The best apps for Samsung TV. Installing third-party applications on Samsung Smart TV K series

Recently, the so-called Android TV BOX, in other words, portable set-top boxes and Smart TVs ("smart TVs") running the Android operating system, have become increasingly popular among users.

The reasons for the popularity of this type of device are very simple - this is, first of all, multifunctionality (the user can watch TV programs, films and series via the Internet, play games, listen to music and online radio broadcasts), the absence of a subscription fee for additional services (for full-fledged work equipment only requires the Internet), as well as the availability of a huge amount of different (paid and free) software for all kinds of needs.

This review will look at free applications for watching online television, describing the advantages and disadvantages of each of them. For those who are especially impatient, links to download current versions of the software described are available at the end of the review.) So, let's get started.

Free software

LOL!TV

One of the best applications of its kind for watching TV channels over the Internet. The main advantage of LOL!TV is that it is completely free and lacks any advertising. As the developers explain, this is due to the fact that the program is in the active testing stage, however, this fact in no way affects the functionality of the application.

For the convenience of users, all channels in LOL!TV are divided into categories by genre (sports, films, news, children's, 18+, etc.) and broadcast quality (MQ - medium and HQ - high quality). The number of TV channels available for viewing is about 300 (including those of the same name, broadcast in different time zones).

Using the settings in the application, you can change the scale of channel icons, as well as password protect or hide the 18+ category from the main menu.

Application settings.

Functionally, the program works quite stable. Non-working channels and picture freezes are quite rare occurrences. The image quality of "TV pictures" corresponds to the declared level.

The disadvantages of Lol!TV include: the lack of a TV channel schedule (in the latest version) and viewing archived recordings of TV programs.

Watch the broadcast.

Important! For the application to work correctly, the installation of additional software is required - Ace Stream Media, since TV broadcasting is carried out via P2P networks or, simply put, using Torrent technology.

LazyIPTV

Another application that deserves close attention is LazyIPTV, which is essentially an IPTV client. The quantity and quality of content reproduced in the program depends on the playlist used by the user.

In addition to watching TV broadcasts, the application allows you to listen to Internet radio, watch movies, TV series or videos from sources available on the Internet.

Main menu

Import playlist

The advantages of the software include: the ability to add your own playback source, the availability of flexible program settings (choice of color scheme, import and export of user data, parental control function and much more), TV program schedule, no installation of additional software required.

Actually, the advantages of the application also lead to disadvantages: to watch broadcasts you need a working playlist (by default, you can add 3 official sources to receive them through the built-in wizard manager), instability of operation and insufficient quality of many channels, since playlists become outdated very quickly.

Playing a TV channel

The program is completely free, but there is a small amount of unobtrusive advertising for third-party software.

Torrent-TV

Torrent TV is the official client application from the torrent television provider of the same name. TV channels are categorized by genre, more than 400 are available to the user (to get full access to all broadcasts, free registration on the TV operator’s website is required).

Functionally, the program works very stable. The quality of the broadcast content depends on the broadcaster, roughly speaking, the user distributing this channel.

Selecting a channel category in TorrentTV

I would include the advantages of the application: the availability of announcements of TV shows and viewing of archived recordings, the ability to choose an engine for playing broadcasts (AceStream, NoxBit - free, TSProxy - paid), the presence of a small archive of films and TV series available for playback, as well as the absence of advertising. Disadvantages - there is no way to adjust the scale of the inscriptions and the channel logo (in my opinion, the fonts are difficult to read, especially for people with “weak” vision).

Settings menu.

Watching TV broadcast.

Important! As in the case of LOL!TV, for the application to work correctly, you need to install additional software - Ace Stream Media.

Parom TV

Parom TV is another free application for watching online TV without any paid subscriptions or advertising. The quality of video content is at an acceptable level. In the program you can watch about 40 Russian and Ukrainian TV channels.

