See title - very frustrating. There is no way to continue to use the TV without agreeing to the terms. I couldn’t use different inputs, or even go to settings from the home screen and disconnect from the internet to disable their services. If I don’t agree to their terms, then I don’t get access to their new products. That sucks, but fine - I don’t use their services except for the TV itself, and honestly, I’d rather by a dumb TV with a streaming box anyway, but I can’t find those anymore.
Anyway, the new terms are about waiving your right to a class action lawsuit. It’s weird to me because I’d never considered filing a class action lawsuit against Roku until this. They shouldn’t be able to hold my physical device hostage until I agree to new terms that I didn’t agree at the time of purchase or initial setup.
I wish Roku TVs weren’t cheap walmart brand sh*t. Someone with some actual money might sue them and sort this out…
EDIT: Shout out to @[email protected] for recommending the brand “Sceptre” when buying my next (dumb) TV.
EDIT2: Shout out to @[email protected] for recommending LG smart TVs as a dumb-TV stand in. They apparently do require an agreement at startup, which is certainly NOT ideal, but the setup can be completed without an internet connection and it remembers input selection on powerup. So, once you have it setup, you’re good to rock and roll.
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This “smart” tv shite is getting so goddamn out of hand.
In the past 3 months, my dads TV had to be replaced because the module that runs Google TV shite broke, causing the TV to get stuck with an error message on screen, this was more of an annoyance than a big issue, as you could still watch TV, just with the error message displaying.
Then a few weeks after that it had to be replaced because at first I thought the backlight was dead (nothing but a feint glow on screen while having audio) as this happened even from a cold boot, but turned out that the Bravia module would run into a hung/frozen state right after it booted.
So, ya think that would be it right?
Nope, a good month after that, the TV would constantly log my parents out of Bravia, Google TV and any apps they had installed (indicating to me there was as storage issue).
The store they got the thing from were sure they must be doing something wrong, so sent someone out who spent a good 4 hours repeatedly factory resetting the TV, relogging them in to then be surprised the issue was exactly as we described.
So, 3 months, TV replaced 3 times, all due to issues with the goddamn Smart TV shite they shove into everything.
And you have to know, here there’s nothing on cable or air you don’t have on digital, your internet provider gives you a decoder for digital TV and all your TV really needs to do is accept a HDMI signal and you should be set to watch whatever you want, as Netflix and some other streaming services are integrated into their decoder to begin with.
But it’s almost impossible to find any TVs without several layers of this smart tv shite integrated into them.
That is some grade A bullshit right there (not op, the Roku tv)
Mac address ban the TV from your network and it should work but will no longer have Internet access. I just did this locally and it worked for the one, have to go out but will do it on the other one as well.
In order to prevent it from blinking, factory reset the TV once it’s unconnected to the network, and then make sure to not reconnect it to the Internet during the setup process. Afterwards, you’ll be stuck trying to find ways to replicate all of the built-in functionality of the TV like I now am. I had no idea the Chromecast w/ google TV’s apps had such shitty surround support…anyone know a good replacement device? The ONN streamers are similar in that they basically only put out PCM stereo for Hulu.
Anyone else getting radicalized because of this?
Molotovs are easy to make and solve a lot of problems, just sayin
That’s probably really cute and fun to think about. Unfortunately we don’t live in a comic book universe.
Exactly, no asshole in spandex is gonna stop you!
BOOOOORRTLES
When I have a problem, I just throw a molotov cocktail and BOOM. Now I have a different problem.
To be fair, your original problem has been solved.
(is a Good Place reference)
Is this what Tucker Carlson meant by I’m radicalized? Us damn rich Americans and our smart TVs.
Woah, you have money…? Actual money to spend on wants instead of needs.
Yup. My LG TV has 85% of its features “disabled” until I accept new terms which is an acceptable middleground.
I wanted a high quality OLED display over 50inch, good luck finding one without voice control or adverts lol
85% of its* features
Edited the one character typo for you, the internet is saved.
Starting it up without an internet connection will prevent the pop-up from locking you out of your own device
deleted by creator
Sucks this happened to you. If it is still under warranty, you should return it for a replacement or store credit. Complain that it has ceased to function.
