Discover the top smart TV OS in the market today. Read about the features and benefits of popular OS such as Android TV, WebOS, Tizen, and more. Choose the perfect TV OS for your viewing preferences and access your favorite apps and content seamlessly.
LG webOS, Tizen OS, and VIDAA OS are three popular operating systems for smart TVs. Here is a comparison of these three operating systems:
User Interface:
- LG webOS has a sleek and user-friendly interface that offers easy navigation with its Magic Remote.
- Tizen OS is also known for its simple and intuitive interface, with its Smart Hub providing quick access to apps and content.
- VIDAA OS offers a customizable home screen that allows users to easily access their favorite apps and content.
App Store:
- LG webOS has its own app store, which includes a wide range of popular apps and services.
- Tizen OS has a large app store with access to various apps and services from major providers, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.
- VIDAA OS has a good app store, it includes popular apps such as Netflix, Prime Video, Rakuten TV, Freeview Play, YouTube, ITV Hub, BBC iPlayer and more.
Voice Assistant:
- LG webOS uses the LG ThinQ AI voice assistant, which allows users to control their TV and other compatible devices using voice commands.
- Tizen OS uses Samsung’s Bixby voice assistant, which offers similar functionality to LG ThinQ AI.
- VIDAA OS offers limited voice control, with only basic commands available.
Smart Home Integration:
- LG webOS allows users to connect their TV to compatible smart home devices and control them through the TV’s interface.
- Tizen OS offers similar functionality, with the ability to control devices such as lights, thermostats, and security cameras.
- VIDAA OS has limited smart home integration, with only basic features available.
Performance:
- LG webOS and Tizen OS are both known for their smooth performance and fast loading times.
- VIDAA OS may not be as fast as the other two, but it is still responsive and performs well overall.
Connectivity:
- LG webOS and Tizen OS both offer a wide range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, USB, and Ethernet.
- VIDAA OS also supports Wi-Fi, HDMI, USB, and Ethernet, but may not have as many connectivity options as the other two.
Updates:
- LG webOS and Tizen OS both receive regular updates from their respective manufacturers, with new features and improvements added over time.
- VIDAA OS may receive updates less frequently, but it is still supported by its manufacturer.
Compatibility:
- LG webOS is available on LG Smart TVs, while Tizen OS is used on Samsung Smart TVs.
- VIDAA OS is used on Hisense Smart TVs, and also on some Toshiba and Sharp models.
Customization:
- LG webOS allows users to customize the interface by changing the background, selecting their preferred apps, and organizing the menus.
- Tizen OS also offers customization options, such as changing the wallpaper and adding widgets.
- VIDAA OS allows users to customize the home screen by adding and removing apps and content.
In summary, all three TV OS offer a variety of features and functions that make them appealing to different users. LG webOS and Tizen OS are both well-established and offer a wide range of apps and smart home integrations, while VIDAA OS is newer but offers a customizable interface and good performance. Ultimately, the best choice will depend on the user’s preferences and the specific features they are looking for.
LG webOS
Access your favorite content from YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, Newsy, Spotify, and ifood.tv on LG’s latest generation Smart TV platform, webOS. Enjoy entertainment, news, sports, games, and more with an elegant interface, simple setup, and content discovery. webOS is also compatible with 4K Ultra HD programming and High Dynamic Range (HDR) movies and TV shows. LG’s Magic Remote makes navigation easy with its point-and-click functionality, unlike the arrow keys on remotes for Android TVs.
Starting with its 2021 TVs, LG revamped the look of webOS entirely. Version 6.0 of the software replaces the bottom launch bar with an entire home screen with rows of large banners, app lists, content recommendations, and a home dashboard. webOS TVs come pre-installed with many popular streaming apps, including YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and Google Play Movies and TV, with additional apps and games available for download from the LG Content Store.
LG Electronics announced the availability of the Apple TV app, Apple Music, AirPlay, and HomeKit on its webOS Hub in over 100 countries and regions, expanding its accessibility and convenience to customers. By giving more customization options to smart TV manufacturers and more content choices to consumers, LG is now working with 200 partners, including Seiki, Eko, Stream System, Konka, Aiwa, and Hyundai.
The Apple TV app offers access to award-winning Apple Originals and over 100,000 films and shows for purchase or rental. Apple Music subscribers can enjoy a vast, ad-free library of over 100 million songs, 30,000 expertly-curated playlists, countless 4K music videos, and Apple Music Radio, which streams hits and classics from all genres. webOS Hub is also compatible with AirPlay, allowing users to stream movies, music, games, and photos from their iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Additionally, webOS Hub-powered TVs are Apple Home-enabled, enabling users to control their TV in the Apple Home app and Siri using Apple HomeKit technology.
