Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?

#1

Post by luke2m » Mon, Nov 29, 2021, 5:37 PM UTC

With news like [1][2], and problems I’ve had in the past, I would like a TV with a modern resolution, but just inputs and a tuner, no “smart” features. Does anything like this exist?

[1] https://hackaday.com/2021/11/29/samsung-bricks-smart-tvs/

[2] https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/10/22773073/vizio-acr-advertising-inscape-data-privacy-q3-2021

Re: Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?

#2

Post by jimjams » Mon, Nov 29, 2021, 5:45 PM UTC

Just don't connect it to the network or agree to any of the license clickthroughs, it can't do things behind your back then. HDMI and the RF tuner can still work fine.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?

#3

Post by fartcannon » Mon, Nov 29, 2021, 5:48 PM UTC

Last year I bought a Proscan 55" 4k dumb TV. Maybe you can find one of them? My review: it's fine.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?

#4

Post by fsflover » Mon, Nov 29, 2021, 5:49 PM UTC

jimjams wrote: post #2

Just don't connect it to the network or agree to any of the license clickthroughs, it can't do things behind your back then. HDMI and the RF tuner can still work fine.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28583761

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28045189

Re: Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?

#5

Post by mtmail » Mon, Nov 29, 2021, 5:49 PM UTC

In last week's "Ask HN: What’s the best TV to buy?" https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29343338 one recommendation was to look for commercial televisions which usually lack the smart features and are build for reliability.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?

#6

Post by elsherbini » Mon, Nov 29, 2021, 5:50 PM UTC

jimjams wrote: post #2

Just don't connect it to the network or agree to any of the license clickthroughs, it can't do things behind your back then. HDMI and the RF tuner can still work fine.

I cant find a source, but I remember a discussion here on a brand of smart tvs that still phone home by connecting to other nearby smart tvs that are connected to a network, even if you don't connect yours to the network.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?

#7

Post by jimjams » Mon, Nov 29, 2021, 5:53 PM UTC

fsflover wrote: post #4

jimjams wrote: post #2

Just don't connect it to the network or agree to any of the license clickthroughs, it can't do things behind your back then. HDMI and the RF tuner can still work fine.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28583761 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28045189

... "don't connect it to the network", means don't connect it to the network, via a Roku-router or wlan or whatever.

Don't buy one with other networks either, if they exist...

Re: Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?

#8

Post by thoughtsimple » Mon, Nov 29, 2021, 5:59 PM UTC

jimjams wrote: post #2

Just don't connect it to the network or agree to any of the license clickthroughs, it can't do things behind your back then. HDMI and the RF tuner can still work fine.

I have a Roku that I block from the internet. It blinks an obnoxious red led to complain it can’t phone home. I need some gaffer’s tape to cover it up I guess.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?

#9

Post by theshrike79 » Mon, Nov 29, 2021, 6:01 PM UTC

elsherbini wrote: post #6

jimjams wrote: post #2

Just don't connect it to the network or agree to any of the license clickthroughs, it can't do things behind your back then. HDMI and the RF tuner can still work fine.

I cant find a source, but I remember a discussion here on a brand of smart tvs that still phone home by connecting to other nearby smart tvs that are connected to a network, even if you don't connect yours to the network.

It was Samsung TVs that will automatically connect to any open Wifi nearby to get their ads updated, even if you tell it not to.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?

#10

Post by somerandomqaguy » Mon, Nov 29, 2021, 6:02 PM UTC

mtmail wrote: post #5

In last week's "Ask HN: What’s the best TV to buy?" https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29343338 one recommendation was to look for commercial televisions which usually lack the smart features and are build for reliability.

Commercial TV's are coming more and more with smart capabilities. I know LG commercial displays can be equipped with WebOS and Samsung displays come with Tizen, though I don't know how wide spread they are through their commercial product line ups.