How to connect your TV to Wi-Fi

The number of TVs with built-in Wi-Fi function is increasing. Wi-Fi is also a non-compatible TV, the Wi-Fi to prepare the equipment of the optional connection to the method there is also. Read this article to find out how to connect your TV to Wi-Fi 

What you can do by connecting your TV to the LAN / Internet

Does your home have a LAN?

A LAN (Local Area Network) is a network used within a relatively small area such as a general home or corporate office. When constructing a LAN, it is common to use a router as a master unit and connect slave units such as personal computers and smartphones.

Recently, many TVs can be connected to a network, that is, a LAN in the home.

What you can do by connecting your TV to a LAN

By connecting your TV to a LAN, you can connect to other devices in the same network. For example, you can watch a program recorded by a recorder installed in the living room on the TV in the bedroom.

To do this, both the recorder and TV must support "DLNA". DLNA is a standard for interconnecting various devices in a home network (home LAN). You can play video and music regardless of the model or manufacturer.

What you can do by connecting your TV to the Internet

If the LAN to which your TV is connected to the Internet, you can do more with your TV. Let me give you an example of what you can do with a TV connected to the Internet.

Acquisition of more detailed data/information

Use of video distribution service

Operation by voice assistant

Browsing the website

Participation in interactive programs

Acquisition of more detailed data/information

If you press the "d button" while watching a TV program, you can check program-related information, news, weather forecast, etc. If you connect to the Internet, you may be able to obtain more detailed data and information.

Use of video distribution service

An increasing number of TVs have built-in video sharing services such as YouTube and apps for watching VOD (Video on Demand).

VOD (Video on Demand) is a service that distributes TV programs such as movies and dramas over the Internet. The delivered work depends on each VOD. The main VOD official websites are as follows.

Operation by voice assistant

If you prepare a device equipped with a voice assistant such as "Amazon Alexa" or "Google Assistant", some TVs can perform operations such as power on / off and volume adjustment.

Browsing the website

You can browse websites (homepages) like a personal computer. However, some content and pages may not be visible.

Participation in interactive programs

You can participate in the quiz and questionnaire-style programs.

How to connect your TV to the internet

There are two main ways to connect your TV to the Internet.

A wired connection between TV and Wi-Fi router

Wirelessly connect your TV to your Wi-Fi router

A wired connection between TV and Wi-Fi router

Use a LAN cable to connect your TV to the Internet by wire. The cable outlet is on the back or side of your Internet-enabled TV. This outlet is called a LAN port.

Plug the other end of the LAN cable into the LAN port of your Wi-Fi router. After that, while watching the TV screen, use the remote control to make simple settings and tests, and the connection is complete.

Advantages and disadvantages of connecting by wire

A wired connection between a TV and a Wi-Fi router has the advantage of more stable communication than wireless. In particular, large-capacity data communication is required to watch high-quality Internet videos. With a wired connection, you can watch it crisply and comfortably.

There are standards for LAN cables. If you use video services, we recommend using a category 5 (CAT5) or higher LAN cable. Also, if your internet connection is slow, communication may become unstable even with a wired connection.

The disadvantage of a wired connection is that the cable is still an obstacle. This can be especially annoying if the TV and Wi-Fi router locations span rooms.

Wirelessly connect your TV to your Wi-Fi router

When connecting a TV to the Internet wirelessly, the connection method differs depending on whether the TV has built-in Wi-Fi. The detailed procedure will be introduced later.

Advantages and disadvantages of connecting wirelessly

The advantage of a wireless connection is that no wiring is required. It is attractive to be able to connect to the Internet with a TV installed anywhere within the reach of radio waves.

On the contrary, the disadvantage is that communication is more likely to be unstable than a wired connection. Depending on the Wi-Fi standard and frequency band available, you may not be able to communicate well because you are easily affected by other devices and obstacles around the TV.

How to connect your TV to Wi-Fi (wireless LAN)

Before you start setting up your connection, first make sure your TV has built-in Wi-Fi.

To check if it has built-in Wi-Fi, see the instruction manual or the specifications on the manufacturer's official website.

For a TV with built-in Wi-Fi

The basic procedure for connecting a TV with built-in Wi-Fi to a router is as follows.

Wi-Fi built-in TV and router connection procedure

Open the network settings screen

Open the Wi-Fi (wireless LAN) settings screen

Select a connection method

Enter the selection and password the SSID to

or

use the Easy Connect function to

Use the TV remote control to set up the connection. For the detailed procedure, refer to the instruction manual. The instruction manuals of major manufacturers can be downloaded from the following page.

However, it is limited to TVs equipped with a USB port (USB cable outlet) or LAN port (LAN cable outlet). Also, depending on the model and manufacturer, the following methods may not be available, so please check the instruction manual.

How to connect a TV that does not have Wi-Fi to Wi-Fi

USB port mounted on TV: Wi-Fi adapter to use the

TV with LAN port: Use a repeater

Use a Wi-Fi adapter

A Wi-Fi adapter (wireless LAN adapter) is a device that allows you to connect to a wireless LAN by attaching it to the USB port of a TV or PC that does not have built-in Wi-Fi.

For example, there are Buffalo WLI-UV-AG300S and WZR-HP-AG300H / SV as "USB Wi-Fi adapters whose operation has been confirmed" announced by Sharp. For details, please refer to the official page below.

LCD TV AQUOS ｜ USB wireless LAN adapter (device whose operation has been confirmed): Sharp

A method called an Ethernet converter was attached to a TV equipped with a LAN port to connect to Wi-Fi. However, Ethernet converters are not widely available these days. Therefore, I would like to use a wireless LAN repeater.

Originally, a repeater is a device that relays the radio waves of a Wi-Fi router to widen its arrival range (make it easier for the radio waves to reach). However, depending on the model of the repeater, it can be used as a Wi-Fi slave unit (Ethernet converter) by connecting the [LAN terminal on the back] and the [LAN port of the TV] by wire. For details, please refer to the official page below.

How to connect your TV to Wi-Fi Summary

If you already have a LAN environment connected to the Internet, you can enjoy the Internet on your TV by connecting your TV to a Wi-Fi router. The TV and Wi-Fi router is connected by wire or wirelessly. Even TVs that do not have a Wi-Fi function can be connected wirelessly using a Wi-Fi adapter or repeater.