If you have a smart TV, including one of our fabulous cheap smart TVs, you will know the ache of trying to type into Netflix with the TV remote.
Luckily, those days are over. There are a range of alternate TV remote methods that you could be using. We are evaluating these possible remotes for you here so that you can intelligently consider how best to improve your TV experience.
The Logitech K600 Keyboard
At the top of our list is this stunning keyboard which connects to your television wirelessly, using a USB connector. This keyboard can be used with PCs and laptops, too, but you can tell that it has been created with the television in mind from the arrangement of its keys.
For example, there are various handy shortcut buttons running down the left-hand side of the keyboard, such as home, back, forward, and search. On the right of the keyboard is a tiny touchpad which you can use as a mouse. There is also a replica of the traditional d-pad above the mouse for scrolling through options and menus.
It is compatible with a range of models from the big-name brands such as Phillips, Sony, LG and Samsung, but its price tag might make this keyboard more of a luxury than a necessity for most users. The size is also something to consider; it’s not something that’s going to sit happily on the armrest of your sofa – this keyboard wants a coffee table to sit on when it’s in use, and a drawer to hide in when it’s not.
If you’ve grown tired of how long it takes to try to type in passwords and shows, then this is the keyboard remote for you. If you can’t quite afford the price, however, there are some other options detailed further down.
Turning Your Smart Phone into a Remote
If you live with a rambunctious dog (or toddler), it is completely possible that the TV remote has recently been buried in the garden and you need a cheaper, more immediate solution to use for your television.
If you own a smartphone, then you are in luck. TV remotes affect your television using invisible infra-red waves that your smartphone can replicate. There are plenty of apps that can help you to replicate your remote available, just be sure to choose one that looks safe before you download it.
Casting from Phone TV
Plenty of phones have integrated casting to smart TVs in the vicinity. This means that if you want to show your friends a YouTube video, you can bring it up on your phone, use the drop down menu and press a button that opens the video on a linked screen.
For android users, this is a button called ‘casting’. On the iPhone, it is ‘screen sharing’ and will only work an Apple TV. It works with a number of apps, and it is often easier and quicker to type on your phone and cast it than it is to type with the remote into the TV.
Universal Remote
If you have a multitude of televisions in your home, you might consider purchasing a couple of universal remotes to cut down on the excess of remotes littering your home. This will also save you time and stress when one of them goes missing, or if there is a confusion about which remote controls which television.
Of the universal remotes out there, the one that comes with the highest recommendation currently is the Logitech Harmony. Once again, Logitech takes the lead not only in keyboards, but also in your standard TV remote.
The Logitech Harmony Elite remote is especially useful for homes that use a lot of smart technology, as it can connect with Alexa, Hue smart lighting, and SmartThings brand electronics. This means that this universal remote will help you to connect your entire home, which might make its price tag a little more reasonable.
Of course, if you aren’t looking for a controller that affects you entire home, there are a variety of far simpler, cheaper, universal remotes that can be used in conjunction with our range of cheap TVs.
We sell a range of graded televisions at fantastic prices, and we understand that the television experience is often more than the TV itself. It is the process of finding a fantastic deal, designing your living room around your new set, and expanding your experience with new accessories and technologies like remotes, soundbars, and apps.
For your latest television upgrade, contact us for our latest deals and offers.
