Always wanted an internet enabled TV, but can’t afford a brand new, state-of-the-art flat screen HDTV? Don’t worry: there are ways to turn your old television into an internet enabled TV! Here’s a quick guide.
1) Buy A Compatible Digital Media Streaming Box
There are now a range of digital media streaming boxes available, such as Apple TV and Roku 2, that can turn a screen into an internet enabled TV. The problem with most of these boxes is the fact that they only connect to your TV using an HDMI cable. This means you’ll need to have an HDTV to get them to work.
Thankfully, there are a few options available for those who only have an old television. The top names on the market that can do this are the Roku 2 XS, the WD Live TV Hub and the Boxee Box by D-Link. You’ll simply need to buy the appropriate cables if you don’t have them already.
The best news? A digital streaming box costs around $100: far less than buying a new internet-enabled HDTV.
2) Connect A PC Or Laptop To Your Television
Connecting your computer to a television to watch videos on the big screen isn’t always straightforward if you have an older model. You’ll need to first check the ports available on your laptop, then check the outputs on your computer, and buy the cables to connect the two. Sometimes this will mean using adaptors to get the connection right. If you have a newer TV with an HDMI port then the process will be a lot simpler.
Not only does this method take a lot of time to research the right way of connecting your specific devices, but it also means you’ll need to keep the computer near the TV so the wires reach. It is possible to do, but it’s not the simplest method of creating an internet enabled TV!
3) Games Consoles
There are some games consoles that allow you to stream content to older TV screens. For example, the Xbox 360 is able to connect up to standard definition TVs and will give you access to services such as Netflix. The downside is that, unless you want an Xbox 360 for gaming anyway, this is an expensive route just to get internet on your old TV screen!
Conclusion
As you can see, although not as easy as with an HDTV screen, there are ways to breathe life into your old screen by turning it into an internet enabled TV. If you’ve got $100 to spend, then by far the easiest option is to buy one of the media streaming boxes mentioned above in point one.