What is a Smart TV? Smart TV Features & Technology Explained

• Discover what makes a television smart and why internet access is so important  

• Learn how a smart TV works and how it can communicate with other smart devices 

• Make the most out of your smart TV by learning which apps and features are most beneficial 

• Answering the most common questions about smart TVs and helping you to decide which one is right for your home 

Take a casual glance at the latest televisions on the market and you will see that almost all TVs are smart. But what exactly is a smart TV and why are they so popular? In this comprehensive Smart TV guide, we’ll attempt to answer all your questions, from how a smart TV works and what the best features are to how to decide which smart TV is right for you. Read on to find out more.

The simple explanation is that a smart TV is any television that can be connected to the internet without the need for a set-top box or streaming device. This gives you access to a wide array of apps and streaming services, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Much like smartphones, a smart TV can also connect easily to other wireless devices, such as a Bluetooth speaker.

LG’s Smart TVs are advanced television sets that can connect to the internet and provide a wide range of features beyond traditional TV functions. Some common capabilities of LG’s Smart TVs include: 

1. Streaming services: Smart TVs allow you to access popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube directly on your television without the need for additional devices like a streaming stick or set-top box.

2. Web browsing: Smart TVs come with built-in web browsers that enable you to surf the internet on your TV screen.

3. Apps: LG Smart TVs have a dedicated LG app store where you can download and install various apps for your entertainment, news, gaming, social media, and more.

4. Screen mirroring: All our Smart TVs support screen mirroring for compatible devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, allowing you to display content from these devices on the TV screen. Additionally, with built-in Chromecast and AirPlay support, you can enjoy a more seamless and enhanced mirroring experience.

5. Voice control: Our remote controls for our smart TVs come with voice control capabilities, allowing you to search for content using voice commands.

6. Connectivity: Smart TVs have multiple connectivity options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, USB, and Ethernet, making it easy to connect various devices and peripherals. With our smart TVs, you can connect your Xbox, PS5 or Nintendo Switch for the ultimate gaming experience via HDMI. 

Overall, smart TVs offer a more interactive and personalised viewing experience by combining traditional TV features with modern digital capabilities.

Thanks to internet connectivity, all the entertainment you could need can be found with a few clicks of your remote or even via voice commands.

Smart TVs make it even easier to access an enormous library of online content. In fact, LG TVs provide access to LG Content Store where you can download even more apps like Paramount+ and Twitch.¹

LG Smart TVs also provide many TV channels for free through LG Channels — no subscription required¹. Viewers can enjoy a variety of films, as well as TV series across multiple genres. LG Smart TVs can also be connected to a soundbar for a more immersive viewing experience. Learn more about creating the optimal TV setup with our guide to which LG soundbar is right for you.

With screen mirroring, you can easily share content from other smart devices such as your PC, laptop, tablet or phone. This means you can access all your music, videos and photos via your TV and without the need for a wire.

¹ The availability of specific channels and content may vary based on your location and the model of your TV.

The main difference between a smart TV and a regular TV is internet connectivity. A smart TV can access various internet apps via Wi-Fi connection, whereas a regular TV cannot connect to Wi-Fi. Explore more of the benefits of a smart TV vs a regular TV with our comparison table:

No need for bulky boxes or streaming sticks. Smart TVs give you instant access to video on demand sites such as Netflix, YouTube and Prime Video. You can also get access to music streaming services and cloud gaming.

You no longer have to worry about cables, as smart devices can connect to one another wirelessly. With built-in AirPlay and Chromecast support, you can view photos, stream music, watch videos, and even play games directly from your phone, laptop, PC, or tablet to your TV.

Looking for a new series or film to watch? With an LG smart TV, you can tap the voice button on your remote or use far-field voice recognition to ask for recommendations. With the help of artificial intelligence – in the form of LG ThinQ AI – the TV understands the type of content you watch and provides a personalised list to choose from.

By accessing the Home Dashboard on your smart LG TV, you can control compatible smart devices from the comfort of your sofa. This means you can turn on a light or check your washing machine without leaving the room.

Set up a Sports Alert on a LG smart TV and you can get a live update on your favourite teams and sports even when watching other content. This way you’ll know every time a goal is scored even if you’re not watching the game.

Numerous selected LG smart TVs now come with the alpha 9 Processor – including the LG OLED evo. This clever piece of technology helps to remove noise and optimise contrast and saturation – which delivers a crisp, high-quality picture. 

To check if your TV is smart, try pressing the Home or Menu button on your TV remote. If you see options for popular streaming services or familiar logos, like YouTube, then you have a smart TV. You can also take a look at your user manual for more information about the TV's capabilities. 

The simple answer is yes. Even if you don’t have the internet, you will still be able to watch TV channels through your aerial or cable TV box. However, you won’t be getting the most out of your television as you won’t be able to access smart TV features such as streaming services and applications.

You also won’t be able to stream music, connect with other smart devices or stream games through the Nvidia GeForce now, which is compatible with numerous LG Smart TVs.

This is one of the major benefits of a smart TV as devices such as laptops, PCs, smartphones, tablets and Home IoT devices can all be easily connected. Bluetooth speakers and soundbars can also be easily connected without the need for wires.² And through LG ThinQ, Home IoT devices can be monitored without hassle on Home Dashboard. 

Yes, you can! Explore how to do this with our Screen Share and Screen Mirroring guide.  

Find out more about how to connect your phone to a smart TV.  

While some older models may not be smart, the current LG Smart TV line-up on offer from LG UK are all smart TVs. Therefore, they can all run apps and connect to the internet.  

If you’ve decided to invest in a smart TV then there are plenty of factors to take into consideration, from selecting the right TV size for your room to deciding what it will be mainly used for.

Bigger may not always be better as it can depend on the size of your room. There is an optimal distance to view every size screen – which is explained in detail right here.

If you want the best possible image then the latest technology comes with a larger price tag. However, there are an array of options when it comes to smart TVs and you can learn more about which LG Smart TV to buy here.

If you will mainly use your smart TV to watch shows and films then resolution and technology that improves the quality of the picture should be a priority. But if you spend hours playing your favourite games, then having a TV with a high refresh rate – such as this LG QNED TV – is critical.