Smart TVs are all the rage. We
explain how to make your own -and save thousands of rupees into the bargain
In this New Year you’ll hear a lot of talk
about ‘smart’ televisions. It’s a broad term that refers to the latest generation
of sets that combine normal TV with bunch of functions more typically
associated with computers, such as web browsing, photo sharing and
social-networking tools like Facebook and Twitter. This may sound clever but
smart TVs can be expensive - and the non-TV functions are rarely a match for
what can be achieved with even a basic PC.
Smart
TVs have a variety of interfaces but few are as versatile as a PC
In this article we will explain how to put
together a powerful internet-connected TV that can do the job properly. The
trick is to connect an ordinary PC or notebook directly to the TV. Using free
software and some (optional) extra hardware, it’s possible to add a TV-friendly
interface and watch internet videos, play games, read your email or just browse
the web from the comfort of your sofa.
Worldwide telly
Many new TVs include an Ethernet connector
at the back, or a USB port for plugging in a wireless network adapter. The idea
is that these ‘smart’ tellies can be hooked up to the web via a broadband
router. They generally have built-in applications for watching paid-for online
movie services, such as Lovefilm or Blinkbox, or viewing Youtube videos.
It’s all quite impressive but there are
limitations. The TV manufacturer has control over what programs are provided
(or can be installed), and these vary between manufacturers. Moreover, the
control systems can be awful and if the TV doesn’t support a keyboard and mouse
you’re stuck with using the remote control for web browsing, which is not fun.
There is an alternative, though. Connecting
a PC to a TV can make for a smarter telly, with the benefit of a familiar
interface and the ability to install any program you want.
Pick a PC
Almost any PC or laptop will do. Some newer
PCs and laptops will have a built-in HDMI connector that is ideal for use with
a high-definition (HD) TV, but there are plenty of other ways to connect any PC
using standard DVI, VGA or S-Video connections - see the ‘Making the
connection’ box later in this article for more help with this.
Even the model we built as a project
recently (see wwmsnipca.com/X4473) would do for this purpose. Choose an
attractive slim-line case, if you want it to blend into the living room. As it
will be mainly for internet use, the PC doesn’t even need a massive hard disk,
unless you decide to add a TV tuner (which we’ll discuss later in this article)
and use the PC for video recording. An old laptop would do, so long as it can
play video reliably.
A more expensive but neater option would be
a PC like the Zotac Zbox. This attaches to the back of the TV, and to keep
costs down it can even be used with the Linux operating system.
Connect it to the internet
Though not essential if intending to view
only your own content, the computer driving your smart TV really needs to be
connected to the internet. The best way to do this is via a wired connection,
as your entertainment may be spoiled by interference to wireless connections.
If it is not possible to run network
cables, consider a power line adapter kit and only use wireless if there is no
alternative. If there are no spare wired network connectors on the router, add
more by plugging in a switch.
Now get some software
The real secret is in the software. Viewing
Windows on a large TV screen can look horrible, with menus and buttons too
small to read or use comfortably. What is needed is an interface that is easy
to use from a distance, using either a keyboard and mouse or a remote control
(we’ll discuss these later).
Windows 7 and Vista users with the Home
Premium or Ultimate versions of the operating system have Windows Media Center
(or WMC) included. This is a much-neglected gem of a program with a great
interface that can play videos, photos and music from the PC or over a home
network, and even play games and connect to one or two online video services.
With the addition of a TV tuner card it can even act as a digital video
recorder.
Windows
Media Center comes with the Home Premium editions of Vista and 7
WMC is certainly the easiest option.
However, it is not the most flexible and there are free alternatives. Boxee,
for example, plays all the same file types as WMC but is much more focused on
streaming video, movie, TV and music services. Many of these are free (and,
more importantly, completely legal). To get it, visit: www.boxee.tvand click
the Make a Boxee link for the download section. Boxee has dozens of free ‘apps’
(such as YouTube and Flickr viewers) that can be downloaded and installed from
within its App Library.
Boxee works on Windows, Mac and Linux computers.
It can even be bought preinstalled as the D-Link Boxee Box.
Another free program that works well if you
mainly want to play files stored on your PC or home network, rather than
internet TV or videos, is XBMC (wwVKxbmc.OIg). However, there’s nothing to stop
you using all of these programs if you wish - they will happily live side by
side on the same PC, giving you more choice.
The
ability to install new apps is one of Boxee’s best features - the software is
free and can access the vast App Library
Lights, camera, action
WMC is often confused with Windows Media
Player, (which is a different program) but it doesn’t need a TV tuner card to
work, and setup is simple, if you haven’t used it before, click Start, followed
by All Programs, then Windows Media Center. When the Welcome screen appears,
click the Continue button, then Express and follow the instructions.
WMC automatically scans the PC for media
files and adds them to the relevant sections: to add new or different folders
move to the Settings screen then choose Media Libraries. Use i the up and down
arrow (cursor) keys or mouse scroll wheel to scroll through the menus, and the
left and right arrows to move through the sub-menus. Press Enter, Space or
left-click to open an item.
Assuming the PC has all the latest updates
downloaded and installed (via Windows Update, within All Programs from the
Start menu) scrolling to the left in the TV section will reveal an icon labeled
‘MSN Video Player’. (If you see a link to Sky Player, ignore it as this service
was discontinued in July 2011.) Click the icon and follow the on-screen
instructions. When done, you will be able to browse and watch dozens of old and
new TV shows free.
The
Zotac Zbox PC attaches to the back of a TV
In WMC’s Extras menu you’ll find links to
games such as Solitaire, and in the Explore sub-menu is a pay-per-view movie
service called Cool room. Although this does work, it is not very
user-friendly: many of the links to online video services, such as ITN, are
defunct. It does have a few free movie trailers and music previews to try,
though.
To have WMC launch automatically when
Windows starts, go to choose Settings followed by General then Startup and
Window Behavior, then click to tick the box labeled ‘Start Windows Media Center
when Windows starts’.
A very useful add-on for WMC (but only the
Windows 7 version) is the Tuner Free MCE {wwwSDipca.com/X4soy), which provides
legal access to live streaming and catch-up programs from the BBC, ITV, Channel
4 and 5, plus some other online services like Seesaw The same developer also
produces an add-in for the Lovefilm movie-streaming service
(wwwSDipca.com/X4so8), although you need a Lovefilm account.
