It's high time to forget about those times when the maximum functionality of a TV was the display of TV channels from other countries. Now the level of development of these devices has increased so much that they can no longer be called televisions, because in terms of capabilities they are more reminiscent of computers. It is not surprising that now such equipment is called nothing less than Smart TV, which means smart TV.
But complex equipment requires equally difficult maintenance. In particular, this concerns software updates and the availability of browsers. Samsung TVs have a built-in Internet connection, and even an application store called “Samsung App TV”. But many users don’t like it and it’s not suitable, so they are thinking about updating the browser on their Samsung TV or want to download and install a new browser.
App TV Features
Naturally, no one will be surprised to hear that standard browsers are used to access the World Wide Web. But this is on a computer, but what about the TV? It turns out that rearranging the terms does not change the result, that is, the browser on the TV is also used to access the Internet. Samsung has installed its standard browser, which is included in the factory package of Smart TV. It's called App TV and you can immediately find it when you go to the menu.
Users claim that this browser is one of the most functional compared to similar options from other manufacturers. We will not give a rating, since each user decides for himself whether this configuration is suitable or not suitable for him. However, let's look at the features of this application:
The program is designed using Flash technology;
The browser is multitasking, especially compared to other analogues;
During operation, it allows you to open a large number of windows without compromising functionality.
In addition, Samsung has also released several interesting add-ons that improve the browser. Here are the coolest ones:
Tizen platform;
Ability to support HTML5 protocol;
Ability to work in WebKit-based.
How to download and install the browser on Samsung Smart TV
Often, owners of smart TVs have little understanding of how they can install a new browser, and whether it is even possible. On many models this is indeed allowed, but not on all. Therefore, before performing any actions, you need to find the instructions for your TV. Read whether it is possible to replace a web browser on it, for example, with the popular Yandex or Google today.
If yes, then you should do the following:
Samsung Smart TV has a special assistant program called “Smart Hub”. To immediately get into this application, you need to take the remote control and press the bright hexagonal button;
A window will open where the user can see a list of programs that can be downloaded and installed on the TV;
Finding the desired browser is very simple - you can either rewind the sentences until you find what you need, or enter the application you are looking for in a special search bar;
After the choice has been made, the application must be downloaded and installed.
The download is fast, although this depends on the Internet speed at the time of downloading. Sometimes you have to wait a little. When the process is completed, you need to press the start button. In addition, keep in mind that the Samsung App TV app store has not only free browsers, but also paid applications that have wider functionality.
How to update the browser on Samsung
Most Samsung TVs have a browser built into the firmware, and it can only be updated by updating the entire firmware. Naturally, this creates problems, since manufacturers often forget that Smart TV is a TV for surfing the Internet, and therefore do not add improvements to the software for the standard browser.
How can you update it so as not to lose the set of functionality that already existed? It's a matter of luck here.
If there are no suspicions about the quality of the new firmware, then you can install it. This is done according to the standard principle:
Select “Software Update”;
Seeing that there is an option to update, clicks “OK”.
All you have to do is wait for the download, install, and the browser, along with the entire system, will be updated.
We continue to torment the TV - today our question is how to install a Smart TV application or TV widget on Samsung or LG. By default, the TV has several proprietary applications from the manufacturer and the most standard ones installed, such as YouTube or IVI. However, many TV channels or Internet resources have their own Smart TV applications. Let's see how to install them yourself. Let's look at installing Smart TV Apps using the example of the two most popular TV manufacturers - Samsung and LG.
What is a TV application - widget?
These are developed programs that are made specifically for ease of use on a widescreen TV. There may be:
- games,
- transmissions of central TV channels,
- film archives,
- television versions of information sites
In general, everything your heart desires.
Nowadays, programmers are actively and widely implementing cloud technologies, so Smart TV applications do not take up much space on the TV’s storage device - all the main content is loaded as needed from a remote server, so you can install quite a lot of programs and games without affecting the speed of the TV. At the same time, they are optimized for not very powerful hardware, on which it is often impossible to properly view the same high-quality films through a regular browser.
Smart TV applications for Samsung
Well, let's try to install some TV application as an example. To begin, your TV must be connected to the Internet - how to do this is written in detail.
Click on the central colored button on the remote control
and get to the Smart TV menu. Here we will see icons of already pre-installed applications for Samsung TV. But we are interested in the “Samsung Apps” item - click on it.
Here you will be asked to log into your Samsung account or register a new one. We fill out all the fields and confirm registration by email - be sure to enter a valid address.
So, let's log in and find ourselves in the systematized catalog of Samsung Apps - Smart TV applications, or they are also called widgets, specially designed for use on Samsung. All of them are conveniently divided into thematic headings - Video, Sports, Games, etc. You can use the search form to search by name. quickly find the desired TV application. There is also a section with a list of all applications already installed on your TV.