The advantages of the program include: a user-friendly, detailed interface, the ability to select TV programs by category (Russian, Ukrainian, news, music), the presence of TV program announcements, a built-in option for scaling text and the channel logo.

Parom TV menu for selecting a channel.

The only drawback of the application is the limited selection of television programs (mostly the main federal channels and a small set of regional ones).

Parom TV settings menu

Planer TV

A free client for watching TV, very similar in functionality to the previous application. A total of 33 broadcast channels are available on Planer TV. The quality of the offered video content is at a very decent level. The standard set of settings is quite minimalist: you can select the resolution, the type of device used for viewing (tablet, TV) and the output image format.

Planer TV main window with channel list

Advantages: stability of operation, availability of TV show announcements. Minus one: limited selection of TV programs.

Settings menu

View content

Eye TV

An easy-to-use application with a minimum of settings. About 50 federal channels are available for viewing. The quality of broadcasts, when compared with the previously described software, is much worse. The “picture” looks quite “soapy”; there is no choice of resolution.

Eye TV - list of TV channels.

In addition, Glaz TV has a short announcement of the TV program, there are practically no settings, as noted earlier, only the ability to select the image scale and sound level, and there is also a small amount of advertising.

Broadcast playback window.

Shareware.

Lime HD TV

As the name suggests, most broadcasts on Lime TV are presented in HD quality. In addition, the application has advanced settings - it is possible to select video quality and region for a more complete display of content, there is an option to speed up the start of TV programs in case of low Internet speed.

List of TV channels

Most of the TV content offered in the application is available free of charge, but viewing the most interesting TV programs is possible only by purchasing a paid subscription (costing from 59 to 99 rubles per month, depending on the selected package). The total number of channels available to the user is more than 140.

We continue to torment the TV - today our question is how to install Smart TV app or TV widget on Samsung or LG. By default, the TV has several proprietary applications from the manufacturer and the most standard ones installed, such as YouTube or IVI. However, many TV channels or Internet resources have their own Smart TV applications. Let's see how to put them yourself. Let's look at installing Smart TV Apps using the example of the two most popular TV manufacturers - Samsung and LG.

These are developed programs that are made specifically for ease of use on a widescreen TV. There may be:

• games,
• transmissions of central TV channels,
• film archives,
• television versions of information sites

In general, everything your heart desires.

Nowadays, programmers are actively and widely implementing cloud technologies, so Smart TV applications do not take up much space on the TV’s storage device - all the main content is loaded as needed from a remote server, so you can install quite a lot of programs and games without affecting the speed of the TV. At the same time, they are optimized for not very powerful hardware, on which it is often impossible to properly view the same high-quality films through a regular browser.

Smart TV applications for Samsung

Well, let's try to install some TV application as an example. To begin, your TV must be connected to the Internet - how to do this is written in detail.

Click on the central colored button on the remote control

and get to the Smart TV menu. Here we will see icons of already pre-installed applications for Samsung TV. But we are interested in the “Samsung Apps” item - click on it.

Here you will be asked to log into your Samsung account or register a new one. We fill out all the fields and confirm registration by email - be sure to enter a valid address.

So, let's log in and find ourselves in the systematized catalog of Samsung Apps - Smart TV applications, or they are also called widgets, specially designed for use on Samsung. All of them are conveniently divided into thematic headings - Video, Sports, Games, etc. You can use the search form to search by name. quickly find the desired TV application. There is also a section with a list of all applications already installed on your TV.

Navigation through the catalog occurs using the arrows on the remote control, or a mouse or keyboard connected to the USB port of the TV. Select the desired widget and click “Enter”. We get to the page with its description. Here you can estimate the size of the application in relation to the free memory on the TV. Click the “Download” button to download Smart TV applications from the Internet

After that, the “Install” button will appear in the same place - click it.

We are waiting for the window to appear notifying about the successful installation. Then we launch it and use it.

