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Ask Wirecutter: Can you recommend a not-smart TV for me?

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Re: Ask Wirecutter: Can you recommend a not-smart TV for me?

#151

Post by NikolaNovak »

nofinator wrote: post #140
retrac wrote: post #125

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> make it smart via an Apple TV I repurpose the old laptops that I seem to accumulate for this. Just about anything made in the last 10 years can handle at least 1080p video, and will have an HDMI output. I add a small wireless keyboard and use my regular desktop environment. But you can add a remote and use one of the open source media centre suites. I do wish more TVs had a monitor-like sleep mode and accepted the…

We do the same and it works well. We prefer a handheld keyboard/mouse to control it. We've tried several and the Lenovo N5902 [1] is our favorite by far. It's also useful to have the Unified Remote server [2] running on the media computer so you can control it from your phone when you need to. [1] https://www.newegg.com/p/09N-00A7-00001 [2] https://www.unifiedremote.com/

Thumbs up for the Lenovo keyboard/mouse combo. I preferred the trackball one, but the "trackpad"-y one works well too. It feels good in hand, it's nicely sized, fits easily in the drawer of nightstand table, and works well :).

(not sure if it's discontinued btw; I struggled to find it in Canada last few years; but there are seemingly-identical unbranded alternatives usually available on amazon, e.g. https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08H8LH7GP/ )

Re: Ask Wirecutter: Can you recommend a not-smart TV for me?

#152

Post by lostlogin »

Macha wrote: post #30
was_a_dev wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hasn't some models (thinking Samsung) been shown to connect to any WiFi network they can? edit: Appears to be an urban legend, with not much substance to back it up!

No, this appears to be a HN urban legend. It's always asked in these threads and the closest thing that anyone has been able to provide is one person asking one time on the samsung forums why there tv was connected to the neighbour's wifi (openly in the TV's own menu). So either there's a giant conspiracy which literally nobody else in the world has noticed or attempted to reproduce, or her kids/neighbour/whoever jus…

It’s too hard on the Unifi line, but Ubiquiti Edgerouters allow some neat rules. Eg if on port 53 and not coming from the Pihole, send back to Pihole.

The Samsung was very chatty, but didn’t connect to an unsecured wifi network I had setup for testing.

It’s gone now and an equally chatty Sony is in its place - with not network access.

Re: Ask Wirecutter: Can you recommend a not-smart TV for me?

#154

Post by mrpippy »

A4ET8a8uTh0 wrote: post #45
humps wrote: post #21

All smart TVs are dumb if you perform one simple action. When the terms and conditions screen pops up during the TV setup process simply select "No." Congratulations, you have a dumb TV. This is what I do and so far it has worked.

You are assuming that: 1. It will be honored 2. It will not be changed to default during update

I'd be more worried that the TV would just say "T&C acceptance is required to use this product, please return me to the store" and turn itself off

Re: Ask Wirecutter: Can you recommend a not-smart TV for me?

#155

Post by snapetom »

lfkdev wrote: post #34
ed25519FUUU wrote: post #2

The approach I’ve taken is to just keep my TV off the internet (never join a WiFi network) and make it smart via an Apple TV, which I personally believe to have the strongest privacy protection of any smart TV device. Another bonus is my TV UI hasn’t changed despite changing and upgrading TV brands.

I think a Pi4 with Kodi etc. is still way better for privacy.

Agree with this. If Apple ever really turns to the Dark Side, many here would be screwed.

Re: Ask Wirecutter: Can you recommend a not-smart TV for me?

#156

Post by lostlogin »

Macha wrote: post #51
was_a_dev wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Fair enough - I think it is most likely something I read via HN

Yeah, HN seems to be the primary community responsible for the belief that this is commonplace.

Maybe, but the shitty behaviour of big tech companies makes such things very easy to believe.

Re: Ask Wirecutter: Can you recommend a not-smart TV for me?

#157

Post by QIYGT »

lostlogin wrote: post #137
pupdogg wrote: post #133

I've designed and built many such TVs for the commercial/industrial vertical. I am currently working on developing such a TV for the consumer market and launching it under the name DUMBO.TV Let me know your thoughts. Reference pix of 70" industrial display using Samsung LCD panel and in-house LCD controller with physical OSD menu buttons along with IR/RS232 control capability: https://imgur.com/a/k6zrH3s

If you survive the lawsuit from Disney, I’m in. I’d prefer a much smaller tv (32-40”) but I’m weird like that. All I’d want is an input for an Apple TV and maybe 2 more hdmi plugs. Doesn’t even need a remote. Good luck.

> input for an Apple TV and maybe 2 more hdmi plugs

Add more input ports than you think anybody could ever want, and I'm in.

Re: Ask Wirecutter: Can you recommend a not-smart TV for me?

#158

Post by dpifke »

johnea wrote: post #73
2OEH8eoCRo0 wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ethernet was added to HDMI https://thehometheaterdiy.com/hdmi-with-ethernet/

"Or, buy 4K a monitor..." It's 1/4 the area, minus all features, AND the same price!? 8-/ It's a great option, for dell shareholders...

We saw your comment the first time. No need to keep cutting and pasting the same reply to different threads.

Re: Ask Wirecutter: Can you recommend a not-smart TV for me?

#159

Post by hilbert42 »

My solution is dead simple and easy to implement. Use a large top line computer monitor and connect one or more dumb-type PVRs/Set Top Boxes to it. Moreover, this is usually a much more flexible arrangement than a TV (and one is never tempted to connect WiFi because it's just not available—nor is there any snoopy O/S to connect WiFi to).

Problem solved!

__

Edit: Dumb-type PVRs/STBs (the ones with no internal storage and only a USB socket to add your own drive) are dirt cheap ($30 - $50 at most) and are available just about everywhere. Moreover, they're very small and compact. Because of their convenience I'll take them anywhere (couple directly into my PC or laptop HDMI port, etc.).

I have at least six operational and two are new and still in boxes (I almost consider them as disposable items—I just draw on a new one when and as necessary).

Re: Ask Wirecutter: Can you recommend a not-smart TV for me?

#160

Post by dwighttk »

jjoonathan wrote: post #62
ed25519FUUU wrote: post #2

The approach I’ve taken is to just keep my TV off the internet (never join a WiFi network) and make it smart via an Apple TV, which I personally believe to have the strongest privacy protection of any smart TV device. Another bonus is my TV UI hasn’t changed despite changing and upgrading TV brands.

My TCL TV bootloops if it goes more than 3 months without downloading fresh ads. If you contact support, they walk you through connecting to the network.

huh, my TCL is fine disconnected... The only irritating this as a flashing light around the power-button/ir-reciever that comes on when it can't connect to a network, but I've stopped noticing it.
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