Difference Between Smart TV And Digital TV

SHARE

In the fast-paced digital age, the television industry has undergone a transformative revolution, offering consumers a wide range of options that promise to redefine their entertainment experience.

Digital TV refers to the migration from analog to digital broadcasting, offering improved image and sound quality, enhanced reception, and the potential for additional channels.

A Smart TV transcends the traditional notion of television, incorporating internet connectivity, advanced processors, and interactive features. This integration opens up a world of possibilities, allowing users to stream their favorite shows and movies from various online platforms, access a vast array of applications, and even control smart home devices from the comfort of their couch.

What is a Smart TV?

A smart TV also referred to as Internet TV is a simple hybrid between a TV and a computer that can readily access the internet and have apps installed without the need for an external device, hence it’s ‘’smarter’’ than a normal.

A Smart TV is a television set that has connects to the internet and allows the users to use services like video streaming, web browsing/surfing or even gaming. Smart TV allows access to traditional electronic media (regular television channels) along with online interactive media and ‘Over The Top’ (OTT) content. It also allows home networking solutions such that all devices and be interconnected and be operated with a single click.

Common applications that are pre-installed on Smart TV include Netflix, Showmax, Hulu, Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon among others.

Smart TVs can access and deliver content (like photos or movies or music) from other connected devices through technology like that of LAN. Smart TV also provides access to internet-based services like Video-on-Demand (VOD), Electronic Advertising, Gaming, Social Networking and Multimedia applications to name a few.

Smart TVs can be categorized by:

  • Resolution
  • Display Technology
  • Software Platform

What You Need To Know About Smart TV

  • A smart TV is a simple hybrid television that comes with pre-loaded applications as well as internet-ready features.
  • A smart TV has capability to access the internet. They do not need to use a connection device like Roku box or gaming console to access online services.
  • It comes with built-in-apps. Common applications that are pre-installed on Smart TV include Netflix, Showmax, Hulu, Spotify, Youtube among others.
  • A smart TV often comes with an inbuilt web browser.
  • Most of Smart TV’s features require Wi-Fi to function.
  • With Smart TV, you can download apps and content online.
  • A smart TV can stream content/videos. It does not require additional gadgets such as android box.
  • In most cases, it may have a touch screen feature.
  • Comes with a HDMI port for connecting the TV for best quality videos and audio output.
  • It generally has a higher picture quality than a digital TV.
  • Smart TVs relatively cost more than digital TVs, especially Smart TVs with more advanced system firmware and applications.  
  • Because Smart TVs take on more of the roles once exclusive to computers and smartphones, there is a risk of hanging or even crashing from malware.
  • Some Smart TVs come with a pre-installed Operating System (OS) like Android, which makes the TV to function like a tablet or smart phone, and this can allow the user to control either directly on the screen or through a voice assistant like Google Assistant or Alexa.

What is a Digital TV?

Digital TVs uses digital transmissions to broadcast audio and video, as opposed to analog transmissions in the more archaic form of television from decades past. It represents the biggest leap in the evolution of television technology since the advent of color televisions in the 1950s, offering super quality, more variety and more accessibility than ever before. Digital TV enables the broadcasting of high-definition (HD) Television formats that provide resolutions that are substantially greater than standard definition.

What You Need To Know About Digital TV

  • Digital TVs are mainly those that have a pre-installed decoder services that allows one to view images and listen to sounds i.e watch videos.
  • Digital TV cannot access the internet.
  • Digital TV does not come with built-in-apps.
  • Digital TV does not have an inbuilt web browser.
  • Digital TV does not require Wi-Fi for it to function effectively.
  • With Digital TV, you cannot download apps and content online.
  • Digital TV requires additional equipment (android box) to stream content.  
  • It typically does not have a touch screen feature.
  • In some cases, it does not come with a HDMI port.
  • The picture quality is relatively poor when compared to that of smart TV.
  • They relatively cost less than the smart TVs.
  • Digital TVs do not come with a pre-installed Operating System (OS) like Android.
  • There is no risk of crashing or even hanging due to a malware.
  • Digital TVs do not come with a pre-installed Operating System (OS) like Android.

