People who rant about how terrible it is that you can't buy a non-Smart TV any more.
You know you don't have to plug the TV into the Internet, right?
I've got two. One acts as a big monitor for my laptop. The other one has a media player box & games console connected.
You're allowed to use a heavily subsidised device in a different manner from which it was intended.
@falken
But if you buy a non-smart TV and don't connect it, they'll know that X% of their customers don't use smart features.
That's just as powerful a market signal.
(ITYM "Pray".)
@Edent that assumes they actually have a metric for that. Usually we only see cut down featuresets when a company wants to do market segmentation or there is an actual production cost for parts.
In the TV realm that would mean you cut off a continuous revenue stream for extending the life-time of a Device, why would you do that, when you could also offer a 3€/month subscription to get rid of ads and sell the same devices?
@Edent will do
Edit: Look, I know it sounds incredibly paranoid and tbh I would've thought it sounded crazy myself a few years ago as well ... and it probably is tbf. We're just at a point in time where pretty much any out there conspiratorial tin foil hat surveillance theory that would've been laughed at decades ago keeps being revealed to the public or found out in studies.
I'm at a point where I just wouldn't want a smart TV in my home, disconnected or not
But if I don't connect it to the internet, how is it going to update to the latest version of it's OS that protects me from attackers that come from the internet?
I also hate how it spies on me constantly, all I want from it is to learn my every preference and desire so it can suggest what show should I consume next.
And I need it connected to the wifi so I don't have to get up and plug a cable to show my guests the funny video of my private life that I shared publicly on my socials!
True, but there is the possibility they will automatically connect to any open wifi around you.
@FuckElon
I mean, sure. And maybe they have snuck in a SIM card and cellular radio, or perhaps a satellite phone, or sending psychic signals back to the manufacturer 🤔
If you're at that level of paranoia, wrap your TV in tinfoil.
(Also, where in the world are you that your neighbours have open WiFi?)
I mean, sure, it is not like we have a history of them doing sneaky things....🤔
https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen
(Also, where in the world are you that your neighbours have open WiFi?)
1.Many business have open wifi. Many people live close to those business.
2.Clueless people + semi-clueless people who support clueless people and are tired of the calls asking for the password.
3. People who proclaim privacy is not important because "I have nothing to hide". Aka clueless people.
@Edent yep. The only thing on my Hisense Tv is that every few weeks, I will see a message saying the inbuilt Netflix app can’t connect.
My hope is that TVs don’t get more aggressive with the popups if you choose not to put it online.
Good morning, I work in a facility that prohibits wifi devices. I have a Roku Ultra and and am looking to physically remove the wifi module, like you would in a TV. I'm pretty sure I have ID'd the module. My only concern is, that wifi direct is likely on the same module. If so, that would take a...
@Edent I’m actively looking for a non-smart TV at the moment. I’m well aware that I can leave a smart TV disconnected, but also that this may limit functionality, or in some cases have the TV actively complain. Knowing which TVs will support this is a challenge.
I think the frustration is more that I’m (along with many other people) willing to spend money on something that is not easily available (but does exist).
You are going to find people asking you recommendations for sets that don’t automatically log on to wifi networks, or brick themselves if they cannot get on Internet.
What To Know Dumb TVs prioritize privacy without internet connections, but can still be enhanced with smart features using streaming sticks. For up-to-date tech, devices like Roku or Amazon Firesticks provide the latest features, including
@Edent @film_girl
When I purchased my last tv three years ago the first thing I did was to disable internet access.
But what would prevent tv makers from requiring internet access (and display ads) as a condition for using the tv?
@Edent @film_girl
Well for one thing, TV makers might all go down the same path as printer makers, to the point where eventually there are few if any good options remaining.
All these manufacturers seem to have decided to sell TVs at or below cost and make their money via data collection and advertising.
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