WebOS boasts a unique and recognizable interface, with a smart menu that appears as a row of colored tiles at the bottom of the screen, keeping most of the content you watch visible. Each tile represents a distinct app or feature, and selecting an app like YouTube displays an additional bar of recommendations above the menu. The menu also includes a Gallery mode for displaying various works of art and photos on the screen. Users can adjust the order of each app manually or with the Intelligent mode, which prioritizes the most frequently used apps. A new feature allows users to add YouTube channels to the menu, which is useful for following several vloggers. Unwanted apps can easily be removed from the menu with just a few presses of a button. The left-hand side of the menu provides access to recently used apps, the search function, TV function, and the home dashboard. The LG TV Plus app allows users to stream photos or videos from their smartphone or tablet to the TV, while some apps like YouTube have a casting option that sends a link to the TV instead of the content itself. This results in perfect aspect ratio and the ability to use your smartphone for other tasks. AirPlay is available on OLED and NanoCell TVs from 2019, allowing users to stream images and music via an iPhone or iPad. WebOS is a user-friendly platform that can be customized to suit individual preferences, and combined with the Magic Remote, allows for easy switching between all functions. The LG Content Store is also noteworthy as it does not require an account, reducing the number of accounts users need to create.
Tizen OS
Tizen OS is the proprietary operating system that comes pre-installed on Samsung smart TVs. The sleek design of the interface is intended to complement the TV’s aesthetics, and the OS boasts an array of intuitive features.
The Smart Hub is a hub of entertainment, where users can access all the content they want to watch on their TV in one place. The latest series of Samsung TVs feature a revamped Smart Hub that offers more relevant features and services to users. Netflix and Amazon Prime are among the streaming services that are pre-installed for convenience. Simply pressing the Smart Hub button brings up a band of cards at the bottom of the screen, where users can find devices connected to the TV, streaming services, apps, and the settings menu. Hovering over an app like Netflix automatically displays the TV show that is being watched, so users can hit play and start watching with ease.
Tizen OS is also intuitive, learning what users like to watch and recommending TV shows and other content based on their preferences. This feature ensures that there is always something to watch on the TV. Additionally, Tizen OS simplifies the process of figuring out which device is connected to which port, as it automatically detects all the sources connected to it and identifies them on the Smart Hub.
The One Remote is another helpful feature that automatically controls all the devices connected to the TV, eliminating the need for multiple remotes. The ultra-minimalistic design of the One Remote makes it easy and convenient to use. The main menu runs along the bottom of the screen, with another row of contextual options above it. Users can configure a favorites row for all their most frequently used apps and switch between recently used apps with ease.
Tizen TV also includes Samsung TV Plus, an app that aggregates over 1,000 free streaming channels, including movies, sports, and national news. Overall, Tizen TV is streamlined for TV use and makes it easy for users to access their favorite content in one place.
VIDAA OS
VIDAA OS is known for its customizable navigation bar located at the top of the screen. Unlike other operating systems, this bar can be summoned without exiting the current setup and can switch seamlessly between apps that remain active in the background. The navigation bar includes Smart TV apps and features, such as Input, All Apps, Anyview Cast, Games, Media, YouTube, Netflix, and more. Users can fully customize the order of these apps to their liking. Video: VIDAA/YouTube
While some Smart TV platforms have become more like computers than TVs with overwhelming options, VIDAA OS stands out with its simplistic and intuitive design. It satisfies the brief with its fast and responsive performance, allowing users to easily navigate through apps without closing them in the background. The app store has also successfully enticed big-name apps, such as Apple TV and Disney+, to consolidate the user’s viewing experience.
The standout feature of VIDAA OS lies in its customizable navigation bar positioned at the top of the screen. This unique bar can be summoned effortlessly without exiting the current setup, smoothly switching between active apps running in the background.
Within VIDAA’s navigation bar, users can access Smart TV apps and various features such as Input, All apps, Anyview Cast, Games, Media, YouTube, Netflix, and more. The arrangement of these apps is entirely customizable, allowing users to add and rearrange them according to their preferences.
As I delved into VIDAA OS, I appreciated its simplicity—a platform designed for those who prefer a straightforward TV experience. However, as one explores further, distinctions from the conventional become apparent. A notable drawback is the less-than-ideal experience when casting screens from laptops or smartphones. Unlike the seamless connection typically associated with Miracast technology, VIDAA requires users to open the Anyview Cast app before making the TV visible, introducing an element of inconvenience. This seems counterintuitive for a platform emphasizing user-friendliness. In contrast, most Smart TV platforms seamlessly run Miracast in the background, transforming the TV display into an extension of the device screen.
Chromecast stands out as an exception, enabling hassle-free casting as long as the TV is connected to the same WiFi network, supporting applications like Google Photos, YouTube, VLC, and other Chromecast-enabled services.
In contrast, Android TV boasts an extensive repository of over 5000 apps and games. While the initial excitement may wane upon closer inspection, as users typically download a handful of preferred apps, it remains a versatile ecosystem. On my Android TV, I gravitate towards Netflix, YouTube, DStv, and VLC, occasionally utilizing a VPN. I suspect VIDAA OS shares a similar scenario.
The pivotal consideration is whether VIDAA OS supports your essential apps. The platform, especially after the latest update, impressively caters to users of Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and other international streaming apps. Netflix and DStv are also supported, covering essential bases.
VIDAA OS may not overwhelm users with an extensive app library, as seen in Roku TV and Android TV experiences. However, for those with straightforward needs like mine, the platform provides a satisfactory and functional experience.
However, there are some areas where VIDAA OS falls short, such as poor design choices when it comes to casting. As someone used to DLNA and Chromecast, the need to constantly tinker with settings to cast to the Smart TV was disappointing.