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Standalone Smart TV

Both LG and Samsung smart TVs make great displays when hooked up to a computer. As stand-alone devices, they obviously have some limitations.

Someone getting started using a big screen smart TV as part of a strategy to get back on the right side of the digital divide may be prepared to live with these limitations, at least until they can get a computer as well.

Important Limitations 1. Only 4k TVs work. Anything of lower resolution doesn't have the pixel density necessary for on-screen work.

2. If you need web cam support (and who doesn't nowadays) and won't be using a computer, you'll need to opt for an LG (which supports a few web cams), because Samsung's Tizen OS doesn't support web cams as of this writing. Or you can use your smartphone's video calling.

3. Samsung Smart TVs don't allow downloading of many smart apps from Canada (first image on right);

4. LG Smart TVs don't support USB mice and keyboards. The bad news - they say their smart TVs only support a limited set of bluetooth devices. The good news - a generic $20 Bluetooth keyboard works just fine. It's the same $20 keyboard I use with the 11th generation Amazon Fire 10" tablet). Given that many users will eventually want/need the the benefits of a separate computer and additional peripherals if they're going to try to do WFH (Work From Home anyway, it's more just a passing concern in the time before you get a proper computer.

Just remember to avoid anything that isn't 4k UHD (Ultra High Definition).

That old FHD (Full High Definition) plasma TV won't cut it.

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Email: barbra@lowvisioncomputing.com

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