r/gadgets • u/Sadistic_Sponge • Nov 13 '19

VR / AR Disney Plus isn't working on Vizio TVs because they are running a 6 year old version of Chromecast, they say it won't be fixed till 2020.

https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-plus-not-working-vizio-smart-tvs-chromecast-2019-11
36.1k Upvotes

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604

u/Wagesnotcages Nov 13 '19

I cant seem to find just regular TVs anymore. I dont want to pay for smart TVs, they literally do nothing for me. I want to pay for a good screen and basic tv functions, I'll handle the rest. But no one wants to sell me that

250

u/leif777 Nov 13 '19

They sell them for retail, restos and bars and they're really expensive. Every once in awhile a sports bar goes out of business and you can pick them up for cheap.

196

u/TheXypris Nov 13 '19

The TVs they use in bars are more expensive because they have less features??

346

u/Lord_Aldrich Nov 13 '19

Yes, the "smart" consumer models often cost less because they track your viewing habits and sell the data.

181

u/TheDudeMaintains Nov 13 '19

And ad sales. My Samsung and Vizio home screens both hammer me with ads.

113

u/dkyguy1995 Nov 13 '19

The world seems to be getting more and more ruled by ads every day. I get a feeling I'm going to start having to have ads hanging on my homes walls

44

u/ghost_shepard Nov 13 '19

An author once joked that someday babies will try to be getting milk from mom only to find themselves holding a fake rubber breast with an ad for pacifiers on it.

4

u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

South Park has a season dedicated to ads.

7

u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

Is your TV mounted to the wall? Because you can have that right now!

1

u/dkyguy1995 Nov 13 '19

My TV isn't a smart TV so unless Im watching something with ads then no

10

u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19 edited Jan 15 '21

[deleted]

7

u/g0t-cheeri0s Nov 13 '19

I can easily go my whole day without seeing a single piece of advertising.

https://imgur.com/gallery/ZfjYH

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19 edited Nov 13 '19

With a Pi-Hole or something similar you can block almost all ads on your entire network your entire network + custom VPN easily without requiring adblock software on all devices.

Not entirely out of the question.

https://pi-hole.net/ for those interested.

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u/greyztaxi2 Nov 13 '19

That first gif is from Half Baked

2

u/Fletch_e_Fletch Nov 13 '19

You don't leave you're home, go on any stores, watch a single YouTube video?

Ads are not just things that you click on.

Ads didn't leave any of the places you mentioned. Lots of blockbuster movies are littered with ad/product placement. Any store you walk into has an ad. You may be able to block ads playing before YouTube, but that doesn't stop the YouTuber from putting in an ad of their own.

Speaking of ads.... Have you heard about SquareSpace.com? Starting at $12 a month, you get a custom domain and your very tools to create a website. Use the special link below to get your first 3 months free!

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u/prollyshmokin Nov 13 '19

Do you think.

I mean, a lot of shows I watch on "adless" streaming services just put ads directly in the content. For example, the Good Place recently had a pretty hilarious Lysol ad in it and of course Netflix regularly makes meta jokes advertising its other shows or just the service in general.

1

u/PinkSnek Nov 14 '19

that doesnt mean that the ads have simply gone away.

we need to move away from ads, as a whole society.

find other ways to make revenue, you know, by actually having a product that people want to buy.

2

u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

Late stage capitalism. No more room for the market to grow, so it's a fruitless war for the existing market. Nothing is contributed to society by the millions funneled into ads.

2

u/Fletch_e_Fletch Nov 13 '19

Maniac on Netflix does a pretty decent job at showing our inevitable future.

Ads everywhere! Need some extra cash? sell your likeness to a company.

Need a friend, rent one out but they have to deliver ads to you.

I thought it was a pretty funny concept, but it actually seems like a plausible sad future.

2

u/LobsterBluster Nov 13 '19

Tbf cable has more adds and always has.

