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Hisense TVs add unskippable startup ads before live TV

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Re: Hisense TVs add unskippable startup ads before live TV

#51
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pro tip for devices that refuse to simply remove working WiFi credentials ( cough Samsung), is to connect them to a different “dummy” WiFi and then simply turn that off. I’ve yet to see a device that caches more than one set of credentials. But I suppose it’s only a matter of time.

Cat and mouse. Then we shall only ever connect to a throwaway wifi ssid created for the sole purpose of setting up that TV and deleted promptly afterwards. Samsung will then use NFC / QuickShare transient hotspot to helpfully sync all useful info from your Samsung phone nearby. Then we block that IP address or MAC ID from router side. Then smart TVs will switch to open mesh networks hosted by unsuspecting ISP custome…

I have a TCL so maybe it's different, but did your TVs require connection to set up?

The TCL can still act as a HDMI switch with CEC, and that can be labeled through the remote if you want, so there was never any need to connect to a network.

Re: Hisense TVs add unskippable startup ads before live TV

#52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's simple: not buying them is the way. There is enough competition to just buy a screen that will not do that.

fewer competitors every year...Sony gave up as well :/

It's ridiculous that going to a Target/Bestbuy/etc you cannot find any non-smart TVs generally. I have had several older models of non-smart tvs that suddenly stop working after a few years. It's disgusting

Re: Hisense TVs add unskippable startup ads before live TV

#53
post #21

The other day I was at a spa, they had a TV in the background showing a channel with relaxing images, but after 5 minutes ads started playing.I don't think the spa staff even knew about it. we're fucked

This is likely either a YouTube/Roku channel that shows relaxing images but monetizes them via ads.

Re: Hisense TVs add unskippable startup ads before live TV

#54
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We only watch OTA TV and have no streaming services so I guess the answer is yes.

Cool. Do you have a favorite new TV show that you’re watching currently and that you’d recommend?

Not the person you were responding to but I work at a TV station here in the US. What kind of shows do you like? My husband and I are getting into "The Rise and Fall of Reggie Dinkins" if you want a new show. If new episodes of a long running show is fine, I still relax to Jeopardy when I can. If you don't stream anything, you can usually still find golf on the weekends which we use for our cats. :)

Re: Hisense TVs add unskippable startup ads before live TV

#55
post #17

Once I verify a home video product works as intended I remove its network connection and never connect it again. I then leave its static ip address configured and block any traffic from it on the off chance it’s ever connected again. The sole exception is my PlayStation 5. I use apps on it for all streaming.

This is outrageous and we need to stand up against it. You're merely avoiding the danger of uber-enshittification of hardware (now once software is enshittified enough), but this will crawl further and further. Meanwhile rating companies are lowering ratings of firms that DO NOT have 'subscription model' in their products, that's why we're intended to pay for enabling heating in car seats from now on.

The TV manufacturers know they can get a guaranteed $30-50/year spliff out of the platform vendors per unit for allowing the shitware in the first place and that these TVs will last long enough to get them a nice several hundred dollar subsidy on the TV.

I’m afraid there’s not going to be a great affordable path out of this hypersubsidized trap we’ve set the market into.

Re: Hisense TVs add unskippable startup ads before live TV

#57
post #5

Worth it for the price though. A 100" Hisense can be had for $1k now at Best Buy. Would have been a $20,000 TV 10 years ago.

It's amazing how cheap Hisense TVs are, but the two we got are developing really bad white spots just outside the warranty period. You get what you pay for I guess.

Re: Hisense TVs add unskippable startup ads before live TV

#59

> live TV Does anyone watch linear TV other than for sport and news? Everything else (movies, TV shows) is through streaming apps, no?

We might watch it “live”, but it’s through a TiVo, and not the tuner in the TV. Usually, though, we start the few scheduled shows we watch 30-60m late to be able to skip commercials.

Re: Hisense TVs add unskippable startup ads before live TV

#60
post #6

Ughh.. I recently turned on my 1000EUR+ LG Oled TV to find that it had automatically installed a Copilot app.. And keeps doing it every few days. Is there any smart TV that I can actually just use a TV how I want? Or am I reduced to buying an Apple TV device and unplugging the TV from the internet entirely ?

I bought a Sony Android TV a few years back which has yet to be enshitified - doesn't shove ads or shovelware down my throat, acts like a TV. It's a model made for the Japanese market though and they may have incentives to play nice with domestic customers.
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