TVs with Internet access: reviews and review of models. Methods of accessing the global Internet Internet Ethernet - connecting via local network

To access the Internet, there are several ways to connect it, which differ from each other, in fact, in the connection technology itself, tariffs for use, as well as technical characteristics that determine the speed of information transfer, the stability of the connection itself, response time, and other subtleties . As you can see, the quality of the Internet depends not only on the hardware capabilities of the computer or mobile device used, as some believe. The providers of this service - special organizations, the so-called providers - are responsible for the quality of the Internet connection itself.

But, about everything in more detail - we will consider below the most common methods of connecting to the Internet, their features, advantages and disadvantages.

1. Satellite Internet

2. Mobile Internet

The name itself speaks for itself. This is the Internet, which you can use wherever you are within the coverage area of ​​your provider (mobile operator). There are two connection options: via a mobile phone or via a special modem. The latter can be connected to a smartphone, tablet or laptop via USB ports (miniUSB) as a separate small device. Manufacturers often equip some models of computer and mobile equipment with such a modem.

Almost all modern mobile phones have Internet access. Somewhat outdated models are connected using slow and at the same time expensive GPRS technology. And for more modern mobile devices - smartphones and tablets - mobile operators offer high-speed connection technologies that can provide access to the Internet wherever this operator has coverage. These are technologies such as: CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, UMTS. If the gadget is not equipped with a built-in modem that can support these technologies, almost all mobile operators can offer their own branded plug-in modem.

The data transfer speeds of these technologies can vary greatly depending on the user's location. However, special Internet signal amplifiers are now being produced that can increase this speed significantly.

3. Telephone connection (dialup)

This is by far one of the most common methods of connecting to the Internet in Russia, but far from the best. Used if a landline telephone is installed in the apartment. By connecting a computer or laptop via a wired modem to a telephone line, you gain access to the Internet. The phone will naturally be busy at this time, and it will not be possible to use it until the end of the Internet session. And this is not the only drawback of a telephone connection - for example, this method of Internet connection is one of the most expensive, and perhaps the slowest.

4. Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) is one of the modern types of wireless communications. Almost all smartphones, tablets and laptops have a built-in special module that allows you to access the Internet while within the range of Wi-Fi access points (usually a range of about 100 m). The Wi-Fi module can also be purchased separately and connected to a PC either as a separate built-in card or as an external device connected via USB.

So far, this type of connection is not in widespread demand among Russian users, despite the fact that many, by connecting an Internet network cable to a router, could freely move around the house with a laptop, tablet or smartphone and use the Internet. In Russia, Wi-Fi is more of an additional feature for the service business. Users can (as a rule, completely free of charge) have access to the Internet in various public places - at airports, train stations, cafes, hotels, gas stations, etc.

Wi-Fi technology itself is quite fast, but due to the fact that access points are usually overloaded, the final speed sometimes leaves much to be desired.

5. ADSL

ADSL is a special type of Internet connection via a telephone line, and access to the Internet does not interfere with the operation of the phone. The quality of such a connection is an order of magnitude higher than with a regular telephone connection. It has a high information transfer speed and excellent stability.

6. Direct connection

This is the best way to connect to the Internet today. The user's computer is connected to the provider using a regular network cable. The advantages of this connection are its high speed, stability, reliability, and low cost. But this method, unfortunately, is available only in large populated areas - where the cable lines of local providers run.

Topic 3.4: Application of the Internet in the economy and information protection

Global computer networks

3.2. Network technologies. Global networks and global network technologies

3.2.3. Methods of accessing the global Internet

The following methods of accessing the Internet are currently known:

