What The Tech: Why your tv is more than just a screen
BY JAMEY TUCKER, Consumer Tech Reporter
Televisions used to do one thing. Show programs. Movies, sports, and TV shows. That was about it. But today almost every television is a smart TV. And that makes it much more like a computer than the TVs we grew up with.
Modern televisions run operating systems, install apps like Netflix and YouTube, and connect directly to the internet. They even receive software updates just like your phone or laptop.
Even if your television itself isn’t smart, streaming devices such as Roku, Fire TV, and Google Chromecast work the same way.
Because of that, there are a few settings most people should check.
Your TV May Be Tracking What You Watch
Most smart TVs include a feature called Automatic Content Recognition, often called ACR. This feature can identify what is playing on the screen. That includes streaming shows, cable programs, and even video games.
The data may be shared with advertising companies to help target ads.
If that makes you uncomfortable, many televisions allow you to turn off ACR in the privacy settings.
Your TV May Need a Software Update
Just like computers and smartphones, televisions receive software updates from manufacturers. These updates can fix bugs, improve performance, and sometimes patch security problems. But unlike phones, TVs don’t always install updates automatically.
You can usually find the update option in the settings menu under System or Support.
Too Many Apps Can Slow Down Your TV
Smart TVs can collect apps over time. Streaming services, games, and other downloads can take up space and slow performance. If you notice your TV getting sluggish, removing apps you no longer use can help speed things
up.
Your TV May Have a Microphone
Many smart TVs support voice commands.
The microphone may be inside the remote or built directly into the television.
Most TVs only listen when you press the voice button, but you can usually disable voice features completely in the settings if you prefer.
TVs Aren’t Just Screens Anymore
Today’s televisions are powerful devices connected to the internet.
And just like any computer, it’s worth checking the settings every once in a while to make sureeverything is working the way you expect.
