Do You Need a Smart TV to Use a Firestick? [Explained]

With the steep improvements and advancements in technology, a lot has changed in how people consume content. While television and cable used to have a lot more precedence a few years back, streaming has become integral in today’s date.

Since streaming and on-demand entertainment have become so predominant, it isn’t surprising that more and more platforms are making their services known. Among them, Amazon’s streaming service captures a majority of the market.

Among them, Firestick is a streaming device that has gained much recognition. However, with its growing popularity comes a lot of questions. Most users have been curious about the need for a smart TV to be able to use Firestick.

If your mind is plagued with similar queries and you want answers, we have sorted everything in this article.

Is It Mandatory to use a Smart TV to use Firestick?

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When it comes to using Amazon Firestick, one of the most common questions the users have is regarding the need for a smart TV to use Firestick.

The good news is that you don’t need one. Firestick is compatible with almost every television as long as it has an HDMI port. So, even old televisions that aren’t smart TVs will support Firestick.

For those that aren’t aware, Firestick is a streaming device that connects to the television’s HDMI port and enables users to access streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, etc.

To be able to use Firestick with a non-smart TV, you’d have to ensure two factors – Ensure that the TV has an HDMI port and ensure that you have a stable Wi-Fi connection.

Also Read – How To Pair A New Fire Stick Remote Without The Old One?

What are the Benefits of Using Firestick with a Smart TV?

We will discuss how you can use Firestick without a Smart TV. But let us highlight why people prefer using a smart TV with this streaming device.

1. More Versatile

Besides enabling the users to access streaming platforms, one of the highlights of a Firestick is that it allows the users to access 14,000+ free and paid apps. Connecting the device to a smart TV ensures you have versatile access to all the apps you otherwise can’t seem to access.

2. Better user experience

Using Firestick with a smart TV takes the viewing experience to a completely different level. It enables easy access to your favorite shows and apps with a tap of a button, something that you might not be able to access fully with a non-smart TV.

3. Lag-free performance

Smart TVs are designed and developed with the latest technology, ensuring viewers have a lag and glitch-free viewing experience. Using Firestick with a smart TV thus escalates the viewing experience to new heights.

Also Read – Fire Stick Troubleshooting 101: How To Reset Fire Stick Without Remote

How to Connect Firestick to a Non-Smart TV?

With the benefits out of the way, let us resort to being more practical. How do you connect and set up Firestick with a non-smart TV?

There are two situations that you have to prioritize:

• Connecting Firestick to a non-smart TV with HDMI inputs
• Connecting Firestick to a non-smart TV without HDMI inputs

For your accessibility and ease, we have sorted out all the information. So, scroll down for further break down:

1. With HDMI inputs

If your non-smart TV has HDMI inputs, the connection and setting up process of the Firestick is pretty simple. Following are the steps that you need to follow:

• Start by plugging your Firestick into a power outlet using a USB cable. The Firestick must be connected to a power supply to work, which is a mandatory step.
• Next, connect the Firestick to the HDMI input in your television.
• Following that, you’d have to navigate to your television’s HDMI settings and select the HDMI input to which the Firestick is connected.
• If your Firestick remote doesn’t have batteries, replace it with two AAA batteries. The remote is paired with the Firestick, so you don’t have to worry about extra steps.
• Press the “On” button on the Firestick remote to load the setup screen. You’d have to follow the on-screen instructions to connect the Firestick to an available Wi-Fi connection.
• Once done, the last step is to sign into the Firestick with your Amazon account.

2. Without HDMI inputs

So, let’s assume that your non-smart TV doesn’t have HDMI inputs. Is there any way to connect the Firestick to the television in that case?

In that case, you must buy an HDMI to component or composite converter. Remember that this process is for a decade or more old televisions. Once you have bought the converter, follow the steps mentioned:

• Start by plugging the Firestick into the power outlet like the previous section.
• Instead of connecting the Firestick to the HDMI input, you’d have to connect the streaming device to the HDMI converter and connect the converter to the television.
• Switch on the TV and navigate to input settings to select the Converter.
• Lastly, you’d have to turn on the Firestick using the remote and follow the on-screen instructions to connect it to Wi-Fi.
• Log into the Firestick using your Amazon account.

And that’s it. Once you are done with the login process, you can then go ahead and use the Firestick to stream your favorite shows, movies, series, etc.

Also Read – Tips To Install Spectrum TV App On Firestick

What are the Steps to Connect a Firestick to a Smart TV?

This might sound like additional information, but we’d suggest you save this for future reference when you have a smart TV. In that case, you can connect the Firestick for a more seamless streaming experience.

Here’s how to do that:

• Since the Firestick must be power-enabled, you’d have to connect it to the power outlet using a USB cable.
• Next, you’d have to connect the Firestick to the smart TV’s HDMI input.
• Turn on your smart TV and navigate to the HDMI settings to select Amazon Firestick as the input.
• Bring out the Firestick remote and turn it on.
• Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to complete the setup process.
• Log in using your Amazon account.

So, the setup process is pretty much the same as in the case of a non-smart TV with HDMI input.

Also Read – Step by Step Guide To Install Xfinity Stream On Firestick

Conclusion

Amazon Firestick dominates 25% of the market regarding streaming services. The answer is yes if you have been wondering if you can use the device with a non-smart TV. Firestick is highly configurable and enables users to stream their favorite shows without restrictions.