How to set up free channels on Smart TV? Availability of USB ports. How to display an image using mobile devices on a TV screen

Let's imagine some Sony (Samsung, Panasonic, Sharp, etc.) about 10-15 years old, and its owner who plans to replace the “old man” with a new, but simple TV. Why not smart TV?

Well, for example, because this owner mainly watches cable, plus he is used to using external Android set-top boxes, which, in his opinion, are much cheaper to upgrade than the entire smart TV.

It would seem that manufacturing companies, knowing about the existence of this category of potential buyers, have already launched the production of relatively inexpensive TVs with high-quality HD panels, large set HDMI ports and the option of quickly switching between them using the remote control.

However, in stores they only offer us smart TVs, and finding regular ones without additional hassle is not so easy. The author of these lines, by the way, began his search with Nomi LED-24H10 .

But as an advanced Western user says, “any smart TV becomes a regular TV in two years.”

The trouble with all smart models is that even the most modern of them have pre-installed applications that look noticeably “clumsier” compared to their counterparts for smartphones and tablets. And in 2-3 years they will look even worse. Of course, some manufacturers are trying to somehow, if not solve, then at least simplify this problem. Samsung, for example, began offering a system of modular upgrades for its smart TVs, but without much success.

But at every opportunity, manufacturers promise that TV set-top boxes will soon be forgotten. And they still don’t go anywhere. And they won't go away. Why? Therefore, the lifespan of a TV is 8-10 years, and the lifespan of its smart functions is only 2-3 years, after which they become hopelessly outdated.

On the other hand, today a new simple TV (i.e., non-smart), as a rule, is technically inferior to a more fashionable smart TV, which is initially equipped with a more powerful processor and a higher-quality panel. Simple TVs are positioned by those manufacturers that still produce them as models “ entry level” and also complete them “in a basic way” in order to attract buyers with a lower price.

However, if you want, you can still find a good simple TV (or relatively simple one). These are models that are equipped with one or a pair of Freeview tuners, and they do not have any WebOS, Android or other operating systems, as well as pre-installed applications. But manufacturers are more interested in selling us “smart” 4K TVs, which are expensive. But simple TVs are few and far between and are not easy to find. This is also because most online stores don’t even provide a “Without Smart Functions” filter.

Therefore, it is better to look for ordinary models using the standard price filter “from cheap to expensive.” Then at the top of the list you will get SATURNs, BRAVISes and NOMIs in the assortment, and slightly lower (and more expensive) models from Samsung, LG and Toshiba. All with a diagonal of 19″-32″ and, with rare exceptions, with a resolution of 1366x768 pixels. Models with FullHD panels with a diagonal of 40″-48″ and without smart TV are not exactly rare, but there are very few of them in the product line of any manufacturer.

And if among them you select only TVs equipped with 3 or 4 HDMI ports, then the number of options will sharply be reduced to 5-7 models. Among them may be a 42-inch 4K Ultra Seiki, a 43-inch Philips 4K Ultra and a 40-inch Sony Bravia KDL40RD453BU in versions without smart TV, as well as a couple of other models from other brands, if you’re lucky enough to find them somewhere.

And there will definitely be SAMSUNG, UE40J5100, UE48J5100 and UE55K5100. But if you don’t bother with large screens, then a simple TV with a diagonal of less than 40″, a brightness of at least 500 cd/m2 (by the way, it is because of the brightness of a TV that is better than a monitor) and in a decent configuration (more than 2 HDMI) is a little easier to find .

What else? Most likely, you will also need a stand or wall mount, additional cables and, of course, a decent soundbar, since you can no longer count on a good audio system in a simple TV. An HDMI switch wouldn't hurt either. This thing is extremely useful not only because it increases the number of available HDMI ports, it also allows you to switch between inputs using the remote control, which is very convenient. But an HDMI switch costs money, although not a lot. In addition, you should choose a model that supports required resolution pictures, can work with streaming video, as well as with players and game consoles that you may connect to it in the future. Something like that.

Smart TV is smart tv with built-in access to the World Wide Web. This function is implemented by software, which, in turn, requires a specific operating system. Accordingly, in essence, Smart TV is a kind of symbiosis of a TV and a computer.

Based on this, logically, if your gadget is not equipped with a Smart TV option, then this only means that it does not have a computer system. But can it be connected correctly from the outside? How to make a smart TV from a regular TV? Let's take a closer look.

Is it possible to make Smart TV from a regular TV?

Very often the decision that it is necessary to buy a new TV is made only because there is no Smart TV. But don't rush to spend money. After all, this technology is not tied to the TV, but may well be implemented in other devices:

• Game consoles,
• Digital television receivers,
• Media players,
• Blu-ray players

By connecting the devices listed above to your TV with your own hands, you will be able to enjoy the same functionality as a Smart TV. They are able to work on various operating platforms, since, for example, Androi and Linux, they provide Internet surfing and support the ability to update programs. That is, they actually implement all the same tasks as the desired TV model.

What is the difference between outdoor and built-in Smart TV?

The difference between these two Smart TV implementations lies in several important points. First of all, this is the interface and the ability to update. As a rule, a built-in Smart TV does not provide for a complete upgrade or expansion of functionality (and this will still have to be done over time). Considering such nuances, an external Smart TV becomes a fairly good solution.

External Smart TV on the Android platform

Android has an important advantage - a colossal library Play Market(paid and free applications). This unique functionality allows you to turn almost any device into a powerful tool for reading books, watching movies, playing games, chatting with friends. All these options are available for implementation on the TV.

What do you need to do for this? It is enough to purchase a special mini-computer (Smart-TV set-top box). Visually, such a gadget resembles a regular flash drive. We connect it directly to the TV.

Let's consider a specific example - Smart TV based on the iconBIT Toucan Stick 3D PRO HD media player. Essentially, such a gadget is a network micro-computer housed in a case whose dimensions correspond to the dimensions of a regular flash drive. We connect such a device via HDMI. Power supply is directly from USB from the TV. If there is no such connector, use any other additional source. The technical characteristics of this option are quite impressive: built-in Wi-Fi, dual-core processor (1 GHz), Android 4.2 system, expandable up to 32 GB microSDHC, 4 GB NAND Flash, 1 GB DDR3.

By connecting this device, you turn your TV into a real media center that is capable of recreating files of almost any format from the Internet via USB (including Blu-ray 3D ISO, Full HD, MKV), there is support for IPTV services, can be downloaded from Play Market various applications. Moreover, you can connect Skype messenger, communicate on various social networks, search the Internet, play games. But what about without a mouse? In fact, this problem is easily solved. After all, its role is successfully implemented by the remote control.

If this is not entirely convenient for you, then it is quite possible to connect a regular mouse via a free USB. And even more than that - you can connect standard keyboard. But be prepared for the fact that some devices may not recognize the gadgets you connect. In addition, many applications in the Play Market are designed for touch screens, but TV is not. Accordingly, inconsistencies are also quite possible.

Nevertheless, the most important advantage of Smart TV is that comfortable viewing of movies online is fully realized using this method.

How to make Smart TV from a regular TV - conclusions

The potential of Smart TV is quite possible to realize on any TV. There is no need to buy a new gadget. In fact, in the case of connecting this function via SmartTV set-top boxes, the only condition that is necessary is the presence of an HDMI input. But if your TV is more old model and is not equipped with such a connector, you can use stationary media players designed in the form of a television tuner.

