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Do Smart TVs Have Ethernet Ports?

It’s frustrating when you buy a new smart TV and you can’t connect it directly to the internet. I recently had this problem, so I did some research to learn more about smart TVs and whether or not they have Ethernet ports. In this blog post, I’ll share what I learned about the pros and cons of having an Ethernet port on a smart TV, as well as some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your new TV.

Do smart TVs have ethernet ports? Yes, they do! This is because smart TVs are best used with an Internet connection.

TopicDetails
Do smart TVs have Ethernet ports?Yes, most smart TVs include an Ethernet port for wired connectivity
Advantages of Ethernet connectionMore reliable and stable connection, less interference from physical obstacles or other wireless devices
Disadvantages of Ethernet connectionLimited setup options, potential cable damage, need for cable management
Ethernet cable typesCat 6, Cat 7, and Cat 8 are recommended for smart TVs
Connecting smart TV via Ethernet portAttach cable to TV’s Ethernet port and router, turn on both devices, and enable Wired Connection in the TV’s network settings

Do Smart TVs Have Ethernet Ports? – The Good and Bad of a Cable Connection

Now that we’ve established that smart TVs have ethernet ports, here are the pros and cons for your reference. Use these when choosing the proper Internet connectivity option:

The Advantage: Reliable Connection

Is ethernet faster than WiFi? Well, not necessarily. The Internet speeds are the same, but a cable connection wouldn’t fluctuate as much as a signal-dependent one. 

The reason for this is that wireless connections are more susceptible to physical interferences. Some of the common household blockages include walls, ceilings with insulation, and large appliances.

There are wireless interferences that could block out signals, too, including active Bluetooth devices, wireless networks nearby, and radios. Additionally, glass windows, mirrors, and aquariums reflect wireless signals, which cause them to bounce around.

A cable connection, on the other hand, skips over all those obstacles. Thus, data travels back and forth uninterrupted, making it a more reliable option over WiFi.

Also, it’s an excellent alternative in case of the WiFi module malfunctions. So, regardless if ethernet is your first option or not, keeping a cable close by would be a smart move.

The Cons

Should you decide to make use of the ethernet port on your smart TV, know that it also has its drawbacks. Take a look.

Limited Setup Options

More often than not, cables manage to make any room look messy. Somehow, it’s always a struggle to keep them organized or discreet.

Now, imagine if you have to connect your smart TV, which is in a different room from the router. Then, you’ll have to decide whether to get a longer cable or consider setting up your gadgets closer to each other.

The process needs a bit more planning and consideration than a WiFi setup. In other words, it’s a contest between stable connection and convenience.

Cables May Be Prone to Damage

Indeed, latency won’t be much of a problem with an ethernet cable, but you shouldn’t rule out wear and tear.

Even with the best care and handling, the wires will deteriorate over time. Still, it’ll take several years until you’re going to need to replace them.

There are also possibilities of accidents, such as people tripping over cables or pets chewing on them. Such incidents are rarely a problem with WiFi connections, but you can still avoid them with proper cable organization.

We’ll do anything for a reliable connection, after all.

Choosing the Right Cable for Your Smart TV Ethernet Port

Did you know that there are different types of ethernet cables? Each one transmits frequencies differently in addition to having varying maximum capacities.

The options for ethernet cables are vast, but for smart TVs, you can narrow down your choices to cat 6, cat 7, and cat 8.

You shouldn’t go lower than cat 6, which has a transmission rate of 1 gigabit per second (Gbit/s). It’s also cheaper than the other two mentioned, but it should do for starters.

The cat 7 can transmit 10 Gbit/s and is, therefore, ideal for maximizing higher Internet plans.

On the other hand, the cat 8 is your future-proof option with a capacity of 40 Gbit/s. However, we’ll have to wait years to get a plan with that speed to really make use of this cable.

How to Connect Smart TV via Ethernet Port

After you’ve located your smart TV’s ethernet port and secured your cable of choice, it’s time to connect your TV to the router. Here’s how:

  1. Attach one end of the cable to the smart TV’s ethernet port and the other to the router’s.
  2. Turn on the router and TV.
  3. Find and select Network Settings on your smart TV.
  4. Enable Wired Connection or Wired Internet if the option comes up.
  5. To check if the connection is successful, launch an app that needs an Internet connection.

Conclusion

Do smart TVs have ethernet ports? Definitely. Although, another good question would be: would it still be called a smart TV if it doesn’t have an ethernet port?

If a manufacturer created one without an ethernet port, for sure, it wasn’t meant to have smart capabilities. In short, you can call it a regular TV if it doesn’t need an Internet connection to use most of its features.

With these in mind, the pros and cons of an ethernet connection should help you decide whether it’s a better option for you or not.

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