If you’re thinking about buying a new television, you might assume a Smart TV is the only way to watch Netflix, catch up on your favourite programmes or stream TV over the internet.
But do you actually need one? Not necessarily.
A Smart TV can be useful, but if your current television still works perfectly well, there’s no need to replace it just because it isn’t connected to the internet. With the right TV box, you can turn an ordinary TV into something much smarter.
That’s where devices like the Wildanet TV box come in.
What is a Smart TV?
Put simply, a Smart TV is a television that can connect to the internet.
Rather than relying entirely on an aerial or satellite connection, it lets you use your broadband to access things like Netflix, YouTube, BBC iPlayer and other streaming services.
This means you can watch TV, stream films, catch up on programmes and access other TV services without having to rely on the aerial signal in your home.
The problem is that not every TV is a Smart TV – and if you’ve already got a perfectly good television, buying a new one just to get internet TV can seem like a bit of a waste.
Can you make a normal TV smart?
Yes, you can make a normal TV smart. As long as your television has an HDMI connection, you can connect a suitable TV box and use that to access internet TV.
The box effectively does the clever bit for you. It connects to your broadband and gives your TV access to live channels, streaming services and catch-up TV.
Simply connect the box to your TV using HDMI, connect it to your Wildanet broadband and you’re ready to go. There are no complicated installation and no need to replace your existing television.
| Feature | Smart TV | Non-Smart TV |
|---|---|---|
| Internet connection | Connects directly to the internet via WiFi or Ethernet | No built-in internet connection |
| Streaming apps | May have built-in apps such as Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video and Disney+ | Needs an external streaming device or set-top box |
| Live TV | Can receive live TV through an aerial, satellite or internet services, depending on the TV | Usually relies on an aerial or satellite connection |
| Catch-up TV | Built-in catch-up apps may be available | Requires an external device or set-top box |
| Streaming device needed? | Not for supported apps | Yes, if you want streaming services |
| Voice control | Some newer models support voice control | Not usually built in |
| Internet browsing | Some models have a web browser | Not available without an external device |
| Software updates | Can receive software and app updates over the internet | Generally no internet-based updates |
| External devices | Can still connect to streaming boxes, games consoles and other devices | Requires an external device for smart features |
| Cost | Usually costs more than a basic TV | Usually cheaper |
| Can it work with Wildanet TV? | Yes, if it has an HDMI connection | Yes, using the Wildanet TV box via HDMI |
What can you watch with a Wildanet TV box?
TV boxes can make catching your favourite shows much easier.
Wildanet TV brings live TV, catch-up services and streaming apps together in one place.
You can watch live channels through Freely, catch up with programmes on BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and Channel 5, and access popular streaming services such as Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+.
You can also use the TV guide to see what’s on and find programmes you’ve missed.
There’s even voice search, so instead of typing the name of a programme letter by letter, you can simply ask the remote to find it.
It’s all designed to make find what to watch easy.
What if I don’t have an aerial?
This is another benefit of internet TV.
The Wildanet TV box doesn’t need an aerial or satellite dish. Live TV is delivered through your broadband connection using Freely.
That means you can have a TV in a room without an aerial socket and still watch live TV.
It’s particularly useful if you’ve moved into a property without an aerial, have poor aerial reception or simply don’t want the hassle of installing one.
Traditional aerial TV still needs an aerial. Internet TV doesn’t. It’s just like Freeview but delivered through your broadband. Check out our blog on whether you can get Freeview without an aerial.
Do I need a Smart TV for Netflix?
No, you don’t need a Smart TV specifically to watch Netflix or other streaming services.
A smart TV box, like Wildanet TV gives you access to supported streaming apps from your TV, although you’ll still need your own subscription for paid services such as Netflix, Prime Video or Disney+.
This can be useful if you’re looking at TV packages online, TV and internet packages or broadband and TV packages and want to keep your existing TV rather than buying a new one.
Wildanet TV gives you access to dozens of streaming services, including but not limited to: Netfix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, DAZN, Plex, YouTube, Crunchyroll, Premier Sports, TNT (through HBO Max), BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and more!
It depends on what you want. If you’re buying a new TV anyway, a Smart TV is an obvious option.
But, if your current TV works well, a TV box gives you another option without replacing it.
And there are other benefits too. Smart TVs can have different operating systems, menus and apps depending on the manufacturer. A dedicated TV box gives you one consistent interface, regardless of which compatible TV you’re using.
With Wildanet TV, your live TV, catch-up services and streaming apps are all brought together through the same box and remote.
No, if you’re happy with your current television, there’s no need to throw it out simply because it isn’t ‘smart’.
A TV box can give you access to internet TV, live TV, catch-up TV and streaming services using the broadband connection you already have.
And if you’re comparing TV packages and prices, it’s worth looking at what’s actually included rather than assuming you also need to buy a new television.
Your TV doesn’t have to be smart. Your TV box can do the clever bit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Smart TVs suit older viewers?
Smart TVs can be a great way to access streaming services and catch-up TV, but they aren’t always as straightforward to use as you might expect.
Some Smart TV remotes have lots of small buttons, with icons or labels that aren’t always obvious. The menus and interfaces can also vary between manufacturers, which can make finding the right app or programme feel confusing, particularly if you’re used to traditional TV.
That’s where Wildanet TV can help. The Wildanet TV box brings live TV, catch-up services and streaming apps together in one place, with a simple remote and voice search. You can even ask the remote to find what you want to watch, rather than having to work your way through complicated menus.
Should I upgrade my older Smart TV?
A Smart TV can last for many years, but the smart features may start to show their age before the screen itself does.
If your TV is becoming slow to respond, menus are taking longer to load, apps are no longer supported or the interface is becoming difficult to navigate, it could be worth considering an upgrade.
But you don’t necessarily need to replace the whole TV. If the picture and screen are still working well, a TV box such as Wildanet TV can give an older television a new lease of life. You can access live TV, catch-up services and streaming apps without having to buy a brand-new Smart TV.
Can I make my existing TV ‘smart’?
Yes, you can generally make an existing TV smart, you don’t necessarily need to buy a new Smart TV.
If your existing television has a suitable HDMI connection, you can connect a TV box and use it to access internet TV, streaming services and catch-up TV.
The Wildanet TV box does the clever bit for you. Connect it to your TV and your Wildanet broadband, and you can access live TV through Freely, catch-up services and supported streaming apps, even if your television isn’t a Smart TV.
Do I need to upgrade my broadband to stream TV?
You don’t always need to upgrade your broadband to stream TV. You generally need at least 25 Mbps to be able to stream a single 4K Ultra HD system. So if you already have speeds of greater than this you won’t necessarily need to upgrade.
Wildanet TV works with all Wildanet Full Fibre tariffs, so you don’t need to upgrade your broadband package just to use it.
The right broadband speed depends on how your household uses the internet. If several people are streaming, gaming, working from home and using multiple devices at the same time, having more speed can give you more consistent speeds, whoever is using the internet.
It’s also worth remembering that your WiFi connection matters. If your TV is struggling to get a good WiFi signal, you could experience buffering even if you have a fast Full Fibre connection.
Do Smart TVs offer recording?
Most smart TV’s don’t offer recording services out of the box. Some traditional TV services use a recording box to store programmes so you can watch them later. Wildanet TV takes a slightly different approach.
The Wildanet TV box doesn’t record programmes. Instead, you can use catch-up and on-demand services to watch programmes after they’ve aired. You can also scroll back through the TV guide to find programmes that have already been shown.
With so much content available through catch-up and on-demand services, you don’t necessarily need to fill up a hard drive with recordings.
