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

arstechnica.com

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

#41

Post by [deleted] »

freedomben wrote: post #26
sjsdaiuasgdia wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Yep. I bought a Samsung TV that I never even put online. It pops up with a half-screen display that lasts for 2 minutes every time I turn it on . Never again.

[deleted]

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

#43

Post by bluedino »

SunshineTheCat wrote: post #3

Kinda a wild idea I had never really considered, but absolutely a possibility: using a TV as a loss leader to sell ads. Not sure if that's they're intent here, but I could easily see that becoming a thing (if it isn't already). And what better way to collect useful ad data on people than forcing them to create an account and then tracking their usage of the device.

> Kinda a wild idea I had never really considered, but absolutely a possibility: using a TV as a loss leader to sell ads.

They did it with a computer to sell ISP services. Maybe they could sell a TV that requires streaming subscriptions?

https://www.theregister.com/2000/03/20/circuit_city_shuts_do...

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

#44

Post by plagiarist »

SoftTalker wrote: post #35

Just use an AppleTV, Roku, etc. and connect it to the HDMI port. TV is just a screen. That is how I've used mine for the last 5+ years.

It won't be "just a screen" for much longer if people continue paying for TVs that do this bullshit.

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

#45

Post by bombcar »

hypercube33 wrote: post #23
JoeBOFH wrote: post #2

At my last job we bought a lot of Vizio tvs. We used them for conference rooms, hallway displays, etc. They were reasonably priced and had a good feature set needed. They have been on a decline for years and this is a nail in the coffin.

There are business models that are dumb displays that you bring your own device to do conference stuff on whatever platform you wish. I'm not current with the pricing but they typically have good warranties.

They are insanely priced compared to disposable Vizios - renting a "real" display monitor for a conference would be $1000 or so (including the shipping, setup, return, usually involving large crates and trucks).

Buying a similar Vizio would be delivered by free by Walmart for $200, you just ignore the setup prompts, stick HDMI in, and give it to a nice hotel employee when done.

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

#47

Post by ortusdux »

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've said it before on HN, but I just want a somewhat trustworthy group to develop "DUMB" certification. I think enough people would pay extra for a certified DUMB TV for it to be worthwile. "Don't Upload My Bits"

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

#48

Post by SoftTalker »

embedding-shape wrote: post #36
SoftTalker wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Get an actual projector screen and mount it on your wall, you'll get a much brighter picture than just projecting on a painted wall.

Brighter picture perhaps, but good luck being able to have anything resembling "actual black", best you'll get is dark gray. Alternative solution that doesn't require worse picture quality, never hook up the TV to the internet. State of the art quality, none of the data collection.

Agreed, you'd still need to darken the room for the best picture in any projector scenario, as the darkest black you can get is whatever the ambient light level is.

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

#49

Post by dylan604 »

ryandrake wrote: post #5

For now, we can vote with our wallets and avoid this crap. But, how long until the entire TV and display industry requires an account to tether you to each company in order to use their products?

I do that by never shopping at Walmart. I was bored one weekend, and went to a bunch of stores to compare prices. The Walmart near me did have somethings that were cheaper, but for the most part the prices were average with other stores. So I can honestly say for things I buy, Walmart is not worth it for me and it's not just the principle of not shopping at Walmart but it's a principal issue

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

#50

Post by RiverCrochet »

embedding-shape wrote: post #36
SoftTalker wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Get an actual projector screen and mount it on your wall, you'll get a much brighter picture than just projecting on a painted wall.

Brighter picture perhaps, but good luck being able to have anything resembling "actual black", best you'll get is dark gray. Alternative solution that doesn't require worse picture quality, never hook up the TV to the internet. State of the art quality, none of the data collection.

I would bet five figures that within 5 years it will be commonplace for TVs to require an Internet connection in order to be used at all. One is ATSC 3.0 and its DRM encryption capabilities. The other scenario is probably be that, because the TV has pre-installed applications, then the TV has to record your age and register it upstream to comply with an age-verification law or interpretation thereof.
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