Ars Technica
The Ars Technica guide to “dumb” TVs
Sick of smart TVs? Here are your best options.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/12/the-ars-technica-guide-to-dumb-tvs/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Dec 12 at 12:32pmArsBot 🤖
Show threadvicashDec 12
@arstechnica got myself one of these that can connect to a Roku
Show threadRay McCarthyDec 12

@arstechnica
Just don't connect Ethernet, nor enter the WiFi password.

The only "Dumb" screens sold here are monitors/

Show threadZimmieDec 12
@raymaccarthy @arstechnica Android TV has become a relatively popular OS for TV manufacturers to include. It generally doesn’t let you do anything until you give it Internet access *and* log in with a Google account.
Show threadRay McCarthyDec 12

@bob_zim @arstechnica
The TV channels work and input selection work on Android TV with no network. Unless they changed it.

If connected it will try to report channels watched and if supported on an HDMI device, the info of DVD or BD being watched. Often to many destinations.

Use laptop / phone / tablet for internet content. Casting can be blocked by the app on a phone or tablet, so Linux / Windows / Mac with real HDMI cable is best. They used to put HDMI ports on Android phones & tablets.

Show threadZimmieDec 12
@raymaccarthy @arstechnica I’ve heard of Android TV units which don’t require logging in, but I’ve never actually seen one with my own eyes. Every single one I’ve personally tried (including several TVs and several projectors) is a paperweight until you have given it Internet access and logged in.
Show threadRay McCarthyDec 12

@bob_zim @arstechnica
That must be a new change and surely illegal in many countries.

I've never seen or heard of that. Our Android TV & projector have never been connected or logged in. I didn't even realise the projector was Android based at first till I discovered a built in wordprocessor and file browser!

Show threadBillDec 13

@bob_zim @raymaccarthy @arstechnica

I bought a Fire TV for the camper. I had to connect for setup, but it has been disconnected for the past two summers with no complaints.

Show threadTall SimonDec 12

@arstechnica "Hotel" or "hospitality" televisions are another way to go, also "signage". They are usually a bit more expensive, but not wildly so, and dumb enough.

Smart TV's that don't get connected is one way to go, as long as they don't end up nagging you or trying to work around your blocks.

Show threadMattDec 12

@arstechnica

Westinghouse licenses its trademarks, so quality varies greatly depending on which licensee makes the product. Similar case with old-school American brands like RCA that exist in name only when it comes to consumer products

Show threadekariDec 12

@arstechnica

"Smart" equals do not buy.

...come to think of it, most everything nowadays equals do not buy 

Show threadOnno (VK6FLAB)Dec 12
@arstechnica not sure what the issue is. Remove the internet from the "smart TV" and you have a dumb one.
Show threadjamesb (MW1CGG)Dec 12
@vk6flab
Yeah. So dumb it won't even work without you creating an online account. Not even the HDMI inputs.
@arstechnica
Show threadOnno (VK6FLAB)Dec 12
@jamesb @arstechnica I'd be getting a full refund under the "not fit for purpose" heading.
Show threadjamesb (MW1CGG)Dec 12
@vk6flab @arstechnica I'd love to see how that goes but I'd expect it to be thrown out because modern technology and expectations.
Show threadKevin Boyd (he/him) 🇨🇦Dec 12
@vk6flab @arstechnica I suppose that depends on what they ship as stock software: their attitude to date suggests that they would have no qualms shipping them with pre-installed ads that don't require internet & can't be bypassed.
Show threadOnno (VK6FLAB)Dec 12
@kboyd @arstechnica that would likely deminish their return on investment, not that they couldn't keep nagging you for internet connectivity.
Show threadcalvin 🛋️ Dec 12
@vk6flab @arstechnica Even operating offline, the firmware of the "smart" part of the TV still has to boot up and switch inputs, doesn't it? I'm only speculating, but I imagine that a purpose built "dumb" TV would turn on and connects to input faster, right?
Show threadOrca 🌻 | 🎀 | 🪁 | 🏴🏳️‍⚧️Dec 12
@vk6flab @arstechnica
I used to think so, then I encountered one smart TV.
It has one set of ads embedded into the system and would show that if it's not connected to Internet.
So, yes. You have a dumb one, that dumbly keeps showing you one set of ads as if this company has constantly bought ad space here for 3-5 years.
Show threadCarnildoDec 12
@arstechnica My solution was an old computer with a tuner card running Linux. It's exactly as smart as I want it to be.
Show thread🍀March Mastodoness🍀Dec 12

@arstechnica
I've considered the ones below:

Spectre 65-75" 4K UHD HDR TV

Samsung 65-Inch BET-H Series Crystal UHD 4K Pro TV

https://www.samsung.com/us/business/tvs/hospitality/premium/nt678u-series-65-hg65nt678ufxza/

https://www.samsung.com/us/business/tvs/healthcare/standard/hcu7030-series-65-crystal-hospital-tv-hg65cu703nfxza/

https://www.samsung.com/us/business/tvs/hospitality/standard/hcu700-series-75-hg75cu700nfxza/#specs

Samsung HG65NT670UF 65-inch UHD 4K Hospitality TV Commercial TV

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/samsung-hg65nt670uf-65-inch-uhd-4k-hospitality-tv-led-3840-x-2160-hdr-motion-rate-120-mega-contrast-purcolor-samsu/J3ZYGCT8PX

https://www.ebay.com/itm/186727024157

https://www.techforless.com/products/Samsung/Commercial_TVs/HG65NT670UF.html

65" NT678U Series 4K UHD Hospitality TV HG65NT678UFXZA | Samsung Business US

Learn more about the 65 in. NT678U Series Hospitality TV (HG65NT678UFXZA), featuring 4K UHD resolution to impress guests plus direct-lit LED technology for an affordable solution.

Samsung Electronics America
Show threadmudalaDec 12
@arstechnica
Wow, that’s an impressively thorough article. Thanks for that.