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I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content

zdnet.com

41–50 of 398 posts

Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content

#41
... plus they typically spy on you.

Like the TV will take a screenshot of what video you're watching via HDMI and upload that for content ID. Or it'll turn on the microphone to listen in on what you say.

Samsung calls that shit "Viewing Information Services". I guess because it informs their headquarters of what you are viewing.

Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content

#42

The sentiment here on HN is to never connect the TV to the Internet and instead use a digital media player or external streaming device. I wholeheartedly agree. But then several people mentioned wanting to update the firmware. If you'll never connect it to the Internet, then you should never update the firmware either. It goes against conventional wisdom, but updating the firmware in this situation is more likely to…

>It goes against conventional wisdom

Does it? So long as it's not connected to the internet, and generally works, then why would you want to? Whats the risk?

Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content

#43
post #14

It's so frustrating. For some consumers, you're dropping multiple paychecks on a TV that you want to just _USE_ - but you can't because Samsung, LG, whoever decided to take money from various companies and shove their garbage advertising down your throats and you can't disable it. I don't feel like browsing various commercial signage websites for TV's that don't have any advertising in and I don't feel like we should…

There are plenty of plain TVs around though, just like there are plain operating systems, plain phones, etc but consumers still give their money to Samsung, Microsoft, Google, etc. Most people don't care, you are not the target audience.

Got any Amazon/BestBuy/Costco links for a 65" 4k "plain" TV that lacks advertisements?

Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content

#44
Somewhat related, ever since I upgraded from old Chromecast to Google TV I'm having issues simply casting from HBO Max or Netflix. First I need to cast once, it would turn on the TV and open the annoying Google TV "app browser". Then I'd have to stop casting and start casting again to actually enter the app I want. Maybe my stick has some hardware problems and/or I'm paranoid but things like these feel like they are just trying to get me to use the Google remote and their app so that they can show me ads and recommend other streaming services (of course Amazon Video is always the first app offered eveb though I never used it).

Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content

#45
post #8

Corporate slogan of the 21st century: Why settle for some of your customer's money when you can get all of your customer's money (and monetize their data too)? Microtransactions, ads, selling customer usage data, up-front costs, PPV, subscriptions... I'm shocked we as customers can actually afford to obtain and use any of these devices anymore.

You gotta get this unlimited growth somewhere. Remember HN comments tell you it's not a zero sum game, you can innovate!

Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content

#46

Just give me my Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, HBO Max,... All of which are available on an AppleTV, and I assume other less-intrusive devices. TFA comes to that conclusion in the last paragraph, but just in case anyone didn't make it that far. And then, as everyone on this page is going to say, never let that TV anywhere near a network connection. Why anyone would go to the effort of dicking with a pi-hole cat-and-…

We have a 45" from ~2013, I used to connect it to the internet in the early days when I didn't have a Chromecast. The UI is underwhelming, and the only times I've used the smart TV features was when a streaming device wasn't working.

I've gone through 4 streaming devices, and I think that even if I get a new TV, I'm likely to continue with streaming devices, unless that TV runs stock Android TV. Even then, it'll reach a point where the firmware is no longer updated.

Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content

#47
post #19

I don't understand why anyone would like to connect such a thing to their WiFi. An external device gives you flexibility and control. The built-in firmware gives you ads and tracking.

I like having only one remote with my TV. I get minor anxiety when at other people's houses and they have 3-4 remotes or more, and usually only one person knows what they all do (the one that had to set it all up).

With the Roku stick, you can set up the remote to control TV power and volume. I stuck the TV remote on the back of the TV with velcro so it won't get lost, but in ordinary use the Roku remote is all you need.

Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content

#48
post #42

The sentiment here on HN is to never connect the TV to the Internet and instead use a digital media player or external streaming device. I wholeheartedly agree. But then several people mentioned wanting to update the firmware. If you'll never connect it to the Internet, then you should never update the firmware either. It goes against conventional wisdom, but updating the firmware in this situation is more likely to…

>It goes against conventional wisdom Does it? So long as it's not connected to the internet, and generally works, then why would you want to? Whats the risk?

I stay on top of device firmware updates in order to stay current on security patches, lest bad folks come crawling through the connection. I assume that's the "conventional wisdom" spoken of here. But if the TV never goes anywhere near a network...

If it's not a networked device, then the FW update better have enhancements that benefit me, the user, and not Samsung. Otherwise, GTFO with your crab bucket of new bugs.

Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content

#49
Funny, I got a Samsung TV which comes with Samsung TV+ which is their internet streaming service for free. Although I'm fortunately enough to not get ads everywhere (hopefully this doesn't change), the channel are actually pretty good.

Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content

#50

Just give me my Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, HBO Max,... All of which are available on an AppleTV, and I assume other less-intrusive devices. TFA comes to that conclusion in the last paragraph, but just in case anyone didn't make it that far. And then, as everyone on this page is going to say, never let that TV anywhere near a network connection. Why anyone would go to the effort of dicking with a pi-hole cat-and-…

At some point, I fully expect the TVs are going to refuse to work after a month of no internet.
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