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Ask HN: Is there a TV on the market without “Smart TV” features?

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Re: Ask HN: Is there a TV on the market without “Smart TV” features?

#81

Post by vatys »

enos_feedler wrote: post #74

I want a dumb tv but with one smart feature: the ability to download software emulations of these terrible hdmi sticks so I don’t have to spend $35+ on each one. Imagine a tv with no ports but the ability to pull the souls of these roku, fire, google tv, apple tv and probably a microsoft one soon. I want the tv to manage all of my bluetooth connections and hot swap to the appropriate “OS” when i reach for each blueto…

That sounds like a smart TV, or at least what one should be. Like an actually well made, non buggy, secure smart TV.

Re: Ask HN: Is there a TV on the market without “Smart TV” features?

#82

Post by someweirdperson »

My panasonic non-android (something based on firefox-os I think) has a setting to not load related online-data when switch to a channel until explicity pushing a button to do so. That option was added in the most recent update.

However, it also has some built-in netflix/prime/youtube/... apps. And I have seen at least some network traffic that seemed realated to those, even though I never started them. Maybe just loading updates, maybe leaking data. I don't know. I didn't check since the last update though.

It's not perfect, but seems much less bad than most others.

Re: Ask HN: Is there a TV on the market without “Smart TV” features?

#83

Post by gwbas1c »

I think my 50" Sony didn't nag me to connect it to Wifi. (I bought it to use as a computer monitor.)

I did connect it to Wifi after a few days, because sometimes I use the smart features.

One thing to consider: If you aren't looking for broadcast TV, use a computer monitor.

Re: Ask HN: Is there a TV on the market without “Smart TV” features?

#84

Post by julianwachholz »

unfocused wrote: post #31

Yes! I’ve bought many for my old work as we don’t allow smart tvs. I bought the Panasonics and never had any issues. https://na.panasonic.com/us/audio-video-solutions/profession... Im sure there are other companies. Im on my phone so can’t research. Look for “digital displays” instead of tv. Good luck!

I know them as 'digital signage' or 'hospitality tvs' and they do work for their intended use. But they're usually a lot more expensive than their consumer counterparts? My guess is they are either heavily subsidized and/or built to be powered ON 24/7?

Re: Ask HN: Is there a TV on the market without “Smart TV” features?

#86

Post by kitsunesoba »

brohoolio wrote: post #9
jitl wrote: post #4

I’ve kept my Samsung offline since I purchased it in 2019. I’ve kept my LG offline since I purchased it in 2016. As long as you have an AppleTV or similar connected to service your need for “smarts” it won’t be hard to leave the TV offline. (I recommend LG over Samsung - Samsung TV has native undismissable ads from 2019 still)

Same setup here. Sony TV that’s never been connected plus an Apple TV.

Another Sony+Apple TV user here. Have had a couple of different Sony TVs, and if you keep them offline and never specifically request the smart TV UI (button on remote), they act almost indistinguishably from dumb TVs.

They also run near-stock Android TV so even if I decided to use the built in smarts, the experience probably wouldn't be too bad. They do come with a content ID daemon preinstalled, but that's easy enough to remove with a laptop connected via USB with ADB.

Additionally, Sony has been great about supporting firmware updates via USB flash drive, so you're not missing out on fixes and improvements by opting to keep it offline.

Re: Ask HN: Is there a TV on the market without “Smart TV” features?

#88

Post by somat »

FunnyBadger wrote: post #50

I simply have NEVER connected the TV directly to the Internet - I have HDMI from other devices I trust more connected but that's it. I don't really watch any broadcast TV - instead it's either my own tape/DVD content or internet content available from other devices. There are enough ethical violations by Samsung to NEVER trust them when it comes to internet anything. So just omit the connection. Basically treat any T…

I like to run a public wifi access point. lately all it appears to be doing is letting the neighbors samsung tv phone home.

sigh sorry about that, this is why we can't have nice things.

Re: Ask HN: Is there a TV on the market without “Smart TV” features?

#90

Post by LeoPanthera »

pessimizer wrote: post #76
LeoPanthera wrote: post #3

Rtings maintains a list of ad-free TVs. This isn't the same as smart-free, but maybe that's what some people want: https://www.rtings.com/tv/tests/ads-in-smart-tv (The ones with a "10" in the ad-free column.) The often-given advice of "just don't connect it to the internet" is viable only sometimes. My TV shipped with some missing features that were enabled after a software update. Perhaps plug it in, update the soft…

Does anything keep them from adding ads to your already purchased television at an arbitrary time in the future?

Nothing except the dangers of terrible PR, I suppose.
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