Difference between Android TV and Smart TV (CTV)

Isn't an Android TV a Smart TV? Which one is for you?

Hello there reader, been asked this question by friends, clients and online followers and I guess it's high time I do justice for everyone out there. What are Smart TVs and Android TVs? Isn't an Android TV a Smart TV?

Let's get to know the answers to those and many other questions regarding the above topic...

There are a lot of brand and model options when it comes to televisions.One way or another you will have to tackle the questions which will determine heavily on which TV to buy. One particular question is what is a Smart TV and an Android TV? Isn't Android TV also a smart TV? One thing for me is, if a device cannot safe remove or eject a flash drive safely that's not smart. Can your TV do that?

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Smart TV (CTV)

Smart TV, also known as Connected TV (CTV) is the common traditional television set with Internet and Interactive Web 2.0 (most common OS on smart TVs) features delivering extremely hassle-free experience in streaming audio and visual, viewing photos and browsing the internet. Basically, it offers online content no matter what operating system it runs thus the name Smart TV. So, that makes an Android TV also a Smart TV.

LG smart TV - JTechpreneur

Speaking of Operating System, there are all sorts of smart TVs from different brands and the major difference is on the OS inside. Samsung Smart TV runs on Tizen OS, LG has its own WebOS, Panasonic runs on Firefox OS for TV, Sony and Hisense initially ran on VewdOS but are now running on Google TV and Android TV OS respectively and lastly Apple runs on tvOS.

A digital TV can also become a smart TV by connecting it to a Set-Top box (STP) or to a computer/laptop both use HDMI connection. Most common Set-Top boxes in Kenya are the Faiba STP. Gaming consoles like Sony's Playstations and Microsoft's Xbox can also be connected to a digital TV to view online content.

The downside to smart TVs especially those running funny unknown systems are apps becoming obsolete because of less or no updates and others have foreign unusable apps with only Netflix and YouTube which can be monotonous.

JTechpreneur's suggestion on best choice of smart TV to buy is either LG or Samsung though one downside I have experienced with LG is that it is using WiFi Direct for cast connectivity (compatibility can be an issue) but both can safely remove your flash drive.

Android TV

To clear up mind boggling thoughts/questions, an Android TV is a smart TV operating system based on Android TV by Google. In other words just like any smartphone brand running on Android, compatible smart TV brand can run on Android TV OS.

Faiba TV Kenya Set-Top boxes run on Android TV system. Android TV succeeded Google TV but now with Sony TVs coming with Google TV, with more features than Android TV, the system is picking up.

HiSense Android TV - JTechpreneur

The platform was first unveiled in June 2014 and made available on the Nexus Player developed by Asus and to date many other smart TV middleware brands/companies have adopted it while other IPTV television providers products like Fiber Set-Top boxes adopting it too.

Such products and smart TV companies are provided with the special edition called Android TV Operator Tier. It implements Android TV on the device in turn providing their subscribers/users access to online content. In this edition, the operator can customize the home screen and services on the device. ...like if you have seen the Home screen of the TLC Android TV is different from Skyworth Android TV home screen.

Android TV features

Google Chromecast built in for casting between devices, Google Assistance to talk with for voice input commands, Play Store for software/apps including media apps like personal home workout apps, Vimeo, Live Radio, podcasts, Netflix, Prime Video, IPTV apps can enable user to view IPTV channel streams and variety of games (although not all Google Play apps are compatible with Android TV, some need additional input devices like gamepads). Bluetooth Connection to devices and privacy and security features plus you can safe remove your flash drives.

...all in all new apps are added and current apps get updated automatically when the TV is connected to the internet via WiFi or Ethernet cable.

JTechpreneur's suggestion on which Android TV to buy is HiSense, Skyworth, Synix, TLC all running the system, what matters or varies is the speaker/sound quality, picture quality, ports connectivity and most importantly the availability of their customer care offices/shops in your region/country. In Kenya, most brands can be taken to Calcare Service Shops.