VIDEO: WIFI-ready or integrated?
More and more televisions offer a connection for integration into the home network and the use of the Internet, whereby the content can be conveniently called up with the remote control. A basic distinction is made between wireless and wired integration. Both variants have advantages and disadvantages.
An Ethernet connection requires a corresponding cable
- If you have an Ethernet connection as a feature, you can connect the television to the home network with a network cable. For this purpose you need a free connection on a router or on a switch, into which you have to plug the cable.
- The network is set up via the television menu. Select the network options and, if necessary, enter an IP address and a subnet mask to connect the device to the Internet.
The advantage of Ethernet is a more stable and faster connection, the disadvantage is that you have a cable need to relocate.
WIFI-ready or integrated?
- The term for the wireless variant is WLAN or WIFI. You have to differentiate between WIFI-ready and WIFI or WLAN-integrated.
- WIFI-ready means that the television is prepared for wireless integration into the home network. However, a corresponding interface is not integrated in the device, but must be connected to an external device. This is also known as a dongle. Such a dongle is included with some televisions. Note that this device is connected to the TV via USB. This permanently occupies a USB port that you could use to connect other devices.
- If you buy a television with integrated WLAN, the interface is built into the device and you can configure it immediately without any problems. This feature has the advantage over Ethernet that you do not have to lay a cable. However, you will have a slower and more unstable connection than if you opted to run an ethernet cable. Televisions with WIFI-ready or WLAN / WIFI-integrated usually have an additional Ethernet connection for a wired connection, which you can use as an alternative.
Many current flat screen televisions from Samsung have integrated WLAN for wireless ...
Sometimes you will read something about optional WIFI or in the equipment features WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS. This means that a corresponding interface is not integrated, but can be retrofitted with a USB dongle. The dongle is not included in the scope of delivery of the optional variant and must be purchased accordingly.
