Abstract
- Regardless of proudly owning a pretty big 55-inch flat display screen TV, I rarely watch motion pictures or tune in to exhibits.
- Fortunately, trendy sensible TVs are versatile and might carry out a number of different duties.
- Listed here are 5 non-motion-picture-related issues that I take advantage of my TV set for regularly.
Regardless of proudly owning a comparatively massive 55-inch
Sony 4K smart TV
, I am hardly a frequent shopper of flicks and exhibits. The one streaming service I take advantage of every day is
YouTube
(primarily through my smartphone), and I most likely watch a median of 10 full-length movies in whole per 12 months.
That being stated, my dwelling room-situated flat display screen does not sit idly. I commonly benefit from its high-resolution show and its
high dynamic range
(HDR) visible acuity in various non-motion-picture-related methods. Listed here are the highest 5 issues I personally use my sensible TV for each day.
Associated
Your smart TV’s USB port is surprisingly useful
The versatile port is usually ignored, however listed below are 4 methods it may possibly change how you utilize your sensible TV.
1
Charging up my tech peripherals
Mockingly, one of the crucial frequent issues I take advantage of my sensible TV for does not contain its show within the slightest. My flat panel
has three built-in USB-A ports
, that are able to delivering energy to externally related gadgets. I hate the muddle of getting cables sprawled round my work desk, and so I choose to plug lots of my peripherals into my TV to high up on juice, as a substitute.
Mostly, I plug my sport controllers and my
Apple TV
distant into my TV, however the ubiquity of USB-C ports on my devices makes it straightforward to recharge something from my mouse and keyboard, to my wi-fi earbuds, and every thing in between.
It is price noting that the facility supply of most TV USB-A ports is proscribed — in different phrases, there is not sufficient electrical oomph to high up the typical laptop computer or different massive digital machine, past a sluggish trickle cost.
2
Setting the temper for my dwelling atmosphere
Serenity is a screensaver or soundscape away
I am an enormous fan of screensavers — a lot so, the truth is, that
I wrote an entire editorial
in regards to the sorry state of screensaver help on Home windows 11. Fortunately, most sensible TV working programs (in addition to exterior set-top containers) provide a variety of photos, patterns, backdrops, and landscapes to cycle via throughout machine downtime.
Seeing how I rarely use my TV to, properly, watch TV, you possibly can think about how ceaselessly my flat panel switches into screensaver mode. I like configuring
scenic nature shots and architectural landscapes
to slowly pan on display screen, as I discover them so as to add ambiance to my front room aesthetic. I am going to usually throw on some soothing music through the TV Spotify app, too, which solely provides to the calm and comfy vibes.

Associated
Every Google Chromecast: A timeline of Google’s cheapest streamer
With the Chromecast’s retirement on the horizon, here is an abbreviated historical past of Google’s undeniably well-liked TV streaming dongle.
3
Casting my PC display screen
Presentation mode turns out to be useful when least anticipated
Below the best circumstances, being able to forged my PC’s display screen immediately onto my TV panel has confirmed immensely helpful. In school, I’d observe shows on this approach, casting my slideshows onto the large display screen throughout rehearsals. Extra not too long ago, I have been casting outdated images and residential motion pictures onto my TV, that are related domestically to my PC through an
It’d actually be attainable to attach a tough drive or strong state drive on to my TV, however I discover my mannequin’s built-in
Android TV
working system to be considerably sluggish and clunky to maneuver round. As an answer, casting my Mac show and working inside a well-recognized desktop UI paradigm has helped streamline my entry to recordsdata and different content material.

Associated
How I made all my smart home devices HomeKit compatible with a Raspberry Pi
Run Homebridge in your Raspberry Pi to attach incompatible gadgets.
4
Controlling my sensible house home equipment
TVs make for wonderful widescreen sensible house hubs
I have been reluctant to leap head-first into the world of sensible house applied sciences, however I’ve gone forward and dabbled within the Apple HomeKit and
Philips Hue
ecosystems over the previous couple of years. Whereas it is easy sufficient to manage sensible house merchandise utilizing a smartphone or a devoted sensible show, I usually depend on my TV display screen for things like adjusting LED colours, tweaking the room temperature, and turning on my
doorbell camera
stay feed as wanted.
Is that this essentially the most pragmatic strategy to constructing a centralized sensible house hub? For most individuals, the reply might be no. For somebody like me who rarely makes use of my TV for multimedia consumption, having it function a hilariously big sensible show (full with a far superior sound bar audio setup) has been a enjoyable and surprisingly efficient strategy to sensible house machine administration.

Associated
Best digital photo frames: Relive your treasured moments with family and friends
We rounded up the perfect digital photograph frames with high-resolution shows and app controls to view and share your particular reminiscences.
5
Displaying images
There is no want to purchase a devoted digital photograph body
Along with displaying aesthetically pleasing screensavers on the common, I usually make the most of my sensible TV as a devoted digital photograph body. My Apple TV routinely synchronizes with my
Apple Photos
library, and presents reminiscences and snapshots on display screen in a superbly curated slideshow.
Usually, I’ve a behavior of snapping a ton of photos, after which neglecting to return and admire them sooner or later. By having a direct photograph feed displayed on the most important display screen in my house, I make sure that no photograph of a enjoyable social outing falls by the wayside or goes underappreciated in the long term.

Associated
5 issues smart TVs really shouldn’t have in 2025
Producers have to band collectively and repair the issues.
Trending Merchandise

Acer Nitro 31.5″ FHD 1920 x 1080 1500R ...

ASUS 31.5” 4K HDR Eye Care Monitor (VP327Q)...

HP 330 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo R...