A good set of advice is to never connect your TV to the internet. A cheap streaming box or HTPC does the same function, and doesn’t open you up to issues like this. Your TV is also almost certainly selling your viewing data if you have it connected to the internet.
Hi, I just bought a Roku streaming box. What should I do next?
Almost certainly - but that is what I agreed to when I bought the TV.
Like I said in the post, I’d much prefer dumb TVs, but they I can’t really find them anymore. Best I can do is buy a smart TV that’d won’t let you do anything (including selecting inputs) until you connect it to the internet, agree to their horrible anti-consumer licensing agreement. Only then to open up a different smart device product that will still steal my data and force me to give up my legal right to a class action? The current system is scam.
Do you have any recommendations for dumb TVs?
Not for a dumb tv but I own a newer Vizio. I actually use it as a huge desktop monitor through HDMI. The actual tv itself has never been connected to the internet. You could connect a streaming stick (roku, amazon, google) if you wanted to. I stream everything from the net. Vizio has a horrible “free” streaming tv service that tracks you. But you can still use the actual tv in other ways if you don’t connect it to the net. It will act as a dumb tv.
Until we have a federal privacy law that allows us to opt out of being tracked on every device, you have to “work around” the problems.Until we have a federal privacy law that allows us to opt out of being tracked on every device, you have to “work around” the problems.
Tracking needs to be opt-in, not opt-out. Privacy needs to be the default on all products.
Agreed!
I’ve had LGs for years (just got a new C3 OLED) and they don’t require internet access to function. My current OLED isn’t connected and works perfectly fine. I use a standalone Roku for streaming.
I think that I’m about to sold on LG TVs. Do you need to agree to any terms of service for initial setup? Additionally, do you have to navigate menus on startup to get to the streaming device? If so, that is ok, but very annoying if I can’t set it up to start on a particular input on power up.
I did have to agree to the terms during setup. You do NOT have to navigate menus on startup. It remembers the last input and defaults there. You can then easily change the input via the remote if needed.
This is really good/useful info - thank you!
They also have a list of items you can and cannot agree to, instead of just 1. So agree to 1, and say no to the rest sort of deal. You can also set the TV to non-US and get a little less bullshit.
It remembers the last input and defaults there.
It never occurred to me that TVs might not do that.
LG have started sending some bullshit major updates to both of my TVs recently. The whole “home” interface is now sluggish and full of video heavy garbage I don’t want to see. They are still better than some smart platforms (looking at you Vizio, Samsung, and Roku), but I am far less pleased with them than I used to be.
Look for computer monitors instead of a TV.
As someone in pro AV, here’s my recommendation for a dumb TV: A smart TV that you never connect to your wifi.
All that bloatware shit they install is what makes it cheap. At my job I can buy commercial displays (no crapware) at cost and it’s still cheaper to buy a consumer one.
Unless IP control is absolutely mandatory for you, it’s cheaper and easier to go consumer for displays
I’m pretty sure that you cannot use a roku-enabled device for any purpose until you agree to their terms of service, which just puts me back into the same boat.
Do you have any recommendations for actual dumb TVs?
Any TV that you just don’t connect to the internet at all, ever.
Hmm, yes, I agree! Totally agree on this. No argument. I’m curious though - what TV would that be? What TV can someone buy today that doesn’t require an initial setup process that requires an agreement to certain terms and conditions prior to use?
Not trying to be hostile towards you in particular. I’m feeling frustrated with this answer because I am seeing it a lot (both online and in online searches right now), but I’m having some difficulty finding it actually useful advice. Many devices are setup from the factory to not allow use until agreeing to certain terms and conditions that must be agreed to before using the TV. I need to know which TVs - if any - do not require this. It is surprisingly difficult! I feel frustrated with this answer because it feels reductive & dismissive of the actual problem.
Again, nothing against you in particular. I’m just frustrated with this - seemingly reasonable but not actually applicable based on what I have been able to research online so far - answer.