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New materials on the topic (2014):

Unfortunately, that device, with all its obvious advantages, was still too expensive (it cost almost 90 thousand rubles!). Because in this review we didn't turn it on. However, we have another decent Panasonic plasma in mind, which not only shows a standard high level of image, but can also please us with its low price. This is the Panasonic TX-P46U20 for 33 thousand rubles.

The secret to the low cost is very simple: this is the oldest TV in this article. It entered the markets back in 2010, and three years in the world of electronics is almost an eternity. Just as no one is interested in a three-year-old smartphone, almost everyone has forgotten about this model. It’s not so easy to find even in online stores: only some are slowly selling out their leftovers.

In our era, the design of the Panasonic TX-P46U20 TV stands apart

Among other cheap TVs, the TX-P46U20 model can be immediately distinguished due to its dimensions. Most other devices at the same price have only forty-two inches diagonal, but this display has forty-six. Ten centimeters is a very noticeable difference. In addition, if almost all other budget plasmas have a resolution of only 1024x768 pixels, and this is true even for TVs with a 50-51-inch diagonal, then here we have full Full HD, 1920x1080.

The design, unfortunately, indicates that the TV belongs to 2010. The wide frame and thick case (9.3 cm!) by today’s standards, as well as the large stand with a thick neck, went out of fashion already in 2011. But in terms of durability and strength, such a design can compete with any modern model. And compared to the rest of the faceless TVs that we have reviewed in two years, such a device, with all its old-fashionedness, looks refreshing.

The plasma panel provides first-class black depth and absolutely uniform screen brightness. There are no complaints about the level of Full HD 2D video. In addition, thanks to Sub-Fueld Driving technology, the dynamic picture looks excellent, without steps or twitching. But with the reception of an analog signal, things could have been better. Noise canceling system does not match modern standards: There are more ripples in the frame than we would like.

There are no unnecessary options here. There is not even a media player provided. There is only an SD card slot, but only so that photographers can enjoy their JPEG photos on big screen. Smart TV is also missing (this is for the best, because in 2010 it was a rather pathetic sight).

The viewing angles of the local plasma panel are excellent. Contrast is better than most current top-end LCD TVs. Good dynamic frame quality is great for sports broadcasts and games. Video on DVD and Blu-ray shows all the splendor of color in its full resolution. In general, if you are lucky enough to find a place near you where such a TV is sold, and you are not particularly interested in watching over-the-air channels, choose the Panasonic TX-P46U20 as home TV wouldn't be such a crazy idea.

Pros:

• low price;
• large diagonal;
• plasma screen with all that it implies;
• normal sound;
• convenient, traditional remote control;
• First-class 2D picture quality.

Minuses:

• high energy consumption: up to 300 Wh;
• lack of a media player (and, accordingly, USB ports);
• lack of 3D;

Toshiba 42VL963 - one of the golden mean

This TV has a nice, laconic design. The frame around the screen is very thin, it is almost invisible. At the bottom there is an elegant silver stripe with some functional elements. The stand also fits into the general theme: neat, clearly rectangular, with a thick and reliable neck. But still, the main advantage of this TV is not its appearance, but its functionality. There are all tuners here: from DVB-T and DVB-C to DVB-S2. There is also a good media player that can play video in DivX, Xvid, MKV and MPEG-4 formats. Digital TV programs can be recorded on a flash drive or HDD. There are also many Smart TV options, although in this regard Toshiba, unfortunately, is hopelessly behind some competitors. Even YouTube is not integrated into the system properly. Although, I must admit, the Toshiba Places portal itself is done quite well, and you can find a couple of interesting applications on it.

The LED backlight, although Edge LED, does its job with dignity: the brightness on the LCD screen is distributed evenly, its sharp jumps in one direction or another cannot be detected by the eye. Motion is handled well, the image is clean and detailed. The Toshiba 42VL963 also has the ability to create three-dimensional images, and the 3D here is passive, more suitable for long viewing sessions than its active competitor. Four pairs of lightweight, albeit purely plastic, glasses are supplied with the TV, so you don’t have to buy anything extra. There is some ghosting, but good color balance and normal brightness more than make up for it. And the device, with its 42-inch diagonal, costs less than a thousand dollars.

Well, how can you not fall in love with such a beauty as the Toshiba 42VL963?

In general, in terms of the quality of its picture this TV is in no way inferior to the LG 42LM580 model already discussed above. Even the system for creating a stereoscopic image is the same. It costs almost one and a half times more - but at the same time we get a beautiful design, an evenly illuminated LCD panel and fairly solid Internet capabilities.

Perhaps the most weak side TV is its interface. It feels like it was designed by several different companies. As a result, the menu looks overly simplistic in some places, and overly complex and pretentious in others. Like Sony, icons are used to indicate menu items. At the same time, the items are scattered across the screen, and the icons either show the windows that you have to open, or represent a couple of strokes in a vector. And there is the same confusion inside the settings. Maybe there is some logic in all this, but it’s hard to understand at first glance.

Yes, to this we should also add a strange remote control with a bunch of small buttons and a triple “round” in the center. Due to the too dense arrangement of keys, the fingers constantly miss, pressing not the one that was needed, but one of the neighboring ones. You have to be doubly careful.

Pros:

• very nice design;
• non-glare LCD panel;
• generally good 2D picture quality;
• good reception of over-the-air channels;
• availability of all possible tuners;
• decent level of “passive” 3D;
• four pairs of polarized glasses included;
• good media player.

Minuses:

• not the most practical menu, especially inconvenient for those who are more accustomed to using equipment from Samsung, LG, Philips and other market leaders;
• inconvenient remote control;
• lack of Wi-Fi out of the box;
• Blacks are not deep enough.

Samsung UE46EH5300 - for those who don't look at design

This TV was released in the spring of 2012, and since then its price has almost halved: from 40 to 25 thousand rubles. Samsung's bet did not work, and this model did not achieve popularity in the market. Fortunately, this brought her to ours. budget segment. And we, having looked at this device more closely, were imbued with the unusual approach that the Koreans tried to implement here. Perhaps the UE46EH5300 will interest you too.

This TV is quite ambiguous. Someone will be attracted by his picture, which is of standard quality Samsung Smart TV and good sound. And some will be put off by the design, which is too strange for our time, the lack of 3D and some flaws in terms of processing dynamic frames.

The first thing the user pays attention to is the design. If a buyer walks along the shelves in supermarkets, he will not even look in the direction of this TV. Or he will look and grin: it’s clear that this is some kind of outdated TV, look at it in comparison with other models! No, you can’t fool me, I’d rather choose something from another shelf!

Hence the low sales.

The whole point is simply a matter of thickness. Since plasma and LCD TVs with LED backlight entered the market, those with thinner bodies win. It has reached two or three centimeters, so that the TV becomes like a painting on the wall.

But what if you don’t plan to hang your device on the wall yet? What then is the practical use of these three centimeters? All the same, the stand takes up at least twenty!

However, the trend was set: the thinner the better, period. Therefore, those who understand that they will still only look at the TV from the front, who are not prejudiced against devices based only on their dimensions, today can buy themselves the UE46EH5300 at a very good discount.

Front panel of Samsung UE46EH5300 TV

And it really makes sense to buy. Firstly, the screen diagonal is forty-six inches. Secondly, the right rear part of the case is full of ports, including two USB and three HDMI. Thirdly, due to its thickness, the Samsung UE46EH5300 does not experience the sound problems that all slender and graceful models inevitably encounter. The device demonstrates very good bass and decent highs. There is an equalizer and many additional settings that allow you to balance audio at different frequencies. In the budget segment, only the Philips 40PFL7007T can compete in sound level with this TV, and even then only because of the special audio stand.

