Today, television is gradually transforming from a simple service for broadcasting TV programs into something completely new. A modern TV can be used not just as a signal receiver from TV towers, but as a full-fledged multimedia center that perfectly satisfies all the needs for relaxation and entertainment.
Of course, the Korean company LG could not stay away from the production of this kind of equipment. Moreover, they launched production so successfully that today LG Smart TVs are almost the market leaders in many countries.
What is this?
Smart TV is a technology that allows you to combine classic TV with Internet services deeply integrated into it. Such LG Smart TV supports not only the banal playback of online broadcasts from the network, but also allows you to install applications, and in some cases upgrade your software. Most of these "smart" devices are able to connect to a home local network, including not only via Ethernet, but also via Wi-Fi.
Modern devices of this kind support voice and gesture control, contain built-in decoding and playback of 3D video.
Video playback
No one is surprised anymore by cheap LCD TVs, which can be easily connected to a flash drive. What's more, many of them even have a browser that supports high-definition flash video. Some models even work with "heavy" MKV files and Blue-Ray disc images.
"Smart" TVs can easily cope not only with these tasks, but can also "give out" something more serious:
- automatic search for shared folders on the local network;
- self-connection to the network, for which the presets stored in their memory for thousands of providers are responsible;
- a huge number of pre-installed services and applications that provide access to free music and movies.
But this is not all the benefits of LG Smart TV.
HbbTV Technology
The Hybrid broadband TV function is a logical development of teletext technology, when the viewer can get all the information he needs about the performer, favorite actor or movie at any time. The HbbTV standard is not developed by all manufacturers, but LG always includes it in its flagship models.
Applications
Since the modern LG Smart TV is in many ways similar to computers, it would be extremely illogical not to provide a variety of applications for it. We have already mentioned this question in passing above, but now let's talk aboutmore on this.
If you assume that the functionality of applications for "smart TV" is limited to the next version of "evil birds", then you are mistaken. Today, there are many such programs for TVs that, with proper use, can really turn them into full-featured analogs of home computers.
The same Skype, for example. Microsoft is releasing a special version for LG Smart TV. Programs of this class are not too serious, but you can comfortably walk around the expanses of the network and talk with friends at the same time.
In addition, it is the applications that provide the most comfortable access to the leading video hosting sites. Add to that the ubiquitous social media integration, and you have the perfect media hub for family entertainment. Moreover, even a child can set up LG Smart TV, since you will be required to enter the password from your home network as much as possible.
Voice control features
Today, many manufacturers include in their products several dozens of pre-programmed voice commands to control the TV at once. In particular, according to the word “Next channel”, the TV will automatically switch to it. If you remember the number, just say it. The device will switch to the channel you want, where you can watch your favorite TV show.
The volume control works in much the same way: by saying “Quieter / Louder” several times, you can easilyAdjust the sound level to a comfortable level. This frees up space on the remote for more important functions.
Voice control will especially please you when traveling on the Internet. Attention! Commands must be pronounced clearly, since the control interface is not yet able to correct inaccuracies and errors on its own.
Gesture control
Gesture control is the second promising innovation that sets Smart TV apart from its "stupid" counterparts. The option is activated by a characteristic short go-ahead of the palm, and therefore the probability of a false positive is virtually zero. By moving your palm in the desired direction, you move the cursor there, and specific menu items are selected by sharply clenching your palm into a fist.
If you don't like gestures
If we talk about a specific model 47LM960V Smart TV LG, this TV has a rich package, which includes even a "wonder mouse", Magic Motion Remote. It is also designed to control your TV with gestures. Take the remote control in your hands, after which the cursor immediately appears on the screen, which responsively follows all your movements.
Ergonomics specialists deserve special praise: the remote fits perfectly in the hand, all buttons perfectly fall under the fingers, pressing is clearly felt. Many users believe that the Motion Remote has much more prospects than the "classic" gesture control. The latest TVs from LG can recognize not onlyshort strokes of the palm, but also quite complex gestures.
LG Flagship Exclusive Features
Don't think that the Magic Remote only "understands" gestures. All of LG's latest Smart TVs feature dual control, where hand waving and gestures allow you to perform even the most complex operations without having to press the remote's keys. Since an HD camera is built into the screen frame, the engineers came up with an original application for it: you can control the TV not only with palm gestures, but also with finger movements.
Remember how we talked about services that give access to movies and music? The possibilities of "smarts" are not exhausted by this, since dozens of sites with content have been created specifically for them. Based on the data you enter daily and the list of visited sites, the TV can even independently recommend a specific movie for you to watch, which will fully meet all your preferences. Of course, the "recommendations" feature can be turned off at any time.
Built-in receivers
In keeping with the times, Smart TV manufacturers are building digital receivers into all their latest models that are suitable for direct connection to satellite equipment and HDTV. Since our country is transitioning to digital television, you can also connect a special antenna to the TV to receive it.
In Russia, broadcasting is currently in DVB-T standard, but most SmartTVs can also decode DVB-T2. To learn about the type of broadcast in yourregion, you should visit the official website of digital TV in our country. As a rule, LG Smart TV technical support is quite competent. How to set up digital TV reception, they will tell you for sure.
3D
Currently, even the cheapest smart TVs can play 3D video. The more expensive the TV, the more points can come with it. However, the technology is constantly getting cheaper, so almost any consumer will be able to purchase all the necessary equipment, even if each element separately.
Recording shows
Unfortunately, the often advertised option of recording broadcasts in practice turns out to be completely useless. The fact is that the received material is protected by a special DRM signature, and therefore can only be played on the TV where it was recorded. In principle, some channels cannot be recorded at all, since a special coded signal is used for their broadcasting.
Some disadvantages of technology
- Video. Often, when you try to watch a movie "packed" in an MKV container, you will only see the message "Format not supported". Even banal AVI files sometimes don't read normally. This happens if the manufacturer has saved on the number of supported codecs.
- Games. If you are a devoted fan of AAA-class games, you better not look at all the applications for LG Smart TV that are offered by the developers.
- Video on Demand is a great option, but this is often a list of moviesincludes a list of paintings that would have been classified as "antiques" a few years ago.
- Browser. At first glance, this is a great idea, but the complete absence of sane management puts an end to it. Of course, if you do not buy a special mouse and keyboard separately, paying a clearly inflated price for them.