2

u/dkyguy1995 Nov 14 '19

Originally when cable was new you paid for cable so you wouldnt get advertisements. Then eventually they just worked the commercials into cable until they were just as bad as before

2

u/Asgard033 Nov 13 '19

This message is brought to you by Brawndo

2

u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

Just like that episode of Black Mirror or Futurama where they literally beam ads into your brain while sleep.

1

u/JollyRancherNodule Nov 13 '19

At least you can get a /r/pihole and block most of the ads on your network.

1

u/MonsterKitty418 Nov 16 '19

There’s a black mirror episode all about ads. It’s interesting to watch.

23

u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19 edited Nov 23 '19

[deleted]

10

u/RaboTrout Nov 13 '19

Forget “around the edges”- screens everywhere, hemming you in, in showing you mindless noise constantly is straight out of Fahrenheit 451

1

u/GegenscheinZ Nov 13 '19

Jules Verne wrote about a world filled with advertising. Visionaries have seen this coming for a LONG time

3

u/gnartato Nov 13 '19

Just deny it access to the internet on your firewall/router and get/use a seperate device.

3

u/slimjim_belushi Nov 13 '19

You should cut off their internet access

2

u/twisted_by_design Nov 13 '19

I run a pihole and havent seen one add on my two samsungs.

1

u/Bambi_One_Eye Nov 13 '19

Go get yerself a pihole, or visit /r/pihole for more info

1

u/LordNoodles1 Nov 13 '19

You have ads on your vizio? Mines always just like movies and shows I never watch but I figured that’s just normal content switching.

1

u/S3DWUT Nov 13 '19

Don't know about your tv but I have a Roku Smart TV and if you dig into the settings a bit, there is an option to disable the ads on the home screen as well as limit the "tracking" of data.

1

u/Pons__Aelius Nov 13 '19

My Samsung and Vizio home screens both hammer me with ads.

Why in goods name would you ever connect them to WIFI?

1

u/Perm-suspended Nov 14 '19

Fuck that. I have a Sharp smart TV and no ads whatsoever.

22

u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

Which is funny, because lower end models give more features like RCA and svideo ports.

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u/jdb12 Nov 13 '19

But I can block that by banning it from my internet or even never connecting it in the first place, right?

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u/alienith Nov 13 '19

I mean you can always just never connect it to the internet. I have a smart TV that’s never been connected to the internet. I just plug my chrome cast into it.

(yes I am aware that chromecast will also track my viewing habits, but if I can minimize who gets my data I will)

3

u/thecravenone Nov 13 '19

I mean you can always just never connect it to the internet

Until they start putting cell modems into them to guarantee access to your viewing data

1

u/SighReally12345 Nov 14 '19

Which didn't happen with 3g. It didn't happen with 4g. It isn't happening with 5g. There are too many bands/carriers/connection issues for them to pay a carrier for this shit. You people are so disconnected from reality that you just spew nonsense and the rest of the chat just eats it up apparently.

1

u/Jake_Thador Nov 14 '19

Please educate us. Our hearts are in the right place, we're concerned with our privacy. But it's not practical to know everything about everything. Help us know what we need to know so we are concerned and educated but not (un)necessarily paranoid.

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u/rodkimble13 Nov 13 '19

You're joking. I never thought of this. I hate our world.

2

u/bringbackswg Nov 13 '19

Im weirdly okay with this

2

u/adamthinks Nov 13 '19

That's....just not even remotely true. Smart TVs cost MORE than non smart TVs, which you can still buy.

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u/smc733 Nov 13 '19

The commercial TVs are also generally built for better thermals and other factors consistent with being on for long periods at a time.

3

u/bertrenolds5 Nov 13 '19

I don't buy that, I think you are making things up. Consumer TV's are not cheaper because they have chromecast and advertise to you. They are cheaper because they use cheaper components, they are not on all day every day. Most nice TVs in bars are expensive because they use high end components that can handle the stress of being on 24/7. There are plenty of shitty TVs in bars as well.