1. Dial-Up (when the user’s computer connects to the provider’s server using a telephone) – dial-up access over an analog telephone network, data transfer speed up to 56 Kbps.
2. DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a family of digital subscriber lines designed to provide access over an analog telephone network using a cable modem. This technology (ADSL, VDSL, HDSL, ISDL, SDSL, SHDSL, RADSL, collectively called xDSL) provides high-speed connections up to 50 Mbit/s (actual speed up to 2 Mbit/s). The main advantage of xDSL technologies is the ability to significantly increase the speed of data transmission over telephone wires without upgrading the subscriber telephone line. The user gains access to the Internet while maintaining normal telephone communication.
3. ISDN - dial-up access over a digital telephone network. The main feature of using ISDN is the high speed of information transfer, compared to Dial-Up access. The data transfer rate is 64 Kbps when using one and 128 Kbps when using two communication channels.
4. Internet access via dedicated lines (analog and digital). Leased line access is a method of connecting to the Internet when the user’s computer is connected to the provider’s server using a cable (twisted pair) and this connection is permanent, i.e. non-switched, and this is the main difference from regular telephone communication. Data transfer speed up to 100 Mbit/s.
5. Internet access via local network (Fast Ethernet). The connection is made using a network card (10/100 Mbit/s) with data transfer speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s on the backbone sections and 100 Mbit/s for the end user. To connect the user's computer to the Internet, a separate cable (twisted pair) is supplied to the apartment, while the telephone line is always free.
6. Satellite Internet access or satellite Internet (DirecPC, Europe Online). There are two types of satellite Internet access - asymmetric and symmetric:
   • two-way exchange of data between the user’s computer and the satellite;
   • requests from the user are transmitted to the satellite operator's server through any available terrestrial connection, and the server transmits data to the user from the satellite. The maximum data reception speed is up to 52.5 Mbit/s (real average speed is up to 3 Mbit/s).
7. Internet access using cable television channels, data reception speed from 2 to 56 Mb/sec. Cable Internet (“coax at a home”). Currently, two data transmission architectures are known: symmetric and asymmetric architectures. In addition, there are two connection methods: a) a cable modem is installed separately in each user’s apartment; b) the cable modem is installed in a house where several Internet service users live. To connect users to a common cable modem, a local network is used and Ethernet equipment is installed common to all.
8. Last mile wireless technologies:
   • WiFi;
   • WiMax;
   • RadioEthernet;
   • MMDS;
   • mobile GPRS – Internet;
   • mobile CDMA – Internet.

Let's take a closer look at last mile wireless technologies:

1. WiFi(Wireless Fidelity - accurate data transfer without wires) - technology for broadband Internet access. The information transfer speed for the end subscriber can reach 54 Mbit/s. Their range of action does not exceed 50 - 70 meters. Wireless access points are used within an apartment or in public places in large cities. Having a laptop or pocket personal computer with a Wi-Fi controller, visitors to a cafe or restaurant (within the Wi-Fi network coverage area) can quickly connect to the Internet.
2. WiMAX(Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), similar to WiFi - broadband Internet access technology. WiMAX, unlike traditional radio access technologies, also operates on a reflected signal, outside the line of sight of the base station. Experts believe that mobile WiMAX networks open up much more interesting prospects for users than fixed WiMAX intended for corporate customers. Information can be transmitted over distances of up to 50 km at speeds of up to 70 Mbit/s.

   Currently, WiMAX partially satisfies the conditions of 4G networks based on packet data transfer protocols. The 4G family includes technologies that allow data transmission over cellular networks at speeds above 100 Mbit/s. and improved voice quality. VoIP technology is provided for voice transmission in 4G.

3. RadioEthernet- broadband Internet access technology provides data transfer speeds from 1 to 11 Mbit/s, which is divided among all active users. For the RadioEthernet channel to operate, direct visibility between the antennas of the subscriber points is required. Range up to 30 km.
4. MMDS(Multichannel Multipoint Distribution System). These systems are capable of serving an area within a radius of 50-60 km, while direct visibility of the operator’s transmitter is not necessary. The average guaranteed data transfer rate is 500 Kbps - 1 Mbps, but up to 56 Mbps per channel can be provided.
5. LMDS(Local Multipoint Distribution System) is a standard for cellular networks for wireless information transmission for fixed subscribers. The system is built on a cellular principle; one base station allows you to cover an area with a radius of several kilometers (up to 10 km) and connect several thousand subscribers. The BSs themselves are connected to each other by high-speed terrestrial communication channels or radio channels (RadioEthernet). Data transfer speed up to 45 Mbit/s.
6. Mobile GPRS- Internet. To use the Mobile Internet service using GPRS technology, you must have a telephone with a built-in GPRS modem and a computer.

