6 ms·

I refuse to replace my dumb TV until it dies.

jachee 5y ago
Saaaame. And when/if I do, it’ll be with something else with zero network connectivity.
andrew_ 5y ago
looked into dumb tvs last year. wanted to get one, but the specs are nowhere near the smart tvs. what we need is replaceable firmware.
- toastal 5y ago
  It's the same with smart phones and laptops too. The first feature that seems to have 'worse' specs too is the screen (terrible color gamut and accuracy, only 1080, IPS instead of one of the OLED varieties).
- HideousKojima 5y ago
  Or a drop in replacement board to drive the display
ourmandave 5y ago
Can't you just disable the internet connection on a Smart TV? My current monitor is a 4K TCL Roku TV, but it's only connection is an HDMI cable to the PCs video card.
- 88913527 5y ago
  Probably, but there's a caveat they reset the settings anytime. Here, it's been discussed that they'll eagerly connect to unsecure wifi: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25275350 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25275350
  - Macha 5y ago
    I think that statement needs the caveat that that thread discussed with the conclusion that it's a myth (which as far as I can tell originated on HN), and that there was one single post on Samsung support about a TV connecting to a neighbour's WiFi, which unless someone can reproduce I think we have to assume was their kids or guests doing at this point.
  - op00to 5y ago
    “Been discussed” and refuted.
StillBored 5y ago
Just don't connect it to an internet connection. Although, I might add don't buy one that requires you to connect it on first use (I returned a roku a couple years ago because of this BS, since at the time I just wanted to use it to add netflix to my older TV, and it insisted I add a credit card before allowing anything else). If you've already gone down this path, just block it on your wifi hotspot/etc. I've got a pile of ways I block things, from wifi blocking, nameserver blocking, to full blown firewall rules blocking IP ranges. Solves untold grief too, no longer do my windows machines update on their schedule, they don't report usage metrics to MS/etc. Same with my LG tv, it doesn't get to talk to LG services except when I allow it (which is rarely). It just has some generic LG backsplash on the left hand side where it has in the past wanted to display ad's (although they backed off it at one point, but by then it was too late and lost its privileges.
- IG_Semmelweiss 5y ago
  Is there a simple guide to do all the WiFi blocking of MS / roku on router, that you can point to?
- slackfan 5y ago
  There are a significant amount of TVs that won't let you do TV things until you give 'em a network connection.
  - timbit42 5y ago
    Return them.
    - slackfan 5y ago
      Good luck finding one that doesn't do this.
- nullc 5y ago
  > Just don't connect it to an internet connection. Some will hop on any open wifi they can reach-- better hope no one spins up a open hotspot within range.

Saaaame. And when/if I do, it’ll be with something else with zero network connectivity.

looked into dumb tvs last year. wanted to get one, but the specs are nowhere near the smart tvs. what we need is replaceable firmware.

toastal 5y ago
It's the same with smart phones and laptops too. The first feature that seems to have 'worse' specs too is the screen (terrible color gamut and accuracy, only 1080, IPS instead of one of the OLED varieties).
HideousKojima 5y ago
Or a drop in replacement board to drive the display

ourmandave 5y ago

Can't you just disable the internet connection on a Smart TV? My current monitor is a 4K TCL Roku TV, but it's only connection is an HDMI cable to the PCs video card.

88913527 5y ago
Probably, but there's a caveat they reset the settings anytime. Here, it's been discussed that they'll eagerly connect to unsecure wifi: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25275350 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25275350
- Macha 5y ago
  I think that statement needs the caveat that that thread discussed with the conclusion that it's a myth (which as far as I can tell originated on HN), and that there was one single post on Samsung support about a TV connecting to a neighbour's WiFi, which unless someone can reproduce I think we have to assume was their kids or guests doing at this point.
- op00to 5y ago
  “Been discussed” and refuted.

StillBored 5y ago

Just don't connect it to an internet connection. Although, I might add don't buy one that requires you to connect it on first use (I returned a roku a couple years ago because of this BS, since at the time I just wanted to use it to add netflix to my older TV, and it insisted I add a credit card before allowing anything else). If you've already gone down this path, just block it on your wifi hotspot/etc. I've got a pile of ways I block things, from wifi blocking, nameserver blocking, to full blown firewall rules blocking IP ranges. Solves untold grief too, no longer do my windows machines update on their schedule, they don't report usage metrics to MS/etc. Same with my LG tv, it doesn't get to talk to LG services except when I allow it (which is rarely). It just has some generic LG backsplash on the left hand side where it has in the past wanted to display ad's (although they backed off it at one point, but by then it was too late and lost its privileges.

IG_Semmelweiss 5y ago
Is there a simple guide to do all the WiFi blocking of MS / roku on router, that you can point to?
slackfan 5y ago
There are a significant amount of TVs that won't let you do TV things until you give 'em a network connection.
- timbit42 5y ago
  Return them.
  - slackfan 5y ago
    Good luck finding one that doesn't do this.
nullc 5y ago
> Just don't connect it to an internet connection. Some will hop on any open wifi they can reach-- better hope no one spins up a open hotspot within range.