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Just bought a "smart" TV from Costco after careful research to insure that it could be configured to use as a "dumb" display. I will add my own "smarts" that I
by jqpabc123 2y ago
Just bought a "smart" TV from Costco after careful research to insure that it could be configured to use as a "dumb" display.
I will add my own "smarts" that I can control, thank you very much. The TV is not connected to the internet and has no way to ascertain the source of the info being displayed on it.
It's sad and kinda disgusting that you have to go to such lengths just to watch TV and video in private.
- notyourwork 2y agoNo problem, eventually tvs will come with SIM cards and cellular connectivity to phone home regardless of your choices.
- m463 2y agoYes, look at 5G and the iot stuff they're adding. It should be better, but I see it as dystopian search for miot or mmtc
- jqpabc123 2y agoThen they'll have to glue it shut to keep me from opening it and disconnecting the cellular antenna.
- 01HNNWZ0MV43FF 2y agoIt might refuse to work without a signal
- notyourwork 2y agoAgreed, some sort of activation required by phoning home. Makes me sad capitalism lead to this.
- jqpabc123 2y agoThen I will return it as defective. This is the sort of thing I researched before my recent purchase. The trick was to run the TV in "store" mode --- no internet connection required.
- dark__paladin 2y agoCan you recommend the model of TV you settled on? I have been looking for a TV that can be de-smarted for a while now. Also, are you considering KDE Plasma BigScreen?
- jqpabc123 2y agoA Costco-exclusive variant of the Hisense QD6N Series that uses Amazon's Fire TV OS. Run it in "store" mode and it is as dumb as a rock. I have it connected to a mini-PC where it serves as a large 4K HDMI display and nothing more. I use a Hauppauge USB tuner connected to the PC for viewing and recording over-the-air broadcasts and hard wired ethernet for streaming --- all fully under *my* control. The only reason for a "smart" TV is because it's nearly impossible to find any alternative at a similar price point.
- jqpabc123 2y agoOne additional note on this model, it needs to be configured to automatically select HDMI-1 on power up. Otherwise, it will display "No signal" until you select one of the 3 HDMI ports. With this minor adjustment, this cheap QLED TV quietly powers up in "store" mode without any connection and acts just like a "dumb" video display. No "activation" required and any "smarts" are out of sight and out of mind.
- e40 2y agoMind sharing the make and model and what you found in your research?
- jqpabc123 2y agoSee post below.