How do I connect my TV to the Internet?
- — 27 January, 2011 14:52
If you've bought a television in the last year from a big brand like LG, Panasonic, Samsung or Sony, it's likely that it will be able to connect to the Internet and access online services like IPTV, video-on-demand movies, weather information and news updates. Some TVs can even access social-networking services like Twitter and Facebook. If you've got one of these TVs, there are a few ways you can connect it to the Internet to unlock these features. You'll need to havea broadband Internet connection in your home that's distributed through a wired or wireless router. If you're picking out a new television and want to work out what's best for you, read through our LCD vs LED vs plasma TV buying guide.
Want to learn about 3D TV? Take a look at our 3D TV buying guide.
Confused about the difference between HDMI and DVI, component and composite? Our giant cable buying guide will set you straight.
Have a look at what we thought were the best TVs of 2010.
To start, work out whether your television has a wired Ethernet port on the back — it looks like an oversized phone jack. This port can be connected to your router using an Ethernet cable (not a phone cable!), plugging one end into a free LAN port on the router and the other end into the TV. After that, enter your TV's settings menu and find the networking options. If you've got a standard network setup it should be as simple as selecting the setting to enable wired networking — everything will sort itself out automatically through your router.
You can also connect your TV to the Internet using a wireless network connection, which is usually built in on premium models. Many televisions can also use wireless networking via an optional wireless USB adapter, and these generally cost upwards of $100. Setting up wireless networking is a little more complicated — for a start, your home's router will need to be set up and broadcasting wirelessly. If you've got a wireless network already set up in your house and you've confirmed your television supports wireless networking, the next step is to enter your television's settings menu and find the option for wireless networking setup. After finding your network in the list of available access points, you'll have to enter your network password — if you don't have this already, ask the person that set up your wireless network. Some newer routers and TVs also support WPS (Wireless Protected Setup) — so instead of entering a password, all you have to do is press the button on your router when prompted by the TV. When you've entered a password or hit the WPS button, you should receive a prompt that wireless setup is complete.
Once you've set up Internet access on your television, you should be able to access Web services directly — on most televisions there's a menu that allows you to choose and configure services as you want. Connecting your TV to your router and the Internet should also give it access your computer, allowing it share media files via DLNA.
Comments
Michelle Taylor
Sat 21/05/2011 - 02:45
For great internet to TV connection, it seems as though Channel Master’s new product is the way to go. They have two adapters, one for power line and one for Coax (they call it the Mocha). Basically, if you have an internet connection anywhere in your house hold, one of the two will be able to provide you with great service. I’ve done a test-run on both, and found the set-up was cake, both are compatible with up to date products like DLNA, DVR, voice streaming etc. If you’re interested, here’s the link to their product sheet from their website:
http://www.channelmaster.com/Home_Networking_Internet_over_tv_adapters_MoCA_s/284.htm
Johnny F
Sat 21/05/2011 - 07:55
In response to LifeIsGood777:
I had pre-ordered the Channel Master power line 4 port adapter. Now i have great connection to my x-box, tv, and living-room computer and all I have is one router hooked up in my bedroom. Set up must have taken less than a minute to figure out (even without instructions). This product is seriously brilliant! Seriously recommended
Mark in Boston
Fri 05/08/2011 - 01:49
I just bought a Panasonic Viero and was told Comcast has to bridge my modem (look it up) in order to get a signal. Cost: $80 and they automatically enroll you in their maintenance program at $5 a month and you have to opt out by phone in order to not be billed. Very annoying. I keep hoping this stuff will really be simple plug & play at some date (sigh). We have so far to go still.
John Holt
Fri 12/08/2011 - 06:53
I have a wireless network in my home. My HD 46" Samsung LED is connected to the Internet wireless by using a Linskey gaming device. The device has one output(Lan port) that connects directly to my TV. It will walk you through the setup which will require you to have your network password and network name. After that you can forget about it as you are always connected to the Internet as long as you have your modem/router on. I never turn them off. The Linskey gaming device (I do not game but this does what I want) is not much larger than a pack of cigarettes.
George H
Fri 09/09/2011 - 11:42
Don't get it. Why do you write such an article without getting into details about the wireless option? I am still clueless.