   GPRS technology provides data transfer speeds of up to 114 Kbps. When using GPRS technology, it is not the time of connection to the Internet that is charged, but the total volume of information transmitted and received. You will be able to view HTML pages, download files, work with email and any other Internet resources.

   GPRS technology is an enhancement of the GSM core network or a packet switching protocol for GSM networks. EDGE is a continuation of the development of GSM/GPRS networks. EDGE technology (enhanced GPRS or EGPRS) provides higher data transfer speeds compared to GPRS (speeds up to 200 Kbps). EDGE (2.5 G) is the first step towards 3G technology.

7. Mobile CDMA- Internet. The CDMA standard network provides landline and mobile communications, as well as high-speed mobile Internet. To use the Mobile Internet service using CDMA technology, you must have a telephone with a built-in CDMA modem or a CDMA modem and a computer. CDMA technology provides data transfer rates of up to 153 Kbps or up to 2400 Kbps - using EV-DO Revision 0 technology.

   Currently, CDMA technology provides third generation mobile communication services. 3G mobile communication technologies (third generation) - a set of services that provides both high-speed mobile access to the Internet and organizes video telephony and mobile television. Third generation mobile communications are based on packet data transmission. Third generation 3G networks operate in the range of about 2 GHz, transmitting data at speeds of up to 14 Mbit/s.

   Third generation 3G networks are implemented on various technologies based on the following standards: W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) and its European version - UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System), which is a GSM/GPRS/EDGE receiver; CDMA2000 1X, which is a modification of the CDMA standard; Chinese version - TD-CDMA/TD-SCDMA.

It should be noted that currently technologies are used for the “last meters” of access to the Internet. Home PNA (HPNA) And HomePlug. Internet access via dedicated Home PNA or HPNA lines (telephone lines) and access via a 220 volt household electrical network (HomePlug, Plug is a plug).

Typically, Internet access via Home PNA and HomePlug leased lines is combined with access methods such as DSL, WiFi, and others, i.e. Home PNA and HomePlug technologies are used for the “last meters” of access, and DSL, WiFi and other technologies are used for the “last mile” of access.

HPNA 1.0 data transfer speed is 1 Mbps, and the distance between the most remote nodes does not exceed 150 meters. The HomePNA 2.0 specification provides access speeds of up to 10 Mbps and distances of up to 350 m.

Home PNA technology is mainly used to organize a home network using network adapters. Connecting to the global network can be done using a router through public networks. In addition, HPNA technology is intended for organizing collective access to the Internet (for example, for connecting a residential building or connecting a house to the Internet using existing telephone wiring). The telephone line can be used for negotiations.

The HomePlug 1.0 standard for Internet access via a household electrical network supports transmission speeds of up to 14 Mbit/s. the maximum length between nodes is up to 300 m. The Renesas company has released a modem in the form of a plug for data transmission over electrical networks.

PLC (Power Line Communication) technology allows you to transmit data over high-voltage power lines, without additional communication lines. The computer is connected to the electrical network and accesses the Internet through the same outlet. No additional cables are required to connect to your home network. You can connect various equipment to your home network: computers, phones, security alarms, refrigerators, etc.

The Internet has long become not only the norm, but even a necessity in our lives. A lot of things depend on the use of the World Wide Web. But it is impossible to connect to it by simply plugging the cord into an outlet. Let's look at what types of Internet connections exist.

Over time, outdated Internet technologies are replaced by more advanced ones

Cable connection

Twisted pair and optical cable

This is the most popular connection type. A cable is installed in your apartment or office through which the Internet signal is received. There are two connection options: twisted pair and optical cable.

In the first case, a high-bandwidth fiber optic cable is installed from the service provider to the house or distribution box, and a twisted pair cable is installed into the apartment itself, which is a copper wire with a specially crimped end that is plugged into a computer or router. The connection speed in this case most often does not exceed 100 Mbit/s.

In the second case, an optical cable is installed in the home and connected to a distribution device. Among its advantages are much higher speeds, up to 1 Gbit/sec. Using this cable you can simultaneously receive Internet, telephone and television services - that is, one cable instead of three. Cable connection has two options for organizing a network: local and virtual.

The local network

The essence of a local network is that your provider assigns you a separate IP address. All computers, by and large, form a large network that has access to the Internet through a provider. There is access with dynamic and static IP.

