ISSUE389|COMPUTER SHOPPER|JULY2020 73
O
ne of the main reasons to buy a
smartTVistoget its range of smart
apps, letting you streamcontent
from the internet. Beyond simply setting up
Netflix, you can get morefromyour TV
following our guide.
Connectyour TV
to theinternet
First, you need to get your television
connected to the internet. Most TVs will
have Wi-Fibuilt-in, which is convenient,
although if you can use Ethernet you’ll
maximise your connection speed and ensure
the best-quality viewing, which is essential if
you startstreaming in 4K UltraHD. Follow
the instructions in your TV’s manual to get it
set up and connected to theinternet.
Manage your apps
Theinterface differs from TV to TV,but most
sets will have abutton thatlaunches the
smartinterface whereyou can launch
apps.You’ll find thatthe most common
apps will come pre-installed, and you
may even have dedicated buttons on your
remote to launch the likes of Netflix or
Amazon Prime Video.
On the main smartpage, you’ll find all of
the other apps thatare installed.You’ll need
to log into some of them, such as Netflix
and BBC iPlayer,toget them working the
first time. However,it’snow common for
smartTVs to have their own app stores,
whereyou can add new apps as they’re
launched: for example, Disney Plus.
You’ll also find arange of other apps in
there, varying in quality.For example, the LG
Content Storehas YouTube Kids, Google Play
Movies &TV, BBC Sportand arange of varied
other apps from games to radio stations.
YouTube and Netflix
YouTube and Netflix on all smartTVs both
supportcasting from your phone, letting
you search for whattowatch on your
handset beforesending it to the big screen.
To do this, makesurethatyour phone is on
the same network as your TV,then launch
the YouTube or Netflix apps. Find the content
thatyou want to watch, then startplaying it.
Next, tap the Cast icon (it lookslikeaTV with
aWi-Fisymbol placed on top).
You’ll get alist of compatible devices to
choose from. Find your TV in the list and
select it.Your TV will now automatically
launch the right app and startstreaming
the content from your phone.YouTube
even has an additional trick: you can play
content straight away or add it to aqueue,
letting you, for example, set up aload of
music videos for ahouse party.
Mirror your phone
SmartTVs also let you send other content
from your phone or
computer.Most smart
TVs supportMiracast,
which workswith
Android phones directly.
On your phone, go to
Settings, Displays,
Wireless display and
choose your TV from
the list.
ForApple users, you
might be luckyenough
to have anew smartTV
thatsupports AirPlay 2.
Using this, you can use
the AirPlay control in
compatible apps to
send video and photos directly to your TV.
Alternatively,you can mirror your Mac or
iPhone to the screen.
On an iPhone, swipe down from the top of
the screen to get the Control Center and tap
Screen Mirroring, then select your TV.
On aMac, click the AirPlay icon (a triangle
pointing upwards into ascreen) in the menu
bar and select your TV from the list.Youmay
need to enter the code shown on your TV
into your device.
If you’reusing aphone or TV thatdoesn’t
supportMiracast, you’ll need to install an app.
Your TV’s manual should say which app you
need; in some cases, you’ll need athird-party
app thatyou have to pay for.
Other apps can be morelimited in features.
TheLGTVPlus app,for example, can only
streamphotos and videos from your phone,
and you can’t mirror your entirescreen.
Add voice control
It’s moreand morecommon to find that
you can control your TV via avoice assistant.
Instructions hugely vary between different
manufacturers, so check your manual to see
what’spossible.
Typically,you have to use an app on the TV
to register your set with either Amazon Alexa
or Google Assistant.Youcan then use the
Amazon Alexa or Google Home apps on your
smartphone to download your TV’s skill and
link to the two.For example, with our LG
OLED TV,wecan use Amazon Alexa to turn
our TV on or off, change volume and change
channel, and the same features areavailable
for Google Home devices, too.Samsung
SmartThings TVs have similar controls.
Some TVs, such as LG OLED models and
Sony Android TVs, also have avoice remote,
which you can link up to avoice assistant.
These let you search for content, change
input, launch apps and, if connected to your
Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant accounts,
control your smartdevices, too.
HOWTOGET MORE
FROM YOUR SMART APPS
ABOVE:App storeslet you addnew features to your smartTV
ABOVE:Youcan cast contentfromNetflix or
YouTube on your phone to any smartdevice
thatalso has thesame apps
ABOVE:Many smart TVs supportremote voice
control viaasmartassistant
