5 gadgets that turn a regular TV into a smart one

A regular TV can still learn new tricks with a few gadgets and become better than an expensive Smart TV in minutes.

Table of Contents

• 5. Breathe new life into an old computer
• 4. Streaming devices are an easy choice
• 3. Game consoles can provide a lot of content
• 2. Connect to phone or tablet 
• 1. Sign up for a TV package

5. Breathe new life into an old computer

The old laptop has an old Intel i5-7500 processor with 8GB of RAM; not super fast. However, it works perfectly fine when just running Netflix , Max, or a Plex server. More importantly, all you need to do is connect an HDMI cable . If you have an old computer or laptop, you can do it with the same cable, since HDMI is standard.

It's like connecting your computer to a monitor. There's usually an HDMI port on the back of your TV, assuming it's less than 15 years old. Plug in the HDMI cable, run it to your computer, then switch the HDMI channel to the corresponding port (usually labeled by port).

As long as your computer can connect to Wi-Fi, you're good to go. If not, you'll have to run an Ethernet cable from your modem to your computer. Better yet, connect directly and get a better streaming experience.

4. Streaming devices are an easy choice

Unless you want to lug your laptop around the house every time you want to stream to your smart TV, having a streaming device will give you easy access to a full list of apps. Plugging a device into your TV will more or less turn your regular TV into a smart TV, with a lot of useful features. You can use the Roku Express in new ways, like playing mobile games on the big screen.

• Roku has a variety of options, from the affordable Roku Express to the more expensive Roku Streambar.
• Amazon also has a few devices, like the Fire TV Stick HD (which also comes in a 4K model) and the Fire TV Cube.
• The Apple TV 4K is also a great option, as it comes with 3 months of Apple TV+.

None of these streaming devices require registration, but you do need to create an account. Once connected, you can download streaming apps from their respective app stores.

3. Game consoles can provide a lot of content

Console gaming isn't just about games anymore. It's entertainment from top to bottom, including streaming services that you can download directly to your console for free, although you still need to subscribe.

This is one of the more expensive options, so you shouldn’t go this route unless you plan on gaming. However, there is a cheaper option, which is to buy a used game console from a previous generation, like the Xbox One or PS4. And since those are previous-generation consoles, used games are also cheap.

Any streaming app you want can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store or PlayStation Store.

2. Connect to phone or tablet

While it’s not usually a well-advertised feature, your smartphone and tablet can also connect to your TV. The method is very similar to connecting your computer to your regular TV using an HDMI cable. However, the cable you need must fit into the charging port on your phone.

For example, if your phone or tablet has a USB-C port, like Android devices or the latest Apple devices, you'll need a USB-C to HDMI adapter, like the Anker 310. Apple devices with Lightning ports will need a Lightning Digital AV Adapter. If you don't happen to have either, you'll have to get more creative when connecting your phone to your TV using USB.

The connection is extremely simple: Connect one end to the charging port and the other end to a regular TV. Your phone's screen will be transmitted to the screen.

1. Sign up for a TV package

If you have cable, your cable box may give you access to native streaming apps. Set-top boxes aren’t as common as they used to be, but Spectrum has the Xumo Stream Box, Xfinity has the X1, and Verizon Fios has Fios TV One and Fios TV+. Spectrum excluded, so unfortunately you’ll need a service plan to use these boxes.

If you want the seamless viewing experience that a dedicated smart TV offers, you might consider upgrading to a dedicated smart TV.

Below are some cheap, economical TV options that Quantrimang wants to send to you. Hopefully the suggestions below will help you choose the most suitable product for your family:

You should probably use more than one of these gadgets on a daily basis. Part of the reason people buy game consoles is to play games and stream great movies. Don’t limit yourself to just one option!