Streaming Devices
To broaden the content available for your smart TV, you should consider a streaming device. These are sticks or boxes capable of streaming proprietary content that isn’t already available on your TV. While modern TVs may have Netflix or Amazon Prime video pre-installed, getting something like the Amazon Fire TV Stick adds functionalities like voice control, streaming in better quality or surfing the web easier.
Smart TVs aren’t just for video-streamed entertainment, there are a lot of other apps and websites they can tap into. For example, YouTube is the most popular app on smart TVs while entire industries like iGaming provide other options. That means your smart TV can access Netflix’s take on the sci-fi bestseller 3 Body Problem, play videos/podcasts on YouTube and play Wanted Dead or a Wild slot at Betfair. If you can’t access certain entertainment from your smart TV out of the box, then there’s almost always a plug-in to fix that. If you plan to use a lot of plug-ins and supporting devices, you should grab a TV model with at least four HDMI ports.
Using streaming devices, it’s also possible to add smart TV functionalities to a non-smart TV. Before Netflix made video-streaming trendy, companies like Roku offered streaming devices for standard TVs more than a decade ago.
Soundbars or Speakers
When buying a smart TV, many have been impressed by its sleekness. Like many other devices, manufacturers are in an arms race to make their products thinner and more aesthetically appealing inside your living room. However, that can come at a price. All but the best (and most expensive) smart TV models can suffer from diminished sound quality. That’s why you’ll often see paper-thin smart TV models paired with a speaker system or a soundbar.
Soundbars are the popular choice, as they can be quite small and unobtrusive, fitting with the sleek aesthetic of most smart TVs. A lot of modern soundbars are also wireless so they don’t take up any port space. They’re also tailor-made to fit seamlessly into a smart home platform, of which there are many available. Choosing a smart home platform will make it a lot easier to select compatible parts for a wider ecosystem. The Verge weighs up Amazon, Google and Apple platforms here.
If you’d prefer more powerful or punchy audio, getting a speaker system may be the better option. Of course, nothing is stopping you from using speakers for surround sound and a soundbar for front-facing sound, or for when you’re not watching something theatre-worthy.
Smart Home Controller
If your smart TV is just the beginning of a smart home, you should get a smart home control panel too. These are tablets that come with a smart home platform, like the Amazon Echo Hub or the Google Pixel Tablet. Most of them also have apps that can work with tablets you can already own, so you’d just need to choose a service and download the free app.
By connecting your smart TV to the network, you can control it using a tablet. Throw in smart speakers/soundbar and lights, and you can manipulate your entire living room without moving an inch. Esquire covers all the smart products here, from smart vacuums and thermostats to smart fans, air conditioners and even grills.
For most people, the smart TV is just the start. As wireless connectivity becomes more popular, the average home in the future will be filled with appliances that communicate with one another and make day-to-day life easier. For now, however, this tech is best enjoyed by setting up a home theatre.
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