What is a smart TV?

Every TV you see these days is advertised as a Smart TV. So much so that it’s hard to believe that there was a time when TVs did not come with any smart features at all, that they were just displays with a primitive UI that was used for nothing more than managing simple functions like adjusting brightness and volume levels. The set-top-box or cable connection was simply more important.

Today’s TVs are basically computers with their own operating systems, network connectivity, and even AI features. Many of today’s TVs rely so heavily on their computers that they won’t even be able to function as a regular TV without a modern operating system.

What is a smart TV?

Any TV with some kind of operating system that gets you access to streaming services and the internet can be called a smart TV. It’s “smart” because it has a computer chip inside (very similar to the ones found in modern smartphones) and has Wi-Fi support. The operating system is usually Android based in some fashion, most likely Google TV, and you get access to streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and more.

Devices like a Chromecast, FireTV, and Apple TV are computers in their own right, that essentially use the TV as a display output. They can make “dumb” TVs smart, and they can add additional functionality that was missing.

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Smart TVs can also include features such as motion smoothing for interpolating frames and smoothing out action scenes or sports, AI-powered features for upscaling and noise reduction of poor quality or older video streams, image correction and HDR algorithms, and more.

Do I need a Fire TV or Apple TV if I already have a smart TV?

In most cases, no. The integrated OS — usually Google TV — is more than capable of delivering the content you need and supporting a variety of apps and services. That said, the computers integrated into most smart TVs aren’t extremely powerful, and have limited storage.

Devices like the FireTV stick, and especially premium ones like the Apple TV, add bring more power and fluidity to your TV experience. They can also serve up better quality content and add support for features that you couldn’t previously access, such as powerful games and AirPods support in the case of the Apple TV.

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The reasons for opting for a so-called dumb TV today mostly revolve around security and privacy, and only because some smart TVs log user data and inject ads into your content. These issues can however, be circumvented by opting for a different brand of TV and using a dedicated streaming device like an Apple TV or FireTV.