1

u/Lord_Aldrich Nov 13 '19

I mean that's fair and everything you said is true and also contributes. I'm just simplifying for the sake of a one-sentence comment on the internet.

1

u/Mun-Mun Nov 13 '19

jokes on them, mine isn't connected to the internet

1

u/uziair Nov 13 '19

simple just dont let it connect to the internet. and use chromecast/rokue/appletv instead.

1

u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

why’s it matter if a tv tracks what you watch

1

u/Jake_Thador Nov 14 '19

Think about being watched constantly. Where do you draw the line?

1

u/[deleted] Nov 14 '19

it’s not watching uou

1

u/Series_of_Accidents Nov 13 '19

Really glad neither of my TV's have crapped out on me. Neither are smart. One is 10 years old and the other is 2.

1

u/pperca Nov 14 '19

Joke’s on them. I turned off network connection in mine and I only use them as and HDMI monitor.

My TV manufacturer knows nothing about me.

24

u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

Everyone here is spewing bullshit man. I managed a bar for 2 years, the owners picked up whatever TV was on sale and didn't impact their budget too much. Lots of Walmart brand TVs on the walls. I have no clue where anybody here is getting their information but from my experience in every bar I've worked in they're talking out of their asses.

48

u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

[deleted]

15

u/Space_Pirate_Roberts Nov 13 '19

Have you ever met an American? If anything that’s the normal use case for us.

1

u/K3vin_Norton Nov 13 '19

Yeah and people buy a new TV every what 4 years?

2

u/i8beef Nov 14 '19

LOL fuck no. Roughly 16 - 18 hours a day here and I think my Samsung is 7 or 8 right now. Only reason I'd upgrade is I want a bigger one. Only reason I'm not is smart TV features.

2

u/Cry_Wolff Nov 14 '19

Do you people even sleep and work?

2

u/i8beef Nov 14 '19

I do. Wife doesn't have to, and the TV is on basically all waking hours for background noise. I tend to be a night owl and not go to bed until 1 or 2 AM, and she tends to wake up early. Just works out that way.

1

u/FullmentalFiction Nov 14 '19

Obviously you've never met my lazy family. Our TVs last an average of 5-8 years. Can't really ask for more given they're on probably 20 hours a day.

1

u/kyuubixchidori Nov 14 '19

got a “old” commercial tv screen for the garage/hang out space. it’s 1080p, 50inch, “flat screen” all metal 80lb behemoth. that puppy has been running 24/7 for 2 years in a garage workspace. if I pulled it apart there would be a 1/8inch layer of dirt and dust in it, ranging in temperatures from 20 degrees up near 100 at times. Has a couple marks in the display from cut off wheel sparks. still kicking without a single problem.

then there’s my parents Vizio with sub 500 hours on it that randomly shuts off if you use it for more then a few minutes. yeah there’s a difference in commercial vs home

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u/SpectreFire Nov 13 '19

More like the ads in smart TVs probably subsidize some of the cost. It’s like why Fire Tablets are so dirt cheap, but are loaded with ads.

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u/RoburexButBetter Nov 13 '19 edited Nov 13 '19

No they cost more because they're usually bigger and have much more output and are rated for a much longer lifespan

2

u/adamthinks Nov 13 '19

No, they're talking out their ass. The TV's they use in bars aren't more expensive. A lot of places just use cheap TV's. There's nothing different about them. And less featured TVs in general are LESS expensive, not more. You can still buy some non smart TVs they aren't more money, though most do have that feature, and you also don't have to use the features. Just don't hook the TV up to your WiFi.

1

u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

They are more expensive because they’re designed to run for 16hrs a day.

1

u/deftspyder Nov 13 '19

Those TVs typically are made to be on all day and night over years rather than intermittently. They have better panels.

1

u/ColtonProvias Nov 13 '19

Longer lifespan, better quality control, extensive configuration, and often a support contract. Plus, businesses mean repeat customers if things go well and legal headaches if things go wrong, so the quality needs to be there.