Dynamic IP

This is the simplest type of communication for you. All settings for each connection are assigned by the provider, and you do not need to configure anything additional. You simply plug the cable into your computer or router and start using the Internet.

Static IP

With this type, the user needs to enter into the settings of the network card or router the parameters that are issued by the provider and which are unchanged during each communication session. This is quite convenient for online services that ask you for a permanent IP address. You can find out the type of connection in the provider’s technical support, on the service provider’s website, or in the contract. When using a router, most models can detect the connection type automatically.

Virtual VPN

VPN stands for “virtual private network.” This technology encrypts data exchange between the subscriber's computer and the provider's server, significantly increasing security.

The most popular type of VPN connection. To use you only need to know your login and password. The Windows operating system treats this connection as a broadband dialing connection.

L2TP/PPTP

Less popular types of VPN connections. In addition to your login and password, you need to find out the server address provided by your telecom operator. The difference between them is only in the encryption method, which is selected in the additional connection settings. The most famous provider working with this standard is Beeline.

Combined connection

Combines several types of connections for accessing the Internet and provider resources. VPN is used as the main connection type, dynamic or static IP - as an additional one. The difference between them is the manual entry of a local address or its automatic determination. This connection is considered the most complex and is therefore rarely used. You can find out the parameters from the technical support of a specific service provider.

Phone line

Despite the fact that cable connections have recently dominated, in many areas it is not economically feasible to run a separate Internet line. In this case, it helps to have a telephone line; you can only connect to the Internet through it. There are two types of connection: ADSL and Dial-Up.

ADSL

Modern standards provide access to the Internet at speeds of several tens of megabits, which is quite enough for most tasks. The bottom line is that with the help of a splitter the signal is divided into different frequencies: low - for voice communications, high - for the Internet. Accordingly, you can make calls and use the Internet at the same time.

A modem is used to organize communication. The connection diagram is quite simple: the telephone cable, which is brought into the room, is connected to the splitter, and the home telephone and ADSL modem are connected to it in the corresponding connectors.

Dial-Up

This type of connection has come to us since the nineties of the last century. It is very outdated, as when used, the telephone line remains busy, and the average speed is about 56 kilobits. By today's standards this is very little. However, in some areas this type of connection is sometimes used.

It works as follows: the modem is connected to the telephone line and to the computer, and the modem pool number is added to its settings. The modem calls this number, and after the connection is established, the subscription gives you access to the Internet.

TV cable DOCSIS

This type of connection provides Internet via television cable. Undoubtedly, it is much more convenient to pay for the Internet and TV to one company. The cable is inserted into an apartment or house, and with the help of a splitter the signal is distributed to television and Internet. The Internet signal is sent to a cable modem connected to a PC or router.

Modern standards allow Internet speeds of up to 300 Mbit/sec. Despite the relatively low popularity of the technology, telecommunications service provider AKADO connects subscribers in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg using it.

Mobile Internet

The development of 3G and 4G standards allows you to use the Internet at a speed comparable to a home connection. In many Russian cities, the 4G standard is available with speeds of up to more than 100 megabits. Where it is not available, 3G operates at speeds of up to 40 megabits.

Recently, unlimited tariffs have been offered, albeit rather conditional ones. No wires are needed and you can connect relatively cheaply anywhere where coverage is available. You can use a USB modem, mobile router or smartphone/tablet as a modem. The firmware can also determine network parameters.

Satellite Internet

The most expensive, but at the same time the most ubiquitous. Allows you to access the Internet even far from communications, even in the middle of the taiga. The only condition is visibility of the satellite.

Everyone is familiar with satellite television. Antenna dishes can be seen in almost every home and in huge quantities. The same dish is used to access the Internet. There is one-way and two-way satellite Internet.

With one-way access, outgoing requests are transmitted over a terrestrial communication channel, for example, through a mobile network, and incoming data comes from a satellite. With two-way access, all exchange occurs via satellite channel. To do this you will need an antenna with a transmitting head.

Access speed reaches several tens of megabits. The main disadvantage is the huge price for a set of equipment and rather high tariffs.

