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

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

#61

Post by sgtfrankieboy »

agilob wrote: post #58
cantrevealname wrote: post #35

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…

Why even buy a TV then, why not a PC screen or a projector?

Because a 32" monitor is small for a TV? and a projector has tons of downsides?

The solution is to buy a commercial TV used in retail environments.

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

#62

Post by happimess »

etrautmann wrote: post #24
jrib wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

my parents' TCL TV would blink a white light at the bottom of the front bezel unless we gave it access to the wifi... :(

Time for electrical tape or desoldering an LED…

Nail polish is very handy for this sort of thing.

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

#63

Post by walrus01 »

Alex3917 wrote: post #39
walrus01 wrote: post #6

never, ever give a TV an internet connection, wifi password or dhcp lease. I realize there are ads on the homescreen of an xbox series x, ps4 pro, ps5, etc but I would much rather deal with those than whatever shoddy operating system TV manufacturers put on their thing. I have a thousand times more confidence that microsoft and sony will keep their OSes patched and up to date (they have a strong financial/self-intere…

> never, ever give a TV an internet connection, wifi password or dhcp lease. The problem is that it’s becoming unavoidable. Right now the only oven with a good Consumer Reports rating requires a Wi-Fi connection, so it’s either get that model or another one with a significantly worse rating.

I will build a fire pit with cinder blocks in my back yard and roast hunks of meat using a sharpened stick before I put my oven on a wifi network.

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

#64

Post by alphabettsy »

sliken wrote: post #56

Queue a zillion posts about wanting dumb TVs. My suggestion is buy a Roku, don't give the TV an IP address, and run Netflix, Amazon Prime, Plex, Hulu, and whatever you want out of one of the biggest channel catalogs out there on the Roku. It's way nicer remote, supports RF (so no pointing at the TV), and even supports using earphones (BT or wired from the remote).

Roku does tons of phoning home, has ads and analytics to see what you’re watching afaik. Using PiHole shows tons of unexpected traffic.

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

#65

Post by izacus »

agilob wrote: post #58
cantrevealname wrote: post #35

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…

Why even buy a TV then, why not a PC screen or a projector?

Because those tend to not support features people want from their TV - related to DRM, software, connectivity and form factor.

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

#66

Post by tpxl »

cantrevealname wrote: post #35

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…

> perhaps in the near future we'll have public wifi or free Google community wifi, and the new firmware will have the smarts to use that and bypass your wifi.

Xfinity WiFi has been around for at least 8 years. Amazon sidewalk has been around for over a year. Wanna bet those are or will be used by your smart TV producers to connect them to the internet via wifi?

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

#67

Post by pipeline_peak »

I’ve been using Chromecast for 7 years now. A lot of these built in UIs are a pretty miserable experience to muck around in.

To me, your phone is the only thing that should be controlling your TV or sound system. It’s nice, it’s clean, and I don’t have multiple remotes to flop between.

Who wants to deal with gimpy little Linux OS’s built into their tv? They’re getting too smart in a hyper 1980’s sort of way. They provide far more than anyone asked, my TV doesn’t need a browser. I can’t help but think TVs would be cheaper without them, but built in smart boxes are so run of the mill now that I’m sure it’s at most $50 extra.

Incase I come off as a luddite, I think smart ovens are a great idea.

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

#68

Post by coldtea »

bombcar wrote: post #53
coldtea wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So, what would be some of that plenty "plain" models with good quality and comparable price?

Found a cheap one but it’s 720p. Sceptre 32" Class 720P HD LED TV X322BV-SR Didn’t spent much time looking at Walmart however.

Yeah, taking more about a 50"-65" 4K, with a price at $800 or below...

32"/720 won't cut it - that's what I already have, and have had for like a decade...

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

#70

Post by sliken »

alphabettsy wrote: post #64
sliken wrote: post #56

Queue a zillion posts about wanting dumb TVs. My suggestion is buy a Roku, don't give the TV an IP address, and run Netflix, Amazon Prime, Plex, Hulu, and whatever you want out of one of the biggest channel catalogs out there on the Roku. It's way nicer remote, supports RF (so no pointing at the TV), and even supports using earphones (BT or wired from the remote).

Roku does tons of phoning home, has ads and analytics to see what you’re watching afaik. Using PiHole shows tons of unexpected traffic.

I don't deny it, but I don't see ads.
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