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Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

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Re: Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

#161

Post by boutell »

sjsdaiuasgdia wrote: post #16
darknavi wrote: post #6

Isn't that actually great? Just never create and sign into a Walmart account and now your TV isn't infected.

This presumes that, now or later, there won't be an on-screen message that can't be dismissed saying "Sign in to a Walmart account to enable all TV features." There's plenty of ways they can interfere with attempts to use the TV in "dumb" mode. Heck it could refuse to show any video at all til you've signed in.

I get that they could do this in a future update, but if you never connect it to the Internet, a TV that doesn't require it today isn't going to just start. (Unless they pregamed to do it on such-and-such-a-date, but that would be a nightmare for their legal department if the rules change)

Re: Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

#162

Post by beAbU »

Loughla wrote: post #141
rtkwe wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They're also cheaper because they're subsidized. I did the same thing with a FireTV but understood the extra crap they want to boot and use is part of why they're so cheap, they're hoping for information to sell or puchases they can monetize.

We just bought a vizio to replace one that broke. Once you skip the setup process, all you need to do is remove the solder from the 'home' button on the remote or whatever it is and you'll never see their pop up crap again. I get why people like this, though. It takes all of your accounts and puts them in one place. Honestly, if I could run Plex and my own media through it, it would be tempting to just block it from…

I have a chromecast with google tv plugged into mine. Not sure what it's called these days. Chromecast Home?

It comes with a super minimalist remote that does volume and a d-pad and on/off and a remappable netflix button. My tv's original remote is... Somewhere. It's been more than a year since I've needed it.

Both the chromecast and my xbox uses hdmi-cec to instruct the tv to "switch your input to me". The chromecast remote controls the tv volume directly.

I have an Emby media server on the network, and I use the emby app on the chromecast to play content. I'm also a sellout so we have the standard streaming apps on there as well.

It's a truly god-tier setup and it works so well.

Re: Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

#163

Post by ryandvm »

beAbU wrote: post #162
Loughla wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We just bought a vizio to replace one that broke. Once you skip the setup process, all you need to do is remove the solder from the 'home' button on the remote or whatever it is and you'll never see their pop up crap again. I get why people like this, though. It takes all of your accounts and puts them in one place. Honestly, if I could run Plex and my own media through it, it would be tempting to just block it from…

I have a chromecast with google tv plugged into mine. Not sure what it's called these days. Chromecast Home? It comes with a super minimalist remote that does volume and a d-pad and on/off and a remappable netflix button. My tv's original remote is... Somewhere. It's been more than a year since I've needed it. Both the chromecast and my xbox uses hdmi-cec to instruct the tv to "switch your input to me". The chromecas…

Yeah, the current Chromecast on an HDMI port is far superior than anything the TV vendors offer. I think you pretty much get access to every service you might want except Apple TV (no surprise, Apple gonna Apple).

Re: Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

#164

Post by dickersnoodle »

giancarlostoro wrote: post #68

I never connect my smart TVs to the network, I just plug in my Apple TV and move on. It's frustrating because it takes longer to turn these devices on than it should because of all the additional overhead I don't want or need. I wish someone would make a painless gadget to flash the software with dumber software that loads instantly.

> I never connect my smart TVs to the network, I just plug in my Apple TV and move on.

You're not alone.

Re: Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

#165

Post by nazgulsenpai »

ProllyInfamous wrote: post #137
nazgulsenpai wrote: post #134

I have a Hisense Roku TV with on a network with a pihole. It can't reach any of it's ad networks so the interface is always the default. The default isn't great, mind you, but it is ad-free.

Just out of curiosity: why add the TV to your network just to block it from the internet ? Perhaps you stream content to it locally? I have both a PiHole and SmartTVs — the latter never even get WiFi access (just use them as displays for CCTV & PS4).

It's just easier and my motivation is blocking ads. We have a PS4 also, and the PS4 shows way more ads than just the neutered Roku.

