I started looking for a new 4k monitor to replace the two screens in what was my office for WHF during the Covid times. It's used a lot less now, and just decorated the room and it's quite a nice place to sit and watch stuff, so when I came across a "smart monitor" that has a built-in interface for Netflix, Iplayer, etc. it piqued my interest.
But am I better just getting a nice monitor and putting a Fire stick or similar in the back. We had a Fire stick in the main TV and the problem was it got old, slowed down, became outdated. I don't want to have to chuck a perfectly good monitor because the smart bit's out of date. Are the two systems essentially the same? Don't watch much TV so really not up to speed with the tech.
Separate stick for me, easy to replace and probably will get more support for the apps on the stick than the monitor.
Depends on what you use the monitor for most I guess.
A higher spec normal monitor will probably serve you better depending on usage case.
Although LG do OLED smart tvs as small as 42"...something like a C4 might be worth a look as they are also 4k, 144hz and support variable refresh rate so great for gaming.
The line between TV's and monitors is getting more blurred.
You really need to define your usage case in order to make a decision.
I presume the monitor is plugged into a computer. Can you use that?Â
You will probably end up with a firestick/chromecast/appleTV device at some point in the future anyway when the 'smart monitor' becomes unsupported.
I presume the monitor is plugged into a computer. Can you use that?Â
That's another point.. If it's connected to a pc you can get amazon video and iplayer apps on the pc.. Presumably there's a Netflix app for PC too.
We looked at this a while back and concluded that the operating systems on the smart monitors was awful. We've got apple TV plugged into ours.
Yeah, two smart TVs have taught me that getting a stick or an AppleTV is probably the right way. Or just use the web apps if you have a PC
Yeh to be fair I have my pc plugged into my LG oled... The fact that it's 'smart' is kind of irrelevant in my case, I just bought it as it's a good screen.
Although I do use the LG OS on occasion.
To turn a monitor into a TV, you'll need to factor in money for the audio side as well as the streaming hardware. Built in monitor speakers will not be up to scratch.
We use a Fire Stick - the interface is so much easier to use (the newer ones have a shortcut to 'Apps' directly from the remote so it's even quicker to access favourite apps). However, it only gets used occasionally (tv in the kitchen/diner and it only gets switched on for football/tennis/cycling/Olympics etc) so there is a bit of a delay whist the Fire Stick fully switches on and gets up to speed.
Thanks all. Looks like Fire stick is the way then. Which begs the follow-on question: is the latest Fire Stick best, or is there something better?
I presume the monitor is plugged into a computer. Can you use that?Â
Yes, fair question, but it's nice just to have something that you turn on and watch, control with a remote, etc.
To turn a monitor into a TV, you'll need to factor in money for the audio side as well as the streaming hardware. Built in monitor speakers will not be up to scratch.
Audio side is already sorted, bought some new active monitors earlier in the year 😎Â
Â
I've always used Roku sticks, but I have no idea if they are any better. They're not Amazon, which could be a plus point.