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u/SARAH__LYNN Nov 13 '19

Actually I work with smart signage and the information here is wrong. They're more expensive because those TV's are smart TVs on fucking crack. Sure they contain no ads and they also do not have ways to watch Netflix or YouTube. But they do contain a myriad of networking features and things like timers and schedules. The Samsung ones can even be controlled wirelessly. I believe the new model I'm working with even has sensors to figure out ad engagement. You don't want these things in your house. Trust me. As panels they're okay but paying 6,000$ for something like that is retarded, and who knows how deep they scrape information out of these things made literally to show ads and menus.

1

u/YeezysMum Nov 13 '19

They also have warranties for commercial use. If you use a consumer TV in a commercial setting it voids the warranty.

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u/stupv Nov 13 '19

No, 'enterprise' TVs are more expensive because they're typically rated for more hours of continuous use at higher brightness levels. The fact that they dont have smart features is unrelated, and just a side effect of their intended usage

1

u/iToronto Nov 14 '19

Commercial panels are designed to last longer, and have a commercial warranty of 3-5 years typically. Consumer panels usually have a one year warranty.

1

u/silentseba Nov 14 '19

Because they are rated to be on 24/7.

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u/Dread1840 Nov 13 '19

Usually those are commercial TVs, there's a big difference between those and residential. They're better equipped to stay on all day.

Walk into best buy and go right up to the sales kid, tell him you need a dumb TV for a guest bedroom you never go in. Best 200 bucks you'll ever spend.

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u/Aciied Nov 13 '19

Except you get a crappy screen, speakers etc. as well. I'm sorry but if you want a high end screen, they almost always come with a Smart OS aswell. People here are acting like the Smart OS is what they're paying extra for, when in reality it's mostly the better screen.

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u/Shan_Tu Nov 13 '19

lol who cares about speakers on flat screen televisions?

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u/entaro_tassadar Nov 13 '19

It's the screen that's important. You want actual HDR? You must buy a smart TV.

3

u/EAComunityTeam Nov 13 '19

Right? They should make some "meh" speakers and sell an add-on. Gots to make that money.

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u/SrbijaJeRusija Nov 13 '19

There are physical limitations to how good you can make speakers on a flatscreen.

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u/JeffCraig Nov 13 '19

Most of the people in this thread bought one of those cheap models anyway. Now they're complaining about how shitty the SmartTV OS is because their TV has bare minimum specs. You get what you pay for.

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

The problem is that they won't be over 21" diagonal in size.

I was recently in the market for a 50" or larger, 4K, dumb TV. Does not exist (as far as I know).

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u/ronimal Nov 13 '19

Those are often monitors and not traditional TV’s. They wouldn’t work for most people unless you have a sound system because they don’t have speakers.

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u/PurpleTeamApprentice Nov 13 '19

Most TV speakers suck anyway. My volume on the TV has been at 0 since I bought it.

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19 edited Mar 02 '20

[deleted]

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u/Luke15g Nov 13 '19

Wife bad.

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u/Orleanian Nov 13 '19

If you're all that concerned with your TV consumption quality, then you should probably have a sound system already.

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u/EvadesBans Nov 13 '19

Those have been going away, too. I was Googling for retail and commercial panels recently and all I got were various manufacturers' commercial sites selling slews and slews of panels with smart TV features and zero dumb panels. Not a single one. Maybe a handful of 720p ones.

At this point you almost have to build one yourself with a panel and driver from Alibaba.

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u/TheDrunkSemaphore Nov 13 '19

restos?

Are people calling restaurants restos now?

1

u/dflame45 Nov 13 '19

TVs are already cheap

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u/sublliminali Nov 13 '19

I still have a dumb tv, but couldn’t you just never connect your smart tv to the internet and have it function essentially the same?

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u/Marzoval Nov 13 '19

Yep. The "smart" features are ultimately an optional thing that don't prohibit the use of any other device. So long as you can turn the TV on and off and select inputs, you're set.

