Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenLantern
Man I feel so old, trying to research buying a new TV and I can't figure out what Smart means. It just means that it gets internet? But I still can't stream my ipad/iphone to it without a cord or apple tv?
But I could stream my laptop possibly?
And 4k is a thing of the future, but I won't necessarily use it today?
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I realize that I went on a bit of a ramble in my previous answer. oops!
smart tv means apps like Netflix and youtube, and connectivity to the internet with multiple inputs, lots of HDMI and a network port, and likely with wifi. non-smart tv is a screen with multiple inputs, HDMI and maybe ports for other connectivity options. remember that it is also ease of use, so if you watch Netflix a lot you should have a Netflix button on the remote and controls so that you can use Netflix with pvr controls.
iphones/ipads cast to the TV using either built in software in the tv or through a secondary device like apple TV or a Google Chromecast device. The built in software in some cases is exactly the same as the software in the secondary hardware device. I personally cast using my iPhone to my Sony TV (smart) directly and to an LG (non smart) using a chromecast that is plugged into hdmi port 2. make sure that the tv that you buy will work with your mobile device if you want to cast directly, otherwise you have to buy the extra hardware.
laptops can be connected two ways; the first is cabled to usually go through hdmi ports from the pc to the tv, the second is using the casting method described above. I haven't casted using my pc however one of my buddies brought his apple MacBook over and he casted to my sony tv in seconds. it was very cool.
when you ask about 4k, the real question is about native content. all 4k tvs must output in 4k on the screen, so the tv upconverts any signal to the 4k standard. the better the upconverting engine, the better the picture. native 4k content is becoming more common, with tsn and sportsnet advertising it for various sports. afaik, shaw does not transmit in 4k due to hardware and network limitations.
I watch 4k Netflix and 4k youtube videos through my network connection. some of the content is jawdropping, whilst others just look really good.
on HDR, this is the new colour standard. those who have seen it, say it is awesome, so whatever you buy, make sure that it is hdr capable so you are ready.
check out the remotes and ease of tv use as well when you buy. I have a non smart lg and it works like a tv with a chromecast. I have a smart lg and while it has apps, and Netflix, man sometimes it can be a hassle getting it to work smoothly. I have a smart sony (4k) and it is very, very easy to use for Netflix and youtube. I am very impressed with the sony; I have said many times that it is as if sony engineers watched how people use their tvs, and then designed their tv for people. my other tvs are as if they had to have certain things on them, and I have to go and look for them. I hope that makes sense because now it is about more than just a good picture on the screen, although of course an amazing picture is your end goal.