Using Your Smart TV

This guide explains how to use your Smart TV and its built-in streaming services. Follow step-by-step instructions for signing in to a streaming service, accessing the home screen, and using core buttons to navigate menus.

Two items you will want to have handy are:

1. your phone/tablet or computer
2. The remote that matches the brand of your TV

The remote for another device will not be able to perform the functions we will be performing, so you will need the remote that came with your TV. Some services you want to access may require you to sign in, so having your usernames and passwords accessible can be helpful.

To do anything, first, we need to turn on the TV by pressing the POWER button on the remote. It should have the symbol shown above, which is usually denoted by the color red.

If your screen looks different from the image at the start of this guide, you may already be accessing a streaming service or are displaying an incorrect device. Press the HOME button on your remote to go to the home screen. If you cannot find the HOME button, try looking for a button with a house on it, like the one above circled in red.

If that does not return you to the home screen, you may be viewing a different device, like a cable box or a DVD player. Press the SOURCE/INPUT button to open the device menu. If you cannot find the button, it may have symbols similar to the two above images on the right. To navigate the menu, use the ARROWS on your remote to select the input listed as “TV”. In some cases, the source menu may need to be navigated by repeatedly pressing the SOURCE button until the correct source is highlighted.

On your TV, selecting a streaming service is like opening an app on your phone. Using the ARROWS on your remote, navigate to the service you want to access and select it. Your remote may already have buttons dedicated to specific services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu, so you can also use those.

*Optional* When opening a service, you may be prompted to create an account or sign in to an existing one. If you have not signed in to this service before and have an account, follow these steps:

1. Select the “Sign In” button using the ARROWS on your remote.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions. They may prompt you to scan a QR code with your phone/tablet or follow a link to their website.

To scan a QR code:

1. Open the camera app on your phone
2. Point the camera at the QR code and hold it steady
3. After a second or two, tap the message/link that appears on your screen

If no message or link appears, adjust the focus to be on the QR code or try moving closer or farther away from the TV. Once scanned, follow the instructions on your phone/tablet to finish sign-in.

Congrats! You have successfully navigated to, signed in to, and accessed the streaming service you wanted! Use the ARROW buttons to navigate the show/movie selections and enjoy watching.