What are you shopping for?
 
Internet TV Buying Guide Print

If you're tired of having to decide between websurfing and watching TV, it might be time to consider buying an internet TV. Since internet-enabled television is the wave of the future, this is something that is definitely worth thinking about, but is now the right time or should you wait until later? If you buy one now, will a newer, better, cheaper model be available tomorrow? Are there enough services available now to make it worth buying today? Which brand or model is the best? This brief guide to buying an internet TV will help you make the right decision.

What Is Internet TV?

The difference between internet TV and watching a video on your PC, laptop or mobile device goes beyond screen size and available programming. Sometimes called Over the Top TV (OTTV) because internet connectivity is added on top of conventional television programming, it actually goes beyond that. Internet TV integrates your TV with a special browser interface. Some of the things you can do with an internet-enabled TV that you can't do with a conventional TV include:

  • Watch pay-per-view movies from large online services.
  • View free streaming video from YouTube and other services on your HD TV.
  • View "catch-up" episodes of many of your favourite TV series.
  • Interact with others on social media sites at the same time you watch television.
  • Switch from conventional programming to online streaming video and back again as easily as switching channels on your television.

What Do I Need to Watch Internet TV?

A technical acronym for an internet TV is IPTV or Internet Protocol TV. From a consumer's point of view, this simply means that the transmission medium or "protocol" is your internet connection. For this reason, it is vital that you have a high speed internet connection (a minimum data speed of 3.5mbps is recommended) and an internet-enabled or internet-ready TV.

An internet-enabled TV is an HDTV that has USB connections that allow you to add on a set-top box that connects you to a service provider that delivers IPTV content. An internet-ready TV is an all-in-one unit that has the "set-top box" built in. These are also called "Smart TVs" because they have built in computer operating systems and software. Some of the largest and most advanced manufacturers of internet TVs include:
  • Sony: Sony's Bravia range of LCD and LED HDTVs are all smart TVs.
  • Samsung includes smart TVs in its latest range of LCD, LED and plasma TVs. Currently, Samsung's higher end series 6, 7 and 8 TVs have the most inclusions, while lower numbered models have decreasing numbers of built-in inclusions. If you want an internet browser and Skype built in to your Samsung, these are only available on series 6 through 8 models.
  • LG smart TVs come with their exclusive "home dashboard" that you navigate with their motion sensing remote control device.
  • Panasonic launched its "Smart Viera" series of internet TVs in Australia in 2011. Features included in Panasonic's range include Skype and ABC's iView catch-up service as well as other IPTV services that can be found on other brands.

Which Internet TV Should I Buy?  

internet tvThe biggest difference between internet TVs today is in the content providers they provide access to. For example, currently, if you want access to Yahoo!7 Plus, you can get it with a Sony, but not a Samsung smart TV, but if you want to watch BigPond movies on your internet TV, Samsung can provide that service while Sony cannot. For many viewers this will be a minor point because all internet TV manufacturers have made arrangements with at least one large movie content provider and all of them provide a balanced number of free and pay-per-view programming.

The list of content providers available from all brands of internet-ready TVs is likely to grow, but you needn't wait until a new model becomes available in order to gain access to them. Just as you can update your computer's anti-virus software or browser platform for free, manufacturers say they will provide free automatic or manual upgrades as they become available.

Do I need to Trade in My HDTV for an Internet TV?

If you have an HDTV with a Blu-ray connection, you can buy an internet-ready Blu-ray player that will essentially convert your TV into an internet TV. As with the TVs, the brand you buy will partially determine the content you can view. In addition, newer Microsoft Xbox 360 gaming devices have IPTV connectivity built into them.