Smart TV - technical help please!

cvw55

Hello, I'm looking at buying a smart TV, but am slightly technology-deficient (:o) and wondered if someone could advise?
Does a smart TV need to be connected to WIFI all the time for it to work, or is that just necessary to access the extra channels etc? I would be running it off a tele-top aerial for the time being with occasion access to wifi until I can sort that out too!


I'd be grateful if anyone could help!

DCFC79

Yes it needs to be connected 24/7 to access the smart TV functions like Netflix etc.

Can always disconnect the ethernet when not in use, I used to do it so I could plug the ethernet into the xbox.

Exemplar

It depends on the TV, your Wi-Fi in the house etc.

Personally I would never try to stream TV over Wi-Fi as the signal will never be as good as it is connected via cable (called ethernet) to your router.

If the TV cannot be directly connected, perhaps the broadband router is in another room?, then consider home plugs. These provide a much more stable connection than Wi-Fi.

As an example I get 40MB at the router. If I connect my laptop directly to the router with an ethernet cable I get 38MB. If i use Wi-Fi in the same room I get 28MB. If I then go downstairs I get 6MB via Wi-Fi. By using a home plug connected directly to the router and then the laptop is connected via ethernet cable to another home plug I get 16-20MB.

See where I am coming from? Wi-Fi should not be relied on to stream high quality TV, full stop.

cvw55

Great, thanks both.


So I could view normal Freeview channels without WIFI/Ethernet connection?


I will look at connecting directly I think when I have sorted the broadband out.

DCFC79

cvw55 wrote: »

Great, thanks both.


So I could view normal Freeview channels without WIFI/Ethernet connection?


I will look at connecting directly I think when I have sorted the broadband out.

Yes you could if you have the right equipment an a HDMI cable.

Oh and I use homeplugs myself, really easy to setup, currently the TV is connected via wifi.

JJ_Egan

cvw55 wrote: »

Great, thanks both.


So I could view normal Freeview channels without WIFI/Ethernet connection?


I will look at connecting directly I think when I have sorted the broadband out.

Yes just use the aerial for Freeview / normal TV .

cvw55

Perfect, thanks all!

I_have_spoken

I would be running it off a tele-top aerial

Unless you are in a mega-strong signal area, that might not be enough for Freeview/Freeview HD to decode the channels