Also Read: Difference Between CRT And LCD Monitors

Difference Between Smart TV And Digital TV In Tabular Form

BASIS OF COMPARISON DIGITAL TV SMART TV
Description Digital TVs are mainly those that have a pre-installed decoder services that allows one to view images and listen to sounds i.e watch videos.   A smart TV is a simple hybrid television that comes with pre-loaded applications as well as internet-ready features.  
Internet Access Digital TV cannot access the internet.   A smart TV has capability to access the internet. They do not need to use a connection device like Roku box or gaming console to access online services.  
Build-in-Apps Digital TV does not come with built-in-apps.   It comes with built-in-apps.
Browser Digital TV does not have an inbuilt web browser.   A smart TV often comes with an inbuilt web browser.  
Functionality   Digital TV does not require Wi-Fi for its effective functionality.   Most of Smart TV’s features require Wi-Fi to function.  
Download Functionality With Digital TV, you cannot download apps and content online. With Smart TV, you can download apps and content online.  
Content Streaming Digital TV requires additional equipment (android box) to stream content.     A smart TV can stream content/videos. It does not require additional gadgets such as android box.  
Touch screen It typically does not have a touch screen feature.   In most cases, it may have a touch screen feature.  
HDMI Port In some cases, it does not come with a HDMI port.   Comes with a HDMI port for connecting the TV for best quality videos and audio output.  
Picture Quality The picture quality is relatively poor when compared to that of smart TV.   It generally has a higher picture quality than a digital TV.  
Cost They relatively cost less than the smart TVs.   Smart TVs relatively cost more than digital TVs.  
Risk There is no risk of hanging or even crashing from malware.   There is a risk of hanging or even crashing from malware.  
Operating System Digital TVs do not come with a pre-installed Operating System (OS) like Android.   Some Smart TVs come with a pre-installed Operating System (OS) like Android.

Also Read: Difference Between Satellite, Cable And Terrestrial TV

Things to consider when buying a smart TV

  1. Display Quality: The display quality is a crucial consideration when choosing a smart TV. Look for a TV with a high resolution, preferably 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels), to ensure a sharp and detailed picture. Additionally, consider the display technology, such as OLED, QLED, LED, or LCD, as each has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of picture quality, contrast, and viewing angles.
  2. Smart Features and User Interface: Check the smart features and the user interface of the TV’s operating system. A good smart TV should have an intuitive and user-friendly interface, smooth navigation, and access to a wide range of apps and streaming services. Look for support for voice control through virtual assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant, as well as screen mirroring capabilities.
  3. Connectivity and Ports: Ensure that the smart TV has sufficient and up-to-date connectivity options. Look for multiple HDMI ports and USB ports to connect external devices like gaming consoles, soundbars, and streaming devices. Also, check if the TV supports Wi-Fi and Ethernet for internet connectivity.
  4. Audio Quality: Consider the audio capabilities of the TV. Built-in speakers vary in quality, so if you care about sound, look for a TV with good audio performance or plan to invest in an external sound system or soundbar. Some TVs also support advanced audio technologies like Dolby Atmos for a more immersive experience.
  5. Size and Placement: The size of the TV should be appropriate for the room where it will be placed. Consider the viewing distance and the available space. A larger TV might offer a more cinematic experience, but it should not overwhelm the room. Measure the area where the TV will be placed to ensure a proper fit.

Advantages of Smart TV

  • Access to a large amount of Content : Be it pre-saved or live streaming, availability of video-content is the key success of Smart TV. This therefore allows you to watch even the latest movies that got released over the weekend; as well as movies released during our parent’s time.
  • Watch what you want, when you want : On-demand video-content, that can be watched at a time suitable to you is one of the key advantages and usage of Smart TV.
  • Customized Search, with or without Voice Search Capability : With the help of the Global listings, you, the viewer can search programs and schedule their timings as per own suitability. Alexa, a recent development, allows voice search which lets you skip the search menu to identify the content you are looking for.
  • Universal Mobile Control : The remote of the Smart TV is designed to control all connected devices.
  • Games : Smart TV permits the access of a large variety of games that are compatible to the software platform on which the TV is based.

Disadvantages of Smart TV

  • Security : As with any connected device there are concerns about the security as your viewing habits and practices are accessible to anybody searching for that information. Concerns about theft of personal data also looms large. Some other major concerns are related to the recording via camera and mic of happenings in the house. Coupled with facial recognition, Smart TV is likely to cause certain amount of worry among many.
  • Cost : Smart TVs are also heavy on the pocket as most manufacturers operates on a value proposition currently.
  • Slow Response with Heavy Load : Sometimes, the smart TV has slow response  like that of Smart phones due to excessive load.
  • Dependency on Internet : As updates for software and programs are being frequently generated, the smart TV needs regular updating for correct functioning.

Also Read: Difference Between Satellite Phone And Cell Phone