Smart TVs are becoming a staple of the modern television experience. They are constantly developing and upgrading and they have many features to help you have a better time with them from resolution to rewinding. However, you may not know about all the features a smart TV has on it. Follow this article to see what you may be missing out on.
What tricks can you use to make your experience better?
Adding amplifiers
A really smart way to make sure you don’t miss a thing while watching something is to upgrade your sound system by adding audio phone amplifiers to it. The blog Hear Your TV Clearly Without The Blaring Volume shows how these gadgets work and how they can improve audio quality. These speakers will create an atmosphere that will help you get a better watching experience. Using them, for example, while watching a movie where the sound varies from time to time is a good idea because it will make sure you don’t miss a thing. The same goes for if you are passively following what is going on on the TV, the sound is so good you will hear everything.
Alternative controllers
You can turn your Playstation joystick as a controller. This is accomplished via the feature called BlueTooth controller where you adjust a PS controller to be your controller. You do this by going to the “Remotes and Accessories” in your Settings. Even if you don’t have a joystick in your home, you can just buy a cheaper version of any controller that is compatible with BlueTooth and you will be on your way. It is easy to use and it is a good feature if you are not satisfied with the default controller.
Use the phone as a remote
This is a really neat trick especially when you have to type something in. For example, when you are using YouTube on your TV, the remote allows you to type in your search letter by letter where you have to highlight each of them to select. That problem is erased with your smartphone with which typing is the same as there. This is also good if you don’t like the remote you get with the TV or in case the battery runs out and you don’t have a spare. There is a version for both Android and Apple. You just need to install the “Android TV remote control” app.
Built-in Chromecast
You can use any app on your phone that is compatible with the Smart TV you own and you can transfer what you are looking at to the bigger screen. The only condition is that both devices must be connected to the same WiFi network. This can come in handy when you want to show photos you took to a larger number of people so you just display it on the big TV and everyone can see it at the same time.
Customize your home screen
You can create the home screen on your smart TV that best suits you in a few simple steps. Go to Settings, then Device Preferences, and then Home Screen and then you can customize it however you see it fit. For example, there is the Customize Channels menu where you can adjust all your favorite channels to be accessible more easily from the Home Screen. There are default settings you can turn off in case you are not watching any of those channels or apps. This also applies to recommendations apps and channels offer you.
Optimize your storage space
Some smart TVs come with a storage space that isn’t too big. Almost half of the 8GB storage space is already taken up by the operating system, and the other four go quickly with downloads and updates. You can manually optimize this part the way you see it fit. Turn off the auto-updating system because a lot of apps get bigger once they get renewed. This is done in the Google Play Store app on the Android TV. You should manually update some of them over time. Most smart TVs come with a place you can plug in an external hard drive that will surely help you.
Sideloading apps
This means there is a way to upload apps on your TV that are not available in the app store. Here is how to do it:
- Install FX File Manager allows you to browse apps.
- Install Send Files to the TV will allow you to send apps from other devices to your smart TV.
- Make sure you turn on the app that allows this by going to Settings, Device Preferences, Security & restrictions, and then Unknown sources.
These tips and tricks will surely make your watching experience better. Make sure that you always keep yourself updated in case something else comes up because it surely will. A lot of these features will make it easier for you. With them, you’ll see and hear better, and make sure that all your channels and apps are in line. Have a great time.
