They say people are born equal.
That stays true…
But well, this isn’t the case for TVs.
That’s because Smart TVs are better than regular ones.
So let me help you know if you have a Smart TV or not.
Continue reading to find out:
- Why Smart TVs are worth it.
- 5 effortless steps to turn your regular TV Smart.
- 7 uncomplicated ways to check if your TV is a Smart TV.
- And much, much more…
How To Know If Your TV is a Smart TV – 7 ways
#1: Check the name of your TV
Are you familiar with the terms Fire TV or Roku TV?
See, Fire TV is a Smart TV Operating System by Amazon.
And Roku TV is an OS created by the American company “Roku.”
Now, it’s worth noting that some TVs include these OS in their names.
Take this TCL TV, for example: TCL 6-Series Roku TV (R635).
With that said, if your TV has a Fire TV, Roku TV, or Android TV in its name…
Then it’s a Smart TV.
Don’t see any of these on the name of your TV?
Fret not. That doesn’t automatically mean your TV isn’t Smart.
So simply proceed to the next method, which is to…
#2: Check for featured apps on your remote
You can tell that some TVs are smart just by their controllers.
That’s because some Smart TV remotes have buttons to launch streaming platforms like:
- Hulu.
- Netflix.
- Youtube.
With that said, grab your Smart TV remote now and scan through its buttons.
Do you see the name of any of the apps I mentioned?
Or perhaps, the titles of other streaming platforms?
If you do, then you have a Smart TV.
But if you don’t see any app launch keys…
You should proceed to the next method.
Don’t worry. This doesn’t prove that your TV isn’t Smart.
See, some remotes simply don’t have app shortcut buttons. But they’re still for Smart TVs.
#3: Look for a mic icon
Is there a mic button or icon on your remote? ‘
Then it’s safe to assume that you have a Smart TV.
That’s because many Smart TVs are voice-controlled enabled. But non-smart TVs aren’t.
However, it’s worth noting that…
Not having a mic button on your remote doesn’t guarantee that your TV isn’t Smart.
See, some Smart TVs like those from Roku are voice-command enabled. But their remote controls don’t have a mic button.
That’s because Smart TVs like these have mobile apps you can use as virtual remotes. And that’s where you can verbally control the TV.
With that said, if your remote doesn’t have a mic button, proceed to…
#4: Check for an ethernet port on your TV
There are usually 2 ways to connect a Smart TV to a network. And that’s by:
- Using Wifi.
- Using an ethernet cable.
And the only way an ethernet cable can connect to your TV is if it has an ethernet port.
So with that in mind, follow these…
Steps to check if your TV has an ethernet port:
Step 1: Unplug your TV from the outlet
During this process, you’ll directly interact with your TV and its wires and ports.
So it’s best to unplug your TV to avoid electrocution while checking your device.
Step 2: Make sure the back of your TV is accessible
Most TV ports are located at the back.
So if your TV is close to a wall, you need to pull your device away from it.
As a general guide, you should have at least 1 meter of space behind your TV.
And once your TV already has that much space behind it, skip to the next step.
Step 3: Unplug the cables connected to your TV
TV ports are usually placed beside each other.
So the easiest way to spot if you have an Ethernet port is to unplug all cables from your device.
This way, you’ll clearly see all the slots on your TV.
After doing this…
Step 4: Locate the ethernet cable on your TV
First, check if your TV ports are labeled as “Ethernet.”
Don’t see this word?
Then you need to check the shape of the ports themselves.
Now, spotting it’ll be easy if you’re already familiar with how ethernet ports look.
But if you don’t know its shape yet…
I suggest searching up some of its images online. And compare them to the ports on your TV.
Do you see an Ethernet port on your device?
Then you have a Smart TV.
But if your TV doesn’t have 1. Then you should proceed to the next step.
That’s because some Smart TVs don’t have Ethernet ports. And they rely mainly on wireless connections.
#5: Go to your TV’s home screen
Another method to check if your TV is Smart or not is to observe its home screen.
So now…
Step 1: Turn your TV ON with its remote or physical power button.
Step 2: Click Home/Menu on your remote control.
For some remotes, this is written as a word. But for some, this is an icon.
Step 3: Observe if you see any apps on your screen.
Can you see any streaming platforms? I’m talking about apps like:
- Hulu.
- Netflix.
- HBO Max.
- Youtube TV.
If you can see applications like these, you have a smart TV.
Can’t spot them?
Then check if you see an Apps/Applications section on your TV and select it.
If you can see the streaming apps now, your TV is Smart.
But if you still can’t see any streaming platforms, your TV is a regular TV.
#6: Check if your TV has Wifi
Now, the exact steps to do this process differ depending on your TV’s brand.
But to help you get the general gist of how to check if your device has Wifi…
Here’s how you can check the network settings of the most popular TV brands:
Samsung TVs:
- Turn ON your TV.
- Head to your home screen.
- Click Settings > General.
- Tap Network.
LG TVs:
- Turn your TV ON.
- Press Home on your remote control.
- On the top-right corner of your screen, click Settings.
- Tap Network.
Sony TVs:
- Turn ON your TV and press Home on your remote.
- Click Settings.
- Select Network.
As you can see, the general process usually goes this way:
- Press Home on your remote.
- Head to Settings.
- Click Network.
So try this out on your TV. And once you’re in its Network settings…
Check if you can find the option to connect to Wifi.
Don’t see it?