Re: Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

#166

Post by ProllyInfamous »

nazgulsenpai wrote: post #165
ProllyInfamous wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just out of curiosity: why add the TV to your network just to block it from the internet ? Perhaps you stream content to it locally? I have both a PiHole and SmartTVs — the latter never even get WiFi access (just use them as displays for CCTV & PS4).

It's just easier and my motivation is blocking ads. We have a PS4 also, and the PS4 shows way more ads than just the neutered Roku.

I also don't connect PS4 — but if you have your DHCP server issue your PiHole's address for DNS, then you can probably block that ad server specifically (just like you could for Roku/Vizio).

Wondering when the TV manufacturers begin requiring an internet connection to u se, perhaps even hard-coding DNS-via-https addresses.

>It's just easier [to connect TV to WiFi]

why? What does it make easier for your setup?

Re: Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

#167

Post by rtkwe »

beAbU wrote: post #162
Loughla wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We just bought a vizio to replace one that broke. Once you skip the setup process, all you need to do is remove the solder from the 'home' button on the remote or whatever it is and you'll never see their pop up crap again. I get why people like this, though. It takes all of your accounts and puts them in one place. Honestly, if I could run Plex and my own media through it, it would be tempting to just block it from…

I have a chromecast with google tv plugged into mine. Not sure what it's called these days. Chromecast Home? It comes with a super minimalist remote that does volume and a d-pad and on/off and a remappable netflix button. My tv's original remote is... Somewhere. It's been more than a year since I've needed it. Both the chromecast and my xbox uses hdmi-cec to instruct the tv to "switch your input to me". The chromecas…

That's my main setup too. Sometimes still need to main TV remote but not often.

Re: Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

#168

Post by nazgulsenpai »

ProllyInfamous wrote: post #166
nazgulsenpai wrote: post #165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's just easier and my motivation is blocking ads. We have a PS4 also, and the PS4 shows way more ads than just the neutered Roku.

I also don't connect PS4 — but if you have your DHCP server issue your PiHole's address for DNS, then you can probably block that ad server specifically (just like you could for Roku/Vizio). Wondering when the TV manufacturers begin requiring an internet connection to u se, perhaps even hard-coding DNS-via-https addresses. >It's just easier [to connect TV to WiFi] why? What does it make easier for your setup ?

I don't have to do anything extra. I have a pihole on my network blocking ads, I have a Roku TV that has the ability built-in to stream from streaming services. I connect the TV to Wifi and my goal of having a streaming TV without ads littering the interface was achieved.

Re: Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

#169

Post by ____tom____ »

jonpurdy wrote: post #66
Robdel12 wrote: post #15

Is there any kind of “hook up” on wholesale large dumb displays? I know I’m preaching to the choir, but I just want a giant dumb display from my Apple TV. I vaguely remember someone posting a link to tvs restaurants use but I don’t remember exactly what or if it was what I’m looking for. (Sorry, being lazy here)

I wonder about this every time I see a smart TV-related thread on HN. I recently purchased an LG OLED (C5 48") because my old TV died so I'll finally comment. As others have said, just don't connect it to the internet. But you knew this already, so I'll provide my anecdote on the experience of this since I wondered the same thing for years before getting this TV. When the TV is never connected to internet, and you us…

Don't assume that because you don't connect something to the internet that is doesn't connect to the internet.

Things can use cellular modems to phone home. This is already done.

Walmart could also easily cut deals with cable providers for outbound access via WiFi and cover most of the country.

Re: Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

#170

Post by beAbU »

ryandvm wrote: post #163
beAbU wrote: post #162

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a chromecast with google tv plugged into mine. Not sure what it's called these days. Chromecast Home? It comes with a super minimalist remote that does volume and a d-pad and on/off and a remappable netflix button. My tv's original remote is... Somewhere. It's been more than a year since I've needed it. Both the chromecast and my xbox uses hdmi-cec to instruct the tv to "switch your input to me". The chromecas…

Yeah, the current Chromecast on an HDMI port is far superior than anything the TV vendors offer. I think you pretty much get access to every service you might want except Apple TV (no surprise, Apple gonna Apple).

Apple tv is available on my chromecast?
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