The device has automatic volume control. Local “improvers” help make barely audible dialogues audible and turn down too noisy ones commercials. A very relevant function for Russian realities.

Despite its wide back The Samsung UE46EH5300 uses Edge LED backlighting rather than cold cathode lamps. Therefore, the picture here, in general, is generally not bad, with small highlights at the edges of the screen - by the way, there are fewer of them here than on some expensive Samsung TVs from the ES7000 and ES8000 series, which in itself can be considered a success.

The color rendition is very pleasing: the shades look natural in the standard mode, even without adjustments. The color temperature is around the ideal level of 6500 K. Movies with bright, bold graphics and various animations will certainly be pleasant to watch on such a device. Things are not so rosy with the depth of the dark matter, but overall there is nothing bad to say about it either.

A noticeable flaw may only appear when watching action movies or sports. The quality of image processing in motion here does not meet Samsung standards. It would be nice if the screen refresh rate was at 200 Hz. In our opinion, this is just the line between “too smooth” and “slightly choppy.” Here it is only 100 Hz. As soon as the frame starts to flicker, no noise reduction systems help. The loss of clarity is noticeable even to the untrained eye.

If you're willing to put up with the thickness of your TV and aren't particularly interested in watching 3D movies at home, the Samsung UE46EH5300 is definitely worth considering.

Pros:

• large screen;
• beautiful, rich colors;
• high-quality Smart TV with a full-fledged, albeit “tight” Internet browser;
• omnivorous media player (only MKV files broadcast over the network cannot be read);
• low price for its size;
• good sound level;
• high-quality picture, optimal for watching calm and colorful movies on Blu-ray or DVD.

Minuses:

• thick body;
• not the deepest black color;
• small screen viewing angles;
• Not best systems noise reduction;
• slight motion blur;
• lack of DVB-T2;
• lack of 3D support.

LG 32VS10 - TV monitor

Sometimes you want to not only watch TV shows via antenna or cable, but also connect the TV to your computer in order to evaluate a downloaded movie or a photograph you took. Regular TV treats this option with disdain; no one puts it in first place. It is secondary, auxiliary. But sometimes it’s so convenient to take an HDMI cable, connect a large LCD panel to a laptop or a computer standing nearby - and it’s as if you get a huge monitor on which everything is visible in detail.

LG thought so too, releasing the 32VS10 model at the end of 2012. There are many monitor functions here. For example, the TV can be rotated 90° to landscape mode. The hardware buttons on the front panel are purely monitor buttons, even with arrows “Up”, “Down”, “Left”, “Right”. And the design is unusual, more reminiscent of some Samsung devices from the SyncMaster series (if, of course, you don’t pay attention to the funny short legs). Even all the connectors, HDMI, USB, SCART, LAN and so on, are not on the side, but on the bottom, just like a monitor.

Front panel LG 32VS10

And yet, this is exactly what a TV is, even if it is in the Flatron line. There is a built-in media player, you can select the picture format and adjust the sound level, including adjusting the treble and bass. In addition to the TV, two 10 W speakers can be supplied, which are attached to its back and connected to the audio output. Moreover, in terms of quality they can give odds to some top-end TVs. Just check with the seller whether such a set is provided specifically for your model. If not, you will have to use your own computer speakers or buy a separate audio system.

In addition to instructions and power and D-Sub cables, the kit includes a remote control with two pinky batteries. It is a little large, but the location of the buttons is convenient. At least there is some space between them so that your fingers can distinguish one key from another in the dark. We are also very pleased with the presence of a multifunctional Back button, which some manufacturers for some reason do not add to their remote controls.

If you are familiar with LG technology, then neither the remote control nor the menu in this model will be new to you. Despite its extremely strange appearance, the 32VS10 still remains a TV from this company, and a new interface was not personally designed for it.

As for image quality, this is where the device fails to please us. Black demonstrates a depth of 0.09-0.1 cd/m2 with white at 200 cd/m2. In other words, the contrast is far from ideal. The same applies to the quality of picture display in dynamics. The screen refresh rate for a TV here is, of course, completely obscene: only 50 Hz. It’s good that at least the color rendition on standard settings does not disappoint, and highlights on the panel are almost invisible here due to its small dimensions.

Appearance of the LG32VS10 TV with assembled legs

The TV does not connect to the Internet. There is also no option to view 3D content here. But the built-in media player is very good. From flash drives and external hard discs read data in MPEG, MPG, VOB, DAT, M4V, DivX, AVI, JPEG, MP3 formats. It is possible to play subtitles of the form *.srt, *.smi or *.sub (including external ones, if their name matches the name of the video file). However, only low-bitrate files are processed without delays, and it is desirable that the frame rate does not exceed 30 FPS.

The device can be hung on the wall if necessary, using a VESA 200x200 mount.

This TV is, of course, not the best option for watching high-quality movies. But if you plan to regularly connect your TV to your PC, then the LG 32VS10 will be just right. Especially for its price of 23-25 ​​thousand rubles.

Pros:

• low price;
• good viewing angles;
• good sound quality additional speakers from LG;
• omnivorous built-in media player;
• the presence of a variety of “monitor” chips, appropriate design.

Minuses:

• lack of 3D and Smart TV;
• lack of built-in audio system;
• low contrast;
• low resolution of the LCD panel: only 1366x768 pixels;
• very low screen refresh rate.

Erisson 42LES66 - for the elderly

Do you want to give a gift to your grandparents? Why not TV? Especially if it's inexpensive!

Now let's think about it. Smart TV hasn't given in to them at all. They will not use 3D mode. But, let’s say, they have an old VCR, for which some new TVs no longer have connectors. They don’t understand color rendering, they’re too lazy to tinker with the settings, and they’re unlikely to distinguish deep black from mediocre. But to have a large diagonal and a massive remote control so that you don’t lose it is very desirable. Well, so that there are no ripples, that goes without saying.

Is there such an option on the market? Well, where would we be without him? There are dozens of them here. And the cheapest, and more or less so, is Erisson 42LES66. You won’t buy it for yourself, the Internet has spoiled you. But as a gift - it’s very possible.

It's very cheap, but objectively not too cheap good TV from a Russian company (not to be confused with the Swedish Ericsson). It’s worth taking it only if you need to get the largest possible diagonal for pennies. The Erisson 42LEN60 and Erisson 42LEB15 can be included in the same category; the difference between them is small. All this - LCD TVs are not highest category, the attractiveness of which lies only in their cost. Of these, 42LES66 is the best, but also the most expensive: the user will have to pay about fifteen thousand rubles for it. But at least there is 100 Hz frame update here, and not 50 Hz like the other two.

Appearance of Erisson 42LES66

Despite the Edge LED backlight, the black depth here is low: around 0.14 cd/m2. It’s hard to even call it “black,” especially if you look at the magnificent Philips 40PFL5507 standing next to it with its 0.04 cd/m2 after adjusting a couple of settings. Deviations from the standard gamma curve are significant, color rendition is far from optimal. As a result, in dark scenes the frame looks grayish, and in bright scenes, where the image, in theory, could turn out decent, it looks somewhat faded. Although, of course, you can come to terms with this, especially since half of the users still “kill” the picture with incorrectly selected lighting or settings.

