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Smart TVs take snapshots of what you watch multiple times per second

newscientist.com

31–40 of 148 posts

Re: Smart TVs take snapshots of what you watch multiple times per second

#32

Someone needs to put a network sniffer on a bunch of different TVs and see exactly what traffic they're generating and how much. Sending 120 4k images per minute (or worse, 6000 for the LG) on a residential WiFi connection should be pretty obvious, and it should be fairly easy to block too.

What if any traffic is encrypted? Taking snapshots is not sending them in the meaning that software can delete similarly looking images by their own definition of similarness. And BTW that kind of testing is more needed for some industry critical equipment - processors with ME, routers, etc. TV is a brainrot thing for dumbs, nobody needs a TV which doesn't spy you.

Re: Smart TVs take snapshots of what you watch multiple times per second

#34
Smart TVs are a curse (from a consumer perspective). A separate smart device makes much more sense.

People usually replaced their TVs when they broke, which could be 6-8+ years. Nowadays as their already slow hardware becomes even more obsolete, streaming apps are no longer updated and start to break, new ones are not released, etc. they go ahead and buy a new one.

You also have to accept all kinds of crappy agreements, so you can be spied on and get served ADS (?!?!).

Not to mention even the most expensive TVs come with baffingly slow hardware and software. $2k devices can take 10+ seconds to load the menu with 4 options, where you can modify picture settings. Incredible.

A TV should be a display with inputs and nothing more IMO.

Smart boxes are cheap and much faster than even the most expensive TVs, and they can be replaced inexpensively when eventually they become obsolete.

For a long time I pulled the network cable from my TV after I got tired of getting bombarded with changed ToS agreements, firmware updates and home screen ads. Now I have it on the network again just because I wanted to control the source from my PC, but it's still blocked from the internet on the firewall. Go ahead and make snapshots you stupid little TV.

Re: Smart TVs take snapshots of what you watch multiple times per second

#35
Frankly, I never understood why you'd ever want to connect your TV to any network rather than use an external device. Any convenience (?) you might get will be quickly offset by problems becoming inherent to your TV which doesn't make any sense to me.

Re: Smart TVs take snapshots of what you watch multiple times per second

#36
post #34

Smart TVs are a curse (from a consumer perspective). A separate smart device makes much more sense. People usually replaced their TVs when they broke, which could be 6-8+ years. Nowadays as their already slow hardware becomes even more obsolete, streaming apps are no longer updated and start to break, new ones are not released, etc. they go ahead and buy a new one. You also have to accept all kinds of crappy agreemen…

While a separate smart device makes more sense from an ecological perspective, it won't save you from ads, tracking, screenshots etc., as long as the same OS that would be running on the TV is running on the device. And, if you want to install apps from streaming services, you need one of the supported OSs - AFAIK most smart devices use Android TV?

Re: Smart TVs take snapshots of what you watch multiple times per second

#37
post #23
post #11

Just never connect them to the internet. I just use them as a display for my apple tv.

This is a very fuzzy memory, but I remember a report of a smart device that "helpfully" automatically connects to other devices nearby, forming a mesh network. In other words, even if you never connect your TV to your WIFI, it might be enough that your neighbour does.

If anyone has any more info on this I'd be very interested in seeing it

Re: Smart TVs take snapshots of what you watch multiple times per second

#38
post #17
post #11

Just never connect them to the internet. I just use them as a display for my apple tv.

My TV is a Raspberry 3B+ with a TV Hat and TVHeadend on my Android phone and tablets. My disconnected LG smart TV sits in a corner connected to an old PlayStation. I can use it to watch movies with friends if I want to: I connect to it either my laptop or my tablet with a HDMI cable. BTW: why a smart TV? Because for only an extra 50 Euro I got a much better screen (subjective assessment) than the best dumb TV on sale…

Meanwhile my 70 year old something mother wants to watch TV not having to rely on me for tech support when she does.

For nerds, brilliant. I love such setups myself but for the household consumer it's an no-go.

Re: Smart TVs take snapshots of what you watch multiple times per second

#39
post #34

Smart TVs are a curse (from a consumer perspective). A separate smart device makes much more sense. People usually replaced their TVs when they broke, which could be 6-8+ years. Nowadays as their already slow hardware becomes even more obsolete, streaming apps are no longer updated and start to break, new ones are not released, etc. they go ahead and buy a new one. You also have to accept all kinds of crappy agreemen…

A SmartTV is not a problem as long as it has HDMI Input.

You don't like your SmartTV? Switch to HDMI Input and use your device.

I find it very practical that my LG Smart TV has the normal core apps available and i do not want to have a second remote.

Re: Smart TVs take snapshots of what you watch multiple times per second

#40
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think Apple’s strategy here is going to pay off. Provide a box with an actual fast processor in it, a simple Home Screen with no ads, and an OS with no tracking. Somehow this is a revolutionary idea in this industry. But slowly I’m seeing more people recommending the AppleTV, even amongst enthusiast circles which tend to be rather anti-Apple.

How would that help? You plug your AppleTV into a smart TV (to be able to use it) and the TV takes tracking snapshots anyway.

You don't connect your TV to the internet.
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