WiMax and Wi-Fi

Almost everyone is familiar with Wi-Fi; almost everyone has a router at home, and many public places have free access points. WiMax allows you to cover those areas where it is difficult to provide a cable connection in every home. This is applicable in the private sector or cottage communities. To provide coverage, base stations are used to provide coverage within a radius of several kilometers.

To connect, you need to have a special receiver, and when moving away from the station, an amplifying antenna. The technology is not widely used, since it still requires a cable connection to the village. It is much more expedient to use the mobile Internet.

Conclusion

We have listed all possible types of Internet connection. If you live in a city, most likely your provider will connect you via cable. This is the cheapest type of connection in multi-storey buildings. Equipment setup will differ for different types of connections; you can read more about this issue in our article How to connect the Internet on a laptop. In addition, never hesitate to contact the service provider's technical support to find out your network access parameters.

What type of connection do you use? Are you satisfied with the quality of communication? Write to us in the comments.

Sometimes there is a need to quickly get online. Connect Wi-Fi or restore access to the global network. In this article I will tell you. What are the ways?

• The first thing you should pay attention to is what kind of ISP (Internet service provider) you have.

• The most common suppliers are Dom.Ru, Rostelecom, Beeline, Yota, Samara-Lan, Infolada, Zhiguli-Telecom, Aist and others.

• As we see there are many providers and they all have their own settings and methods for connecting to the Internet. Each service provider may have different network settings and features.

• Secondly, decide what kind of connection scheme you have. It is very important. There are several schemes. First, determine what type of Internet you have at home. There is fiber optic, telephone line, Wi-Fi, satellite Internet and other types of connection.

1. For example, fiber optic cable is a special two-layer tube made of soft glass. Therefore, such a cable cannot be bent too much, since it is glass. This is the fastest internet! This cable is not connected to the computer directly, but through a special device.
2. Telephone line (ADSL)- This is a slower Internet, unlike fiber optics. In this case, a telephone cable will run into your home. This cable does not connect directly to the computer. Usually it first goes to a router (with ADSL support) or to a special ADSL modem, and then from the modem to the router via Ethernet.

So, simply put, you may have a cable running into your house that can be connected directly to your computer and can only be connected via an ADSL modem.

• Internet login and password must be stated in the contract or on a plastic card. If you have a router, then you need to enter this data in the router settings. If there is no router, then you need to create a new connection on your computer. Without a login and password, if you are connecting for the first time, the Internet will not work. Need help setting up a router,

If you have forgotten your Internet password, Dom.ru is easier in this regard; you can dictate your passport details over the phone and they will send you the password via SMS. Rostelecom is more difficult. You need to go to the customer service department with your passport.

Don't forget that if you have a modern smartphone, it can also act as a router and distribute Wi-Fi.

Also, 4 G modems Iota, megaphone, beeline, etc. can act as a router (they are slightly thicker than usual, they have a built-in mini-router).

If you urgently need access to the Internet in Samara, but you do not have the opportunity to connect, then you can go to the bus station or McDonald's, or somewhere else where there is free Wi-Fi. This is like an emergency measure. So, I think no one in Samara should have any problems with the Internet.

If your Internet or wi-fi just stopped working, then you can do some simple things:

1. If you have a router, unplug it, wait 1 minute and turn it back on.
2. If there is no router, then disconnect the ethernet cable from the computer for 30 seconds and connect again (especially important for Dom.Ru)
3. Check if you have internet connection on your computer? (whether the shortcut was launched on the desktop or in the right column on the desktop)
4. If you have wi-fi, then check whether the wi-fi button is turned on on the laptop or check whether wi-fi is turned on using hot keys (Fn + one of the F1-F12 buttons)
5. Just restart your computer.
6. Check that your login and password are correct
7. Check your connection's network settings, if any. This is the IP address, DNS server, gateway and other parameters in the properties of the ipv4 network connection.
8. If the steps above did not help, or you don’t know how to configure network settings, call the technical support of your provider or call a technician at home.

Modern plasma and LCD TVs with Internet access do more than just attract our attention in store windows. Today they are a bestseller on the market for such devices.

The emergence of smart TV technology

The most creative users strive to purchase this symbiosis of TV and PC. Work with the Internet environment is ensured by the now popular Smart technology, mastered by the main TV manufacturers (the list of the best-selling models in 2014 will be presented below). The pioneer in its development was Samsung. It was with her light hand that the term “Smart technology” became generally accepted. Samsung's proprietary operating system is called Tizen.

