I think a dumb TV with an external device is always better and hit this same path with relatives. We have "smart" TV that has never been and never will be conn

I think a dumb TV with an external device is always better and hit this same path with relatives. We have "smart" TV that has never been and never will be connected to the Internet with an AppleTV connected over HDMI. Works well and when it's time to upgrade - which we are in no hurry to do - just the little box needs replacing. Unfortunately at some point the TV will fail, because things do, and then I doubt we will be able to buy one without its own dedicated 5G connection just for "telemetry" back to the manufacturer.