I just bought a Roku smart TV and the first time I powered it on, it asked if I wanted to enable smart features by connecting to the Internet. I said no and it functions like a dumb TV now. There are a couple brands that still make dumb TVs but they are all fairly small and not great quality. Much better off researching which smart TVs can be easily disabled.
This is the point that I’ve been stuck on. There doesn’t seem to be clear, easily available, documentation on which models those are. However, I have been able to find many ramble-ly “old man yells at cloud” forum & social media posts (You know, like this one!) when a model doesn’t allow it.
Samsung, Sony, and LG all let you skip connecting to there Internet. I prefer Sony TVs because Samsung has stupid VESA mounting options but they’re all good
Show me one piece of technology in your life that didn’t come with T&C that put you at a disadvantage against the manufacturer, I’ll show you ten fairies, a unicorn, and the herald of darkness.
My grandmother has a Philips dumb TV that doesn’t have any network connectivity and it still showed a click-through T&C. If you can’t get something like that in your region, ship from the EU, they’re still sold here.
Whew, that inter-continental shipping is going to be rough, but I’ve had to pay it before. Thanks for the advice!
My computer was built from pieces of other computers, to which I installed linux and never had to agree to anything. Now show me those ten fairies, the unicorn, and the herald of darkness please…
A non Roku Smart TV that you just don’t connect to the internet at all, ever
You can try the display screens for menus and signs. They’re basically TVs without smart functions, aka dumb TVs.
Those often don’t have a very good picture quality though.
Also without remote controls.
Sceptre makes modern, affordable dumb TVs.
We found an answer! Thank you!
I’ve been searching online between comment responses looking for actually useful recommendations. It looks like Sceptre or LG are going to be good starting points. Between the two website, I’m leaning pretty heavily towards the Sceptre. I’m excited to here more from the person posting about the professional/commercial AV displays.
I have a sceptre, I love it. I got it on a black friday sale before covid, and it still works well. Some people have said theirs went crappy within a year or two, so check models and reviews that seem legitimate to figure out which ones are crappy.
Thanks for the heads up - will do!
EDIT: Out of an abundance of curiosity, what model do you have?
I did a factory reset on my Roku several months ago and it works more or less like it would normally. Can’t set themes, which is the only big lack, but most of the important settings are still available. I know I can change the inputs and settings and stuff on it, though, because the hdmi1 is classed to PlayStation and 4 to computer.
I just did a factory reset and never connected to the internet. You can’t disconnect it from the internet without a reset, tho, or you’ll get “not connected” messages frequently, which I assume is what you are talking about.
Buy a really large computer monitor
That would be a good idea if there wasn’t a 100x difference in price for something actually tv size big.
While it’s good advice to never intentionally connect TV to internet, some devices bypass you if they can. I think it was samsung that would connect to any other samsung product and through them to the internet, even if the other product was in your neighbor’s living room.
Do you have a source for Samsung connecting to the internet via other Samsung devices?
That’s creepy
This is disturbing. I wanted to know more so I googled it but I found nothing. Where did you hear this?
Not sure of Samsung’s offering but it sounds very similar to Amazon Alexa’s sidewalk “feature”
Sounds like Windows “Delivery Optimization” for Microsoft updates as well.
Somewhere on Lemmy in the last two months. They had a link to a review about it. Sorry, there was a reason I hedged with “I think.”
None of this is cutting edge technology, so my setup isn’t for tech enthusiasts. I have an old 1080p TV and an HTPC. The computer has fairly silent parts to begin with, and I’ve further tweaked it to be even more silent. It’s also running Fedora, and Gnome seems to be surprisingly good for this purpose. A Logitech keyboard/touchpad serves as my remote.
This way, I can watch YouTube on my TV with ublock origin and spinsor block enabled.
I had the same on my 3 yr old Vizio TV earlier this week. TV was useless until I agreed. I don’t know whether it operates without an internet connection, because it has a couple Apps I use that are not supported on my Fire Stick
I wonder if they are planning some serious invasive activities.
Probably. We’re in the middle of a wave of “increased monetization” of streaming. We mostly see more ads, but more tracking helps justify a higher price for ads.
