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

zdnet.com

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

#201

Post by autoexec »

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-…

> IOW, use the AppleTV (or Roku, or whatever) regardless just for the better experience.

I've never used AppleTV. Does it come with ads and a bunch of data collection too? Roku collects massive amounts of data and has ads. For example:

"Roughly twice per second, a Roku TV captures video “snapshots” in 4K resolution. These snapshots are scanned through a database of content and ads, which allows the exposure to be matched to what is airing. For example, if a streamer is watching an NFL football game and sees an ad for a hard seltzer, Roku’s ACR will know that the ad has appeared on the TV being watched at that time. In this way, the content on screen is automatically recognized, as the technology’s name indicates. The data then is paired with user profile data to link the account watching with the content they’re watching." (https://advertising.roku.com/resources/blog/insights-analysi...)

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

#202

Post by EastSmith »

I wonder what TV units big corps buy for conference rooms, etc?

Imagine you are Google and you buy LG Spy TV, or Samsung Spy Panel. You put it in your conference room, where you meet regularly to discuss next Pixel phone with the Samsung's remote control AI listening to you. Eh?

What products are they buying?

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

#203

Post by autoexec »

B1FF_PSUVM wrote: post #200
autoexec wrote: post #190

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You know all those stories about weird little shops run by suspicious characters but filled with incredible items that end up being cursed. That's every single shop right now. All of our technology is cursed. They will bring you great things, as promised, but always at some hidden price because those items exist to serve a dark master.

> serve a dark master. They're not in the necromancy business. Yet.

I wouldn't be shocked if we saw dead loved ones deepfaked into ads before long.

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

#204

Post by matbilodeau »

danbr wrote: post #12

I run a pihole on my network for exactly this reason. The amount of network traffic the TV attempts, even when on standby or watching over-the-air broadcast is astonishing.

I approve, PiHole does a great job at removing ads and other unwanted content.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30655479

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

#205

Post by colinmhayes »

sgtfrankieboy wrote: post #61
agilob wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

> commercial TV used in retail environments.

I got one of these from work, it's not a great solution. First, they're more expensive than regular TVs. Bigger issue though is that there's no remote so changing the volume can be a pain in the ass.

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

#206

Post by Melatonic »

asdfk-12 wrote: post #198
p1necone wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It might be supported but non obvious, some TVs only support 4k60 through one of the HDMI ports. It could also be a cable issue, although I believe the option usually shows up on cables that dont support it and only fails once you try to switch.

New cable, tried both ports. The update was the only x-factor.

Try setting a custom resolution on your PC and mess with the settings

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

#207

Post by Melatonic »

jakeinspace wrote: post #184
roody15 wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Sure, but that’s not a very high-end panel. When Samsung and LG make almost all the best panels, it’s tricky to avoid if you aren’t willing to sacrifice picture quality.

There are "monitors" even for high end OLEDs

I also considered maybe trying to import a TV from the EU - do they have stronger privacy laws that would prevent this? Panasonic makes some VERY nice OLED TV's out of the country

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

#208

Post by Melatonic »

autoexec wrote: post #201
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-…

> IOW, use the AppleTV (or Roku, or whatever) regardless just for the better experience. I've never used AppleTV. Does it come with ads and a bunch of data collection too? Roku collects massive amounts of data and has ads. For example: "Roughly twice per second, a Roku TV captures video “snapshots” in 4K resolution. These snapshots are scanned through a database of content and ads, which allows the exposure to be mat…

NextDNS is blocking a CRAP ton of Roku tracking for me. Very successfully. And I never get a single advertisement either!

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

#209

Post by corysama »

behringer wrote: post #175

Unlike other brands, my LG allowed me to decline all the crap ware ToS so it's pretty much just a normal non smart TV. It does give a text add for new apps at the bottom usually when a new firmware update comes out. Not a bad deal imo. Thanks LG.

Same. I had to click No a bunch of times. And, dig through the menus to make sure I didn't miss any defaulted-on crap. But, with that done, my LG TVs UX has been great for years.

For many years now my answer for "What TV to get?" has been "Last year's LG OLED." The screens are gorgeous. The UX is good. The differences between yearly models have been minor. The current year is naturally expensive. The previous year is nearly as good and much cheaper. And, the model from the year before that is actually often more expensive because leftover stock is low.

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

#210

Post by sgtnoodle »

warble wrote: post #152
sgtnoodle wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Sure, the "DVI" subset of HDMI generally works everywhere, although I've had signal integrity issues from cheap cables in the past.

It's all the other stuff that's supposed to seamlessly integrate your components. Audio Return Channel so sound makes it to the speakers regardless of where a source is plugged in, Consumer Electronics Control so you can use one Bluetooth remote for everything, automatic power synchronization, etc.

Even 4k is a little weird, with different HDMI versions supporting different frame rates. I have a Yamaha receiver from 2014 or so that doesn't support 4k, but claims to "support" it; all you have to do is turn off the receiver and it will pass the signal through!

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