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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

#141

Post by roody15 »

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…

Hmm I like just buying 4k displays with no smart features at all. 65 sceptre works great.. is just a display (does need a sound bar as built in speakers are poor).

No need to fight against your device IMO.

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

#143

Post by lifeisstillgood »

pseudosavant wrote: post #133
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…

Obviously most users won't be able to do this, but this is exactly the type of reason I use OpenWRT on my RPi-based router. I have a firewall rule that prevents the TV from communicating with anything in the WAN zone. I can still have the TV on the Wi-Fi and still use features like Airplay. I disable the firewall rule if I want to try updating the TV firmware.

QQ: how do you replace the ISP router - my cable provider clT out refused to give me the PPP / etc details or I have to go find an RPi with adsl io.

I guess I can solve it but any pointers gratefully rec d

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

#144

Post by cassianoleal »

wernercd wrote: post #130
hedora wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Samsung (Dacor) discloses this behavior in their fridge manual; it says it will mesh with Samsung TVs to better target ads. I’m not about to buy a Samsung set to find out what it actually does in practice. The fridge has deep learning object classifiers and internal cameras; I assume that is a big part of its ad targeting capability. Note that the fridge has demand response / energy use time shifting features that do…

That's what you get for using a fridge with internet. I thought they were to keep things cold? That requires internet?

There are few things more chilling than certain forums on the Internet.

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

#145

Post by tempest_ »

gwbas1c wrote: post #121

I've been very happy with Sony smart TVs. They are Android based, and don't have "ads." (They do highlight promoted content.) It's very easy to go directly to Netflix, ect. Even the remotes give the services dedicated buttons.

I also have a Sony Smart TV.

It is ok but "highlighted content" are ads and I am quite sure Android TV is sending every bit of info it can harvest from anywhere to google.

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

#146

Post by cgriswald »

TacticalCoder wrote: post #105
sgtfrankieboy wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

> and a projector has tons of downsides? I'm not so sure. I've been using a projector as a TV for something like four years straight: no TV at home, only a projector. As a bonus the living room becomes a home cinema. I didn't see much downsides. Zero issue. No ads. Cheaper than a TV for a much wider diagonal and a more "cinema'ish" picture too (I hate it when movies look like cheap sitcoms on modern TVs). And as many…

I've been using a projector in my bedroom because I do occasionally want to watch something while laying in bed, but don't generally like a TV in the room.

Potential problems, all fixable:

Can't see it during the day or when using the lights.

Had to run power and data to the ceiling.

Lower resolution for the price.

Can't use the wall for anything else or need to install a screen; paint choice a potential issue (bad color, too glossy). (Also need a wall without windows that is large enough.)

That said, the pros vastly outweigh the cons for me and projectors have gotten cheaper and better in the near decade since I installed mine.

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

#147

Post by LinAGKar »

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.

That'd be a downgrade from my TV from over a decade ago.

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

#148

Post by tsukikage »

TacticalCoder wrote: post #105
sgtfrankieboy wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

> and a projector has tons of downsides? I'm not so sure. I've been using a projector as a TV for something like four years straight: no TV at home, only a projector. As a bonus the living room becomes a home cinema. I didn't see much downsides. Zero issue. No ads. Cheaper than a TV for a much wider diagonal and a more "cinema'ish" picture too (I hate it when movies look like cheap sitcoms on modern TVs). And as many…

It's 2022 and recent projector models are also joining the smart internet-connected advertising hellfest now.

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

#149

Post by pb7 »

tssva wrote: post #110
mikestew wrote: post #31

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-…

", does anyone seriously think that using the duplicate app on the Samsung is going to be anywhere nearly as pleasant a UX as the AppleTV?" I in general think the Apple UX experience is pretty awful across all their products with Apple TV being the worse of all. I have used the Samsung interface and it is bad but I still dislike the Apple TV more.

You're probably in the minority with that opinion. Apple UX is wildly renowned for being great and Apple TV is no worse than any of the competitors. The TV input interface is just awkward in general but being able to use an iPhone to automatically fill in passwords, authenticate purchases, or just use as a second remote is smooth as butter. It's another example of how Apple products are better together within the ecosystem. But even if you don't have an iPhone, the newest remote is extremely good. One of the best products they've made in recent years.

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

#150

Post by Kerrick »

RajT88 wrote: post #91
Kerrick wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On the contrary, I absolutely love the WebOS that came on my TV, and I use it (connected to the internet) regularly. I've often found myself watching YouTube and even browsing NPR and HN (using a TV remote as the only input device) on the TV rather than using my laptop, desktop, or even my iPhone. It's also open source [0] and you can develop your own software for it [1] without needing to submit that software to the…

I'll be shopping for a new big TV in the near future, and I am an HP TouchPad owner as well. How difficult has nerfing the ads been on a WebOS TV? That is the only thing keeping me away from an LG -- I want a TV which I don't have to fight.

Most (all?) of the ads can be disabled in the settings. The built-in web browser even includes ad-blocking and cookie blocking options.

General -> AI Service -> AI Recommendation: turn off "Who.Where.What?" and "Content Recommendations" and "Network-Based Personalization Recommendations"

General -> Home Settings: turn off "Home Promotion"

General -> Additional Settings: turn off "Live Plus" and turn on "Do Not Sell My Personal InformationA

General -> Additional Settings -> Advertisement: turn on "Limit AD Tracking"

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