how do smart tvs connect to internet?

JohnB47

As the title says, I understand that smart tvs allow you to connect to the internet to browse and play bbc iplayer stuff etc but do they need to be directly connected to a 'phone socket or do they do that via wi fi?

Browntoa

Depends , some have built in wifi , some need a LAN connection, use power line adapters to TVs with no wifi unless it's next to your wifi hub

macman

They connect to your router, be it by ethernet, wi-fi or Homeplugs. Not direct to the phone socket.

[Deleted User]

Why would they connect to a phone socket? They need to be connected to the internet, not a phone line!

teddysmum

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Why would they connect to a phone socket? They need to be connected to the internet, not a phone line!

The op's question is quite reasonable, if they are unaware that a smart tv does not contain a router. As a router gets connected to a phone socket, if one assumes that the tv contains a router, then connection to a phone line makes perfect sense..

[Deleted User]

teddysmum wrote: »

The op's question is quite reasonable, if they are unaware that a smart tv does not contain a router. As a router gets connected to a phone socket, if one assumes that the tv contains a router, then connection to a phone line makes perfect sense..

I don't have a router and my internet doesn't come via the phone line!
I have a cable modem and my SMART TVs are connected to the internet via HomePlugs through my electricity supply.:p

Nilrem

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

I don't have a router and my internet doesn't come via the phone line!
I have a cable modem and my SMART TVs are connected to the internet via HomePlugs through my electricity supply.:p

The op's question is quite a reasonable one, given that ADSL is supplied down the phone line, and going back before BB was common (or indeed an option for a lot of people), there were TV's that did actually connect to the internet via a dial up account.

I think Alba and Bush both released sets in the UK (horrible things they were), which were labelled as "internet TV's" (and may have been referred to as "smart" TV's in the marketting).

[Deleted User]

Nilrem wrote: »

ADSL is supplied down the phone line,

Yes, common in Neolithic times I believe!:D

macman

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Yes, common in Neolithic times I believe!:D

But still by far the most commonly used method of receiving broadband, and will remain so.

brewerdave

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Yes, common in Neolithic times I believe!:D

Smug git

WTFH

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

I don't have a router ...
I have a cable modem

Incorrect. You have a cable router.
A modem is a MOdulator/DEModulator designed to convert analogue signals to digital and vice versa. Since your cable is carrying a digital signal, there is no need for a modem. The box you have which is connected to your cable is a router, a device to allow two networks to communicate with each other, be that LAN, WAN or connecting to an ISP.

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

my SMART TVs are connected to the internet via HomePlugs through my electricity supply.:p

Incorrect. Your smart TVs are connected to the router via HomePlugs (and possibly other cables/routers/switches). The TVs are not directly connected to the Internet, but to your network (most likely a LAN).

(insert smartass smilie here)