Applications for LG Smart TV

Installing the LG Smart TV application is roughly the same way - the only difference is in the location and names of menu items. To enter LG Apps, use the “Home” or “Smart” button on the remote control - it may be called differently on different models.

We find ourselves in a directory similar to Samsung. We are interested in the “Applications” item - go to it

And select the program we need.

Everything is the same here - information about the application. To install, click the corresponding button on the screen.

If you are doing this for the first time, the service will ask you to create your LG account or log in using FaceBook.

This is done simply, as in any service - you register a real email, give a password to log in, indicate other data - everything according to the list.

After this, confirm registration from the specified mailbox, log in with your username and password and return to the TV widget installation menu. We run the installation again and upon completion we are happy with the launch of the program.

With the latest smart TVs, you don't need to stream your favorite movies or music to your TV. Samsung Smart TV is one such TV that offers great content without the need of a set-top box. Powered by Samsung Smart TVs are fast and responsive, but in order to enjoy this great feature, users need to have it installed on their TV. Samsung Smart TV apps are readily available on the Samsung store, and there are plenty of programs to choose from depending on your needs. So, here are the top 10 apps that will help you get the most out of your Smart TV.

Best Samsung Smart TV Apps

1. is almost a household name all over the world when it comes to online video streaming. He has remained ahead of the curve since he invented the entire concept almost ten years ago. Netflix currently offers an impressive selection of existing TV shows and movies in its arsenal. But that's not all! The company is also investing heavily in its own exclusive productions, including the political drama House of Cards and comedies such as Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. When we talk about the amount of content in Netflix's database, it is by far the largest streaming service. However, the available content depends on your location. Content available in the UK app store may not appear in the US app store. Netflix is ​​also a great starting point if you decide to become a streamer. It's also worth noting that you can find movies in 4K resolution on Netflix.

2. – Amazon is another amazing app that offers you great TV content. The video content offering has improved significantly in recent years, with Amazon now offering its own catalog of exclusive shows. Amazon also has a notable collection of content from other providers, but like Netflix, the content differs from the US and UK stores. One good thing about Amazon Prime Video is that you don't need to sign up for an account before you can view movie titles, unlike Netflix. The Amazon Prime listing is available directly on Amazon's website so users can see what they like before signing up.

3. Hulu(USA only). Hulu previously offered two types of services, which included a free service with limited content and ads between movies, and a paid service that expands the content selection but still has ads. However, last September the company finally introduced a completely ad-free subscription service, putting the service on par with rivals Netflix and Amazon Prime. Hulu is still several steps behind Netflix and Amazon Prime in the number and quality of exclusive offerings. Another problem is that a small number of videos will still show ads even if you are on a paid subscription.

4. IPlayer(UK only). The BBC's iPlayer app is only available in the UK and streams high-quality TV, radio and movies. You get to watch some of the best TV shows the BBC has produced in recent years, such as Doctor Who, Sherlock and Luther. Although the BBC makes its shows available to watch for 30 days after they are first broadcast, iPlayer makes up for this by having arguably the widest selection of shows available on any of the streaming services on this list.

5. All 4(UK only). While the BBC has an iPlayer, Channel 4 also has its own All 4 app, which covers content from Channel 4, E4 and More 4. Its offering, however, differs from the BBC iPlayer in that it offers access to unlimited time-honored top-rated shows. So, if you want to sit down and watch every episode of Peep Show since it aired in 2003, All 4 makes it very easy.

6. Playstation Now is not a video streaming application, it is a gaming application that allows you to play various PlayStation 3 games on your TV. Well, the processor on a Samsung TV isn't designed for heavy games like Assassin's Creed II, but the app can stream the game directly from Sony's server, so the game isn't actually driven by your TV's processor. The app relies heavily on Internet speeds to make games feel as responsive as if they were running natively on a console. To use this application you will also need a game controller (joystick)

7. HBO Go/HBO Now(US only) - HBO Go and HBO Now are available in the US only. They offer streaming from the Home Box Office TV network, which includes the now classics The Sopranos, The Wire and of course Game of Thrones. HBO has the largest number of classic series in its arsenal, giving the service a big advantage on the network. Amazon Prime Video has some of HBO's best shows, like Game of Thrones and others, but HBO's own apps give you access to shows as soon as they air. So, if you watch the next episode of Game of Thrones on the day it's released, you'll have to subscribe to HBO Go or HBO Now. HBO Go is only available to HBO cable subscribers, but HBO Now is available to everyone, whether you pay for a premium channel or not.