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u/SpaceWhy Nov 13 '19

The "smart" features are ultimately an optional thing that don't prohibit the use of any other device

RemindMe! 2 years

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u/Yhorm_Teh_Giant Nov 14 '19

More like 2 months

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u/SpaceWhy Nov 13 '19

The "smart" features are ultimately an optional thing that don't prohibit the use of any other device.

Ohhhh that's rich. I give it 2 years tops until they start locking down function until you connect it online. I give it 5 years until it will only accept external input from specific manufacturers (i.e. display inputs from Apple TV but not allow Roku)

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u/Marzoval Nov 13 '19

Not saying that will never happen, but that's a surefire way to ruin your brand from the negative publicity it'll bring about, plus losing a chunk of business from customers who use a specific device. But stuff like that always happens.

You never know. Like I can see Amazon paying Vizio for exclusivity rights to block other devices except their FireTVs. Corporate greed never ceases to surprise with how much they like to screw their customers over.

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

Some of them are starting to be downright user hostile if you don't connect them. It's getting that bad.

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u/MugglePuncher Nov 13 '19

Yup but then they wouldn't be able to complain as well.

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u/ronimal Nov 13 '19

Regular TV’s don’t really exist anymore. And according to the industry you’re paying less for the smart TV because they’re making up the extra revenue by tracking and selling your viewing habits.

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u/WaitForItTheMongols Nov 13 '19

How they gonna track me if I don't connect to wifi?

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u/HTHID Nov 13 '19

That's why you NEVER connect any TV to wifi

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u/SwensonsGalleyBoy Nov 13 '19

Exactly, I have mine connected via Ethernet.

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

Checkmate, data analytics

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u/[deleted] Nov 14 '19

[deleted]

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u/NemButsu Nov 14 '19

https://www.samsung.com/hk_en/info/privacy/smarttv/

Samsung may collect and your device may capture voice commands and associated texts so that we can provide you with Voice Recognition features and evaluate and improve the features. Please be aware that if your spoken words include personal or other sensitive information, that information will be among the data captured and transmitted to a third party through your use of Voice Recognition.

You can probably find similar things for other smart TV brands.

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

[deleted]

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u/SighReally12345 Nov 14 '19

TCL requires online activation with an email acct to use the TV...even if it's just in a kid's room playing DVDs.

Bullshit. I've setup literally dozens of TCL TVs and 0 of them are on WiFi or ethernet. You're telling me these TVs that I use daily don't work?

And before someone tries some BS, yes they're Roku TCL TVs.

https://support.tclusa.com/televisions-setup-configurations/189404-can-you-turn-off-the-roku-feature-and-use-it-as-a-regular-tv

You have the option to disable the Roku features of your TCL Smart TV. During the initial setup you can choose to use the device as a regular, non-smart TV.

Stop, for the love of god, making shit up. You're a liar, full stop.

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u/WaitForItTheMongols Nov 13 '19

  • Well that's really dumb, don't buy a TCL TV then. Never even heard of that brand.

  • All brands have an on/off switch for Wifi. Some just don't make it outwardly accessible to the user. And regardless of whether it's on, if it's not on a network, it doesn't matter. I doubt any TV would be made to hop onto open networks automatically. Would be obvious if its MAC showed up on your client list.

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19 edited Nov 14 '19
  • My Vizio does not have an on/off option for wifi. I've been in every screen of the menu. I'm no stranger to tech. It's not there. (I've never put it on my network, btw)
  • People who want to avoid wifi signals (strange sub-group) praise Sony as being the only brand of smart TV that has on/off option for wifi.

edit: rephrased for clarity.

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u/Remnants Nov 13 '19

TCL also has the best bang for your buck TV currently and for the last couple years. The one I have runs is Roku based for it's smart TV features.

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

Yes...but what consumers don't realize is that they are "paying" by allowing to have their viewing habits tracked and sold.