The resolution here is 1920x1080. This is good news: on cheap TVs it is usually customary to save the number of points (although when connecting to a PC, by the way, for some reason only 1360x768 is available). The panel's response time and input lag are quite low, which is also a plus. Yes, and there is a media player here, even if it only reads JPEG from MP3. Plus, you might like the remote: it's made in the old style, with very large and protruding buttons that, although a little tight to press, allow your fingers to feel free and not be afraid of accidentally clicking the wrong thing.

The main advantages of the Erisson 42LES66 TV and its brothers on the assembly line are, of course, the large 42-inch diagonal and the neat design that accompanies it. The frame is a little thick, and the body could be thinner, given that the local illumination consists of small LEDs. But the rounded corners, the uniform black color of the body, merging with the LCD panel of the screen, and the glossy stand with a thick, reliable neck completely make up for all these small disadvantages. True, the device cannot spin on the stand. Once you install it, it's worth it.

We could talk about sound here if it were audible. By adding a few centimeters to the thickness of the case, the company could provide it with good speakers. But apparently she didn’t want to. It's a pity.

We cannot recommend this TV with a pure soul, but if you want something big, and finances sing romances, there is not much choice here. The same LG 42LM580, a very cheap Korean TV, the picture quality, media player and 3D mode of which you can sing praises about, costs almost 30% more. A few thousand rubles is also money.

Pros:

• large diagonal;
• low price;
• low input delay, which would allow full use of this TV with game consoles, if not for the poor quality of picture processing in dynamics;
• nice design with matte front panel;
• as many as two AV inputs;
• full Full HD screen resolution;
• presence of a media player.

Minuses:

• lack of Smart TV and 3D;
• low screen refresh rate;
• bad sound;
• no headphone output;
• a simple, but not very thoughtful and convenient menu with numbers and letters that are too small for our taste;
• low contrast, not the best color rendition;
• lack of digital and satellite tuners.

Sharp LC-40LE340 - everything except action movies

This LCD TV was released in the second half of 2012. And although the price range is still quite wide, it can already be found for 17-18 thousand - and there are almost no shortcomings in it.

The design is quite attractive, although the frame is a little heavy at the bottom. Thanks to the Edge LED backlight, the device is only 4 cm thick and can be easily placed on the wall if you purchase an additional VESA 400x400 mount. Although some of the connectors here still “look” perpendicular to the LCD panel, there is no escape from this.

I am pleased with the rather large diagonal of the screen, which, by the way, has almost no glare. Natural shades and only slightly elevated color temperatures are also not very common among budget devices.

Pure and calm colors on the Sharp LC-40LE340 are pleasing to the eye

The “smart” capabilities here are provided by AQUOS NET technology. The on-screen menu includes special widgets that adapt popular social networks and media resources to the TV screen. The main ones for us, of course, are Rutube and YouTube. And when you connect a flash drive or HDD to a USB port, you can use the Timeshift function: stop watching a digital TV show, do all your business, and then continue from the same point where you left off. True, you won’t be able to communicate via Skype via the Sharp LC-40LE340, even if you purchase an additional webcam.

You can record video from the TV to a USB device, and, of course, play it back. The list of formats read by the media player is not the most impressive, but it should be enough for undemanding users: JPEG, MPEG4, MP3 and DivX - quite a set for a boy scout. There is also an electronic TV program guide.

And everything seems to be fine, even there are all tuners (except for satellite). But for some reason the speakers here are only eight-watt. For forty inches diagonal this is very little. After all, it is assumed that such a TV will be installed not in a small closet, but in a completely respectable room. And here the frame update rate is low by modern standards - and there are no technologies, like Active Motion, to improve it. So you won’t buy such a TV for watching dynamic movies. the best solution. If you're a sports and action movie fan, it's not for you. But calm movies with pleasant soft colors will work just fine on the Sharp LC-40LE340.

Pros:

• pleasant 2D picture quality;
• availability of functional Smart TV;
• abundance of interfaces: two USB, four HDMI and so on;
• built-in media player.

Minuses:

• low screen refresh rate;
• overly large and unusually curved remote control;
• lack of 3D;
• faint sound;
• uncomfortable touch buttons on the TV itself.

Samsung UE40D6530 - for Internet lovers

This TV came out back in 2011 and was quite expensive back then. But over time, the price has fallen, and for us who want to find something of better quality and cheaper, this is a great chance. The picture level and functionality have remained unchanged! And now for the “old” UE-40D6530 in online stores they are asking less than thirty thousand!

The design here is not as unusual as that of the Philips 40PFL5507 TV discussed below, but still quite pleasant. The case is very thin, and the frame thickness is only 15 millimeters. A shiny metal strip runs along the perimeter of the panel, as if separating the back of the case from the front. An interesting touch that you rarely see on budget models.

The TV pleases with a large number of ports: video inputs - both composite and component, HDMI - four, USB - three. There is also a port for Ethernet. The only thing is that there is no card reader for SD cards. But, like the Philips 40PFL5507, it has a built-in Wi-Fi module, so you don’t need to buy an additional adapter. But, unfortunately, 3D glasses are not included here.

Samsung UE40D6530 TV design

The media player here is quite good, even MKV is readable (however, built-in subtitles in this container format do not work in MKV either). Where TV really shines is in Smart plan TV. Samsung, with its Smart Hub, is, as usual, ahead of the rest: here you have social networks, dozens of popular portals, and a lot of different widgets. A convenient YouTube interface, the ability to buy online videos, simple Internet search, and, just as important, a special resource Samsung Apps, where you can find hundreds of applications for your TV, including free ones.

With picture quality, things are a little worse. Color rendition at factory settings is far from ideal, there are problems with gamma. As a result, the light parts of the frame seem so light that they hurt the eye, but the dark parts, on the contrary, merge into one large shadow. We have to reduce the brightness to about 40%, but situations with RGB palette this doesn't fix it.

Fortunately, all Samsung TVs are easy to customize: they have so many options in the menu that half of them sometimes seem redundant. And if you set the “Cinema” mode and tinker with the color space and white balance, you can create a completely solid image that, at least, won’t be embarrassing to look at. Although the problems of the matrix and backlight (in particular, excessively bright fields in certain areas of the screen, affecting the overall black level), unfortunately, cannot be corrected by software. As a result, the picture on the Samsung UE40D6530 as a whole turns out to be worthy of its price of thirty thousand - but excellent results cannot be achieved on this TV even after careful calibration.

Samsung UE40D6530's internet features are amazing

The same applies to games: the device may not be suitable for gamers. On the one hand, the LCD panel here is quite fast in response; the remaining frames are erased in just 10-11 ms, which is good, for example, when watching sports broadcasts. But the input delay on the TV is too high: 50-60 ms, that is, almost four frames. In online games that require quick reactions, Samsung owner The UE40D6530 will be “fly-through” by default.

The situation with 3D images is also interesting. In general, the rest of the 3D video here shows itself very well - without unnecessary ghosting and burning in the eyes, with a good sense of depth. Even during dynamic scenes, the frame remains clear, not blurry, and trails are almost invisible. But the problem with brightness has not gone away - this, alas, is the scourge of all LCD TVs and active 3D technology - and again, there are no shutter glasses included.