Currently, almost all new models from a number of manufacturers (Philips, Toshiba, LG) contain basic equipment that supports Smart TV.

Equipment manufacturing companies and their operating systems

Each corporation develops its own engineering solutions, offering the buyer TVs with Internet access and 3D, working with its own software.

For example, LG is developing the WebOS operating system (OS) purchased from Hewlett-Packard. This open source system is promising for developing new applications.

Internet access via the TV is made through a special LAN port via a Wi-Fi connection to the router or using WPS, One Foot Connection, Plug & Access technologies. For the successful operation of a Smart TV, a sufficient information transfer speed (from 10 to 20 Mbit/s) is important.

Smart TVs are now even more advanced

Users of regular TV receivers will probably ask: “TVs with Internet access - what is it?” The functions of such devices are an order of magnitude greater than those of a conventional TV receiver. This technology offers a new level of convenience for the consumer. Indeed, using entertainment Internet resources on a wide screen while relaxing on a comfortable sofa is clearly more convenient than, say, using a laptop on the same sofa. But rushing after smartphones to exploit the media capabilities of the World Wide Web, new TVs have not yet become budget devices.

Why do modern TV viewers prefer them? Hybrid technology, combining the media capabilities of a PC and the current offerings of modern digital television, has caused a breakthrough in the seemingly stable TV market. Users of new devices receive obvious convenience and benefits.

Indeed, televisions with Internet access are not tied to the hourly television program. Users find themselves in an advantageous position. Internet media resources provide them with the opportunity to get the information they need at any time convenient for them, as well as enjoy watching films or music selected to their taste.

New TVs provide obvious convenience to fans of social networks. They can alternately communicate with friends and discuss the video resources they are watching. Internet access through a TV equipped with a variety of interactive applications is multifunctional.

TVs with Internet access. Basic Concepts

Since Smart devices connect to the Internet and local networks, users should naturally have an understanding of the operating principles of modern gadgets.

Let's start with a brief description of Smart TV. This technology integrates television digital interactive service with Internet navigation capabilities. Thus, the TV has become “smart”. To do this, like a smartphone, it was given functions typical of a computer, equipped with its own operating system and applications. Accordingly, the operation of such a device is regulated by special standards:

- DLNA. Organizes the network connection of PCs, Smart TVs, mobile devices to the Internet via a modem or router. In this case, content recorded on one of the connected devices is played on another connected to it on the same network.

- Wi-Fi standard. It is also called the wireless standard. Internet-connected TVs use this standard either through a special built-in unit or through a USB adapter that supports Wi-Fi.

- Ethernet. Defines the wired connection of devices to the local network. At the same time, good performance indicators, noise immunity, and reliability are ensured.

- IPTV standard. This is an Internet television protocol.

- HbbTV standard (European). Regulates the transmission of multimedia information over all kinds of communication lines, including Wi-Fi (broadband Internet connection, satellite, cable, terrestrial channels).

We also consider it correct to recall the interpretation of the term “broadband” (providing continuous high-speed downloading and uploading of data). This is a necessary way to connect a Smart TV to the World Wide Web.

Widgets - a convenient TV interface

Special programs turn TVs with Internet access into excellent navigators. A widget is a special graphic module that connects the user to a specific streaming video or media. For example, to exchange rates or to a TV channel. It should also be noted that the widget does not require large amounts of memory from the television device. How is this achieved? The graphical shell is placed by the manufacturer in the Smart TV. At the same time, the software is located and, accordingly, runs in the cloud.

Social networks, Skype

Modern manufacturers of this miracle of technology initially install Twitter, Facebook, and Google Talk widgets on their models (often they are combined in the Social TV menu item). The top TV channels, following the spirit of the times and setting up their own information portals on the World Wide Web, visualized with individual widgets, were not offended by the new technology.

TVs with Internet access, equipped with the popular Skype program, also perform the popular video calling function.

TV manufacturing companies and interface features

Now, having turned on the required widget, you can watch new clips on YouTube or check the weather forecast without leaving the TV.

