Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

It’s Still Stupidly, Difficult to Buy a ‘Dumb’ TV

techdirt.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

161–170 of 434 posts

Re: It’s Still Stupidly, Difficult to Buy a ‘Dumb’ TV

#161

Post by Markoff »

sjamaan wrote: post #35
Markoff wrote: post #29

Aren't those called nowadays "computer displays"? But I guess it can be problem with larger size, 43-55 are way more expensive than TVs, like 3-4X more than same size smart TV with same resolution. I mean if you worry about spying just don't connect smart TV to internet, but yeah, the interface will be usualyl slower than dumb TV. If you are frustrated by outdated software nothing stops you from plugging whatever And…

> But why would you want TV without speaker Many people hook up their TV (or media box) to their home audio system which often has much better sound quality. The built-in speakers of TVs are a bit pointless in that context.

Sure, but they cost almost nothin and majority of people would have big problem with buying TV without speaker and it would cost more produce limited series without speaker than just produce all with speakers, nobody force you to use the built-in speaker, that's why there are ports to connect whatever you like. Me personally watch TV mostly through headphones, but I find TV without speaker idea absurd. What's next niche, TV without remote and infrared transmitter?

Re: It’s Still Stupidly, Difficult to Buy a ‘Dumb’ TV

#162

Post by hypertele-Xii »

sgjohnson wrote: post #154

I for one enjoy that my Smart TV is subsidized by all the morons who think that my data is worth anything. It's not connected to internet. It's connected to Apple TV box. Thanks for the discount.

Until your neighbor enables an open, unprotected wifi, your smart TV connects to it and auto-updates to start showing you ads.

Re: It’s Still Stupidly, Difficult to Buy a ‘Dumb’ TV

#163

Post by amelius »

richardwhiuk wrote: post #152
amelius wrote: post #149

We should have a law that says that any product sold at a large scale should first be approved by a consumer organization. Let's stop producing junk that works against the consumer's interest.

That sounds eerily like censorship.

I don't see the analogy. They can still publish the blueprints for the device, they just can't produce it at a mass scale.

The market creates a natural power imbalance, and the market has shown that it can't act responsibly here. A better analogy is the power imbalance in the relation company-versus-employees, where you create a union to break the imbalance. Except now it is a "union" of consumers.

Another analogy is democracy: let's not produce stuff that a few CEOs and shareholders want, but instead, let's produce stuff that the world wants. Also helps with resource/climate/environment problems.

Re: It’s Still Stupidly, Difficult to Buy a ‘Dumb’ TV

#164

Post by dwighttk »

causi wrote: post #153
dwighttk wrote: post #151

My TCL has not had any problems not being connected to the internet except it flashes a light on the front to helpfully remind me. I keep telling myself I’m going to take a sharpie to it but it doesn’t bother me that much.

Sharpies don't stick too well to slick plastic. Black nail polish is much more effective. Black hot glue also looks nice.

I want to tamp it down on the first pass. It is helpful to know if the tv is on or not. Maybe I can cover all but a small part or something.

Re: It’s Still Stupidly, Difficult to Buy a ‘Dumb’ TV

#165

Post by dudul »

zasdffaa wrote: post #65

A serious, non-trolling question to all. I've not had a TV for decades and for me that's a good thing. I've watched TVs in pubs (I'm in the uk) and round my mates' houses so it's not become some strange alien thing, and I'm still happy to be without it (that is, on balance; there are good things about broadcast TV and some bad, and the latter outweighs the former for me). In your opinion, is there actual overall valu…

Didn't you just answer your own question?

I dont have cable but I have a TV to watch movies, DVD or BR. More comfortable than watching on a computer.

There is a difference between the TV set and broadcast television.

Re: It’s Still Stupidly, Difficult to Buy a ‘Dumb’ TV

#166

Post by JumpCrisscross »

sgjohnson wrote: post #154

I for one enjoy that my Smart TV is subsidized by all the morons who think that my data is worth anything. It's not connected to internet. It's connected to Apple TV box. Thanks for the discount.

> It's not connected to internet

From the article:

“As a dumb TV fan who has bought several sets in the last decade, I’m usually told something akin to: “well, just don’t connect the TV to the Internet!” But that route locks you out of firmware updates, and some TV makers remove functionality if you refuse to participate in their online ecosystem. Many smart TV GUIs also need to load before you’re even allowed to switch laggy HDMI inputs.”

Re: It’s Still Stupidly, Difficult to Buy a ‘Dumb’ TV

#167

Post by Cthulhu_ »

I bought my previous TV right before they became "smart"; it had media playback features from a network, but no online services.

Currently have an LG TV; while in theory it's a fairly dumb TV that has services like youtube and netflix built in, it's only dumb because it still allows you use it without agreeing to certain terms and conditions; they have split it up in a number of categories for things like 'smart' advertising (I paid too much for this thing for it to have advertising), speech controls, etc. At the moment it will still nag me to agree to something if I try to open up Amazon Prime, but it can still be skipped.

Probably only a matter of time before it gets bricked if I don't agree to the T's and C's. Probably after three years so the warranty expires.

Re: It’s Still Stupidly, Difficult to Buy a ‘Dumb’ TV

#168

Post by Cthulhu_ »

hypertele-Xii wrote: post #162
sgjohnson wrote: post #154

I for one enjoy that my Smart TV is subsidized by all the morons who think that my data is worth anything. It's not connected to internet. It's connected to Apple TV box. Thanks for the discount.

Until your neighbor enables an open, unprotected wifi, your smart TV connects to it and auto-updates to start showing you ads.

A device automatically connecting to unprotected wifi is a major security issue waiting to happen.

Re: It’s Still Stupidly, Difficult to Buy a ‘Dumb’ TV

#169

Post by Sakos »

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #168
hypertele-Xii wrote: post #162

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Until your neighbor enables an open, unprotected wifi, your smart TV connects to it and auto-updates to start showing you ads.

A device automatically connecting to unprotected wifi is a major security issue waiting to happen.

When has that issue stopped any of these companies?

Re: It’s Still Stupidly, Difficult to Buy a ‘Dumb’ TV

#170

Post by JumpCrisscross »

amelius wrote: post #149

We should have a law that says that any product sold at a large scale should first be approved by a consumer organization. Let's stop producing junk that works against the consumer's interest.

> any product sold at a large scale should first be approved by a consumer organization

You’ve created a government body gating market access. Surprise! Only the incumbents’ products get approved. Even if it doesn’t get corrupted, the wait times and specialist skills required to prepare the requisite documentation and answer questions properly will add a huge barrier to entry for new entrants.

Post reply on HN