Guide 101 · Devices
A Smart TV can sometimes be enough to watch streaming content.
But Smart TV does not mean compatible with every application.
The right choice mainly depends on:
Step 01
Yes, in many cases.
For popular applications such as Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+ or Crave, a recent Smart TV can often work without an additional device.
But every television uses its own operating system.
Two Smart TVs from different brands can therefore have completely different applications.
Step 02
The brand, and especially the television’s operating system, are very important.
Samsung televisions mainly use Tizen.
They have their own application store.
An application available on Android or Google TV is not automatically available on Samsung.
Compatibility can also vary depending on:
LG televisions mainly use webOS.
LG also has its own application catalogue.
Again, an application available on Android is not automatically available on LG.
Many recent Sony televisions use Google TV or Android TV.
They generally offer a wider selection of applications, but you still need to check whether the application you want is compatible with the exact model.
Some older Sony televisions use other operating systems and can be much more limited.
Be careful with these brands.
Depending on the exact model and market, a TCL or Hisense television may use different operating systems:
Simply saying:
“I have a TCL”
or
“I have a Hisense”
is therefore not enough.
You need to know the exact model and its operating system.
Step 03
An external box becomes useful when:
An older television can still be perfectly usable if it has an HDMI input.
You simply need to add a compatible device.
Depending on your needs, you can use, among other options:
Every option has its advantages and limitations.
Step 04
Never choose a Fire TV or Fire Stick only because someone tells you:
“Get a Fire Stick.”
The exact model, generation and operating system are now very important.
Some models still use Fire OS and may be compatible with several applications.
Compatibility must still be checked for the exact model.
Some newer generations now use Vega OS.
For the specialized applications we use or support, this environment is currently too new and compatibility remains very limited.
Avoid Fire TV / Fire Stick models using Vega OS if you need specialized applications.
Do not buy a Fire Stick before checking:
Step 05
For use mainly focused on television, Formuler is generally our first choice.
Formuler devices are designed to provide an experience similar to traditional television, with a remote control and an interface suited to a large screen.
The MYTVOnline ecosystem is especially useful for live TV and certain Internet TV services.
Ideal for:
A good Android box can be extremely versatile.
It generally allows you to install a wide selection of applications and offers a great deal of freedom.
It can notably support applications such as TiviMate, which is one of our favourite applications for watching and organizing television on a compatible Android device.
But be careful:
not all Android boxes are equal.
A very inexpensive box may have:
On a large screen, the limitations of a poor-quality box can become much more visible.
Do not choose an Android box based only on price.
Android TV and Google TV are generally very versatile and easy to use.
They provide access to many applications designed specifically for television.
They are often a good compromise between:
You should still check the exact model and the applications you need before buying.
Apple TV offers excellent overall quality and a very smooth interface.
It is especially appealing to people who are already in the Apple ecosystem.
However, the environment is more closed, and some specialized applications available on Android may not be available on Apple TV.
For some uses, the selection may therefore be more limited.
Step 06
A small, older box may seem to work properly on a small television.
But on a 55-, 65- or 75-inch television, flaws become much more visible.
The final quality depends, among other things, on:
Seeing 4K or 8K written on a device or channel does not guarantee good picture quality.
Good 1080p content can sometimes look better than content advertised as 4K or 8K but heavily compressed.
Before buying a television, box, application or service, always check: