Internet TV Net TV test overview
Which? Archive
This article, Internet TV, was last updated on 07 May 2011 and is now out of date and held in our online archive for reference. Explore our latest Technology articles.
Internet TVs are set to be massive in 2011. Which? test lab takes a closer look
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Online and TV worlds converge
The online and TV worlds are converging. New services like YouView and Google TV will be at the forefront of internet TV services in the next couple of years but internet-connected TVs are already widely available. Almost a half of the TVs tested by the Which? lab in the past year can connect, but the content on offer and ease of use vary from brand to brand.
Some of the latest generation of smart TVs, from Samsung for instance, add full blown web surfing and home network integration to the mix, but whatever the brand, internet TVs have some common traits. The majority have wired connections (wireless dongles are an expensive option), though a few (including Panasonic, Sony and Toshiba TVs here) come with built-in wireless. Each brand delivers its own particular suite of apps and on-screen interface common across the range.
How we test
Our ergonomics experts rated each Net TV interface for the initial setting-up process, for finding and accessing apps and customising the set-up.
We also check on the quality of the streamed video. Using a fairly low 1.75MB connection video on YouTube and iPlayer looked fine on all the internet TVs in our test.
So how did these TVs perform in our full tests? Visit our plasma, LCD and LED reviews for full test results of both these and almost 200 other TVs.