Then you have a regular TV.
But if you can connect your TV to the Wifi, then it’s a Smart 1. .
#7: Search for your TV’s model number
As always, the Internet got your back.
That’s because you can simply search your TV’s model number. And you can figure out if t’s smart or not.
And to help you efficiently do this, follow these steps to…
Check if your TV is Smart by searching online:
Step 1: Find the model number of your TV
You can usually find this on:
- Your TV settings.
- The back of your TV.
- Your TV’s original box/packaging.
Pro tip: Take note of your TV’s model and serial number. That’s because you’ll need the latter if you want to do the next method.
Step 2: Head to the official website of your TV brand
To help you with this, here are the official websites of the most popular TV brands:
Don’t find your TV’s brand here?
Then, type “(Your TV brand) official website” in your browser.
And it’ll be 1 of the top results on the page.
You might also want to know: 7 Best Smart TV Brands (According To An Expert)
Step 3: Tap the search icon or bar on the website
Most of the time, this is located in the upper-right corner of the page.
But on other websites, you can find this at the bottom.
Step 4: Type your TV’s model number
Double-check that it’s correct before you hit enter.
After searching it, wait for the results to show up, and then…
Step 5: Find your TV’s manual or information page
Either of these can tell you if your TV is smart or not.
So choose which 1 you prefer. And open it up.
Step 6: Look for any indication that your TV is smart
Now, you’ll be able to see the specs of your TV model.
So look out for these keywords on your TV’s specifications:
- Wifi.
- Gaming.
- Hands-free.
- Alexa/Google.
- Voice Assistant.
- Smart/Smart TV.
- Android/Smart OS.
If you see any of these, you have a Smart TV. But if not, you have a standard TV.
Bonus: Contact your TV’s manufacturer
Don’t want to go through the trouble of searching your TV’s model number online?
Then you can simply contact your TV’s support team. And ask them directly.
With that said, here are the steps to…
Ask your TV support team if you have a Smart TV:
- Prepare your TV’s model and serial number.
- Go to the official website of your TV company.
- Head to the Support/Contact Us section of the site.
- Find their contact number and their hours of operation.
- Call them when they’re active.
- Give the serial and model number of your TV to a representative.
- Ask if it’s a Smart TV or not.
Note: You may also visit your TV brand’s local stores/branches. And ask the staff there if your TV’s model number is smart or not.
Are all new TVs Smart?
Not all new TVs are Smart. That’s because companies still produce non-smart TVs.
See, some people prefer buying non-smart TVs over Smart TVs.
That’s because there are cheap and easy ways to make regular TVs smarter.
And since people are still buying non-smart TVs…
Companies like Insignia, Onn, and Samsung still make them.
Further reading: Are All Smart TVs Smart? 7 Things You Need To Know
How do I make my TV a Smart TV?
You can make your TV a Smart TV by connecting it to a streaming device.
“What’s that?”
Think of a steaming device as a mini-computer that’ll make your TV smarter.
As you know, regular TVs can’t access the Internet. But with streaming devices, they can.
Interested in doing this?
I got you. Simply follow these steps to…
Make your regular TV a Smart TV with a streaming device
Step 1: Buy a streaming device
There are dozens of streaming devices you can choose from.
But if you’re not sure where to start…
Here are my top recommendations for streaming devices:
Once you have 1 of these on hand, proceed to…
Step 2: Plug your external input source into a wall outlet
Regardless of which streaming device you chose…
You need to power it up.
So connect your input to its power cable.
And plug its adapter into a wall outlet.
Step 3: Connect your streaming device to the TV
Do you have a “stick-like” device?
In other words, 1 that’s similar to a Roku stick or an Amazon Firestick.
If yes, then all you need to do is…
Connect your external input source directly to your TV’s HDMI IN port.
But if your streaming device has an HDMI slot in its unit…
Then you need to use an HDMI cable to connect it to your TV.
With that said…
- Grab the HDMI cable that came with your streaming device.
- Plug 1 end to your TV.
- And connect the other end to your external input.
After doing so…
Step 4: Turn ON your TV and change its Input settings
Find the Input/Source button on your TV’s remote.
And from the list of available inputs, select the 1 you connected your streaming device to.
Need a visual guide? Here’s a video that may help you with this process:
At this point, your external input’s welcome screen should now appear on your TV.
With that, you should…
Step 5: Set up your Smart TV
Insert the batteries of your streaming device’s remote.
And wait for it to pair automatically.
“It didn’t pair.”
In that case, check the user manual of your streaming unit. And find out how you can manually set this connection up.
After the pairing process, follow the on-screen instructions that usually include:
- Signing in/up for an account.
- Connecting to your Wifi network.
- Choosing your preferred language.
And just like that, you now have a Smart TV.
Continue reading: 9 Easy Ways To Turn Your TV Into A Smart TV
Are Smart TVs worth it?
Smart TVs are worth it.
That’s because they’re far superior to regular TVs.
See, every feature of regular TVs is available on Smart TVs.
But Smart TVs have dozens of functions that non-smart TVs don’t have.
And to expand on that, Smart TVs let you:
- Play online games.
- Access the Internet.
- Control your TV with voice commands.
- Connect with your Smart home/devices.
- Stream thousands of movies and shows online.
However, these convenient features aren’t available on regular TVs.
So if you want your TV streaming experience to be more convenient and fun…
I highly recommend investing in a Smart TV.