KEL1
Tue 22/11/2011 - 17:53
I bought a samsung internet ready tv, I also bought blue ray player with wifi. I have my desk top and two wire router which is wireless. I also have a wireless routher that I bought last year not knowing that the two wire was wireless. What do i need to do to be able to stream movies from netflix without running long cable from one room in house to the other side of the house? I can bring two wire to the tv if needed. I'm not using desk top at this time I was told by my internet tech that it needs LAN card.If there is a way to use the extra router I would rather do that. Please help.
keith from SA
Wed 18/01/2012 - 04:31
Must agree - a pointless article. Tells you everything you now and nothing you need to know. I have the TV, it is on wireless - I still can't find where to from here.
das
Sat 28/01/2012 - 08:24
Can I access my TV through Ethernet and use it as a second monitor to my laptop? i.e mirror my work on the TV just as a projector wothout the need of wired cables like HDMI,VGA,etc...Thnakyou!
linda
Sun 29/01/2012 - 02:11
I have a TV that has USB hook up in back of it. I have wired internet. I want to order Netflex and use a USB cable to connect to my TV. I would need at least a 15 foot USB cable. Is this possible? Can some one please help me here? I do not want to go out and buy some thing i will not be able to use for that purpose.
Thank you in for any and all help ;-)
Tounces
Sun 12/02/2012 - 03:04
My cable is connected to a high def. box and the box is then connected to my tv via an hdmi cable. Why can't my tv get "wired" internet content this way?
Elliot
Mon 13/02/2012 - 06:42
We just clear wi-fi, do we also need a router, and what and how do we find access point. We have new tv has all capabilites. Me and the wife are NOT computer savy...please help
Miesha
Thu 01/03/2012 - 11:37
Okay , This didnt answer my question . *confused . I wish for help .
Thanks ,
Miesha Mon'gonal
rayray
Mon 05/03/2012 - 15:33
So in order to get internet on my siera Panasonic tv i have to get it " bridged" to connect to anything? Right now it keeps saying timed out and won't connect to any apps even though it is fully connected to internet when i do the test in the settings.
Evola
Mon 26/03/2012 - 08:53
@ Linda, I have the same question, did you ever get any help, or try it>?
thanks,
Ted
Tue 27/03/2012 - 21:16
Lindy.com do a range of USB cables,out to 5Metres (approx)16 feet - they also do an active cable which I have used successfully over distance. rgds
Marcel
Wed 28/03/2012 - 03:15
Folks there are a million sites on how to do everything asked above, just google your questions. It is not that hard and so many configurations, there are lots of answeres out there. Just look and quit complaining.
Rick
Sat 07/04/2012 - 00:14
I have a TV before internet TV. Is there any way I can connect my TV to the internet. I have a Magnavox with only a couple of AVI ports.
mansoureh
Tue 10/04/2012 - 23:58
i have lg led lv37100. i intered IP ADDress and Geteway and Subnet mask but tv get errored _geteway Address is wrong or unavailable_ what shoul i do
jack
Wed 18/04/2012 - 23:17
Moving Toshiba 50"flat screen internet ready to another wall location.I need ethernet connection..The TV has usb port to pick up the wyfi.
I prefer hard wire to wireless. My house has wireless router setup. I want to attach the TV ban lan by using a Motorola Surf Board Modem that has usb port and lan connection. Using a splitter to the cable in and attach to Motorola Surf modem and come out with up with a hot usb port and lan port and cable TV signal. Is this possible? Help I love Net Flix movies..........
spinmetroo
Tue 08/05/2012 - 14:37
You can if your Desktop has HDMI as output and your TV has HDMI as input. In other words your TV becomes your monitor.
Jo Anne
Tue 15/05/2012 - 20:06
Marcel, it's easy when you know how. You can then Google the needed info. I did that and got this article. Some of us need more specific instructions. I got as far as hooking up the HDMI cable to a mini display adapter for my MacBook. I have one dialog on my MacBook and a different one on the TV screen and don't know what to use to make choices on the TV. I shall continue my quest...
Laura S
Fri 28/01/2011 - 08:56
Most computers ship stock with HDMI video out making them just as easy to hookup to a TV screen. I can stream, purchase and store multiple terabytes of shows without having to pay for an overpriced MyDVR drive or an all too expensive larger hard drive in the unit itself. For streaming TV, use the TVDevo website. For moives Netflix is good.