How to connect an old TV to the internet: A complete guide

Do you have a ten-year-old thick-screen TV, plasma or LCD, at home that still works perfectly? Whether out of nostalgia or for economic reasons, you might be reluctant to retire it and want to use it in this streaming era. The good news is that There are several ways to connect an old TV to the InternetAnd in this post we'll tell you all about them.

How to connect an old TV to the Internet: A complete guide

We live in the age of Wi-Fi connectivity and streaming, 8K resolutions, and OLED screens with infinitely thin bezels. So it's easy to feel that that sturdy, reliable television, the old CRT titan, has become obsolete. But, as is customary in the digital world, between one generation and the next... Bridges are created that allow the old to be connected with the new..

Whatever the reason, you don't want to get rid of that old TV that still works as well as it did back in the day. Or maybe you want to help an elderly relative access streaming platforms using an older TV. In either case, you need to Learn how to connect an old TV to the Internetwhich is quite easy.

That's right, nowadays it's possible to turn a "dumb" TV into a functional Smart TV with a minimal investment of time and money. To a large extent, It all depends on how old the device is and the type of ports it has.Knowing this, all you have to do is go to a technology store and acquire the necessary device(s) to give the TV a second life.

Identify the type of port available on the old TV

The first thing to do is a technical inspection of the back or side of the TV. This allows identify the available port typesThe connection strategy you use will depend on this. What might you encounter?

• HDMI: It's the modern standard. If your TV has this port, the process is plug and play.
• VGA or DVIThis port is common in older monitors and some transitional televisions (early 2000s).
• RCA (Composite)The classic three circular colored connectors: yellow (video), white (left audio) and red (right audio).
• Component (TpbPr)There were five connectors: green, blue, and red for video; white and red for audio. It offered the best quality before HDMI.
• Euroconnector (SCART)This type of connector is very common in European televisions from the 90s.
• Coaxial (RF)This is the standard antenna input. It's the most difficult way to connect an older TV to the internet, but not impossible.

For each type of port, there is one or more devices you can use to connect an old TV to the internet. The newer the television, the easier it will be to connect to the internet, and the better the resolution and audio will be.On the other hand, on older TVs the final result may not be worth it, but that's up to you.

Connect an old TV to the internet using a streaming device

The best way to connect an old TV to the internet is through a Streaming Stick, or streaming deviceThese are small devices (about the size of a large USB drive) that connect to the TV via HDMI and receive a Wi-Fi signal to access the internet. The most popular options are:

• Chromecast, easy to use from an Android mobile.
• Amazon Fire TV Stick, with built-in apps and a very complete interface. Requires Amazon account in order to use it.
• Roku Express: the most affordable and intuitive version of all. Easy to use and free to install different apps.
• Apple TV: the most expensive of all, with access to Apple programming and guaranteed connectivity with the brand's ecosystem.

Also included are Android TV or TV Box decodersThey're like small Android desktop computers designed for TVs. Unlike streaming sticks, TV boxes allow you to install apps, browse the internet, and connect peripherals (keyboards, mice, external drives). They also handle high-quality 4K better, while sticks are limited to 1080p or basic 4K.

Connecting an old TV to the internet depending on the type of connection

If your TV has at least one HDMI port, you're already 90% of the way there. You just need to connect an external device: a streaming stick or an Android TV box. But, What happens if the TV doesn't have an HDMI connection? In these cases, the magic of signal converters comes into play: those needed to create a bridge between the TV port and the HDMI port.

• HDMI to RCA Converter (yellow, white, and red cables): Connect your Roku or Fire Stick to the converter's HDMI port. Then, use the RCA cables to connect the converter to your TV.
• HDMI to SCART Adapter, if the TV has a Euroconnector (wide rectangular slot).
• RF Modulator For coaxial input (antenna thread). In this case, you need an HDMI to RCA converter. Connect the RCA output to the RF modulator, and then connect the modulator to the TV's antenna input.

Final considerations when connecting an old TV to the Internet

All is not lost with older TVs: it's possible to connect them to the internet to enjoy streaming content and more. Another alternative is... Use the TV as a monitor and connect a computer to it. (Desktop or laptop). For this, you'll need an HDMI or VGA cable, depending on the type of port your TV has. All content is played on the computer, and the TV only provides the video and audio.

In any case, you have to consider the total cost and whether the end result is worth it. The best alternative is to buy a stick that allows you to install apps like Netflix and YouTubeAnd if your TV doesn't have an HDMI port, you can always buy a converter to bridge the connection. Indeed, connecting an older TV to the internet is possible and, in some cases, even advantageous. So there you have it: you can extend the life of that old TV and use it to enjoy the current world of streaming.