With Samsung’s Smart View App you can you can watch your TV channels from your TV on a Samsung tablet or smartphone. We go hands-on.
Samsung Smart View
The Smart View App is available on Samsung’s smartphones and tablets with Android such as the 5-inch Galaxy WiFi tablet. Smart View also requires a Samsung Smart TV.
Inside the Smart View App we find a so-called Dual View function that allow users to watch all their TV channels on the smaller tablet screen. However, the tablet needs to be connected to the same wireless network (the cable shown in the pictures below is just a power cable).
When you open the app you will be met with this screen.
See your TV channels on a tablet with Samsung Smart View
Dual View starts the fun. We experienced some picture delay but it is without relevance as we expect a person to either use the TV or the tablet – not both.
Samsung Smart View
With Dual View users can also change channels from the tablet but this means that the TV also changes the channel.
See your TV channels on a tablet with Samsung Smart View
However, it is possible to view two different video streams but it requires two different input; one being for example Blu-ray through HDMI and the other being TV channels.
See your TV channels on a tablet with Samsung Smart View
The viewer can adjust volume independently on the tablet without affecting volume controls on the Samsung TV. And Samsung has also added a channel list function.
Lastly, Samsung lets users turn of the TV screen while watching a TV channel on the tablet. This is a practical function if you wish to carry your tablet around in your home.
See your TV channels on a tablet with Samsung Smart View – even when the TV is off
Picture quality in not overwhelming but good enough for small displays in smartphones and tablets such as the 5-inch Galaxy S WiFi that Samsung bundles with the D8000 LED model in some countries. Besides Dual View the Smart View App also functions as a remote control and game control for the TV.
All in all, Smart View is a cool feature. I hope Samsung will allow us to see different TV channels on different devices in the future but I still believe that Smart View opens up new possibilities for Smart TV owners.
Also, watch Samsung’s own Smart View presentation below.
Samsung Smart View hands-on