Pros:

• quite good level of frame dynamics thanks to Samsung Motion Plus technology;
• built-in Wi-Fi module and DVB-S2 tuner;
• a good media player and fairly high-quality budget 3D;
• an abundance of settings, thanks to which any user can find the optimal mode for him;
• good quality of the standard audio system, especially at high and medium frequencies;
• The best internet experience of any budget device.

Minuses:

• glare screen with glare;
• all ports in the Samsung UE40D6530 are located not on the left, but on the right, which may be inconvenient for those who are accustomed to a more traditional arrangement of interfaces;
• A good quarter of the buttons could be removed from the remote control;
• 2D video quality is not the best: black at 0.07 cd/m2, contrast about 2500:1;
• There are no shutter glasses included.

Sharp LC-40LE730 - Japanese quality at a reasonable price

An LCD TV from a once popular company, with a good media player capable of receiving all popular video formats, and, in addition, a good Smart TV, which can be used not only to access YouTube and social networks. In addition, the abundance of connectors here is pleasing: it’s rare to find four HDMI ports and three USB ports at once on a cheap device. The body is light, thin, the design is generally decent, slightly reminiscent of modern Philips TVs. It’s also good that there are three speakers and a subwoofer, providing very decent sound quality.

The appearance of the Sharp LC-40LE730 TV is quite ordinary

But the main thing, of course, is the picture. And there is also complete order with it: both with contrast and color rendition. Sony and Philips use Sharp matrices in their TVs, and not so long ago this was considered an indisputable advantage of devices from these companies. And even though the market situation for Sony and Sharp is not the best now, and the Koreans, with their excellent interfaces and well-thought-out marketing program, are pushing these companies on all fronts, the image quality of their TV remains very high.

Even if the Sharp LC-40LE730 doesn't have as impressive Internet functionality as Samsung TVs, and doesn't have such a well-thought-out interface as LG's. But the uniformity of the side LED backlighting here is quite good: deviations along the screen plane do not exceed 15%. The cost of this LCD TV is low, and there are no obvious and glaring shortcomings to be found here. Although we will not definitely recommend this model. This is a solid middling product for those who continue to believe in the Japanese quality of Sharp even after the assembly of this company's TVs has moved to Poland.

Pros:

• access to radio and Smart TV;
• good sound for the price;
• convenient and indestructible remote control;
• functional media player;
• full set of interfaces;
• good color rendering;
• high brightness screen in 3D mode;
• wide viewing angles.

Minuses:

• during dynamic scenes, you can notice picture distortions caused by the absence of any frame “enhancers”;
• lack of DVB-S/DVB-S2 tuners for satellite dishes.

Philips 40PFL5507 - for those who need balance

This TV is one of the best, if not the best, device of 2012 in terms of quality and price. It has some minor shortcomings in terms of Smart TV, and the audio quality has been deliberately lowered for the sake of the thinness of the body. But everything else is in place. In many respects, this TV can compete with top-end devices for fifty to sixty thousand.

For example, there is a surprisingly omnivorous media player. It reads videos in AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV9/VC1, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, MKV, music in MP3 and pictures in JPEG. File files are accepted FAT systems 16, FAT 32, NTFS. At the same time, movies are shown in the highest quality without delays or glitches. The fact that the system is having a hard time can only be noticed by an attentive user when rewinding. The only drawback of the player is that external and internal subtitles are not supported. Foreign films definitely need a sound track.

The design of the Philips 40PFL5507T is pleasant from all sides

Philips 40PFL5507 costs some twenty-three thousand rubles, and at the same time it has a built-in Wi-Fi module that allows you to set up DLNA or access the Internet directly from the TV. There are three USB ports, four HDMI inputs, and it is possible to play movies in 3D.

In 2012, Philips introduced a new design series of its televisions. Model 40PFL5507 was one of their first birds. Hence - a thin frame, neat metal finish, light colors, a stand whose neck is at an angle, and convenient hardware buttons that do not clog up the space on the front panel. Against the background of such splendor, the remote control looks somewhat pale: it has also been updated, but remains plastic, black and rather fragile to the touch.

The graphical interface is simple and clear, although Philips's color scheme remains somewhat gloomy. But the 2D picture here is very bright thanks to the built-in Edge LED backlight. Moreover, the screen is illuminated quite evenly. Color rendition is also at the level, with almost no deviations from the norm. Gamma - stable 2.2. The black depth in the “Cinema” mode, after a little calibration, reaches values ​​of 0.04 cd/m2. In addition, the screen also has a high-quality anti-glare coating.

The model, among other things, is also suitable for gamers: the input delay here does not exceed 33 milliseconds - almost like the best gaming plasmas. If you have two pairs of 3D glasses, you can play 2D games together on the same screen that support two-person mode. With the Philips 40PFL5507, you no longer need to look only at your half of the screen.

Pros:

• The TV has all the latest achievements of manufacturers: media player, 3D, Smart TV;
• deep black colors, high screen contrast (up to 5000:1 - better than some TVs from the highest price category);
• low power consumption;
• built-in Wi-Fi module;
• pleasant and original design;
• high response speed of the TV at the input and the LCD panel itself, which allows us to recommend this device for gamers;
• convenient, small-sized remote control.

Minuses:

• not the best sound, especially at mid frequencies (diaphragm vibrations in the speakers create additional noise, which is noticeable during careful listening);
• lack of Ambilight Spectra backlight, which we were so pleased with on other Philips TVs;
• low viewing angles, especially vertically;
• 3D glasses are not included.

Sony KDL-26EX553 - for children's or kitchen

The EX553 series from Sony at the beginning of 2012 replaced TVs from the EX320 line. All of these are small-sized devices with Edge LED backlighting. True, they now have some Smart TV features and Wi-Fi access right out of the box. But the design has hardly changed: at the bottom of the case, instead of a traditional stand, there are still some kind of runners, thanks to which the TV screen visually appears larger. This unusual stand is an excellent solution for those devices that by default would look bad on the wall. But it will be very easy to mount the Sony KDL-26EX553 on a bedside table or on a special TV shelf, and it has no problems with stability. There is only one noticeable disadvantage: the screen on such runners cannot be rotated. It only tilts back a few degrees when necessary.

For a TV whose LCD panel is only 26 inches diagonal, the KDL-26EX553 is equipped with a fairly large number of ports. There are two analog audio inputs, PCMCIA, optical digital output, D-Sub input, regular audio output, RF-in connector, network input, SCART video output, headphone port, two HDMI and one USB. The weight of the device is only 6.9 kg.

The TV can be controlled from a tablet or smartphone if you download it to them Sony program Media Remote, working with both iOS and Android. This application has its drawbacks, but with its help it is still easier to use the device’s Internet capabilities than with a standard remote control.

Sony KDL-26EX553 TV can fit even in the smallest corner

The built-in media player has problems. Files in HD quality simply do not work on the KDL-26EX553, scrolling through the video turns into a slide show, and external subtitles are not played in any of the formats. But, given the cheapness of the TV, you can treat all these minor shortcomings with understanding or buy an external media player. Moreover, the player here is capable of reading a surprisingly wide range of different video files. Data in DivX, Xvid, WMA, MPEG-4, as well as, of course, JPEG and MP3 are read from flash drives. As you know, Sony usually treats MKV with hostility, but this popularly loved container is also accepted by this TV.

The advantages of the device include a wide range of web services that can be used with its help. There is access to BRAVIA Internet Video - a technology that easily withstands competition from NetCast from LG and Net TV from Philips. On the Sony KDL-26EX553 you can run various Internet applications, check social networks, read information from your favorite news sites, and even watch videos on YouTube and other media hosting sites.

