Repurpose Your Old Smart TV: 8 Innovative Uses

If you possess an outdated and sluggish smart TV that no longer receives updates or has been supplanted by a superior model with enhanced specifications, consider refraining from disposal for a time. Your older smart TV can be used in various unexpectedly beneficial manners.

8. Photographic or Artistic Exhibition

You can affix your old smart TV to a wall adjacent to a power outlet in the living room, bedroom, or hallway, transforming it into a dedicated photo or digital art display. Insert a USB drive with your preferred images into the television and utilize its integrated slideshow function to display family photographs, travel experiences, or high-resolution artwork. If your television includes native art applications such as DeviantArt, you are fortunate, as it maintains the images dynamically without necessitating your constant oversight.

To get a refined gallery appearance, calibrate the screen's brightness to harmonize with the ambient lighting, deactivate sleep timers, and conceal the power and HDMI cords.

7. Secondary Display for Your Computer

If you seek to enhance your productivity or desire additional screen space, that outdated television is ideal for repurposing as a secondary display for your computer. The majority of smart TVs are equipped with an HDMI connection; so, simply connect your computer using an HDMI cable (or a USB-C to HDMI adapter, contingent on your configuration), choose the appropriate input on your TV, and adjust your display settings within your operating system.

This action enlarges your workspace, allowing you to distribute applications, monitor Slack, or stream videos or music on one screen while working on the other. Certainly, it will not surpass a high-end 4K display in terms of refresh rate, color fidelity, and other critical parameters. Is all of that truly necessary merely for checking emails or Slack? Likely not.

6. Surveillance Camera Display

Your old smart TV can serve as an exceptional dedicated monitor for your home security system. Numerous security cameras, including those from Ring, Arlo, Wyze, and Nest, provide applications compatible with smart TVs, particularly those operating on Android TV, Fire TV, or Roku platforms. Install the appropriate application, authenticate your account, then broadcast your live camera feeds right on the display. Certain configurations may enable the simultaneous viewing of numerous streams, transforming your television into a comprehensive surveillance hub.

If your television lacks native app compatibility, you may still connect a suitable streaming device (such as a Roku, Fire Stick, or Chromecast) and transmit your camera feed from your smartphone or computer. Alternatively, if utilizing a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) or NVR (Network Video Recorder) system with HDMI output, connect it directly to the television. Install it in a convenient area, such as your home office or near an entryway, to maintain a dependable, continuous monitor for surveillance of your property without monopolizing your primary display.

5. Retro Gaming Hub

Connect a classic game console or construct one using a Raspberry Pi with emulators such as RetroPie or Lakka to transform your idle smart TV into a specialized gaming station. Most smart TVs, equipped with HDMI compatibility, serve as excellent displays for vintage games from retro consoles such as the NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, and PlayStation 1. Combine it with a few controllers, and you possess an immediate nostalgia apparatus. If you are considering discarding a Samsung smart TV equipped with a built-in Gaming Hub, you are particularly fortunate, as it supports Xbox Game Pass and GeForce Now for cloud gaming. LG has also participated and now endorses Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Certain Android smart TVs are capable of executing retro game emulators such as RetroArch via Android-based software stores or sideloaded APKs, however performance may vary based on hardware specifications. Your aging panel should effectively handle 16-bit visuals and sounds, providing an enjoyable, low-maintenance gaming experience. For organizational purposes, contemplate affixing the television in a designated game room, garage, or spare bedroom, while conveniently putting your controllers and games in proximity for immediate accessibility.

4. Specialized Video Conferencing Display

There is no need to strain your eyes on a diminutive laptop screen during video conferences when a huge smart TV is available. By utilizing a straightforward HDMI connection to your laptop or desktop, or employing a streaming device such as a Fire TV Stick, Chromecast, or Google TV Streamer, you may project Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet calls onto a bigger display. Certain Android-based smart TVs offer native support for these applications, potentially eliminating the need for supplementary software.

If your television lacks an integrated camera, you may connect an external webcam and microphone (or utilize your laptop's equipment) for an enhanced experience. This method allows you to maintain access to your notes, emails, or browser on your primary screen while your video call operates in full-screen mode on the television.

Nonetheless, a modest amount of preparation yields significant benefits. Position the television at eye level, either behind or adjacent to your desk, to get a more natural viewing angle for video conversations.

3. Children's Amusement Center

Rather than having kids congregate around a tablet or perpetually sharing your phone, you may allocate your additional smart TV as a dedicated entertainment hub for your children. Install the television in a playroom, basement, or guest bedroom, allowing children to relax and see their preferred programs, instructional material, or engage in age-appropriate activities without dominating the primary family television.

If the smart TV is pre-installed with applications such as YouTube Kids, Disney+, PBS Kids, and Netflix, you have an advantage in establishing a secure, child-friendly viewing environment. You can modify the settings to enhance child safety, including parental controls and application limitations. If your television is compatible with screen mirroring, it expands the range of options significantly. Creative applications like as drawing apps and storytime activities can be accessed directly from a tablet.

2. Construct an Illusion of a Fish Tank

 If you appreciate the tranquil ambiance of an aquarium but wish to avoid the maintenance of cleaning or feeding, your outdated smart TV may effectively replicate the sensation. Navigate to YouTube and enter "virtual aquarium" or analogous search terms. Countless hours of exquisite 4K footage showcasing colorful coral reefs and captivating schools of fish are available, as exemplified below.

High-quality aquarium films can be obtained from websites such as Uscenes, which offers stunning 4K and Full HD options for a fee. Based on your device's specifications, these videos may be downloaded to a USB drive or streamed directly to your television. Once the film is displayed on your television, configure it to loop, allowing the fish to swim perpetually and fostering a seamless, immersive experience.

To enhance the effect, position the television behind a frame or within a cabinet featuring a clear front, and use ornamental pebbles, seashells, artificial plants, or LED lighting around the base. You will receive a tranquil centerpiece that your guests will initially believe is authentic until they realize that the fish are, shall we say, exceptionally steadfast in their assigned swimming locations. If you desire additional functionality, you can configure your television to activate at designated times using a smart plug.

1. Acquire Components for Do-It-Yourself Projects

Ultimately, if your old smart TV is irreparably damaged, do not simply discard it on the curb. Open it and discover the goodies you can acquire for your forthcoming DIY project. You may be astonished (or perhaps not) by the abundance of valuable components contained within: speakers, LED backlights, infrared sensors, Wi-Fi modules, power boards, miniature fans, and much more, all suitable for repurposing. For instance, the speakers may be repurposed for a bespoke Bluetooth speaker project, while the LED strips could serve as under-shelf illumination or a DIY photographic light panel.

Prior to proceeding, prioritize safety. Don protective gloves and goggles, and promptly discharge any capacitors upon opening to avoid electric shock. I recommend keeping a magnetic tray nearby to prevent screws and small components from disappearing.

If you are interested in microcontrollers such as Arduino or Raspberry Pi, you can repurpose these components for experimentation without incurring additional expenses. The television's frame or stand can be used to support a monitor, accommodate equipment, or serve other functions.

It is astonishing to observe the extent of utility one may get from an object that appears entirely depleted. Additionally, you are reducing electronic waste while indulging in your passion for electronics. That constitutes a mutually beneficial outcome in my opinion.