Maybe it’s all Google’s fault 😉. Now that Chrome finally implemented features to block tracking cookies, there’s a potential shift in where advertising dollars are spent. What soulless greedy corporate huckster wouldn’t be salivating at that opportunity?
I have a Vizio as well. It’s been disconnected from the internet for at least 2 years now and functions fine. I guess I miss out on updates, and if I press the Vizio “home” button it freezes up as it’s trying to connect for 20-30 secs before I can do anything, but works fine with an external Android or Apple box. You obviously won’t be able to use any of their apps if you disconnect from the internet, but it’s 100% worth it.
Why would a TV need an update? What’s changed that would require updating to continue to display the signal it’s getting?
I have a Vizio that isn’t connected to the Internet and it’s essentially a computer monitor for my htpc that I control.
If it ever forces me to update I’m getting rid of it.
My real concern is that in 10 years, my htpc loophole will be closed and they’ll datamine me anyway and force me into subscriptions regardless.
Well that’s just it, mostly unnecessary if you’re using it as essentially a monitor (like both of us are doing). Most of the updates would have to do with their smartcast OS or additional features or apps. The updates could also have additional support for devices as new hardware comes out, bug fixes (or additional bugs), speed improvements, etc.
They could definitely implement hardware that automatically connects to wifi without your permission. I guess a solution to that would be to connect to your own internet at home, maybe on a separate subnet that is blocked from accessing the internet.
Are you able to use the built-in airPlay/Chromecast, if it’s on your local network but not the internet and assuming you have a model with that?
Not sure about chromecast, but for AirPlay you don’t need internet connection. It’s probably the same for both, but I use an AppleTV and used a Xiaomi Mibox 3 before that, and would just cast to those if I need.
I’m pretty committed to trying Apple TV like this, as everything else gets shittier faster.
Currently the only thing stopping me is rumors of a new release: If that’s going to happen, I at least want to see what it is before deciding what to buy.
For example, the practical part of the big AI push: Apple has been using more “Neural Engines” in recent processors and that directly translates to better on-device voice processing
Shit like this is why my LG C1 is restricted to LAN access only in my router (local network for automation purposes) and can’t communicate with the internet.
I think the purpose of roku is to stream though, so it needs Internet. Unless it can serve local stuff, that I uave no idea about.
This is referring to the Roku built into many TVs. So you have no choice but to deal with it at least a little bit for switching between your HDMI/PC inputs. The reason this case is so bad is that it literally prevents you from using any input or device until you find the Roku remote that came with the TV and click accept. The TV is a “brick” until you do this.
You have 30 days to opt out by sending a letter to:
General Counsel, Roku Inc.
1701 Junction Court, Suite 100
San Jose, CA 95112Letter must include:
- Name of each person opting out, contact info
- product model
- software version
- email address (optional)
- copy of receipt (optional)
I reached out to Roku support regarding this. The rep told me “why are you complaining. You are the only one.” He then disconnected the chat. I’ve reached out to my state’s AG to report this. No action so far but waiting. If there are enough complaints, that might help move the needle.
What Roku is doing should be completely illegal - bricking the product after purchasing it for full price if you don’t agree to waiving your rights.
Sounds like a class action lawsuit to me.
Sue them in small claims for the price of the device.
Sounds like a good way to get a new tv and move away from roku. They’re really piling on the ads lately and making their os really slow.
Damn, had no idea roku chat could be that useless.
Inb4 it’s ChatGPT like Air Canada.
If they actually said that to you word for word that’s an open and shut case for suing them
Is there a factory reset button on it? Maybe you might be able to reset the TV and never connect it to the WiFi?
Potentially - but I’d prefer not to do a factory reset. I was/am happy to use the services that I was already using and paying for that were not affiliated with Roku. A factory reset would remove access to those 3rd party services.
Besides that, I’m pretty sure that you cannot use a roku-enabled device for any purpose until you agree to their terms of service, which just puts me back into the same boat.
Do you have any recommendations for dumb TVs?
My friend, I’m trying to offer you a solution so you can still use your current TV at the very least. Your tv if useless right now, correct? Resetting it and not connecting it to the internet might allow that. And you could then hook up a separate streaming device to it.
I thought that was you goal?
