Smart TVs come packed with features, but, for the most part, I was only scratching the surface. It’s actually a multimedia hub, productivity tool, smart home controller, and entertainment powerhouse, offering a range of practical uses.
6Alternative Screen Mirroring or Casting Uses
I regularly cast movies and shows from my devices to my TV, with a Chromecast, AirPlay, and an Amazon Fire TV Stick at my disposal. Sometimes I’ll even use screen mirroring to display holiday photos. However, these features have powerful benefits, and I feel that I’ve been sleeping on the potential they offer.
Once you start using these, you can watch so much more on your smart TV.
5Deeper Voice Control and AI Integration
Voice assistants are built into most smart TVs these days, but they’re often underused. There’s much more to this feature than simply requesting a show or increasing the volume, and with AI integration, these digital assistants offer a full suite of helpful tools.
I was actually surprised at how much more I could do with my smart TV using voice controls. It turned it from a smart TV into a real information hub for the whole home.
4Advanced Picture and Sound Settings
When a TV arrives out of the box, it’s set up with default settings that are perhaps better suited to showroom floors than cozy living spaces. It’s well worth fiddling with the sound and picture configuration, and making full use of any onboard enhancement tools to dramatically improve your sound.
Every smart TV is different, so you’ll have to play around with the controls. But each smart TV has a host of these options, designed to make your viewing experience much better.
3USB Media Playback and Recording
Remember that USB port on the back of your TV? It’s often overlooked, with HDMI being the chief among connectivity protocols. If you only use yours to power peripherals, such as TV streaming sticks and devices, you might find that it’s actually more useful than it looks.
Those ports on the back of your smart TV have so much potential, so it’s worth making the most of them.
2Web Browsers and Apps Beyond Streaming
While smart TV apps are undoubtedly dominated by on-demand streaming services, there is a vast ecosystem of apps offering a variety of services that you may not be taking advantage of. Here are some useful functions that go far beyond regular entertainment:
Cloud gaming is one of my favorite ways to use my smart TV. I no longer have the issue of wires dangling from behind the TV, making the room look untidy.
1Control of Smart Home Devices
Despite its strangely ambiguous name, the Internet of Things has revolutionized modern living. Your smart TV can act as your smart home hub, serving not only as an entertainment interface but also as a control center for your entire home’s connected devices.
Our smart TVs are often the centerpiece of our living spaces and among the most expensive electrical items we own. For years, I used my mine as little more than a streaming box, but it’s so much more than that. By tapping into these overlooked features, I’ve dramatically enhanced my home entertainment experience and feel like I’m getting better bang for my buck. So, don’t leave all these possibilities gathering digital dust—delve deeper into your smart TV and unlock its true potential.
