Internet TV Connection Requirements
Connecting your TV to the Internet is a great way to enjoy gaming or downloaded content on a big screen.
Some TVs connect directly to the Internet, while older TVs can be connected to an Internet-capable computer, effectively using the TV as a large monitor.
All that is required is your television, a broadband internet connection, and a way of connecting the two.
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Connecting your TV directly to the Internet
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Some new TVs manufactured in the last year come with Ethernet ports that allow them to connect directly to the Internet. You can just plug in an Ethernet cable from your TV to your modem/router, and the TV will automatically configure itself.
The newest TVs have a wireless connection. Simply use the TV's setup screen to connect to your home wireless network and enter your Wi-Fi password, the same way you would connect a laptop.
Connecting your TV to your computer
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Check what type of ports your TV and computer have
Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Declan Jewell
If your computer has an HDMI-out port on the video card, you connect this to your TV with an HDMI cable. HDMI is the highest quality video connection available, and will ensure that you get HD pictures in their highest resolution from the Internet onto your TV.
If your computer or TV does not have HDMI, you can use DVI, VGA, or S-Video. DVI will have the highest quality, followed by VGA and then S-Video.
Considerations with internet TV
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TV screens have lower resolutions than computer screens, so video content may appear less sharp than you are used to.
Computer pixels are square, whereas pixels on TVs are rectangular, so when viewing computer content on your TV, you may find the image is squeezed or stretched. You can adjust the aspect ratio on your TV (4:3, 16:9 or widescreen) to compensate for the effect.
Benefits of internet tv connections
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Connecting your TV to the Internet can give you an immersive gaming experience, especially if you have surround sound as well.
You can take advantage of websites such as YouTube, Hulu, and Crackle, which provide movies and TV episodes on demand. Watch videos whenever you like, or download them to your computer for viewing with the family.
The future of internet tv connections
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Most new televisions will be able to connect to the Internet directly. Rather than paying for a separate cable TV connection, you will just have an Internet connection for watching all your favorite TV programs.
You will have access to much more content, and you will be able to interact with other viewers, as well as checking e-mail, instant messaging, and shopping, all through your TV.
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Chris Watson Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Declan Jewell