Navigation through the catalog occurs using the arrows on the remote control, or a mouse or keyboard connected to the USB port of the TV. Select the desired widget and click “Enter”. We get to the page with its description. Here you can estimate the size of the application in relation to the free memory on the TV. Click the “Download” button to download Smart TV applications from the Internet
After that, the “Install” button will appear in the same place - click it.
We are waiting for the window to appear notifying about the successful installation. Then we launch it and use it.
Applications for LG Smart TV
Installing the LG Smart TV application is roughly the same way - the only difference is in the location and names of the menu items. To enter LG Apps, use the “Home” or “Smart” button on the remote control - it may be called differently on different models.
We find ourselves in a directory similar to Samsung. We are interested in the “Applications” item - go to it
And select the program we need.
Everything is the same here - information about the application. To install, click the corresponding button on the screen.
If you are doing this for the first time, the service will ask you to create your LG account or log in using FaceBook.
This is done simply, as in any service - you register a real email, give a password to log in, indicate other data - everything according to the list.
After this, confirm registration from the specified mailbox, log in with your username and password and return to the TV widget installation menu. We run the installation again and upon completion we are happy with the launch of the program.
Speech recognition technology, which is equipped with TVs with LG Smart TV AI, makes it easier to access content and services - now searching for them has become much easier. You no longer need to scroll through hundreds of unnecessary channels in search of your favorite ones. Now just ask the TV out loud to find the content you need - dictate the text instead of typing it.
LG Plus Channels
Access to more than 200 federal, regional, foreign and thematic TV channels of our own production. A third of all channels are presented in HD/FHD quality. 30 TV channels can be watched for free on an ongoing basis. All new users of the service who do not have a subscription to MEGOGO are given a “Maximum” subscription as a gift for 3 months. The new generation TV service was developed by MEGOGO exclusively for LG smart TVs based on webOS.
ivi button
ivi button
Enabling the ivi app on LG Smart TV AI has never been easier! Now there is a separate button on your TV remote for this. With the ivi application, you will have access to a huge library of films, TV series and cartoons, classic hits and the latest rentals.
Fast start
Don't forget to enable Quick Start mode in General > Settings and the next time you turn on your TV, LG Smart TV AI will be available instantly.
*Additional electricity may be wasted.
Main menu
Main menu
Press the Home button on the remote control and the LG Smart TV AI Main Menu will appear on the screen. Go to our recommended online cinemas or the Main Menu, open the LG Store or use the search and download any other applications you like
Running applications
Easily return to using previously running applications. LG Smart TV AI multitasking lets you work with multiple apps at once—expand and collapse them as needed.
My applications
My applications
Scroll to the right of the main menu and you will see all the apps you have installed, as well as LG Smart TV AI features. Rearrange the order of apps to make it even faster to open the ones you use most often.
My TV channels
Turn on your favorite TV channel, bring up the LG Smart TV AI menu and click “Add TV channel” so that it appears in the LG Smart TV AI menu. Now you don't need to sort through hundreds of channels to find your favorites - easily and quickly launch them through the menu
My content
Add movies and TV shows you want to watch to the Add Content section. Click "Add Content" and select the movie you are interested in.
Modern LG TVs are complemented by multifunctional software that is in no way inferior to personal computers. As with operating systems, TV browsers also require updating. In order to maintain stable operation of the device, all updates must be installed on time, otherwise many programs will not work correctly or will refuse to launch at all.
Consequences of lack of updates:
- Incorrect operation of the TV;
- Constant browser freezes;
- Broken picture;
- Inability to open some programs and applications;
- Errors in system operation;
This is not a complete list of possible malfunctions of your TV, which will certainly await you if you do not update your browser and software in time. There is no need to look for other ways to fix all these problems; it is quite enough to update the programs that need it.
There is only one, quite logical question left: how to update the browser on lg smart TV? In fact, there are several options, each of them is effective in its own way and, in principle, available to every owner of “smart” equipment.
Smart TV interface
- The first, and also the most accessible way to update, is the interface of the TV itself.
- Second, installing the necessary files using removable media.
- And the last, easiest one is to use the Internet on the TV itself.
Smart TV menu
In the device menu you can find a section for software updates; by clicking on it using the remote control you can install all currently available updates. However, this method cannot be called effective, since it is extremely rare to activate this function in the device interface; in most cases, there are simply no updates. For this reason, there is no point in dwelling on this method; you can safely move on to the next one.
Flash card, removable media
In order to use this method, you need to go to the official LG website and find “software” among the categories, or use the search bar of your browser to enter the appropriate request. Once a suitable update option is found, you need to write it to removable media.
As soon as the recording is finished, you can insert the media into the TV; as soon as this is done, you will see the relevant information on the screen, as well as an installation proposal, that is, the installation itself, which will occur automatically.
The most important thing to remember is that if you are looking for options on how to update the browser on an LG smart TV yourself, you must be one hundred percent confident in your abilities, otherwise the best option would be to contact an LG service center. If you hire the services of professional technicians, at least you will be guaranteed a successful browser update.
