4 ms·
We recently had to bin a beloved TV, and were looking for a "simple" 4k TV (i.e. not a smart TV) to replace it, and were surprised to find that they simply don'
by gen220 7y ago
We recently had to bin a beloved TV, and were looking for a "simple" 4k TV (i.e. not a smart TV) to replace it, and were surprised to find that they simply don't exist!
We ended up uncovering a 6 year old 1080p TV that was still in the box at Best Buy.
All in all, this problem might present an opportunity -- there might be new markets for these types of devices (dumb TVs, tractors, refrigerators, air conditioners, thermostats). Given them a modern UX, but eschew all of the creepy features of modern tech (always-on monitoring, open tcp/ip ports, impossible to repair).
In theory these high-quality, low-recurring-revenue products should be easier to build, and similarly easy to market ("we don't spy on you, we break in ways that are fixable"). And you can charge a premium, because you're offering the freedom of ownership (ironic, I know).
- Someone1234 7y agoJust don't hook the "smart TV" up to the internet. Then you have a dumb TV.
- stjohnswarts 7y agoExactly, it can't phone home so you essentially have lobotomized the smart part.
- lucb1e 7y agoYou still get the software crap. An old TV, power on was instant, you can switch to a different input at will. My current TV has a reasonably short boot time (but still a boot time) but then switching to HDMI input it says "smart features will be available shortly" until it fully booted. The remote is also awful, you get this crappy cursor (operated like a Wii) that isn't actually any easier than using the UI with arrow buttons, you can't turn it off, and it switches from buttons to this mouse type input when you move it too much. I hate it.
- thekyle 7y agoWhat happens when smart TVs start coming equipped with their own cellular connections for phoning home. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21900246 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21900246
- Markoff 7y agothey are still way slower because of software than regular dumb TV
- mushufasa 7y agowell, if you just don't network the 'smart TV,' you can still have a dumb tv while benefitting from the subsidized hardware.
- masonhensley 7y agoThe Sceptre TV's available at Walmart don't have smart features in them (yet). https://www.walmart.com/browse/electronics/sceptre-tvs/3944_1060825_1939756_5735890 https://www.walmart.com/browse/electronics/sceptre-tvs/3944_... - 65 inch (4k) - $350 - 55 inch (4k) - $240
- kageneko 7y agoI picked up a 41 inch Sceptre earlier this year and I loooove the lack of smart features. For watching TV in my office, it works amazingly well.