Do you want to convert your old LCD/LED TV to a smart TV? You can convert your old normal LED TV to a smart TV without replacing your TV or its components. Almost all LED TVs have an HDMI connector in their back panel and have a USB port. The HDMI is an interface, the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a proprietary audio and video interface for transmitting uncompressed video data and compressed or uncompressed digital audio data from an HDMI-compliant source device. It replaced the old analog video standards. Check your TV’s backside to know the available interface ports on your TV. Ensure your TV has an HDMI interface and a USB port. If your TV doesn’t have any USB port, don’t worry you can use the USB adapter available with the device. Now I will tell you some cheap devices that you can use to convert your normal LED TV to a smart TV.
To convert your normal TV to a smart TV, you need to purchase a small media streaming device. You can access the content on your mobile phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, and on your TV using this device. You can watch video streamings services like Youtube, Netflix, Hulu, iTunes, Vudu, Crackle, etc, on your TV.
Google Chromecast
Google Chromecast is a streaming media player from Google. You can easily install Google Chromecast by yourself. First, plug Chromecast into your TV, then connect the USB power cable to your Chromecast. Plug either the other end of the USB power cable into an open USB port on your TV or into the included power adaptor which you will then plug into a power socket. On your mobile device or tablet, download the Google Home app. Check this Chromecast interactive guide or watch this video about how to install and setup Google Chromecast on our Youtube Channel.
Amazon FireTV Stick
Amazon Fire TV stick is a streaming media player, with Alexa Voice Remote. Fire TV Stick is very easy to set up and comes pre-registered to your Amazon account so you can just plug it into your LED TV. You can use the dedicated power, volume, and mute buttons to control compatible TVs. The official YouTube app is also available on Fire TV. You can mirror your content from your phone, tablet, or laptop to your TV with the Fire TV stick. Fire TV Stick HD and Fire TV Stick 4K are available to watch HD or 4k videos on your TV. Fire TV Stick 4K supports 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, HDR, HDR-10, HLG, and HDR-10+, but you need a 4k LED TV to enjoy the 4K.
Roku Premiere
Roku premiere is another 4K or HD streaming player with IR remote. Roku Premiere allows you to start streaming in HD, 4K, and HDR picture quality. To install the stick, plug it into your TV with the included HDMI cable, then connect to your WiFi internet. Using the quick setup and easy on-screen experience, you can instantly start streaming.
Android TV box
Android Tv platform is an adaptation of the Android OS for set-top boxes and as integrated software on smart TV hardware. Several television providers have released set-top boxes based on Android TV. With Android TV, you can quickly cast photos, videos, music, and other content that you love from your favorite device straight to your TV. NVIDIA Shield TV, Xiaomi Mi Box, and a number of other Android TV boxes are available online from different companies.
Apple TV
Apple TV 4K device helps you to watch movies and shows in 4K HDR quality. You can stream your favorite channels live, and can watch content from apps like Amazon Prime Video, HBO NOW, Hulu, Netflix, etc. You can control Apple Tv with Siri using your voice.
As you can see a number of devices available to convert your normal TV into a smart TV. There are a number of media streaming devices and Android TV boxes available from a number of local manufacturers to convert your old TV into a smart TV. I personally use Google Chromecast, as my primary purpose to stream YouTube videos to my TV.
I purchased the Chromecast device online (you can buy a Chromecast Ultra if your TV is a 4k TV), connected the supplied HDMI cable to my TV by removing the HDMI cable from the TV set-top box (Plug your Chromecast into any open HDMI input on your TV). After that, connected the USB cable from the Chromecast device to TV’s USB port (luckily my TV has a USB port-check your TV, most new TVs have a USB port at its back to connect a USB drive). If your TV hasn’t a USB port, plug one end of the USB power cable into your Chromecast and the other end of the cable into the power supply. Use the USB power cable and power adaptor that is included in the box for optimal performance. You need to install the Google Home app from Google play store to control your TV, this app act as a remote. Turn on your WiFi connection, turn on your TV, go through the setup to complete the setup process.
