The Genesis of Smart TV Kenya
By Mwebe Morgan | 21 February 2022
What you need to know before you buy a Smart TV Kenya, including the benefits and disadvantages
In 2006, Kenya planned for the analogue to digital television migration. The government viewed the migration as a vehicle to not only deliver improved audiovisual quality but also the diversity of content to Kenyan consumers. By the end of June 2015, the migration’s benefits had changed the TV viewing landscape forever. This digital dividend later supported new mobile services, including 4G, and now blazing broadband internet.
Smart TV Kenya is bringing significant benefits to the citizens.
What is a Smart TV, and how does it work?
Smart TV Kenya uses your home network or broadband to stream video and services on the TV. Smart TVs use wired Ethernet and built-in Wi-Fi coupled with software or operating system/platform that allows you to access, manage, and view online and network-based media content without the need to connect to the satellite decoder.
Important features to consider when buying a Smart TV
Smart TVs have become all the rage over the past few years, offering features that traditional TVs could only dream of. These features include:
OLED, LCD, and LED Screens – these produce vibrant colours, higher contrast, and an overall more enjoyable viewing experience for customers.
HDMI and Other Connection Ports – These are a set of connection ports to other peripherals such as DVR, DVD players, game consoles.
Screen Resolution – The higher the screen resolutions above 1980×1080, the better the picture experience.
Refresh Rate—relates to how often a television can refresh the display image (frame) per second.
HDR Compatibility—High Dynamic Range is a technology that can increase a picture's dynamic range between light and dark parts of an image (i.e., the contrast).
Screen Size – Always ensure that you first measure your space and consider the area your Smart TV will be in.
Asking the right questions about those above features will enable the buyer to make a better choice.
How do Smart TVs benefit the users?
Smart TVs enable Kenyan users to easily connect to the most popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Instagram. The users also access the video streaming channels such as YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Vimeo, and HBO, without the need to connect a TV antenna or subscribe to a cable/satellite service.
In addition, Smart TV users watch TV programmes, music, web browsing, gaming, accessing their files on the cloud, and screen sharing using Miracast – a software that allows users to view content from Smartphones, tablets, or iPads onto the TV screen, and vice versa.
Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, Smart TVs have simplified online education. Schoolers across the country now access education programmes, lessons, and practicals at home, seated in front of Smart TVs.
Disadvantages of Smart TVs
Despite the users accessing free channels, they must pay for the premium channels or pay-per-view fees, including monthly subscriptions for broadband internet service.
The cost of purchasing Smart TVs is still high, and most low-income earners cannot afford them.
Smart TVs may cause privacy issues – as the content app providers and manufacturers covertly track one’s viewing habits and preferences.
The FBI has reported that hackers can invade your privacy using webcams and voice control like Alexa; they may steal your credit details or blackmail you.
Conclusion
Finally, Smart TV Kenya is an exciting disclosure, but you must check the specs before investing your hard-earned cash. Ensure that you're not spending money on something that isn't right for you. The wonderful news is that Smart TVs have revolutionized the way we watch televisions. Given the present projections, by 2026, over 75% of urban households in Kenya will have a Smart TV.
About the Writer
Mwebe Morgan is a content producer, writer, editor, and proofreader. He specialises in academic, technical, and business writing. Mostly, he works with business owners, writers, and students. Also, he loves narration, poetry, children’s literature, and non-fiction.