There is no hardware reset switch and in order to perform a software reset you need to get to the menu and to do that, you have to agree to the terms.
Alright then. That’s too bad. I guess you don’t have a choice but to either accept the terms or sell it and buy a new one.
I have an old 720p 32in Sony Bravia TV from 2010 with both analog and digital signal reception with all the old inputs that allow me to plug my old consoles on it. None of that smart tv bullshit. The day it dies on me, I think I will cry.
Earlier you wrote,
Almost certainly - but that is what I agreed to when I bought the TV.
And wrote that they should at least let you select an input without agreeing to new terms.
Now someone attempts to offer you a solution where you only need to agree to those original terms and get a separate streaming device like you asked for and you brush them off?
The situation with roku is unacceptable but please be reasonable with the people trying to help.
How on earth is saying “I would prefer not to do something” being unreasonable with people?
Saying you wanted something then changing the goal when someone offers you a way to get it is uncool.
“I wish my cancer riddled grandmother wasn’t suffering.”
“Well, you could always just kill her! Then she would feel anything!”
???
Even more so, I didn’t even disagree or say that they were wrong. Just that I’d prefer not to do that because, along with my grandmother not suffering, I also want her to be alive. Contrary to popular belief, humans are capable of wanting multiple things at the same time. Have you ever been thirsty while you had to pee?
You said you were fine with the original terms of service. You said you wished there was a way to select an input without agreeing to new terms. This person suggested a way to get what you asked for. You said that’s not good enough. :(
Sigh…
I don’t think that you fully understand what the word “prefer” means. I said that I don’t want to give up access to my third-party apps if possible, not that I would never consider a factory reset.
It might help to grab a dictionary before you start policing the internet from your porn account.
You can’t always get what you want.
One of the reasons so-called “smart” TVs are so much cheaper is because they are data-mining you.
Where can I buy a non smart TV? I don’t see any available for purchase.
Also weird that you think they are cheaper when that doesn’t work for anything else. Phones certainly don’t get cheaper. It’s just extra profit.
Computer monitors seem like one of the few options at this point.
They do not have CEC though so you will need to get up to turn them on, and off, and change input. They also will cost significantly more. Good luck getting above a 40in monitor
While your recommendation satisfied some of the requirements, here is my counter point to arguably the biggest factor to many consumers (figures may vary by region): Regularly priced 2024/3/3 $298 65 in Roku TV from Walmart USA while your recommendation has a 1395 USD MSRP, and actual sale price of $2200 (used at that) on Amazon as linked.
I especially liked that the Check on Amazon button for a $1,400 New 65" monitor links to a Used 27" monitor for $2,200.
Dumb TVs are called “digital signage” now.
This is it. They’re a bit more expensive, but no BS, and they’re made to run 24/7, so maybe a little more durable, too.
I have a 4K Sceptre tv that doesn’t connect to the internet.
I mean, it’s cheap af and might not be for everyone. It works for me.
Buy a smart one and never connect it to the internet.
Just never connect it to the internet, or (even better) set up a PiHole and block the TV’s telemetry requests. I say the PiHole is better because then you still get all of the benefits of a smart TV (like native streaming apps) without all of the horribly invasive data mining.
If you want the benefits of a smart TV without connecting it to the internet, then maybe a connected PC would be a better solution. Something like an Nvidia shield connected to the TV, while the TV remains offline. That way you can maintain control over the computer, instead of trying to control what the TV collects and sends.
After reading about Pi-holes for a long time Roku finally pissed me off enough to set one up. The company has been adding advertisements to their menus for years but a few months ago they added a whole new row of ads to their home menu. Of course they can’t be disabled. Enough was enough.
I set up Pi-hole on an existing Pi, monitored Roku traffic for a couple of days and blocked every single ad or “suggestion” they generate. Now the TV displays blanks instead of constant barrage of ads that Roku’s menu has become. Worth the trouble.
Their decision to become an advertising platform instead of the streaming platform I purchased has been good reason to never subscribe to a streaming channel through Roku again. The company won’t get a single dollar of revenue from me if I can help it. Yes, I know 3rd parties do pay Roku subscription fees, but I can’t do anything about those. I also have repeatedly recommended Roku devices for years, but I now tell people to avoid the advertising company. Fuck em.
