8 Ways You Can Reuse Your Smart TV

If you have an old, slow Smart TV that no longer receives updates or has been replaced with a modern TV with better specs and you're thinking about throwing it away, stop for a moment. You can give your old Smart TV a second life in a number of surprisingly useful ways.

8. Display of photos or artwork

You can mount your old Smart TV on the wall near an outlet in the living room, bedroom, or hallway and turn it into a dedicated digital art or photo gallery. Load a USB drive with your favorite images, plug it into the TV, and use the built-in slideshow feature to scroll through family photos, travel memories, or high-resolution artwork. If your TV comes with native art apps like DeviantArt, you're in luck, as it keeps your images fresh without having to micromanage them.

7. Secondary monitor for computer

If you're looking to boost your productivity or have more screen real estate, that old TV is a great option to repurpose as a secondary monitor for your computer. Most Smart TVs have HDMI ports, so all you need to do is connect it to your computer with an HDMI cable (or a USB-C to HDMI adapter, depending on your setup), select the correct input on the TV, and configure the display settings in your operating system.

6. Security camera screen

An old smart TV can make a great dedicated monitor for a home security system. Many security cameras, such as those from Ring, Arlo, Wyze, or Nest, offer apps that work with smart TVs, especially those that run on Android TV , Fire TV, or Roku . Download the corresponding app, log in, and stream your camera feed directly to the screen. Some setups can even let you view multiple feeds at once, turning your TV into a complete surveillance station.

5. Retro Gaming Hub

You can plug in a retro game console or build your own using a Raspberry Pi and an emulator like RetroPie or Lakka, turning your unused Smart TV into a dedicated gaming station. With HDMI support , most Smart TVs have great screens for classic games from retro consoles like the NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, PlayStation 1, and more. Pair that with a few controllers and you have yourself a retro machine. You're especially lucky if the Smart TV you're thinking of is a Samsung model with a built-in Gaming Hub, Xbox Game Pass , and GeForce Now support for cloud gaming. LG has also gotten in on the action, now supporting Xbox Cloud Gaming , too .

4. Dedicated video conferencing screen

There's no need to squint at a tiny laptop screen during video meetings when you have a defunct Smart TV sitting around the house. With a simple HDMI connection to your laptop or desktop, or using a streaming device like a Fire TV Stick, Chromecast , or Google TV Streamer, you can display your Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet calls on a larger screen. Some Android Smart TVs even have native support for these apps, so you may not need any additional software.

3. Children's entertainment station

Instead of having your kids huddle around a tablet or constantly sharing their phones, you can dedicate a Smart TV to them as their own entertainment center. Place the TV in a playroom, basement, or spare bedroom, where kids can lounge and watch their favorite shows, educational content, or play age-appropriate games without taking over the family's main TV.

2. Create a fish tank illusion

If you love the serenity of an aquarium but don't want to bother cleaning or feeding your fish, your old Smart TV can simulate the experience perfectly. Head to YouTube and search for 'virtual aquarium' or something similar. You'll find tons of beautiful 4K footage of vibrant coral reefs and mesmerizing schools of fish, like the one below.

You can also source high-quality aquarium videos from sites like Uscenes , which offer stunning 4K and Full HD options. Depending on your device's capabilities, these videos can be downloaded to a USB drive or streamed directly to your TV. Once the video is on your TV, set it to loop so the fish keep swimming, creating a seamless, immersive experience.

1. Gather parts for DIY projects

Finally, if your old Smart TV is completely broken—beyond any hope of recovery—don't just throw it out on the curb. Open it up and see what treasures you can dig up for your next DIY project. You'd be surprised at how much good stuff is packed inside: Speakers, LED backlights, IR sensors, Wi-Fi modules, power supplies, small fans, and more are all reusable. For example, you could repurpose speakers for a custom Bluetooth speaker project, or use LED strips for under-shelf lighting or DIY LED panel lights.

Before you get started, though, consider safety first. Wear gloves, possibly safety glasses, and discharge the capacitors as soon as you open the TV to avoid electrocution. You may also want to keep a magnetic tray nearby to hold screws and small connectors.

Lesley Montoya

Update 09 June 2025