IT’S becoming more and more likely that your TV’s going to be asked to do more work in future.

While everyone used to be happy with just pictures, sound and a “red button” that launched a page in more time than it took to bake a cake, we’re now demanding the ability to download on-demand video, access services such as LoveFilm and connect to the internet for a variety of other services.

“On-demand video has taken off a lot recently”, said Matt Wade, the digital manager of North Shields creative agency Armadillo.

“It takes TV down a slightly different route, where people are using them for things that would previously require them to boot up their computer.”

The trend toward “Smart TV” has already seen Apple enter the fray with the Apple TV service, while Google TV is coming to the UK early next year.

LG, Philips and Sharp have already agreed on common specifications for their TV apps, as TV makers look to establish a market similar to that of smartphones.

According to DisplaySearch, more than a quarter of flat panel TVs shipped this year will be connectable to the internet, with that figure expected to rise to 47% by 2015.

Armadillo already has experience of working on this platform, thanks to its link-up with Gateshead’s downloadable workout company HealthClubTV.

HeathClubTV’s Chris Cooke brought in Armadillo to help with the platform, which allows users to store videos on an account which can be accessed from a variety of devices.

And when the company signed a deal to allow the service to be available on Samsung Smart TVs, Armadillo set about creating the pre-installed app to allow this to happen.