The company won’t get a single dollar of revenue from me if I can help it.
I’m in the same camp as you after this Roku TV bricking stuff. I was able to work around it by disconnecting it and banning it from my network and then factory resetting the TV and not configuring network…but I’m done with Roku.
I’ll buy an Apple TV rather than a Roku Ultra if I have to…and I hate Apple.
I’m considering connecting up computers to my TVs and just streaming everything from a browser. It will be a little less convenient without a remote (at least initially), but way less annoying.
I used to do this before streaming services and it was not bad at all. At the time there was only one type of mini keyboard plus touchpad available, now there are a lot more options in that category.
It’s a little less convenient, but like you can also do things you can’t with no streaming box such as pirate live streams of channels from across the country for free.
Edit: you can also get usb-cec devices to make it so it switches inputs for you.
There really is no choice, you basically have to buy a smart TV.
However, even the Roku Smart TVs can be configured as plain old TVs. If you go through the initial setup wizard and just don’t give it a network…you’ll get a regular TV out of it.
I know that there are certain models out there that supposedly reach into your neighbor’s wifi and stuff, and who knows, but that seems a little extreme…at least most TVs nowadays can be rendered non-networked and then you can use them the other way.
Only if you connect them to the Internet. I’ve got an LG TV and I have never connected it to a network. But yeah, most of the Roku style TV’s are like that from what I can tell. They offer streaming services natively to entice people to connect them. TBH Samsung has been doing this for like decades.
Until they add their own mobile data connection so it transfers their analytics.
No need, just broadcast a local wifi signal and piggy back on your neighbors tv connection!
Time to break out the soldering station.
when did you get this, have a roku tv box and haven’t got this yet
I got it today. MAC address block your TV asap before it shoves this shit on you
That’s a lot of money for a little baby TV.
Well, i spent 30 seconds on google and found that. Shop around. The point is that monitors are essentially dumb tvs and solve the issue of manufacturers no longer selling dumb tvs as tvs.
Monitors tend to not have remotes.
HDMI CEC will let your other devices turn on the monitor and switch inputs as appropriate. You’ll need some kind of AVR to play audio. Plenty of low cost, highly capable solutions out there like the WIIM Amp that lets you use multiple sources such as your PC or a dedicated streaming set top box.
Shopping around doesn’t help.
Calling it a monitor massively increases the price tag, more or less independent of features. There is no acceptably priced 40" monitor. There’s a small number of “monitors” that even approach the bare minimum for a TV, and the cheapest they go is a grand. For still small TVs.
Yeah, computer monitors are manufactured to a different spec than television displays at the pixel level. This is usually called chroma subsampling.
Computer monitors typically are 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 which gives nice crisp and legible fonts. Anything less than 4:4:2 gives me a headache (also Windows…).
Television displays are usually 4:2:0. That’s fine for rendering large text that is visible across the room. But trying to edit a word document would be a terrible experience.
I believe they manufacture the television panels with fewer pixel address lines and that reduces the cost. Also, smart TVs sell ads and your usage patterns which are used to subsidize the cost of the tv.
That’s why computer monitors are so much more expensive than televisions.
There are plenty of cheap TVs that don’t do chroma subsampling. You can’t just ignore it, but you can absolutely get a 4K 40" TV that works perfectly fine as a monitor significantly cheaper than one branded a monitor. If you pay attention and use PC mode or game mode with all the processing turned off, you’re going to be fine. I do exactly that.
The price difference is way more about economies of scale allowing lower margins and the fact that they subsidize TVs with the bloat. Most people aren’t buying 40 inch monitors.
Can’t 360 noscope my movies without 120 FPS.
It’s also OLED
Those who want the link without the trackers
My man!
👍
This. I used a large-screen, dumb tv as a computer monitor for streaming for several years. My kid got his first real job and bought us a smart TV. It is so much worse…
Smart TVs are only bad if you do the dumb thing of connecting them to the internet.
I miss Dumb TVs, and Sceptre quality is too hit or miss to rely on them.