Internet
Considering that ELGI smart TVs themselves are capable of performing computer capabilities, at least the most basic of them, it would be stupid not to take advantage of this opportunity. All you need to do is connect the device to the network using any of the three available methods;
TV network connection
- WI- FI, is probably the most popular TV connection to the network and does not require any additional equipment;
- Wired connection, you will have to tinker a little with the wires, but the connection method is no less effective than the previous one;
- And of course mobile internet 4G, you can insert it into the flash card slot;
Well, after your smart TV is connected to the Internet, all you have to do is pick up the remote control and perform a few simple manipulations.
Self-updating, without any professional knowledge in this area, can lead to possible problems with the operation of the TV:
- Poor quality software can make further use of the browser completely impossible.
- If the updated version of the browser was downloaded from a suspicious resource, you may install malware on the device along with the software.
- In general, inept handling of complex equipment can lead to very sad consequences and extremely expensive subsequent repairs.
It is for these reasons that all work on the repair and maintenance of modern equipment and electronics must be entrusted exclusively to professionals with extensive experience and appropriate qualifications; only they can provide a guarantee of quality, and, if necessary, provide a contract for the provision of services.
I was just thinking that I already wrote about connecting a TV to the World Wide Web. But I’ll now write about how to access the Internet from an LG TV that has the Smart TV function. Perhaps this article may seem too simple and unnecessary to some. But I am sure that many will find it useful.
Almost from all TVs that can connect to the Internet and have the Smart TV function, you can visit websites, log into social networks, read Twitter, etc. Yes, yes, even VKontakte can be accessed from the TV while lying on the couch. Here they are – technologies :)
I will write this article using the example of an LG TV (model LG 32LN575U, but that doesn't matter).
A few words about the browser
The browser built into LG TVs is quite decent. It can even play Flash. But he is there to play banners, nothing more. You can launch a video on some website, or a game on a social network. But, most likely, after a while an error will appear: , or something like that.
Navigation, functionality, and browser speed are, as I already wrote, at a decent level. Like for TV.
How to control Internet surfing from TV?
You can control it using the remote control that was included. But this is not very convenient. Then I remembered surfing the Internet from a regular mobile phone, which has buttons (oh, nostalgia 🙂). Controlling the TV browser from the remote control is pretty much the same.
It is best, of course, to connect a keyboard and mouse to the TV. Better yet, a wireless keyboard and mouse. Such control will be the most convenient. If you don’t have these devices, you can control the TV browser from your phone or tablet. Which works on Android, or iOS.
You can also buy a branded LG Magic Remote. From which it will be very convenient to control website viewing. At least it seems so to me :) The last two methods are only suitable for LG TVs.
Connecting your TV to the Internet
It is clear that in order to view websites via Smart TV, the TV itself must be connected to the Internet. You can do it via cable, or you can do it via Wi-Fi, if possible. I wrote more about connection in separate articles:
If everything is fine with the connection, then you can proceed to launch the browser and visit sites.
We visit websites from an LG TV (Smart TV)
To get started, go to Smart TV (by pressing the special blue button on the remote control). Then, at the bottom, select and launch the browser” Internet“.
Please note that on the main page of Smart TV, the icon that displays the Internet connection status should be green. This means that the Internet is working and you can continue.
After launching the browser, you can immediately click on the address bar and use the keyboard to enter the address of the site you want to visit. Or, ask a search query. To confirm the transition to the address, click the button Go on the virtual keyboard, or using the cursor, select one of the options that pop up below.
A website or search results will open, which you can view, follow links, etc. Everything is like on a computer.
In the lower right corner, “ Mini TV“. You can browse websites and watch TV at the same time. If this window bothers you, you can close it. Hover your cursor over it and click on the cross that appears. To return “Mini TV”, click on the button in the form of a TV on the top control panel.
You can open many tabs at the same time. Just click on the green cross to open another tab. In this tab, by default, a panel opens that displays thumbnails of the pages of the most visited sites. A bit higher (below the address bar), the bookmarks panel is displayed.
When you have opened a site and want to bookmark it, just click on the corresponding button, which I showed in the screenshot below.
In order to open browser settings, history, bookmark manager and help, just click on the corresponding button and select the desired item. You can also enable full screen viewing, zoom in, and close the browser.
In the settings, you can select the start page, the default search engine, enable permanent display of the bookmarks bar, disable Flash, etc.
I just want to give you one piece of advice. I have already seen articles on the Internet several times that a vulnerability was discovered in Smart TV, albeit on Samsung TVs. The data that was entered on the TV could get to the attackers. I now have to enter passwords for different sites, and what’s even worse, payment information.
I hope this vulnerability has been fixed now. But, do not forget that Smart TV on any TV is a new and still somewhat crude technology. So, for now, it’s better not to pay for various services through the TV, and not to enter your payment information. For this, it is better to use a computer.
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How to access the Internet from an LG TV with Smart TV function? Browsing websites from TV updated: February 7, 2018 by: admin
