You can find a lot of content on the Internet that is adapted for viewing on modern televisions. Of course, for this you need to connect them to the global network using one of the methods provided by the manufacturer. Regardless of whether you will be using cable or Wi-Fi, you will need a router, since L2TP or PPPoE clients are rarely built into the TV operating system. And even if the provider whose services you use establishes simpler connection methods, the problem of blocking the MAC address will remain relevant. Therefore, in order to establish an Internet connection, you will need to learn how to connect TVs to a router.
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Wired connection
It is the wired connection that is the priority in use. Firstly, the data transfer rate in this case will be the maximum possible (from 100 Mbit / s and higher), and secondly, the response delay is minimal. And at the same time, the load on the router with active data transfer will be less – for other devices connected to this router, the Internet will also work more stable.
To make a wired connection, you will need to purchase a twisted pair cable (sometimes referred to as a “LAN cable”). This is an 8-pin wire with RJ-45 connectors at the ends.
The connection process is as follows:
- Turn off the TV (recommended but not required).
- Insert one end of the RJ-45 cable into a free port on the router. Be sure to use the one marked as “LAN” (additionally indicated in blue or black).
- Insert the other end of the cable into a free socket on the TV.
- In the settings of the router (in the web interface), go to the network settings (may be referred to as “LAN settings”) and select the DHCP mode, that is, automatic assignment of an IP address. Naturally, the user can set the IP address manually (if there is a need to use a static one).
- On the TV, in the “Network Connection” settings, also enable DHCP (not all models have a setting) and select “LAN”.
It is worth considering that each router has a port for an RJ-45 connector, marked as “WAN” (and marked in yellow or white). It will not be possible to connect the router and the TV through it, since this connector is intended only for connecting the cable through which the device “receives the Internet”.
Simple wireless connection
A wireless connection with a router is available only for those TVs that have Wi-Fi support (you can check the availability of an adapter using the instructions). But the model of the router does not matter – it is enough just that it “knows how” to work with the 802.11n standard (available in all routers released after 2008).
The connection is carried out as follows:
- enable the router, if necessary – disable blocking by MAC address (by default it is disabled in all routers);
- open “Settings” on the TV, go to the “Network Connections” tab (the name of some items may differ – it depends on the TV model);
- in the “Connection method” section, select “Wireless network”;
- then the search for available Wi-Fi networks will start;
- select the required one from the entire list;
- enter the password using the remote control;
- if necessary, specify the IP address for connecting to the Internet (otherwise, DHCP is used, that is, the connection is configured automatically).
If for some reason the TV does not detect Wi-Fi or it fails to connect after entering the password, we recommend that you do the following:
- go to the router settings (in the web interface);
- in the settings of the wireless network (Wi-Fi) select the encryption algorithm AES2;
- enable “combined mode” of the router (support 802.11b / g / n), then restart the router.
It is also necessary to pay attention to the fact that in modern routers Wi-Fi can only work at 5 GHz. But in TVs in 95% of cases, support for a wireless network is implemented only at 2.4 GHz. In this case, in the router settings (in the web interface), it is enough to activate the 2.4 GHz module (for example, in ASUS routers it is disabled if it is not used by any of the home network devices).
Additional devices
If your TV does not have a built-in Wi-Fi module and you do not want to connect via cable, then you will have to look for workarounds to establish a connection. First, you need to carefully study the documentation and advertising materials for the device you are using. If they indicate the Wi-Fi Ready mark, the situation can be corrected by installing an additional adapter, which will cost 500-2500 rubles, depending on the specific type.
The best option would be to purchase an adapter in the form of an expansion card installed in a special slot.
A device that complies with the PCMCIA standard or its equivalent provides several advantages:
- Leave all connectors free.
- Prevent the increase in size of the TV, which is important when installing the device in a confined space.
- Provide steady contact.
- However, not all TVs have slots for expansion cards, so you will have to use a different method to connect them to a router via Wi-Fi.
Adapters can also be connected to a TV using USB, this option is the most common, since any modern device is equipped with one or more universal connectors. When choosing a USB adapter, it is worth giving preference to models with a folding external antenna and a transmitter with a power of at least 16 dBm, since they provide a stable connection even over long distances. In addition, it is advisable to purchase devices that are produced by the same company that made the TV, since only in this case their performance is guaranteed. There are many known cases where universal Wi-Fi adapters worked fine for a long time, but turned off after a firmware update by a manufacturer who cares about his profit.Branded adapters are on average 50% more expensive than third-party brands.
Connecting the Internet via an additional adapter will also not be a problem, since it is enough to activate the wireless connection function in the system menu of the TV. In doing so, make sure that the router uses the DHCP function and supports the same standard as the TV transmitter. In the settings, you will need to specify the encryption standard, as well as select the SSID of the wireless network and enter the access data.
If there is no mark about readiness for work in wireless networks in the TV documentation, then you can connect it to the router through a special attachment. It is a miniature TV router that connects to the main router. However, the TV itself receives all the data via an RJ-45 cable, which makes this method suitable for most modern devices. The set-top box has only one drawback – like a router, it will have to be pre-configured by connecting it to a computer. In the TV settings, you will need to select a connection via a cable, despite the fact that in fact you will be using a Wi-Fi network.
Final argument
Surprisingly, you can connect a TV to a router even without Smart TV support. Many will ask if there is any sense in such a connection, and you will get the answer to the question after reading this section. You will need to purchase a compact computer that runs on the Android operating system or an alternative to the manufacturer’s own design. Some of these devices use a cable, but most can be connected using the compact HDMI plug. The cost varies in the range of 2.5-10 thousand rubles, which is determined by the technical stuffing and functionality.
A compact computer that connects to a TV is equipped with a built-in Wi-Fi module. This means that it can independently connect to the router using its own settings menu. In addition, it allows you to connect tablets and smartphones to use them as remote controls and keyboards, or stream media. Its only drawback is the impossibility of the simultaneous use of other accessories connected to the TV, for example, flash drives or external hard drives. However, most of these computers provide the ability to install a memory card, which solves problems with additional storage devices.
Since such devices have their own operating system, they can not only access the global network and allow a person to use multimedia content online, but the user can run various applications: games, weather forecasts, information services, social network clients and many others. In addition, most HDMI TV set-top boxes support Airplay, Miralink and some others, due to this they are suitable for streaming audio and video files from smartphones and tablets, and can also communicate with other home electronics equipped with wireless modules. Also, in this case, there will be no compatibility problems, since the manufacturer simply cannot control the type of signal transmitted through the HDMI connectors, and the next firmware will not deprive you of Wi-Fi. But it’s worth rememberingthat budget devices of this type rarely please the user with the same speed as the TV, so you will have to pay a considerable sum for the convenience.
By any methods
The easiest way to connect a TV to the global network is to connect to a router via a cable, while you do not need to spend time setting up equipment, and also face disconnections due to strong interference. However, laying a wire is far from always convenient, especially if the house has recently been renovated, and no one is going to destroy the finish for such a purpose. Therefore, most people prefer a wireless Wi-Fi connection, and even if the TV is not equipped with the appropriate module, you can always install an additional adapter. There is no limit to creativity, as devices incompatible with wireless connections can connect to special set-top boxes that resemble routers. Even if the TV does not have Smart TV, you can purchase a special set-top box with an HDMI connector,which is a miniature computer with its own operating system.