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This is precisely the reason I do not connect my TV to my home network. I use a AppleTV for streaming content. Once in a while I check the manufacturer's page,
by mataug 6y ago
This is precisely the reason I do not connect my TV to my home network. I use a AppleTV for streaming content.
Once in a while I check the manufacturer's page, and if there's a firmware update, I factory reset my TV to remove any cached info about my usage, and then update the firmware via ethernet, and immediately remove it from the network.
A while ago I noticed that my old Insignia TV refused to use the pi-hole connected to my network, and it was constantly phoning home, that's when I decided that I'm never connecting a TV to the network. Thankfully I've been able to confirm that the Apple TV does not bypass my pi-hole, since it doesn't load anything when the pi-hole is down.
I know at some point I need to trust some entities with my data. I prefer choosing those entities to the best of my ability, rather than leaving that choice upto my TV manufacturer.
- seandoe 6y agoYea, I just use my tv like a monitor for a Linux box I have in the living room. I like the bluetooth keyboard with track pad a lot better than any remote clicker. We use vlc and a browser for all our video entertainment. It's nice to have all sorts of desktop apps as well... Spotify, transmission, etc.
- mataug 6y agoI tried that, but everyone besides me found the interface annoying to use, they preferred the Smart TV's slow and crappy UI over a computer desktop. So the AppleTV has been a nice compromise, plus support for various media formats such as Dolby Vision, and HDMI-CEC are really nice to have.
- divbzero 6y agoKeeping the TV disconnected from the network is a good idea, and using it as a dumb disconnected screen could mean that those firmware updates aren’t critical anyway.
- mataug 6y agoSometimes firmware updates fix bugs in the TV's OS, which can improve the user experience. https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnarcher/2018/02/14/lg-oled-tvs-receive-dolby-vision-bug-fix-or-at-least-some-do/?sh=52c59a933516 https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnarcher/2018/02/14/lg-oled-t... You're correct in general though, I'm not worried about security flaws on the TV.
- JustSomeNobody 6y agoNewer TVs will retain wifi settings after a reset. (Looking at you Samsung)
- mataug 6y agoI always suspected that some of the cheaper brands might upload my Wifi info to their servers. I expected Samsung to be a bit more honorable, I guess was wrong. Anyway I've been updating my new TV only via Ethernet.