Use your big screen Smart LCD TV to show off your favorite YouTube videos to your friends instead of crowding around your computer or passing around your smartphone. Chat on Facebook while you watch TV without getting out your laptop. Look up information about your favorite actor while you’re watching your Netflix movie without missing anything.
These TVs have an internet connection built into them, so you don’t have to add a box to your HDTV. Additionally, many of them have Wi-Fi, cutting down on the number of wires coming from your TV. You can use an internet TV for its internet capabilities, or just watch TV like you would with any conventional set. Since the internet is an additional feature, it won’t keep your TV from working if your internet connection is down. After doing the research to compare internet ready TVs, we found Sony NSX-40GT1, LG 42LV5500 and LG 42LV3700 to be the products with the best internet options and TV quality. For more information, check out our articles on internet TV in our learning center. You can also read about the best internet TV comparisons and reviews.
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To find the best internet TV, you’ll want to make sure your TV has all the functions and clarity a TV should have, while offering the apps and browsing options that fit your needs. You’ll also want a TV that is smart enough to be able to search both TV channels as well as internet content to find exactly what you’re looking for, and what better way to do that than with an internet-friendly remote.
Web Access
Although each TV has access to the internet, be aware that each one has varying amounts of websites you can access. The best Smart TVs come with Wi-Fi already set up. The applications a TV offers can also be a deal breaker, since not all TVs offer the same apps. Each TV comes with different apps that the manufacturer has installed already. If you want to use Netflix and Facebook, you obviously won't want to consider TVs that don’t offer those apps. The best app options include manufacturer-installed apps and an app store that will allow you to purchase additional apps. Several of the TVs we reviewed had access to app stores, but others did not.
TV Specs
While you’re buying a TV for its internet capabilities, don’t forget the basic aspects of what makes a great TV. Screen size and type, resolution, audio, picture quality, connectivity, response time, refresh speed and additional features are all important things to take into consideration. In addition, the best devices are those that are local area network (LAN) compliant. This allows you to access files from other electronic devices that you also have connected to the LAN.
Peripheral Integration
An internet TV should combine both TV programming and internet options into one seamless search option, thus allowing you to search for your favorite movies and TV shows in your personal library, on the internet and on TV stations. As TV merges with the internet, you’ll find that specialized internet remotes, or your own phone, can make the navigation process even easier. Some TVs even allow you to throw something from your phone onto your TV screen.
Help & Support
It’s beneficial to have several tech support options from which you can choose in the event you have questions or need assistance. Email and telephone contact information are the basics. Community forums and the ability to have live chat sessions with tech support can also be invaluable. We also looked for timely and knowledgeable responses from the manufacturer’s tech support.
Bring the internet to the comfort of your living room in style through a big screen internet TV. Selecting the internet television with the right apps and browsing capabilities, as well as superior picture image, will help you enjoy your TV and internet experience even more. Read our in-depth reviews to find just the right internet TV for you.
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Sony NSX-40GT1 | LG 42LV5500 | LG 42LV3700 | Samsung UN40D6000SF | VIZIO M420SV | VIZIO M421VT | Panasonic TC-L42E30 | Toshiba 42TL515U | Panasonic TC-P42GT25 | Philips 40PFL5705D/F7 |
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| Web Access | ||||||||||
| Preinstalled Apps | 12 | 18 | 18 | 5 | 79 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 3 |
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| NBA | ||||||||||
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| TV Type | LED | LED | LED | LED | LED | LED | LED | LED | Plasma | LCD |
| Screen Size | 40" | 42" | 42" | 40" | 42" | 42" | 42" | 42" | 42" | 40" |
| Resolution | 1920x1080p | 1920x1080p | 1920x1080p | 1920x1080p | 1920x1080p | 1920x1080p | 1920x1080p | 1920x1080p | 1920x1080p | 1920x1080p |
| Blu-ray & DVD Mode | 24p | 24p | 24p | 24p | 24p | 24p | 24p | 24p | 24p | 24p |
| Speakers | 2 x 10 Watts | 2 x 10 Watts | 2 x 10 Watts | 2 x 15 Watts | 2 x 10 Watts | 2 x 10 Watts | 2 x 10 Watts | 2 x 10 Watts | 2 x 10 Watts | 4 x 20 Watts |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 | NA | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Power Consumption | 122W | 125W | 55W | 100W | 66.6W | 92W | 104W | 120V | 99W | 205W |
| Dynamic Contrast Ratio | 4,000,000:1 | 5,000,000:1 | 4,000,000:1 | 5,000,000:1 | 200,000:1 | 1,000,000:1 | 4,000,000:1 | NA | 5,000,000:1 | 90,000:1 |
| Response Rate | 4ms | 2.4 ms | 3.5ms | 4ms | 5ms | 5ms | 8ms | NA | 8ms | 1ms |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | 60Hz | 240Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz | 240Hz | 600Hz | 240Hz |
| Viewing Angle (Right/Left) | 178 | NA | 178 | 178 | 178 | 178 | 178 | NA | 179 | 178 |
| HDMI Inputs | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| USB Ports | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Component Inputs | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Composite Inputs | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 (shared) | 1 (shared) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Ethernet/LAN Port | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1, no LAN | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Digital Audio Output | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| PC Input | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| SD Card Slot | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
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| Remote | QWERTY | MagicMotion | MagicMotion, not included | Anynet+ | QWERTY | QWERTY | TV | TV | TV | TV |
| Download Storage Space | 8GB | 1 GB | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |||
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| Integrated Search | limited | |||||||||
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