8. YouTube- Okay, okay! Everyone knows what YouTube is! The only thing you may not know is that in addition to amateur videos of skateboarders and cats falling, YouTube in recent years has begun to host a variety of content, from comedies to reality shows and documentaries. YouTube also provides full movies that can be rented for 30 days or purchased directly.

9. Spotify- If you have a great sound system for your home theater, it would be a good idea to also play music on it rather than just stream video. Spotify is perhaps the world's most famous and largest music streaming service. There are more than 30 million tracks in its database. There is a free package with advertising, and a paid package - without advertising, and with music in the best quality.

10. VUDU(USA only). We come to yet another video streaming service, VUDU. The service is only available in the United States and you can only rent or buy movies on an individual basis. The website often runs sales where you can save big. Rental prices range from $0.99 to $5.99, and purchases range from $4.99 to $24.99. VUDU has a much smaller library of movies compared to Netflix, but they publish them immediately after release, unlike Netflix, which tends to use older movies in their library. VUDU is best used as a complement to Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Installing widgets on Samsung Smart TV does not require much effort. Most of them are created for watching movies and TV channels, but you can find gaming and also simply useful widgets from Angry Birds to Yandex applications.

There are quite a few widgets available in the Samsung store. They are uploaded to cloud storage and do not take up space in the device's memory, unlike programs from other sites. Widgets for Samsung smart TV can be collected as many as you need for a comfortable stay.

Samsung Smart TV 2017 does not support the installation of third-party applications, starting with firmware version 1442, which is typical for new models. If you have an old TV, then after updating it will be impossible to roll back to the previous version. From now on, the manufacturer allows you to download widgets for Smart TV only from the official Samsung store.

1. IVI.ru is a universal application for watching TV series and movies on Samsung TV. In this online cinema, most of the domestic and foreign films are freely available. New products of recent years for Smart TV are paid and available by subscription.
2. STS is a program for viewing a popular TV channel, which broadcasts both domestic sitcoms, shows and series, as well as foreign products.
3. Zoomby is an application for those who missed their favorite movie or TV show. Immediately after the broadcast, the video content goes into the program, where it is available for viewing at any time.
4. Amediateka has collected the most hit TV series for Smart TV in its program. Users will be able to watch exciting stories in excellent quality simultaneously with the premiere in the United States.
5. IPTV technology for watching video over the Internet is also available after installing the appropriate widgets on Samsung Smart TV. IP television will provide access to free TV channels. You only pay for the Internet connection. IPTV is gaining more and more popularity among Smart TV owners.
6. Organize karaoke at home and have fun with your friends. It is enough to download the application of the same name of the popular service.

If you can't set up IPTV, contact support for help. Polite staff will help you sort out the problem.

Installing widgets on Samsung Smart TV

To use the applications you need to follow these simple steps. Many programs do not require configuration and work well out of the box.

1. Go to the Smart Hub section and select Samsung Apps. A list of applications will open, divided into categories for the convenience of users.
2. Refer to the required section and read the description of the Samsung TV applications you like. If in doubt, go to the category popular programs. You will definitely find interesting and useful software here.
3. Applications for Samsung Smart TV are easy to install. Open each desired program in turn and find the "Download" button.
4. The smart TV in 2017 does the rest itself. All you have to do is launch the application.

Programs for Smart TV have great capabilities, but the limitation of applications only to those downloaded from the manufacturer’s store has disappointed many experienced users. Even IPTV support was no consolation. They are used to installing new widgets on the TV just like on a computer and storing them in the device’s memory, not trusting cloud storage.