Various manufacturers offer their own widgets, so we recommend that buyers choose a manufacturer based on personal tastes. For lovers of social networks, Samsung is more suitable. LG TV provides excellent viewing of collections of movies and TV shows (Internet access is provided through the appropriate widgets). If you are serious about online trading, then Philips will allow you to use the international eBay auction online, where trading takes place across national borders.

It should be noted that the most popular widgets are provided to users on a paid basis.

Network capabilities of Smart TV

To further integrate television with the Internet, with functionality as close as possible to a PC, Google, Intel, Sony, and Logitech created the universal Google TV platform. Thanks to it, by connecting to the Google service, you automatically get access to YouTube; any TVs with Internet access LG and Samsung also support Google TV. The Chrome browser and Adobe Flash allow you to launch and enjoy games right there, right on Internet pages.

The Google TV platform can be built into the TV itself. Naturally, such a technique is less expensive, but free navigation on the Internet is worth it! You can pay for versatility. TVs with Internet access will provide worthy competition to PCs (they are presented in a wide range at M.Video and other retail chains).

User opinions

There are a number of Russian publications with sales ratings in the household appliances segment under consideration. At the same time, a thoughtful buyer is, of course, interested not in advertising, but in the sales practices of retail chains. The way users characterize their TVs with Internet access is also of interest. Reviews should be read, paying attention to functionality, stability, and shortcomings.

At the end of 2014, for example, the Russian federal-level retail chains Saturn and Media Markt most actively sold three models of Smart TVs with a diagonal of 46-47 inches. In this article we will limit ourselves to this rating. The price of Smart TVs with large screens, as you understand, is higher.

SMART - TV for the living room

Let us briefly describe other TVs with Internet access. Reviews for devices with a diagonal of more than 50 inches are impressive. Typically, appliances of this size and larger are an important element of the living room. Ideally, this is a family cinema with a convenient and friendly interface. By the way, almost all TVs with Internet access meet these criteria (2014 rating). When purchasing, the user is especially interested in the following:

Convenient and functional remote control with keyboard;

Powerful internet browser;

What widgets are initially available (including Skype, social networks);

Easy installation of additional widgets (carried out through the company’s online store);

Is there a built-in webcam?

Is it convenient to work with Wi-Fi (is it fast and convenient to restore such a connection);

Availability of USB outputs;

Working in movie search request mode (Your Video function).

Europeans' opinion. Best SMART TV of 2014

According to the European association of magazines EISA, specializing in the field of video and audio (which includes fifty publications from 20 countries), a clear leader was identified among Internet TVs in 2014. It was a 55-inch quad-core SMART TV Samsung UE55F8000. An impressive number of widgets are easily and clearly managed by the Smart Hub service. Samsung UE55F8000 is controlled using a video camera, remote control, and voice.

Users note that the 3D function works perfectly. According to reviews, the image looks especially impressive if you look at it in the dark: depth and texture appear. One cannot but rejoice at the volumetric and high-quality sound. Auto-adjusting screen brightness works well.

Perspective - gaming capabilities of smart TVs

In 2016, according to analysts at IHS iSuppli, the gaming capabilities of Internet-connected TVs will create significant competition for console applications. It is expected that profits in this market segment will reach $1.6 billion, and the number of units of equipment operating at consumers will be 800 million. SMART TVs represent a dynamically growing gaming market and are becoming attractive platforms for leading game companies.

Users of Samsung smart TVs prefer the games Catapult King, Slingshot Racing, Air Attack, Mini Motor Racing.

There are applications for both those interested in horoscopes and those engaged in self-education.

Conclusion

The advantages of TVs with Internet access are obvious. However, there is a factor hindering their advancement in the market. This is the price.

But the modern World Wide Web, interactive TV services, as well as developments by corporations in the field of Smart TV are already determining increased consumer demand for these household appliances. Cisco analysts claim that already in 2015, every tenth family will use Smart TVs, and by 2018, the share of “smart TVs” will amount to more than a quarter of the entire market - 26.8%.

This will change the status of television, which will no longer be positioned as a monopolist in the TV market of media resources and will be forced to compete for viewers with many other electronic resources.

Currently, “smart TVs” are gaining their share of the Internet market, actively competing with PCs and tablets.