I bought this commercial LED TV from Samsung that I thought was dumb, https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1573435-REG/samsung_l... but it seems it has the same OS as other TV's. However it starts up real fast and is not connected to the internet at all. A menu across the bottom appears for a few seconds at startup but then goes away.
Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?
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Re: Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?
#302All TV's are dumb tv's if you only use them as an external display/monitor and don't connect them to the net. I have a dedicated computer for a media center and just use HDMI1 input on the TV. Never enter menus. Never update the OS. Never agree to anything. Never let the TV "phone home." Never set up wifi. Never connect a CAT5 to it. Set the input using the remote and forget it. Treat it as a dumb monitor. Computer i…
I have seen stories of smart TVs doing active scans for any unsecured wifi network in range, then connecting and phoning home without ever informing the user or showing anything in the menus. Is that a real thing?
Some also:
1. Scan the HDMI content and send information back to the mothership to help vendors know what you're watching.
2. Scan the local network for shares and look at media on them, again to send back to the mothership.
Re: Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?
#303Earlier quoted context omitted.
I have seen stories of smart TVs doing active scans for any unsecured wifi network in range, then connecting and phoning home without ever informing the user or showing anything in the menus. Is that a real thing?
Not only this, but how long until they start including a cheap modem and paying for their own cellular connectivity?
Jesus Christ, at that point I'd just go in the TV and snip a trace in it.
Re: Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?
#304Earlier quoted context omitted.
With 4k monitors you usually pay a larger premium for latency, refresh rate, gsync/freesync, etc. All of which gamers care a lot about but are irrelevant for TVs.
Not really, just like TV's there's certainly a 'premium' range for those that are interested but there's a wide range or regular 'work' monitors. e.g. a few years ago I got a 43" 4K monitor with 10-bit colour-depth, 60Hz refresh, good local dimming etc. for $800. In OP's link for IPS, a monitor of the same size and brand that seems to be the next version after the one I got is $550. It's hardly a premium over a compa…
I got such a monitor earlier this year for around $600. It's amazing for work but could totally work as a television with an appropriate device connected, especially since it has decent, loud audio built in.
Re: Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?
#305Your best choice is a PC monitor.
It'll cost ALOT more, but it'll also be higher spec, and perform better.
Another option is a projector.
Re: Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?
#306Earlier quoted context omitted.
What a weird nonsensical statement. Monitors and TVs are manufactured with the same "tech", just to different specifications to fit their desired purpose/niche, and to capture the maximum possible value from that market. You could maybe make an argument that Samsung panel tech is behind LG's or something, since companies have separate R&D labs and actually have different technology, but in order to do so you'd have t…
In what world is a comparison "nonsensical"? They both displays pixels. Each can be substituted for the other with a modest amount of non-panel-related effort. They compete. We can compare them. > the same "tech", just to different specifications to fit their desired purpose/niche Clearly not. I am using a TV as a monitor right now, because 4k + OLED + HDR + 120hz was just not available for $1100 in the monitor space…
> TVs are always far ahead, monitors are always far behind.
Your own description isn't of TVs being ahead in tech, but offering the same tech at a lower price point. (There often is some actual tech lag, for many of the same reasons, but it's much shorter.)
> I'd rather not use a TV as a monitor because it's a PITA. I have to put up with substantial non-panel-related silliness to make this happen (turn the TV off/on with a remote, deactivate the laggy filters, tolerate the "smart" BS, etc).
Usually, all of those except for the filters are effectively bypassed when using an input that supports CEC.
Re: Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?
#307Earlier quoted context omitted.
If this is an argument that all TVs are smart TVs, then all TVs with an IR control input device are smart TVs (because universal remotes).
IR is line-of-sight, and the receiver can be blocked with a small piece of electrical tape.
Bluetooth can be turned off in the settings.
Re: Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?
#308Your best choice is a PC monitor. It'll cost ALOT more, but it'll also be higher spec, and perform better. Another option is a projector.
Dell's new 32" 8K monitor looks really nice, if I had an extra $3,750 lying around.
Re: Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?
#309All TV's are dumb tv's if you only use them as an external display/monitor and don't connect them to the net. I have a dedicated computer for a media center and just use HDMI1 input on the TV. Never enter menus. Never update the OS. Never agree to anything. Never let the TV "phone home." Never set up wifi. Never connect a CAT5 to it. Set the input using the remote and forget it. Treat it as a dumb monitor. Computer i…
well, until your neighbours set up an open wifi network, or a house member / guest sets up a temporary wifi hotspot with no password.
Most TV's will lock on any open wifi network given the chance - and that's all it takes to upload saved data and pull down updates and ads etc
Re: Ask HN: Are there any 4K “dumb” televisions?
#3104K monitors. You need a soundbar though or some kind of audio setup + remote. Also no built-in tuner or such but I assume you get a set top box from your service provider or use a streaming device (Apple TV, Fire stick etc.) 4K OLED https://pcpartpicker.com/products/monitor/#r=384002160&P=7 4K IPS https://pcpartpicker.com/products/monitor/#r=384002160&P=2 4K VA https://pcpartpicker.com/products/monitor/#r=384002160&P…
Another approach is to look not for things advertised as "monitors" but instead look for "digital signage"[1]. Nowadays most of these contain some networking features but they'll be oriented at local control (i.e. by you via something on your LAN), not some third-party control center accessed via the internet. Anecdotally this is the approach I took ~20 years ago when buying a (then slightly exotic) plasma flatscreen…
Digital signage is good but from my understanding (and I could be wrong) probably over-engineered for home usage. They're intended to be powered on 24x7, and last a long time. Probably more resistant to burn-in too. All of which is good, but if your use case isn't so intensive you could get by with something lower-end. (Especially if you want to eventually replace the device and are looking for an excuse ;) )