How to remove programs for Smart TV

It happens that applications become boring or cease to be relevant. The best widgets appear, and the ones you liked previously fill out the menu in vain. Although they do not take up memory space on a Smart TV, the user wonders how to remove unnecessary add-ons. This is done as easily as installing new widgets on Samsung Smart TV.

1. Log in to Smart Hub and your account again.
2. Switch to the Samsung app store.
3. Press the yellow “C” button on the remote control. You have entered editing mode.
4. Select the program to be removed.
5. Now all that remains is to complete the cleaning procedure. Find the “delete” item in the menu and confirm the command. The installed TV app will disappear from your menu.

Even people with little knowledge of computer technology can install various applications on Samsung Smart TV. Downloading karaoke, as well as programs for digital television Wifire TV or watching channels via the Internet using IPTV is easy and simple. There is no need to dig around the web looking for compatible applications, Samsung has prepared all the necessary programs.

Smart TV is an important part of any TV in the modern world, and this article will show and talk about how to connect Smart TV for free, using the Samsung brand as an example.

For many years now, analysts have been saying that traditional television will come to an end and will be completely replaced by the Internet. But this so-called extinction will also affect the “projector” of television itself – the television.

The essence of Smart television technology is simple: with the help of a special module in the TV, it almost turns into a full-fledged tablet with a lot of special functions.

Of course, TV series or movies are most often watched directly; with the help of smart television, this can be done via the Internet, while it is possible to launch various interactive games, surf websites, and so on.

1. How to start setting up Smart TV

The process can be divided into two main stages: software and hardware connection. A hardware connection is the connection of any set-top box, as well as additional configuration or adjustment of the network connection on the TV itself.

The procedure is quite simple, but with many nuances that will be indicated in this article. The software part is the installation or removal of any applications for Smart TV, and their configuration, if required.

To activate the “remote control” mode, the remote control must have a special button that stands out among others, but has a different appearance on different TV models.

Once you find yourself in the Smart TV menu, all widgets that will be shown in several feeds will be visible.
Here you can see applications that are already “installed” in the settings, others can be downloaded and installed, most of them are free, but include paid functions, as well as a subscription.

2. Application Manager

3. Custom widgets - installation

Process on J series TV (2015)
1. Prepare a flash drive where files with program installations will be placed. The flash drive must work in the FAT32 file system.

Advice: The files must be in ZIP, because otherwise the TV simply won’t see them.

1. First of all, you will need to log into your Account Samsung, and to do this, you need to press the “Menu” button on your remote control and only then enter your account information.

4. Custom widgets and their classification.

Large or centralized portals that would be dedicated to assembling or cataloging software simply do not exist for Smart TV.
Large services such as YouTube and VKontakte create their own applications and widgets. Each individual widget differs from the other in its appearance and overall functionality, and it is quite difficult to determine the thematic category.

But still, Smart TV can be divided into several thematic categories:
- Searchable video content, such as: IVI or Yota Play;
- Special products for working with IPTV;
- Games;
- Info widgets: news, exchange rates, etc.;
- Applications for social networks;
- Software for viewing content in 3D.
All this, of course, can be collected, but from very different “corners” of the Internet. Something really worthwhile can be found based on user reviews.

5. Best widgets for Smart TV

ForkPlayer
It took first place in the ranking and was created to create a free Smart TV browser. Its principle of operation is quite similar to Opera Mini: ForkPlayer also adapts ordinary sites from the Internet for viewing on a TV, while Opera does this for a phone.

XSMART
Similar to the first two XSMART applications, no less functional. The application differs from other programs in that it also supports other content platforms, for example, the Ukrainian semi-closed financial institution EX.UA.

6. Watch TV on Android devices

Peers.TV
The best application for this task. Another advantage of this application is the ability to use Peers.TV on iOS