Video playback quality is generally good, although it doesn't really matter on such a small screen. More importantly, the noise reduction system for signals from the antenna works in a normal rhythm, and pictures in SD resolution have almost no artifacts. The LCD panel is illuminated evenly: the Edge LED backlight at twenty-six inches of diagonal is almost no different from the Full LED at fifty-six. Objects in motion are also displayed quite clearly - thanks to MotionFlow XR 100 Hz technology. By the way, one hundred hertz is exactly the frequency at which the notorious “soap opera effect” that plagues top-end TVs with their 800 and 1200 Hz never occurs.

Of course, there is not the slightest sense in watching 3D video on such a small TV. And it is quite logical that Sony did not include such an option here. The KDL-26EX553 is also not suitable for gamers: the frame output delay is enormous, up to 100 ms. You can only enjoy casual games that do not require special skills or reaction speed.

Pros:

• matte screen without glare and reflections;
• neat design (devices from the EX553 series can be found in stores not only in traditional black, but also in white);
• the contrast is decent for such a cheap TV - about 2900:1 without calibration;
• large viewing angles;
• presence of a media player and access to DLNA;
• built-in Wi-Fi and DVB-S2 tuner for watching TV shows from satellite without a receiver;
• availability of a good Smart TV with a built-in Opera browser;
• small, convenient dimensions.

Minuses:

• the remote control is too large, especially when compared with the size of the TV itself;
• low resolution - only 1366x768;
• stripped down media player;
• sound on maximum volume listening is not recommended: two local 8-watt speakers have serious problems with high frequencies and bass;
• modest screen diagonal.

LG 42LM580 - large LCD screen for a minimal price

Few TVs with a 42-inch screen cost less than twenty thousand rubles, especially if they also have good quality 3D. You can count such devices on the fingers of two hands, and they all belong to LG or Panasonic. But the best of all will, perhaps, be the 42LM580 - thanks to the overall level of its picture and the functions that this TV opens up to its users.

Perhaps the main disadvantage here is the design. The Korean company decided not to experiment with appearance of its device, and did not even try to hide its focus on the budget segment. As a result, if the Philips 40PFL5507 looks very interesting, then nothing more traditional than the LG 42LM580 can be imagined. The only thing that distinguishes this TV from models that were on the market back in the nineties is its thin frame. And at the bottom of the screen there is a metal edging that looks out of place and faded.

There are as many connectors as we are usually used to seeing on large TVs: three USB interfaces, three HDMI inputs, component and composite ports, Ethernet, and so on. True, it is better not to place the TV close to the wall: most of the connectors look perpendicular to the screen, so some wires may rest against the wallpaper.

Another design flaw is the touch-sensitive buttons. They are located on the front panel, just on the silver strip below the screen. What is their advantage over conventional hardware keys and why manufacturers are increasingly starting to use them on TVs, following the fashion of smartphones, remains a mystery to us.

The media player on the LG 42LM580 TV is quite “omnivorous”, but some 3D films are not played on it, and external subtitles are not always available.

In appearance, the LG 42LM580 is rather unprepossessing, but behind such a shell hides a real monster of the television market

The 2D picture quality is average. In terms of contrast and black depth, the LG 42LM580 TV does not show anything outstanding. The only thing that can be praised here is the color rendition. The shades on the local IPS matrix look very natural, red, blue and green are also in their place. And to ensure that the image is clearly visible to the user both in daylight and in the evening, the sensor built into the TV helps to analyze the degree of illumination in the room and, depending on it, adjusts the brightness of the screen.

In addition, polarized glasses do not require electronics and are quite cheap. That’s why four pairs of them are supplied with the TV. Considering that budget active 3D displays are not equipped with such glasses at all and you have to buy them yourself, this fact alone saves the user up to fifteen thousand.

The disadvantage of the stereoscopic picture on the LG 42LM580 and other passive 3D TVs is that it has only half of the vertical full resolution(maximum - 540 pixels). But, in our opinion, the advantages outweigh this.

In addition to glasses, a strap for cables and a stand, the device also comes with an adapter for an over-the-air antenna.

Pros:

• large enough screen;
• four pairs of 3D glasses included;
• very good 3D picture quality;
• the presence of DLNA and a fairly good media player;
• nice interface.

Minuses:

• insufficient sound quality (speakers are output to the rear panel);
• high input delay, which does not allow us to recommend this device for games;
• There are noticeable highlights in the corners of the LCD panel;
• lack of Wi-Fi;
• lack of satellite tuner;
• lack of Smart TV;
• ordinary, boring design.

Philips 40PFL7007T - for quality audio

This TV is almost full copy Philips 40PFL5507, which we talked about a little higher. There is only one significant difference: the special Philips Soundstage audio stand that is equipped with this model. It contains two speakers with a power of 10 W, the outputs of which, finally, do not look at the floor or at the wall. Thanks to this special stand, the body of the device remains as thin as possible (its thickness is only three centimeters), and at the same time the sound quality is improved by two orders of magnitude. Both the treble and bass are simply pleasing to the ear.

Beautiful light design;

Ambilight Spectra backlight;

generally good 2D and 3D quality;

remote control with QWERTY keyboard;

five HDMI connectors;

a full-fledged Smart TV, which is easy to use thanks to the built-in Wi-Fi module;

excellent sound quality.

Minuses:

• large input delay (~ 60 ms), which does not allow you to fully enjoy active games;
• not the highest picture brightness in 3D mode;
• relatively high price (this, however, is compensated by the fact that 3D glasses are still supplied with this TV).

Samsung PS51D550 - the best cheap large plasma

This TV is at the upper end of our price range: it costs at least thirty-five thousand. However, not considering it because of this would be a mistake. After all, this “plasma” is ideal for watching movies and TV shows: the quality of 2D and 3D pictures is very high, probably the best among budget TVs.

We have already reviewed pre-production samples from this series in the 2011 article “Plasma TVs Samsung PS51D490 and PS51D550 - review of new models.” You can find complete information there. But the most important thing to know is that over the past two years the price of a TV has dropped by several thousand. And also the fact that only Samsung produces inexpensive plasmas on our market, and among all of them, the PS51D550 has the highest level.

Among its advantages are a simple and practical design with a thin frame, well-positioned ports (including two USB and as many as four HDMI). Unfortunately, like the LG 42LM580, the buttons are touch sensitive. Standard large remote control. A successful media player that processes and plays video in Full HD quality without any delays in any format, including MP4 and MKV (however, subtitles in these two formats are still not played). The only noticeable disadvantages of the TV are that digital tuner Here you cannot record TV shows directly onto a flash drive. And also the fact that the media player does not always read the data in the M2TS container.

The device displays broadcast channels normally, although the noise reduction system could work better here. But what looks great is Blu-ray or DVD quality video. Slow films with beautiful high-quality scenes go especially well. The large panel and deep black tones allow you to fully enjoy the director's vision. For action films and sports broadcasts, however, the Samsung PS51D550 is also not a bad option.

Yes, the Korean company has cheaper ones plasma TVs, but most of them do not have Full HD resolution. The panels there are mostly content with a meager 1366x768 or even even 1024x768, which are simply heartbreaking to look at with such a large diagonal.

Pros:

• full resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, unlike many other budget Samsung plasmas;
• 51-inch screen diagonal;
• very high level of 3D images;
• decent 2D quality;
• The device is suitable for games: input lag is only 35 milliseconds.

