Connecting an old TV to the internet.

Belenus

In addition to a modern smart TV in our living room, we have a 13 year old Panasonic TX-P42G20B Plasma TV in an upstairs TV room that my wife uses regularly. There are two satellite cables feeding a Humax Freesat Recorder.

What is the best method of connecting this TV to the internet so she can also access Amazon Prime video, YouTube and catch up services? We have high speed broadband throughout the house.

At present she accesses these on her laptop and then connects the laptop to the TV with a HDMI cable.

The TV has two USB2 sockets. Will a Wireless Network Adapter work or is it not as simple as that? Are there better alternatives?

Thanks

flaneurs_lobster

You've got four (4!) HDMI inputs on that TV, easiest way to upgrade to smarts is to add an Amazon Firestick. Since you only need up to HD, a Firestick Lite will do the job for about £30.

No need to try and use the in-built TV online/app functions, they were poor when the TV was new and haven't been updated for many years (I'm still using a similar Panasonic plasma).

Belenus

Thanks.

Does it matter which generation I get? As well as Lite versions there are quite a few used 1st and 2nd generation Fire Stick devices on eBay?

Neil_Jones

Belenus said:

Thanks.

Does it matter which generation I get? As well as Lite versions there are quite a few used 1st and 2nd generation Fire Stick devices on eBay?

Always get the latest generation or the previous generation at the earliest.  It'll give you the longest support life.

The Firestick 1 is out of guaranteed update schedule, and the Firestick 2 runs out next year.

I bought the Firestick 4k in 2021, its good for security updates and what not until 2027.  Amazon's policy is four years after the device was last available for updates.  You may get some after that but no guarantees.  Much like apps on Smart TVs there comes a point where the apps on the early Firesticks no longer work.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G6SH55LKBSAZ2BAK

Plus of course if you buy it from Amazon you can trade it in a few years down the line when it does get old hat:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trade-In/b?node=21261993031

facade

Doesn't the humax have prime, youtube & catch-up?

It should have wireless internet unless it is very very old and only has a cable port, if it is labelled as freesat it can't be that old.

Belenus

Thanks.

It is an old Foxsat HDR. It has a date of July 2012 in the diagnostics.

It appears to have Ethernet only. I cannot see a wireless adapter in any of the menus.

I might consider putting a router extender in that room and using an ethernet cable but it is probably simpler just to get a Fire Stick.

facade

Yes for £35 or whatever they are today it will be less trouble.

Probably any players from 2012 won't work now, and Humax pulled the plug on the satellite boxes a while back.