I absolutely hate “smart” TVs! You can’t even buy a quality “dumb” panel anymore. I can’t convince the rest of my family and friends that the only things those smarts bring are built-in obsolescence, ads, and privacy issues.
I make it a point to NEVER connect my new 2022 LG C2 to the Internet, as any possible improvements from firmware updates will be overshadowed by garbage like ads in the UI, removal of existing features (warning: reddit link), privacy violations, possible attack vectors, non-existent security, and constant data breaches of the manufacturers that threaten to expose every bit of personal data that they suck up. Not to mention increased sluggishness after tons of unwanted “improvements” are stuffed into it over the years, as the chipset ages and can no longer cope.
I’d much rather spend a tenth of the price of my TV on a streaming box (Roku, Shield TV, etc.) and replace those after similar things happen to them in a few years. For example, the display of my OG 32-inch Sony Google TV from 2010 ($500) still works fine, but the OS has long been abandoned by both Sony and Google, and since 2015-16 even the basic things like YouTube and Chrome apps don’t work anymore. Thank goodness I can set the HDMI port as default start-up, so I don’t ever need to see the TV’s native UI, and a new Roku Streaming Stick ($45) does just fine on this 720p panel. Plus, I’m not locked into the Roku ecosystem. If they begin (continue?) enshitifying their products, there are tons of other options available at similar price.
Most people don’t replace their TVs every couple of years. Hell, my decade old 60-inch Sharp Aquos 1080p LCD TV that I bought for $2200 back in 2011 still works fine, and I only had to replace the streamer that’s been driving it twice during all this time. Sony Google TV Box -> Nvidia Shield TV 2015 -> Nvidia Shield TV 2019. I plan to keep it in my basement until it dies completely before replacing it. The Shield TV goes to the LG C2 so that I never have to see LG’s craptastic UI.
Sorry, just felt the need to vent. Would be very interested in reading community’s opinions on this topic.
I just run an HDMI from my computer…
Yes. IMO if you want a smart tv just connect your laptop or computer to it. I’ll never buy a “smart” tv
I think you might have AngrilyDoublePosted lol
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.
I just saw a link to this
https://github.com/MayaPosch/NymphCast
Perhaps your l8nux can cast as well?
I use a 32" 60Hz monitor That’s the way to go Level One Techs covered this due to those same reasons Wendel’s mom’s Smart TV ran out of storage for the OS Updates and some apps upgraded beyond working on the old OS It’s like cell phones So, I went with a large cheap monitor on sale and stream from my PC or Roku stick It’s basically built-in obsolescence
32" is pretty small for a living room TV. I’d wager most are at least 40 or more.
I finally looked in the settings and found I can set my roku tv to not start in the smart menu and it is immediately better for me.
You can’t find a decent quality standard TV? Why?
Have you tried in the past few years? They basically don’t exist anymore in the consumer space.
Yes I have and I can go to my local supermarket and get a conventional LCD with no “smart” function.
I won’t be buying a brand name most probably but I can buy a conventional LCD tv.
You can find fairly large computer monitors, and some monitors have built in speakers. That’s about the best you can do.
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 get a monitor. The only real difference between a monitor and a TV these says is the lack of a speaker, and “smart” stuff. But TV speakers suck anyways so you’d be better off using a soundbar regardless.
I haven’t seen >40" monitors at a reasonable price though compared to TVs
Edit: also, there’s usually not any audio output to an amplifier on monitors.
And big monitors come with TV software nowadays…
As I mentioned earlier, use a soundbar or dedicated speakers (most TV speakers suck anyways). Also, for a reasonably priced monitors, look for monitors marketed as “commercial displays” - they’re generally the same price or even cheaper than a similar spec’d TV.
As I mentioned earlier, use a soundbar or dedicated speakers (most TV speakers suck anyways).
Yes, but there is no audio output (as in a RCA, Optical etc., not built-in speaker) to get the audio from the monitor to the amplifier.
Depends on the monitor, my one has a 3.5mm jack to get analogue audio out of the HDMI input which I use to get audio from my Xbox to the rest of my setup.
None of the >40" monitors I’ve looked at today had any audio outputs. But finding one that isn’t an ultrawide format for gaming is probably the bigger issues it seems.
??? The output is provided by whatever box you’re connecting to the monitor - set-top box, Android TV, Apple TV etc.
Not true at all…e.g. Chromecast doesn’t have a dedicated audio output and neither does the apple TV, they only have HDMI output. Now the HDMI does also carry audio, but many amps and especially sound bars, do not have HDMI to pass through and rely on getting the audio signal from the TV/monitor if you’re using those devices.
There are plenty of HDMI switches or splitters out there that support audio extraction, just use one of them to sit between your monitor. Like this one: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00XJITK7E
Can you get monitors in 50 inch these days though? Then this would be my route as well once my current dumb TV dies
Yes, Viewsonic for instance is one company that makes them. Although, they’re typically advertised as a “commercial LED display” or something like that. Basically look for “display” instead of “TV”.
I dont know how anyone could put up with ads on their tv ui I actively avoid all platforms that force ads I quit playing xbox years ago when they started putting ads on the dashboard quit watching tv because of ads about 12 years ago. They need us more than we need them.
The only part about smart TVs I like is apps and Internet access so I can view things without having any external devices providing output.
All the ads, and other bullshit can fuck off. I just want a functional display, God damn it.
It’s all about supply and demand, and the customers have demanded smarter TVs. In this way capitalism drives innovation. Who knows, a couple years from now TVs will likely be twice or three times as smart as they are now!
Who knows, a couple years from now TVs will likely be twice or three times as smart as they are now!
Don’t scare me like that!
AI labeled TVs will slowly indoctrinate you into ideologies you would have scoffed at ten years ago. And you won’t even notice it.
Not to mention tracking your every move. “Drink a Pepsi to continue watching.”
I am using a Sony TV that is not connected to the Internet and i stream stuff using a PS4. TV does not complain. Does anyone know if PlayStation is analyzing the data the same way Samsung does for example? So far there is no adds in PlayStation.
Not anymore. The PS3 would tell everyone on the PSN what you were doing at the time, including running streaming apps. They put a stop to that, and improved the PSN ID privacy settings, on the PS4 and PS5.
If they can, they probably are.
Look at commercial TVs, those used by businesses. Some even come with a RPi slot.
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
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.
My smart refridgerator said you’re a lying sack of shit
Oh yeah I put my meat in your fridges mom
I know. Your smart fleshlight posted about it on Facebook
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.
Samsung commercial displays don’t have any smart features, I think.
They don’t come with a stand.
https://www.samsung.com/us/business/displays/4k-uhd/qe-series/qet-series-43-lh43qetelgcxza/
I’d much rather have a VESA mount than a stand. VESA stands are easy to find and cheap, and if you want to wall mount or get a fancier stand that is an option.
The specs on those QET models don’t look great. 300 nits max brightness? That can’t be right. Aren’t they designed to be in brightly lit areas like inside stores?