Minuses:

• glare glossy screen;
• lack of built-in Wi-Fi and generally Smart TV, for which Samsung is so famous;
• no 3D glasses included;
• there is an afterglow effect and the danger of pixel burnout, therefore it is not recommended to use this TV as a monitor;
• very high power consumption.

Those who have already been lucky enough to use it certainly appreciated its capabilities. We also noticed some disadvantages. The technology itself is just beginning to develop, so there are some problems. They can be expressed in different ways. In some cases, the video constantly slows down and loads, in others it does not play at all, and sometimes the connection to the Internet is lost. In general, there is something for developers to work on.

And then thoughts began to come to bright minds: what if we use mobile system Android? After all, it is many times more stable than all systems developed for Smart TV. Even in terms of the number of applications available for this operating system, Android surpasses everyone. Agree, this is a pretty good idea for TVs!

It seems that the developers for . And soon a variety of set-top boxes were created, based on this operating system, which can be connected to a regular TV and turn it into a Smart TV.

In today's article we will look at how, using one of these set-top boxes, you can turn a regular TV into a Smart TV. The Defender Smart Android HD2 device will be used as a test subject.

What is a Smart TV set-top box on Android?

The set-top box is a compact device, somewhat similar in appearance to a flash drive, only larger. Connection to the TV occurs via the HDMI interface. And of course, Android is used as the operating system. Such a set-top box requires additional power, which comes through a special adapter or via USB on the TV itself.

Structurally, this is a small computer that has a processor, RAM, Bluetooth and a Wi-Fi adapter. Everything you need for a comfortable pastime.

To control such a device, you will need a keyboard or mouse. It's better to use wireless devices input (Bluetooth), it will be more convenient. But in general, just one mouse is enough to control it. If you wish, you can buy a special remote control, sometimes these remote controls already included.

Often, set-top boxes are already equipped with additional equipment, in the form of remote controls, web cameras and microphones. Those who have old TVs without an HDMI interface can also experience the capabilities of such a set-top box, because it can be connected via a regular “tulip”, which is found on almost all TVs.

To carry out our experiment, you need to have the following components:

• Android console. Perhaps the most important element.
• A TV with an HDMI interface (although you can do without it by connecting via an adapter).
• Mouse, keyboard, or console remote control. Using one of these devices we will control the set-top box.

Let's take a closer look at Defender Smart Android HD2

Now we will open the box and look at this miracle of engineering with our own eyes. At the same time we will connect it to the TV.

The console was purchased in an online store from its own company, Defender. But now there are a lot of similar consoles, so you don’t have to limit your choice and explore everything possible options, from different manufacturers. Such consoles can also be found in regular stores. So it’s everyone’s personal choice where to buy. 😉

As often happens, it clearly shows the main capabilities that the device has. On the back you can see the technical specifications. In our case they look like this:

• Central processor Dual Core Rockchip RK3066, with clock frequency 1.6 GHz
• Mali 400MP graphics accelerator
• Operating system Android 4.2
• 1 GB RAM
• Built-in memory of 4 GB
• Memory card slot up to 32 GB
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
• Bluetooth
• USB interface, two pieces.

If you want to get acquainted with more detailed characteristics, you can always view them on the manufacturer’s official website. The console itself is quite responsive and instantly carries out any “orders”. It reproduces movies and even games with a bang.

What's included?

In addition to the set-top box itself, in the box you can find: a power adapter, an HDMI extension cord, an instruction manual, a warranty and a USB cord for power.

We have already noted earlier that the set-top box is connected via an HDMI interface. It can also be connected via an extension cord. Power is connected via a USB cable, leaving one more USB port. Memory cards are suitable in microSD format with a capacity of up to 32 GB. When the device is working, the LED indicator on it lights up.

In principle, everything is of quite high quality and even the cables are quite normal in length.

Connect the Defender Smart Android HD2 set-top box to your TV

Let's try to connect this Android devices o to several of your televisions. In this case, the power for the set-top box was connected to the USB port on the TV itself. But this is not necessary; the set-top box can also be connected to the power adapter that it also comes with.

We connected an adapter for a wireless mouse to one of the ports, and a flash drive was connected to the second to test the playback of movies from it.

Everything worked quite well. But I wanted to try this technology on a TV more. Therefore, the set-top box was connected to a 32-inch LG TV.

We make the connection in the same way. After turning it on, select the HDMI port on the TV as the input source. If you have the same TV, then press the INPUT button. And then select the desired interface to which the device is connected.

After turning it on and loading successfully, something like this appears: main screen.

It is different from the usual Android desktop. This is a special shell for working with TVs, which is quite convenient to use.

Defender in action

Of the six main tabs on the main screen, it is recommended that you first visit the Settings tab. Here you will need to set up a Wi-Fi wireless network, set the time, sound, and the like. Everything is done exactly the same as on any smartphone running Android.

The connection to the network is quite stable. But a classic problem was noticed for all Android devices. It lies in the fact that if it is established wrong time and date, it is impossible to get into Google Play, and the wireless network icon will have . To avoid such a problem, set the correct time. To do this, in the settings, check the box next to the “Network date and time” item.

On the tab in the “Display” section of the device parameters, we can select the appropriate screen resolution and its refresh rate. In general, the settings are exactly the same as in others mobile devices Oh. For those who have already encountered Android systems before, everything will be completely elementary.

Now let's see what's hidden behind the other tabs on the main screen.

Here you can view videos, photos and listen to music from removable media connected to the set-top box.

After connecting a flash drive with video content, MX Player will immediately open, displaying all the videos that are on the media. You don’t even have to look through catalogs to find the desired video. By the way, it’s quite a convenient and high-quality player, one of the best for Android. As we can see, films are reproduced quite well.

No shortcomings were noticed here.

The next tab allows you to watch movies online and watch videos on YouTube. In the Zoomby section you can find great amount films and TV series for every taste.

And this is how YouTube is displayed.

Browsers

What about without browsers? In this section you can find the main programs for working on the Internet: browsers, for browsing websites, applications social networks, Skype and much more.

I watch articles on the site that somehow relate to Smart TVs, and I understand that the topic is more popular than ever. Convenient: turn on the TV - and here is a browser for visiting sites, online videos, games, social networks. It’s unlikely that anyone will argue that Smart TVs have a future. They, of course, will not replace a computer, but they are excellent as an entertainment device.

The ability to watch online videos, play games and visit websites is available in modern Smart TVs. But, if you have already used Smart TV, no matter which manufacturer: LG, Samsung, Sony, or others, then you will agree that the technology is still crude. Something freezes all the time, disconnects from the Internet, online videos do not play, etc. You can use it, but not everything is as smooth as it seems at first glance, and as they might tell you in the store.

Another thing is the functionality of the Android mobile operating system. It would be nice if Smart functionality TV was made on this system. Is it true? For example, the number of Android programs and games that can be installed from Google Play will never compare with the store that LG Smart TV has. Well, anyone who has an Android phone or tablet understands what I mean.

It didn't make sense to think that all the features of Android couldn't be used on TVs. The companies that develop digital technology probably thought the same thing and created Smart TV set-top boxes. In this article, we will look at one of these consoles from Defender. It's called Defender Smart Android HD2. The article should be of interest primarily to those who have TVs without Smart TV. Or, who is not satisfied with the capabilities and functionality of Smart TV. But you really want to watch a movie on the Internet or from a flash drive, go to social networks, play games - and all this on the TV screen.

