That's only the problem you know about. The problem you don't know about is your TV is watching (and listening) to you. Put a cheap computer between your TV and the internet. Always buy the dumbest TV available. But dumb TVs now cost more than smart TVs. Dumb TVs make it difficult for the manufacturer to make money off you after the sale.
I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content
151–160 of 398 posts
Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content
#152The 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…
Firmware updates may resolve HDMI compatibilities, though, and in my mind it's always worth the risk even if there's a 10% chance of improvement because HDMI reliability is terrible. When I mounted my TV, I embedded a single HDMI cable, a single cat5e cable, and a single optical cable in the wall. Conduit wasn't an option due to the age and construction of the wall, so changing it would require power tools and drywal…
Wow, never once ever had an issue with HDMI, although I only go 4K at most. I never even considered it a possibility.
Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content
#153I own this exact model -- the QN90A, though in a smaller size -- and have had exactly the same experience. The most maddening advertisement is the one that is forcibly inserted in the menu between the apps and the settings. Using the remote, you must literally click past an ad to switch inputs. You ... must ... click ... past ... an ... ad ... to ... switch ... inputs. Every time. Unbelievable for a TV that costs thi…
[deleted]
Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content
#154Earlier 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.
I have an LG TV with WebOS. It's connected to the internet and I use it to watch Netflix, Prime, etc.
There's a "recommended" strip on the home page that shows various movies/tv shows from streaming services, and that's pretty much it as far as ads go.
Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content
#155never, 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.
> 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 guarantee you Wolf, Sub-Zero, and Viking do not require Wi-Fi connections.
Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content
#156Aside from not giving it a network connection, my LG C1 also became a lot less obnoxious when I declined the privacy policy, at which point it disabled most so-called “smart” features. All the image processing stuff still works. Also felt like it starts up more quickly, although I’m not game to re-enable anything to actually measure it.
Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content
#157I think this whole thread is very indicative of why programmers shouldn't design a product. I've been reading through the article and comments trying to figure out what "ads" were being referenced and then I finally realized people must be talking about the ads for TV shows and movies...
I think the average consumer would much rather have a TV that they simply connect to their wifi and then get Netflix, YT, Disney+, etc as opposed to hooking up some sort of computer or streaming box via hdmi to get the TV to work. I also think the average consumer doesn't find ads for TV shows and movies that show up on their TV intrusive. I mean, that's essentially what every streaming app does already isn't it? It just shows potential shows and movies. Why would they get upset that their TV does the same thing?
What I do think is intrusive and disgusting is the fact that Samsung will happily take screenshots of what you're watching and send telemetry. The random ads for movies that show up are the least of my concerns.
Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content
#158I went through this process - we bought a "TV" and found it impossible to fight off "watch this" trailers appearing and enticing our little one.
The only solution is to buy "business or gaming monitors" - no built in TV, just connect up a apple box and be done with it.
Even then you can tell Apple is moving from "here is a button to press" to "let us decide what you are interested in"
(Tangent but it's noticeable that the stuff I have bought from Apple Itunes like a kids movie is several clicks away, but the latest movie that I have not bought but will need to pay for is right there on the home screen. No. That's the wrong way round. If I reach up to my bookshelf and the bookshelf needs me to climb a ladder and reach over the books for sale to get to my own darn book, the bookshelf is not doing it's job.
Apple. Be a bookshelf. I paid for a bookshelf.
Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content
#159I own this exact model -- the QN90A, though in a smaller size -- and have had exactly the same experience. The most maddening advertisement is the one that is forcibly inserted in the menu between the apps and the settings. Using the remote, you must literally click past an ad to switch inputs. You ... must ... click ... past ... an ... ad ... to ... switch ... inputs. Every time. Unbelievable for a TV that costs thi…
Get an LG. Picture quality is just as good, and bugger all ads.
I will never buy anything from Samsung ever again.
Re: I spent $3k on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content
#160Earlier quoted context omitted.
Most people do that to use integrated streaming apps. This is less expensive than buying an Apple TV/Chromecast
The cost difference is marginal unless you're buying bargain bin TVs, though.
You underestimate how many people buy that ~3k TV on credit and for whom an extra ~150 bucks for an Apple TV is actually non-trivial money.
In fact that's the reason these ads are there - a lot of people can't be convinced to use an external device to escape them. If everyone used Apple TVs/etc, there would be no built-in ads because it's just not worth the trouble.