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Technically correct and actually wrong :-). TVs do need software beyond the minimum to support the price asked. TVs are a cut throat, low margin, business. And

Technically correct and actually wrong :-). TVs do need software beyond the minimum to support the price asked. TVs are a cut throat, low margin, business. And the only way to eek out a bit more margin is to have some "feature" that makes your offering marginally better than your competitor's offering. That margin can be the difference between a going concern and going out of business. So from the manufacturer's perspective they do "need" that extra software. Until someone establishes the 'spyware free, dumb tv" market that will continue to be the case I'm afraid.

oriolid 3y ago
> Until someone establishes the 'spyware free, dumb tv" market that will continue to be the case I'm afraid. Well, there is Sceptre. Unfortunately they don't seem to be available outside US.
- alamortsubite 3y ago
  Insignia also makes spyware-free dumb tvs. They're Best Buy's in-house brand, which means you can at least get them in all of N.A. (maybe the same for Sceptre, I don't know). The last time I checked, they only had models up to 43". Probably meets the demands of the kiosk-mode market.
- JoshTriplett 3y ago
  They also don't sell OLEDs.
8ytecoder 3y ago
As a counterpoint, I buy Sony TVs exclusively because they do a much better job of tuning the panel. They don't even make the panel. Sony just slaps Android on it. I'm definitely not the only one there. Sony has been known for their color accuracy for a long time now. (Sony TVs even have a pretty decent user accessible API)
- frankgrimesjr 3y ago
  > (Sony TVs even have a pretty decent user accessible API) Do you have a link where I can find out more about this? Google is failing me.
  - 8ytecoder 3y ago
    The API is the same as what they have for the "professional displays". You can set a key on the TV and then use that to authenticate. https://pro-bravia.sony.net/develop/integrate/rest-api/spec/ https://pro-bravia.sony.net/develop/integrate/rest-api/spec/

oriolid 3y ago

> Until someone establishes the 'spyware free, dumb tv" market that will continue to be the case I'm afraid. Well, there is Sceptre. Unfortunately they don't seem to be available outside US.

alamortsubite 3y ago
Insignia also makes spyware-free dumb tvs. They're Best Buy's in-house brand, which means you can at least get them in all of N.A. (maybe the same for Sceptre, I don't know). The last time I checked, they only had models up to 43". Probably meets the demands of the kiosk-mode market.
JoshTriplett 3y ago
They also don't sell OLEDs.

8ytecoder 3y ago

As a counterpoint, I buy Sony TVs exclusively because they do a much better job of tuning the panel. They don't even make the panel. Sony just slaps Android on it. I'm definitely not the only one there. Sony has been known for their color accuracy for a long time now. (Sony TVs even have a pretty decent user accessible API)

frankgrimesjr 3y ago
> (Sony TVs even have a pretty decent user accessible API) Do you have a link where I can find out more about this? Google is failing me.
- 8ytecoder 3y ago
  The API is the same as what they have for the "professional displays". You can set a key on the TV and then use that to authenticate. https://pro-bravia.sony.net/develop/integrate/rest-api/spec/ https://pro-bravia.sony.net/develop/integrate/rest-api/spec/