Six of the best Smart TV sets

By Peter Jenkinson

The technology of TVs refuses to stand still. After HD and 3D sets, there are now Smart TVs that can download everything from the internet direct to the big screen. Whether you want to stream movies, study google maps in extra detail or simply watch daft Youtube videos in grander glory, here are six of the best sets on the market.

Boxing clever

NOW TV - £9.99 from www.shop.nowtv.com

Just released by Sky, this box of tricks turns any TV set with an HDMI input into a Smart set able to connect to a range of internet based services like BBC iPlayer, Demand 5, Spotify, Facebook and, of course, Sky's own offering. For an additional charge, you can also upgrade to take the 'Movie pass' that gives you over 600 films and up to four new premieres each week, or sports fans can grab a 'day pass' to watch live events.

You've been framed

Panasonic Viera TX-L47WT65B - £1699 from www.johnlewis.com

The highly-engineered frame makes this set stare-worthy even when it's switched off. When it's on though, the picture quality is stunning, with a wide viewing screen that can be seen clearly from multiple angles. Also, simply by speaking a key word into the Touch Pad Controller - or your smartphone using the Viera 2 remote app - the search result is displayed on-screen, and even read out loud.

Four stars

SAMSUNG UE65F9000 Smart 3D Ultra HD 65" LED - £5999 from www.currys.co.uk

This set has one drawback; visitors never wanting to leave your home once they've seen the next generation of display. These new 4K sets have four times the detail we've become accustomed to on high definition sets, and will upscale imagery to Ultra HD. This set comes complete with motion and voice control so you can - at last - actually get a response from your TV by shouting or waving your arms at it.

Budget best

TOSHIBA 40L6353DB Smart 40" LED TV - £499 from www.currys.co.uk

So, it may not sing and dance like the others in our list, but for sub-£500, you are definitely getting a very well stocked TV set. In addition to built-in WiFi, you'll also have a 3D set offering an all-round very decent image. Cheaper clearly doesn't have to mean a compromise on quality.

Well-connected

Sony W9 55" LED- £2399 from www.sony.co.uk

In addition to a stunning on-screen display with deep, rich colours able to produce near perfect sunsets, the Sony flagship set has another very special trick up its sleeve. You can instantly grab all your entertainment from the internet by plugging an NFC (Near Field Communication) enabled smartphone into the W9 remote control, then sitting back and watching as your content appears on the big screen.

The big screen

LG 42LA860W Smart 3D 42" LED TV - £1149 from www.currys.co.uk

The design of the stand on this latest number from LG really caught our eye, as did its exhaustive features list. It is a passive 3D TV set (meaning cinema quality), you can connect to all your on-screen content easily and quickly using the latest high speed processor, and you can enjoy vivid image reproduction. A mighty fine all-round set.

App of the week

iMember - Free on iTunes and Google Play

When you join a new organisation, you may well have been enticed by some fancy free rewards. Most of us, however, will never actually take these offers up - and this is why iMember was created. You input your gym, club, bank, newspaper or any other club that might offer rewards, and the app will direct you to what extra benefits you could be enjoying.