TV has a port I can plug computer stuff in so theoretically could watch stuff stored on, say, an external hard drive, or even hook it up to my broadband, I think, though that is beyond my capabilities Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 We have a Panasonic Viera tv and use it to watch iplayer, it is much more fiddly to use than iplayer on the computer and only has a limited range of programmes. We have found that it buffers more on the smart tv than it does on the computer too, you can however, if your internet is up to it, watch in HD. I use it a lot when I am ironing, but we also record a lot of stuff on our Sky + HD box and Sky now has access to the last 7 days of iplayer, itv player and demand 5, with 4OD in the spring next year. Not sure if this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 I forgot to say my TV is not smart! It is a Samsung 40" LED TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 I have a Sony Smart TV - it is great, easy to use, no dongle. I mostly use iplayer on it and it's great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 We have a Samsung Smart TV & love it! It means I can watch something on iplayer, when all the rubbish is on the tv. It is very easy to use. We have an external hard drive plugged in, but you don't have to have one - that's just us. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
