Technology

You actually can buy quality dumb TVs, but you have to do the legwork and do research on what are often referred to as "commercial displays." I see them everywhere in businesses for ads and showing the menu. They're sometimes a little pricier, but they're usually built a little "beefier" too, as they're expected to deal with more rough usage in like a restaurant context.

However, the other solution is the one you've already mentioned where you never plug the Smart TV into the internet, and instead bypass the "smart" on the TV with your own streaming boxes.

I think as more people realize there is a market for dumb TVs, you'll start to see that market grow more and more until they no longer just "commercial displays." Just gotta get enough people buying them and not buying Smart TVs.

Back in 2019 I wanted a nice LED screen with high resistance to screen burn but the only economic option was a Samsung Smart TV.

I actually ended up getting it, ordering a custom mount for the ARM Chip, and using an input method on the chip that makes it run Java natively so that I could make the Smart TV drop it's firmware onto a USB and from there I could modify it, since it was just running a version of Linux.

So that's the story of how I un-smarted my TV. Get fucked, Samsung.

Is it just me or is it really fuckin' easy to not connect your TV to the internet?

I've hated "Smart TVs" for a decade now, but I solved my problem by just buying a set top streaming box (Apple TV, Nvidia Shield, etc) and leaving my TV off my WiFi.

all cars are headed there too.. so very soon you won't be able to get news or transportation without someone else's permission..

Smart devices are basically data sniffers scooping up any info about you and your family, your habits,. They watch network traffic, listen to your conversations, and record video,. I'll stick to dumb devices thanks.

Sony Bravia models now give you an option to make it a dumb TV as part of the out of the box experience. It’s the first question they ask you when you power it on.

I got a display signage TV. Totally dumb. The only app it has is YouTube and that's optional. I don't even have the internet hooked up to it. Works fine for gaming and occasionally streaming via other devices.

I have solved this by not buying a TV in the last two decades. I just own projectors. Larger screen, cheaper, no "smart" nonsense. Depending on mounting, essentially invisible when not in use and not a large black rectangle in your living room. Do recommend.

I just run an HDMI from my computer…

Yep, they're horrible. I always disable internet on them, uninstall any apps I can, and generally do what I can to avoid using the built-in smart TV, but I shouldn't have to do this, its unfortunate and sucks to deal with. They just take advantage of consumers who don't know better, wish the TV market wasn't like this. :/

I'll probably need to buy a new TV in a year or two. I read there are some ways to flash custom firmware on it.

Just wanted to say same. I have used a Linux box as my Media Center and Home Server since 2008. Also have a chomecast dongle so I can steam from Android and Android apps. Not sure what else one needs.

Seems to me what one wants wants really is mostly a browser and ability to stream stuff from apps on your phone. Since the Linux box is a Media Center and Server it also has a lot of features a Smart TV would not have. Just do not see the value of a Smart TV.

Pro Tip: Buy a Computer Monitor e.g. 4k 34 inch

they don’t have any smart tv shit, but you need to buy some extra for the audio

the smartshitification of TVs is annoying, and i too hate being tracked by every device i use. That said, the incredible value of these TVs can't be overstated. Most people can't or won't spend more than $500 on a TV, so most people would still be using 1080p displays if it wasn't for this phenomenon, but now EVERYONE gets to have a 4k TV because the price is partially subsidized by all those ads you're seeing.

I think it's probably a net negative for society overall, but just wanted to point out that there is an upside to all those ads.

Actually I think a lot of people do upgrade their TVs somewhat often, as stupid as that is. I will be clinging to my dumb TV for dear life as long as possible, but I feel like people are very consumerist these days. TVs have gotten cheap enough that they feel able to.

It goes without saying that no one should have to buy a new TV because there is a bunch of trashy software on it, but I'm sure it's already happened enough to incentivise these assholes' bad behavior

I just never entered my Wifi details into my smart TV. I only use the HDMI inputs on it anyway, so it behaves like a dumb one. It's a RCA TV from Walmart, if anyone is wondering.