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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?

#291

Post by exclusiv »

pupdogg wrote: post #220
schappim wrote: post #186

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're going to want to change that name... Disney... They have the class 9 Trade Mark for Dumbo, and call out: "television sets;"[1][2]. [1] https://search.ipaustralia.gov.au/trademarks/search/view/115... [2] https://files.littlebird.com.au/Shared-Image-2023-04-08-06-5...

Yes, going to take care of that. Thanks for the heads up. I really looked that one over...didn't think too much of it as the domain was available. It's hard to do anything the easy way nowadays!

Suggestion: STANDARD

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

#292

Post by hilbert42 »

KerrAvon wrote: post #20
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!

But that would require an accessible WiFi network. I'm sure someday it'll be impossible because they'll embed 5G chips and do it over cell without involving your consent, but that day isn't here yet.

"…they'll embed 5G chips and do it over cell without involving your consent,"

There'd be hell to pay if they ever did that. Moreover, it'd be impossible to keep the fact quiet if deployed at any reasonable scale.

A much bigger looming threat is the possible closure of terrestrial Free-to-Air TV broadcasting (it was an early agenda item to be discussed at the 2028 WARC/WRC (World Administrative Radio Conference) but was dropped early on.

That it ever got there in the first instance is a very big worry, it shows that people in high places have been or are considering such a move).

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

#293

Post by suprjami »

httpz wrote: post #249

Can someone tell me why this is a big problem? I just plug in a Chromecast with Google TV and I never have to touch the TV remote or see the TV's original Smart TV UI ever. Isn't this solvable by just plugging in a $50 streaming stick of your choice?

Even without wifi, these TVs are full of slow garbage operating system, and I wouldn't be surprised if some vendor is making a TV which you must connect to the internet to use.

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

#294

Post by freedomben »

than3 wrote: post #109
ipqk wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can't just say someone is wrong without explaining why.

[flagged]

> Sad state of affairs really when you get punished for being rational, respectful, and adult.

Do you honestly think your comment was "respectful"?

Hacker News is all about rationality and respect, and a big part of that is backing up your opinions/assertions with evidence. Challenging people for unsubstantiated claims is a staple here. If you want to be able to say something like "You'd also be wrong about Apple's privacy protection," expect to be challenged.

You are correct about Apple's privacy, but it is far from a well-known self-evident fact (in fact to most people it's widely considered that Apple is the darling of privacy), so being challenged on it is (IMHO) reasonable and even expected. Obviously you don't have to back it up, but the result of that is going to be downvotes. Also, any criticism of Apple on HN is risking downvotes too. It's not rational, but it is reality.

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

#295

Post by tremon »

donohoe wrote: post #277
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

I'm all for non-smart TVs and have gone that route through not hooking up internet. That said, I think there is a middle-ground here. If its within your capacity, I'd consider allowing a USB connection. If I were able to attach a USB thumb-drive or an external hard-drive (powered though USB connection) and the TV provide a basic visual navigation system. The nearest comparison is something like the current Roku USB a…

And which file formats and filesystems should that USB connection support? Should it support next-year's H269 format? Who will provide firmware updates to add new video formats?

That's my main objection to many of these all-in-one systems: the built-in technology support will be obsoleted before the rest of the system fails due to old age. I much prefer a dumb TV with a separate media box/dongle that I can replace with a new model every year to paying for a TV with soon-to-be-stale features.

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

#296

Post by suprjami »

hosteur wrote: post #171
dehrmann wrote: post #82

Are there any open source TV firmware projects? In theory, I don't mind smart TV features, I just don't trust most companies with my data, and getting the interface right is hard.

Raspberry pi and Kodi or libreelec?

You misunderstood the question. These are not operating systems which replace to TV's rubbish firmware.

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

#297

Post by dogma1138 »

pupdogg wrote: post #257
dogma1138 wrote: post #240

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How will you be dealing with movie content? 24fps content is quite hard to display without proper processing especially on large screens when the telesync judder will be noticeable. Also HDR support and DRM will be quite problematic.

I'm not too sure about this. I use AppleTV with our industrial display playing back HDR content without any issues. Here's a 4K video playing via AppleTV on a 16ft x 9ft indoor display at our facility: https://imgur.com/a/3O58O8T

Are you sure you are actually playing HDR content? The AppleTV will output 1080 SDR content or even below that too…

Do these displays support HDCP? Are they locked at 60 or 30hz refresh rates?

There is a reason why computer monitors make really poor display devices for multimedia content.

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

#298

Post by nickthenerd »

lr1970 wrote: post #121
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!

There is Amazon SideWalk [0] that could potentially allow devices join mesh WiFi behind your back. [0] https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Sidewalk/

Yes. I was looking for this comment before saying the same. This is the biggest selling point of Sidewalk to appliance/product companies. All the usage data, ad data, analytics, even remote control of devices can now happen even if your devices are completely disconnected from your home WiFi. If your neighbor has an Amazon Echo... now its basically connected to the internet. Even if you don't have neighbors, there could be a LoRa gateway a mile away on a cell tower, and its now connected.

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

#300

Post by 9dev »

donohoe wrote: post #277
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

I'm all for non-smart TVs and have gone that route through not hooking up internet. That said, I think there is a middle-ground here. If its within your capacity, I'd consider allowing a USB connection. If I were able to attach a USB thumb-drive or an external hard-drive (powered though USB connection) and the TV provide a basic visual navigation system. The nearest comparison is something like the current Roku USB a…

That’s straight back in smart territories, and precisely not what I want. Just give me something that shows what it receives via HDMI. Give me two inputs I can switch over, maybe. That’s it.
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