8 ms·

> I have about 400% more trust of Microsoft and Sony than I do of random smart tv manufacturers. It should be noted Sony's TVs are different than their game co

• e2le 7y ago
  I'm not sure creating a network without no internet access is going to be a long term solution. It's entirely likely that they will create future functionality in these devices to cycle through open networks and networks to which they have credentials for until they find one with internet access.
  • smileybarry 7y ago
    I guess you could then add some user-important content to the walled-off network, like a basic SMB share. Maybe it will avoid disconnecting from the user-set network if it has user content. But yes, this isn't a very stable solution.
    • Bnshsysjab 7y ago
      No vendor will use SMB to check for connectivity. They would check for relevant internet paths. Though I doubt the companies would be ballsy enough to connect to unsecured networks, if that breaches laws in a country that the tv is sold it may have legal ramifications for the company. Edit: then again my argument is based on logic and risk, not two factors marketing and sales teams consider very often..
  • Buttons840 7y ago
    HDMI will share its connection through the cable as well. So if you want to use a Chromecast or a BluRay player, etc, then your TV can get internet through that.
    • dwighttk 7y ago
      If you’re using a chromecast and also trying to keep your tv from phoning home what are you even doing? I mean I guess one fewer place having your info is good, but...
      • koolba 7y ago
        VLC supports casting to a local network Chromecast. It works fantastic.
        • generatorguy 7y ago
          And Plex!
          • input_sh 7y ago
            There's also Cast All The Things (catt)[0], which makes any of the hundreds of websites supported by youtube-dl[1] cast-able. [0] https://github.com/skorokithakis/catt/ https://github.com/skorokithakis/catt/ [1] https://ytdl-org.github.io/youtube-dl/supportedsites.html https://ytdl-org.github.io/youtube-dl/supportedsites.html
    • zeta0134 7y ago
      I hear this speculated a lot; is there any proof of this being done in the wild? Not trying to discredit, I think it's perfectly plausible, I'm just curious if any companies have been caught doing it
    • dreamcompiler 7y ago
      Apparently we now need HDMI condoms. Do such things exist?
  • mokus 7y ago
    I’d like to think that would be a CFAA violation, but I’m probably overly optimistic.
  • mcv 7y ago
    Wouldn't that be trying to circumvent security measures, and therefore very illegal in some jurisdictions?
    • perl4ever 7y ago
      One person's "security measure circumvention" is another person's "security measure".
• OrgNet 7y ago
  > It entirely depends on manufacturer but I've heard of some actually seeking out open networks for internet access if you don't configure their Wi-Fi. Some people reported an unconnected TV suddenly prompted to update because the neighbour's wifi was unsecured. If you can, I'd set up a specific SSID with no LAN or WAN access just in case. They probably will use 5G cellphone service eventually...
• denkmoon 7y ago
  Perhaps it is time to wrap our TVs and other consumer electronics in faraday tape. I can't wait until my microwave tells the manufacturer how often I'm reheating my pizza.
  • walrus01 7y ago
    I can see a future where it will be necessary to start opening up new consumer electronics and using small wire cutters, precision screwdrivers and needle nose pliers to physically rip out the Wi-Fi functionality.
    • Demiurge 7y ago
      Why would this be more likely to happen in the future? Is the future steampunk? Let’s try ripping WiFi chip off present day pcb and see what happens.
  • skocznymroczny 7y ago
    The more likely course of action is your microwave refusing to work without internet connection, so that it can verify the DRM on your pizza, make sure you are using only the approved, overpriced pizzas. Also, it will be sold to the public as "verifying that you are using the fresh and genuine product".
    • smileybarry 7y ago
      You joke, but we already have this type of mess with Keurig, Nespresso Vertuo and that Silicon Valley juicer whose name I forgot.
      • skocznymroczny 7y ago
        Juicero. I don't joke. I am a frequent reader of /r/shittykickstarters and it's a popular business model amongst these startup hardware products.
  • 2wrist 7y ago
• novok 7y ago
  Many cars are similar nowadays too, except with cell phone service. It's very aggravating. Even if you don't pay for the 'safety' features and never turn it on. It used to be only on star but now even toyotas have it.
  • tripzilch 7y ago
    Assuming you don't pay a monthly fee for that, this means that there's a SIM with a free cellular data subscription somewhere in your car? :)
• greggman2 7y ago
  My Sony Smart TV is crap and I will never buy another Sony TV. Yes it runs android. It's slow to respond to input. Sometimes when I'm guessing it needs to page out code it can take 5-30 seconds before u can actually use it. It's crashed in the middle of watching shows and I mean the TV is being used as a dumb tv with input from an external source and suddenly android reboots. It also covers the home screen with ads for shows/games/movies. If possible my next TV will just be a 60inch monitor
  • baroffoos 7y ago
    Our Samsung smart tv is super slow as well. It seems just smart tvs in general are awful.
  • propogandist 7y ago
    Have you tried installing pi-hole on your network? I recently did it and was stunned at the amount of phoning home from Roku, both telemetry and ads to serve. After blocking the calls home with PiHole my Roku's performance also improved considerably
  • philliphaydon 7y ago
    My Panasonic runs Firefox os. I use it for Netflix cos every android box I’ve tried is slow and laggy.
  • darkteflon 7y ago
    I own a Sony smart TV - it’s awful. Far and away the worst piece of consumer electronics I’ve ever owned. It’s ruined Sony for me as a brand. I always take the opportunity to tell people how much I hate it whenever the opportunity comes up.
    • kardos 7y ago
      Life imitates art: https://www.theonion.com/sony-releases-new-stupid-piece-of-shit-that-doesnt-fuck-1819594774 https://www.theonion.com/sony-releases-new-stupid-piece-of-s...
  • 7y ago
• Thorrez 7y ago
  >Even given all that, Sony TVs are probably still the tamest smart TVs out there. The article seems to say Vizio TVs are better for your privacy than other TVs. The article says Vizio TVs describe ARC in 100 words and people must select accept or decline. That page you linked to says >However, you can accept or decline Sony's Bravia privacy policy, as well as one for Samba TV, the ACR technology Sony uses. You have to scroll through the entire Bravia policy before you'll see the options for turning off various data-gathering features, including Sony Smart TV Services, Program Recommendations, Product Improvements, and Advertisements, as well as Samba TV. This sounds like a harder process. Vizio was the only company willing to have an employee be interviewed by The Washington Post. Samba didn't even reply to their emails.
  • sologoub 7y ago
    FTC Vizio settlement: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2017/02/vizio...
  • smileybarry 7y ago
    Vizio is doing those things because the FTC is making them. (See @sologoub's comment) Before that they didn't even ask or tell you about it.
    • Thorrez 7y ago
      I doubt they're doing the interview because the FTC made them.
      • smileybarry 7y ago
        I was referring to the disclosure, simple privacy policy, and option to decline. I'm fairly certain the interview is one of many PR moves to restore their reputation.