The Netflix service has become a giant of streaming content that hardly anyone does not know about. A few years ago our elders may have made a strange face when they heard the name of this service. But, today, with all the ads that we can see on the internet, social networks or even banners or in the ads of the broadcasts on conventional TV, it is difficult to hide from the big red N. The question that concerns us today is that, despite how global this service is, there are still computers in which we cannot use them like some models of televisions. Today we show you how you can know if your Smart TV is compatible with Netflix and, if not, how you can solve it.
Can I watch Netflix on my TV?
The truth is that the TV in the living room or in our bedroom is the most common place where we will see the movies and series that this platform offers us within its catalog. The small drawback is knowing whether some TV models, especially the older ones, are Netflix compatible or not .
First, and the practically indispensable requirement to install this and other applications, is to know if we are facing a smart TV or not . That is, whether or not it has an internet connection and, in addition, an app store where we can enter and locate applications such as Netflix. In the event that this is not your case, you can advance to the next section of this article where we will explain the alternatives you may have.
For those of you who have a Smart TV, another important requirement that Netflix itself imposes is the brand of our TV . This content platform has a section on its own website in which it shows us the manufacturers with whom they have an agreement so that their app is compatible with its TVs. Among them are:
- Hisense
- LG
- Panasonic
- Philips
- Samsung
- Sharp
- Sony
- Toshiba
- Bestel
- Xiaomi
If you notice, most of the brands are within this list. And, for example, all models that include Android TV as an operating system should be compatible with Netflix, unless the Android version is prehistoric . On the other hand, TVs like those of Samsung or LG, which have their own system, have been made compatible with this platform independently.
In addition to this agreement with manufacturers, on this website Netflix tells us about a certificate that it grants to certain screen models called “Netflix Recommended TV” .
What is “Netflix Recommended TV”?
This “certificate” is nothing more than a quality standard that Netflix gives to certain models of smart televisions that, according to them, are the most recommended and the ones that will give the best performance to consume their content. This will be reflected in the box of those televisions with the logo that you can see in the attached image.
To get the “Netflix Recommended TV” these screens must meet at least 5 of 7 requirements that the specialists of the Red N have established under their own criteria. As this platform literally indicates on its website, these requirements are:
- Instant-On TV : The TV turns on instantly and remembers where you left off. The apps are ready to use immediately.
- Quick start of the app : it does not matter if you just turned on the TV or changed the app; Netflix always opens fast.
- Easy access to Netflix : Quick access to the Netflix app from the TV menu and the Netflix button on the remote control.
- Always current : The TV is updated in the background so that the latest Netflix releases are always shown.
- High-resolution Netflix interface : Netflix achieves a great browsing experience with crisp text, sharp images, and advanced features.
- Optimized interactive experience : The TV has enhanced features that ensure a superior experience with interactive content.
- Latest version of Netflix : Your TV includes the latest version of Netflix, with the newest features.
In any case, this is nothing more than a “label” of extra value that this company gives to the manufacturers who favor more the use of its application and service. It is not at all an essential requirement to be able to use Netflix.
The best way to know if our Smart TV is compatible with the Red N service is to follow the following steps:
- Turn on your smart TV and access the application store within the settings. For example, on Android TV this is called Google Play .
- Once inside, locate the search bar and, here, type Netflix.
- This application should appear in the list first. Access it.
- Click on “Install”.
If you can follow these steps without problem, it is that, of course, your Smart TV is perfectly compatible with Netflix. There is the possibility that, otherwise , you will go to the point of locating Netflix and, when trying to install it, a message will appear that this app is not compatible with the operating system of your screen. So, if you want to solve this, keep reading the next section in which we tell you the different options you can choose.
My TV is not compatible with Netflix, what do I do now?
At this point, you may be a bit desperate that your TV is unable to use Netflix. But don’t worry, like many other things, there is a simple solution that does not involve buying a new TV.
What we will have to do is acquire an external device that transforms our screen, whether or not it is smart, into a smart TV. Of course, all these teams have the same functionalities as a Smart TV and, even, some more. And of course, they are 100% compatible with the service of the big red N. We show you some of the most recommended equipment that you should take into account.
The Google Chromecast is the simplest and cheapest accessory in this entire list. It is installed directly in the HDMI of the TV and, following the indications that it will show on the screen, we will have it working in less than 5 minutes.
In the same way, the use of this is ultra simple and the aesthetics of its system ( Google TV ) is very similar to that of any Smart TV. This is capable of reproducing content in 4K at 60 fps and is priced at 69.99 euros . If you want to know more details about him, you can take a look at our video analysis that we published on YouTube.
Amazon Fire Stick
The Amazon Fire Stick is another of the equipment that you must take into account, especially if you do not want to spend too much money. Again, this is a very simple equipment to install and use. Within the Amazon catalog there are different models available:
- Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite : the most basic model of all, capable of playing content in Full HD resolution at 60 fps , it has a new 50% more powerful processor, it does not have the possibility of control by HDMI CEC. Its price is 29.99 euros .
- Amazon Fire Stick 4K : getting to play content in 4K resolution and has the processor of the previous generation. Its price is 39.99 euros .
- Amazon Fire TV Cube : This is the most advanced model of all, being able to perform the tasks of a Fire TV Stick and an Amazon Echo all in one. We can reproduce content in a maximum quality of 4K at 60 fps . It has a new hexa-core processor much more powerful than the rest of the members of this family. All this for a price of 119.99 euros .
Apple tv
Finally, if you have any other Apple equipment at home, a very interesting option may be the Apple TV. A device that will integrate perfectly with the rest of the products of this company and that, with respect to our television, will allow us to have all the possibilities of a Smart TV. There are different models but, within the most current generation, we have two possibilities:
- Apple TV “basic”: reaching a FullHD resolution . In this case there is only a single storage of 32 GB and we can buy it for a price of 159 euros .
- Apple TV 4K : with which we can play and consume content in 4K resolution . We can buy it with 32 GB and 64 GB models , for a price of 199 euros and 219 euros respectively.
