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Roku files patent to inject ads via HDMI

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Re: Roku files patent to inject ads via HDMI

#211

Post by anonzzzies »

locallost wrote: post #159

I don't get this bombardment with ads anymore. For all the talk of targeted ads I routinely get them for products like tampons which I definitely do not need. Most of the time it's some noise I hear until I can press the skip button. I can't really remember what's the last time I bought something I saw on an ad.

I cannot imagine they make more money off me with ads than just asking me money to buy them away like YouTube premium (minus that they allow sponsors in the videos which I think should be a violation if I have Premium but ok). So why don’t they offer that; let me pay something to stop tracking, snooping etc and showing ads. I have never clicked an ad in my life.

Re: Roku files patent to inject ads via HDMI

#212

Post by happymellon »

chihuahua wrote: post #174
koolba wrote: post #168

On this topic, what’s the best hardware and software to connect to a TV (assuming via HDMI) that allows for running apps for all the usual streaming platform suspects? It doesn’t even have to provide a combined search list. Just something to act as the base OS and launcher for each platform. I know what I want to watch and presumably which one provides it. I just want something to attach to my dumb TV that can play t…

Yes, a small-form-factor PC. You can get a decent one for under $200. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/04/what-i-learned-when-...

You can get a used Wyze which is fast enough for any media consumption, and fanless, for However I wouldn't say that the streaming services make the interface suitable for consuming via a TV. Windows lost it's Media Centre interface, and most services are hostile to Linux.

Video is still an area where piracy provides the best experience.

Re: Roku files patent to inject ads via HDMI

#213

Post by happymellon »

KingJulian wrote: post #205
koolba wrote: post #168

On this topic, what’s the best hardware and software to connect to a TV (assuming via HDMI) that allows for running apps for all the usual streaming platform suspects? It doesn’t even have to provide a combined search list. Just something to act as the base OS and launcher for each platform. I know what I want to watch and presumably which one provides it. I just want something to attach to my dumb TV that can play t…

You could get a SFF PC like the other reply mentioned, and install something like Plasma Bigscreen[1] on it. [1]( https://plasma-bigscreen.org/ )

But then you don't have any of the big streaming services, so it's not really an alternative to Roku.

You'll need to do a little more legwork to replace them.

Re: Roku files patent to inject ads via HDMI

#214

Post by happymellon »

polski-g wrote: post #208
koolba wrote: post #168

On this topic, what’s the best hardware and software to connect to a TV (assuming via HDMI) that allows for running apps for all the usual streaming platform suspects? It doesn’t even have to provide a combined search list. Just something to act as the base OS and launcher for each platform. I know what I want to watch and presumably which one provides it. I just want something to attach to my dumb TV that can play t…

Nvidia Shield. Bonus is that you can run Steam Link on it.

This is what I use, although it's obvious the enshittification has started with the terrible adverts across the top of the screen.

I have the 2nd gen, so there were no adverts when I first purchased it.

Re: Roku files patent to inject ads via HDMI

#216

Post by supernes »

sspiff wrote: post #215

Remind me again, why do people connect their TV to the Internet? I used to work in the space more than a decade ago, and even then the privacy invasions most major brands did were inexcusable.

Convenience and coercion - they don't want to fiddle with external devices just to watch a movie/show, and streaming services deliver content at a higher quality to these locked-down devices. Had this talk with my parents recently, privacy is infinitely less relevant to them compared to the ease of use.

Re: Roku files patent to inject ads via HDMI

#217

Post by sneak »

autoexec wrote: post #176

Anyone who cares at all about their privacy wouldn't have a roku TV to start with. Roku is one of the most invasive companies there is. Their devices take multiple screenshots of whatever is on your screen every second and then uploads those images to their servers to be scrutinized so that they can make assumptions about you as a person. If you have a Roku TV they can do that for any non-roku device you're using too…

If you are using an ATV or Chromecast, why would you connect your TV itself to the network at all?

Re: Roku files patent to inject ads via HDMI

#218

Post by sneak »

ok_dad wrote: post #185
walterbell wrote: post #182

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The recent addition of VPN support, including Tailscale, has made Apple TV even more compelling. VLC exists for Apple TV. For purchased movies, Apple TV does not impose silly geo-restrictions, unlike Vudu and MoviesAnywhere.

I’ll also vote for Apple TV. It also acts as a hub for simple home automation if you just want a few light bulbs or something, or you want to store security camera footage directly to iCloud.

That requires iCloud, which is a privacy nightmare even if you opt in to their sometimes-kinda e2ee option (which nobody does). In the default config it is even worse.

If you want privacy don’t use iCloud.

Re: Roku files patent to inject ads via HDMI

#219

Post by eru »

anonzzzies wrote: post #211
locallost wrote: post #159

I don't get this bombardment with ads anymore. For all the talk of targeted ads I routinely get them for products like tampons which I definitely do not need. Most of the time it's some noise I hear until I can press the skip button. I can't really remember what's the last time I bought something I saw on an ad.

I cannot imagine they make more money off me with ads than just asking me money to buy them away like YouTube premium (minus that they allow sponsors in the videos which I think should be a violation if I have Premium but ok). So why don’t they offer that; let me pay something to stop tracking, snooping etc and showing ads. I have never clicked an ad in my life.

Alas, if you let the people with enough money pay for making the ads go away, your remaining ad audience will be poorer on average, and perhaps less interesting for ad space buyers.

Re: Roku files patent to inject ads via HDMI

#220

Post by lstamour »

sspiff wrote: post #215

Remind me again, why do people connect their TV to the Internet? I used to work in the space more than a decade ago, and even then the privacy invasions most major brands did were inexcusable.

Most people don't want an extra box or dongle? Everyone likes devices you can just plug in, push some remote buttons, and you're done. Even when the set top box works, something inevitably goes awry, such as audio issues non-HDMI sound output, or not seeing video because the soundbar isn't connected to the box or dongle, and so on and so on. Remember those households with the blinking 12 on the VCR? Yeah, folks just want to watch their movies, they don't need to know how this stuff works, even the basics. I know too many people who watch movies on Netflix on an iPad because it's easier to do that than to configure their smart projector every time. We really haven't made technology that much easier to use yet, but it's getting closer, maybe.
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