Interactive television

An interactive television, often called a smart TV, is a television that receives broadcast digital television and also connects to the internet to use streaming services. It is interactive because you choose what to watch and when, rather than only watching what is being broadcast. It can also show apps, your own photos and music on the screen and speakers.

Its strengths come from where it sits: in the living room. A remote control lets you choose a programme from the sofa without a keyboard or mouse, which suits family viewing. The large screen makes high-definition films and television more enjoyable, and it is comfortable for several people to watch together. Television makers test the hardware and software so that streaming services and apps play reliably, which gives the audience a smooth experience rather than a stuttering one.

The main weakness is the limited range of apps and services. A smart TV offers fewer apps and services than a computer or mobile device, so a product that depends on a niche app may not be available on it. A service can also be missing if the television's software is older or the maker has not added it.

Choose a smart TV when the audience wants comfortable, large-screen streaming in a shared room, but check that the required service is supported. For example, a tennis club wants to show match highlights at a social evening. The clubhouse smart TV gives a big picture and a simple remote control, but the club must first check that the highlights are on a service the television can open.