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Digital TVs are driven by software and don't really have a "dumb" mode. You only get the options that the software permits you. In at least one case I've seen,
by djur 5y ago
Digital TVs are driven by software and don't really have a "dumb" mode. You only get the options that the software permits you. In at least one case I've seen, the TV remote doesn't work if you don't connect the TV to the Internet and activate it, so you can't select inputs.
I actually bought a Vizio TV years ago on the basis that it was sold with extremely unobtrusive software -- it had Chromecast support and a configuration/remote app you could put on your phone, but otherwise it did what you told it to do and stayed out of your way. They actually released a firmware upgrade six months or so later that added a crappy smart TV interface that has gotten increasingly crappy and intrusive over the years. It was infuriating. I had no way to opt out.
- wombat-man 5y agoThat's wild, I have my vizio completely disconnected from the internet and mostly use chromecast/ps4/pc devices that are connected to it. I guess I'm willing to try smart tv features but the vizio kept getting into broken blank screen states. it works perfectly fine as a dumb device though.
- asdff 5y agoThese are the perils of giving your TV network access. I have a smart TV but you couldn't tell. I use the power button, input, left and right to select the source, and volume, and that's it. And as far as those functions are concerned, this TV is functioning identically to one from 15 years ago. Yes the remote has a button that says 'netflix' on it, but I don't lose sleep over it.