What is a Smart TV set-top box on Android?

As a rule, this is a small device that connects to the HDMI connector of the TV and works on operating system Android. The set-top box is powered either from an adapter that can be plugged into a power outlet, or from the USB connector of the TV. The console itself, like, for example, a tablet, has a processor installed, RAM, built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. This is quite a tablet, only without a screen. The screen is a TV.

The console can be controlled using a regular keyboard and mouse. You can connect wireless devices, which is much more convenient, or via Bluetooth. For example, I connected a wireless headset. I can say that to control such an Android console, even one mouse is enough. There are also special Air-Mouse remote controls.

There are even models with built-in cameras and microphones for communicating via Skype. For example, Defender Smart Call HD2. By the way, Smart Call HD2 can connect to older TVs that do not have HDMI. And it connects via the so-called “tulip” (composite AV output). The Air-Mouse remote control is included.

What will you need to connect a Smart TV set-top box to your TV?

• The console itself. You can’t go anywhere without her :)
• TV with HDMI connector
• A regular computer mouse and/or keyboard for Android control prefix (if the kit does not include a remote control).

Review of Defender Smart Android HD2

Let's take a closer look at everything using the Defender Smart Android HD2 as an example.

You can buy the console at official internet Defender store at the link http://www.defender.ru/products/multimedia/smarttvaccessory/smart-android-hd2/. Defender Smart Android HD2 is sold in such a small and beautiful box:

On the box you can see the main features, and on the back are the technical specifications. Here are the main ones:

• Dual Core Rockchip RK3066 processor, which operates at a frequency of 1.6 Ghz
• Mali 400MP graphics accelerator
• Android 4.2
• 1 GB RAM
• 4 GB internal memory
• It is possible to connect microSD up to 32 GB
• WiFi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth
• 2 full USB connectors for connecting flash drives and other peripherals.

Other characteristics can be found on the official website. The console works very quickly, movies and games run without problems. Unfortunately, it is currently not possible to test any powerful game, like Asphalt 8, but I'll definitely try it.

Equipment

In the kit you will find the Defender Smart Android HD2 set-top box, power adapter, HDMI extender, small instructions, warranty and power cable with an additional USB connector.

As I already wrote, the set-top box is connected to the HDMI connector of the TV. It can be connected either directly or through an extension cord. Also connected to the set-top box is a power cable (microUSB connector), which has another full-fledged USB connector. There is a connector for connecting microSD cards and another full USB (in total, two USB connectors for connecting flash drives, keyboards, mice, external HDDs etc.). An indicator that lights up while the device is operating is also present.

Everything is assembled well, the cables are of normal length.

Connecting the Defender Smart Android HD2 set-top box

I first connected this TV box to a small 24-inch LG TV. Power was connected to the USB connector of the TV. Let me remind you that if your TV does not have USB, then the set-top box can be plugged into an outlet using the power adapter that is included.

I connected a wireless mouse adapter to one of the USB connectors so that I could control the Android set-top box. And in the second I connected a flash drive to check how the movies were playing.

I sat for a while and realized that a 32-inch TV would be more comfortable. I moved to the LG 32LN575U TV.

We connect everything, turn on the power of the console (if the power is from USB, it will turn on along with the TV). On your TV you need to select HDMI to which you connected the set-top box. Otherwise the image will not appear. On LG TVs this is done by pressing a button INPUT. Next you just need to select active HDMI (if there are several of them on TV).

If the console has already loaded, you will see the main screen. No, this is not an ordinary worker Android desk 4.2. There is a special shell, which, by the way, is very convenient to use. She looks like this:

Let's look at the functionality and capabilities.

Functionality of Android TV set-top box from Defender

There are 6 tabs on the main screen. I advise you to first go to Setting(settings) to connect to Wi-Fi (if you have a Wi-Fi network), set the time, etc. The settings are no different from those on a tablet or smartphone.

I connected to the wireless network without problems (you can connect according to the instructions). The set-top box maintains the network well and stable.

I noticed only one problem, however, this problem is more likely Android. If the time and date are set incorrectly, the light will turn gray. wifi icon (as in my photo above, in the lower right corner), and the Internet will not work on Google Play. This is a popular problem with all Android devices, which I recently wrote about in a separate article:.

Therefore, set the date and time correctly. Set your time zone. And since these parameters, as far as I understand, are reset after complete shutdown power supply from the set-top box, it is better to install automatic setup from the network.

In the settings, on the tab Screen, you can select the screen resolution and refresh rate. The rest of the settings are almost the same as on other Android devices.

Let's look at the other 5 sections that you can select from the main screen.

Media

In this section you will find programs with which you can watch movies from the device’s memory, memory card or flash drive, watch photos or listen to music from the Internet.

You can watch the video using the already installed MX Player. I believe this best player for Android. I used it on my phone all the time. As soon as you connect a flash drive or memory card that has video on it, it will immediately appear in MX Player. No need to search for it in folders.

The films are going great.

TV

If you open the TV folder on the main screen, you will already see installed programs to watch online videos, YouTube and Zoomby, where you will find many movies and TV series.

YouTube looks like this:

Go ahead.

Browsers

Here there are programs with which you can access the Internet, surf social networks, download files, etc.

Of course we go to the site :)

If you don't like it standard browser, then in the section Apps There is Google Chrome‎. For social networks you can set official applications With Play Store. VKontakte, Twitter, Facebook, it’s all there.

Game

There you will find two games installed: Angry Birds and Cut the Rop.

Played a little Angry Birds.

Apps

Well, in the last section you will find many installed useful programs, including ES Explorer and Explorer for managing files, as well as programs for working with mail, maps, calendar, Play Store, etc.

Of course, don't forget about the hundreds of thousands of apps and games you can install from the Play Store.

You also need to pay attention to the notification center in the lower right corner. It displays the clock, Wi-Fi connection status and other notifications. For example, about connecting a USB flash drive.

And in the left corner you can see a panel on which there are buttons “back”, “home”, “view” running applications", "volume control", "turn off the set-top box" (go to standby mode), and a button that allows you to collapse this panel.

As far as I understand, it is impossible to completely turn off Defender Smart Android HD2. Press the power button and put the set-top box into standby mode. It will “wake up” as soon as you move your mouse.

If the set-top box is powered by USB TV, then it will turn off and on also with the TV. If it's plugged in, I think it's ok to leave it plugged in.

For example, you are using Defender Smart Android HD2 and want to watch TV: just switch to TV mode by selecting the desired video input on the TV. When you want to switch to the set-top box again, select the desired HDMI.

Afterword

I really liked the Defender Smart Android HD2 console itself. In general, the very opportunity to get all the functionality of Android on a TV is very cool. I can say with confidence that no Smart TV, from any manufacturer, can compare with the capabilities of the Defender Smart Android HD2.

If you are interested in my opinion: it is better to buy a good TV without Smart TV and not overpay for the technology itself, built-in Wi-Fi and other functions, and in addition buy an Android set-top box. Believe me, this way you will get much more opportunities for entertainment and even work. Perhaps something will change over time, and TV manufacturers will bring Smart TV to life, more applications will appear in their stores, but this moment buying a device like Defender Smart Android HD2 seems to me the best option.

Also on the site:

We turn a regular TV into a Smart TV. Review of Smart TV set-top box Defender Smart Android HD2 updated: October 13, 2014 by: admin