For those of you who don’t know, a “smart TV” is a TV that has internet capabilities.
That means you can connect your smart TV to the internet to stream videos, play games, watch live TV, and more.
But what if you don’t own a smart TV?
Can you connect a non smart TV to the internet?
Yes, you can. There are numerous ways to do so, including buying a streaming device or using a games console.
Today, we will be taking a look at the best ways you can connect your old TV to the internet.
How To Connect Your Old TV To The Internet
If you have an old TV that does not have access to the internet, there are a few things that you can do to allow you to do things such as stream the latest shows and access Youtube.
Here are my recommended methods.
Get A Streaming Device
The best (and easiest) way to get your old TV connected to the internet is to buy a streaming device.
These devices allow you to connect your old TV to the internet by turning it into a smart TV.
There are many different devices on the market right now such as the Amazon Firestick, Roku, and Apple TV.
These devices simply plug into your TV’s HDMI port and allow you to install various apps on them.
The one I recommend to go for is a Roku device.
Roku’s Streaming Stick costs around $50 and will give you the best experience.
It will allow you to stream from Netflix, YouTube, Amazon, and more.
The content can be paused and rewound as needed using the included remote control.
The thing I like most about it is the mobile app.
I never bothered using the app until my dog decided to have the remote as a chew toy, however, this was a blessing in disguise.
Using my Android phone, I have full remote features as well as nifty extras such as voice control and the ability to search for a program I want to watch.
Once I have found something to watch, I click a button and the device automatically opens up the correct streaming app and then opens the selected programs menu where I can select an episode to watch.
If you have an older TV with HDMI ports, then this is the device you should buy.
Use a Screen Mirroring Tool (Screen Casting)
If you do not have a Roku device or a streaming device that you like, then there are other ways to get your old TV connected to the internet.
The next method that I will recommend is to use screen mirroring software.
These tools allow you to stream media from your smartphone, onto your TV.
To do this, you will need to buy a Chromecast dongle that plugs into your TV’s HDMI port.
This is a great way to stream content from YouTube, Netflix, and other streaming services without having to pay for the service. You can also use these apps to watch live sports games or shows if you have an Internet connection.
Use A Gaming Console
Games consoles these days allow you to do much more than just play games.
As long as it has an internet connection, you can gain access to apps such as Youtube and Netflix.
If you have an old PS4 somewhere that is just gathering dust, hook it up to your TV and enjoy some online media.
Connect A PC To It
The final method that I recommend is connecting a Windows PC to your TV.
As long as your PC has an HDMI output, you should be able to use it as a dedicated media device.
If you don’t have an old PC lying around for this and you don’t mind spending some money, I suggest that you get yourself a dedicated HTPC (Home Theater PC).
These types of computers are small Windows machines that are specifically made for connecting up to a TV.
With them running Windows, you can do pretty much anything you want with them.
This includes watching videos, listening to music, and playing games. They will also allow you to stream media from your computer directly onto the TV.
If you don’t want to use a keyboard and mouse to control the PC, you can even get Windows-compatible remote controls.
There are a ton of different options out there on the market, but my favorite is the Logitech Harmony 650.
It’s a Windows-compatible device that lets you control all of your home theater systems through one simple interface.
When it comes to buying a media streamer, it doesn’t matter which device you choose as long as it does what you need it to do. If you want to watch movies and TV shows, you’ll want something that has a good enough CPU and memory to run those applications smoothly.
If you want to stream music, you’ll want something that has a decent sound card for high-quality sound.
In the end, I think the most important thing that you need to decide is how much you want to spend on the device. You can get devices that are affordable, but they will have limited functionality. Or, you can spend more money on a device that has all of the features that you want.
In my opinion, there’s no right or wrong answer here. It all comes down to what you want to use it for and what you can afford.
Internet Connection Tips For Reliable Streaming
Now that we have a device that will allow us to stream media from the internet to our non smart TV, let’s talk about how we can make sure that we don’t run into any issues with the internet connection.
Trying to stream media using a poor internet connection can be a real pain in the neck.
There is nothing worse than getting halfway through a movie and it starts buffering.
Here are a few simple tips to help prevent this:
Make sure your router or modem is set to auto-detect the network type and not force a certain type of connection.
I have had a few routers that force a specific connection type which has caused problems for me.
Make sure you have good download speeds.
If your internet speed isn’t fast enough it will cause buffering issues.
You should also make sure that your wifi router has a strong signal.
I like to use an extender or booster to boost my signal.
If you don’t have a good wifi connection then you might want to consider using a wired connection.
Conclusion
So, Can you connect a non smart tv to the internet?
Yes, you can. But it will probably cost you some money depending on which method you choose.