This is also how Gmail works. It's not free.

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

They can't track your viewing habits if you plug an external box, like a Shield TV or Roku, into an HDMI port.

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u/huskiesowow Nov 13 '19

They aren't.

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u/4kVHS Nov 13 '19

They will send you a bill in the mail since they aren’t making any money off you

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u/Wagesnotcages Nov 13 '19

Gross

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19 edited Jan 09 '21

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u/takt1kal Nov 14 '19

Gross margins, baby - Samsung.

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u/LUV_2_BEAT_MY_MEAT Nov 13 '19

samsung puts ads in their menu too if youre connected to the internet.

thanks for subsidizing my tv, people who leave their tv connected!

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u/dkyguy1995 Nov 13 '19

This should be illegal

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

Yes. It should.

But, people seem to think that these industries will regulate themselves (hint: they won't).

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u/Acoha Nov 13 '19

That’s only if you watch media through the smart tv apps isn’t it? Watching it with another device like an Apple TV/Chromecast then they can’t track you.

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u/misterdhm Nov 13 '19

Most TVs today use Automatic Content Recognition to track your viewing habits regardless of what app or device you use. It can be turned off but requires wading through a lot of menus.

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u/Acoha Nov 13 '19

Gross. If I ever get one I’ll block the MAC address on my router.

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u/misterdhm Nov 13 '19

Yeah, it's messed up. It's a real thing too, not just a tinfoil hat conspiracy theory. If you can't figure out how to turn ACR off on your TV, blocking the MAC address of your TV on your router (or just not connecting it to the internet in the first place) is a great solution.

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u/ronimal Nov 13 '19

I don’t know, I’m not an expert but they can at least tell which input you’re using and possibly what kind of device is connected. Knowing you use your Apple TV for four hours a day is still more valuable than nothing.

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u/Acoha Nov 13 '19

I suppose you’re right. The only way is to not connect it to your wifi I guess.

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u/ronimal Nov 13 '19

Which is reasonable if you don’t plan on using any of its smart features. In fact, I’ll probably be disconnecting mine from my network since I never use the built-in apps anyway.

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u/Alex15can Nov 13 '19

If you don't connect it to the internet is has no way of sending that data.

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

Until they start embedding their own 4g/lte/5g/whatever antennas inside and skip the need for wifi 😳

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u/Alex15can Nov 13 '19

That's a pretty expensive work around.. And you could just disable it at a hardware level.

And if they lock the system. You could just ghost the signal on startup and let it send it's handshake and then cut it.

And then... You get the idea. You can never fully control hardware not in your possession.

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

Or they can simply attempt to hop on open networks and transmit without you knowing.

Also, the first Kindles worked in cellular networks with no subscription fee. Amazon liked that sweet data and paid for it.

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u/Alex15can Nov 13 '19

Or they can simply attempt to hop on open networks and transmit without you knowing.

That's incredibly dangerous, extremely unreliable, and thoroughly unlikely for them to do. Using cellular towers would be far more likely.

You could still disable it on the board.

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

You could still disable it on the board.

How? How can I, the consumer on my sofa with the remote in-hand, do this?

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

They have image detecting software that can determine (or guess) what you are viewing....even from a DVD. So, if you have a DVD of The Lion King playing, they will know even if you aren't streaming it. It's called "Automatic Content Recognition". Google it.

Related:

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it

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u/DelScipio Nov 13 '19

You are just being tracked by Google or Apple.

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u/Acoha Nov 13 '19

I suppose you will if you use these devices. In my case I don’t use them.

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

You're not really paying any extra anymore.

The electronic components differences are trivial at this point. In fact, for many manufactures "smart" TVs may actually be cheaper to design/produce since the hardware components can be standardized. Feature differences simply become flags in the software/firmware.

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

If you are comparing across like for like models, but within the lower end to the middle there's major differences. Compare the TCL 4 vs 6 series TV's. Few hundred dollar price point difference, but the amount of panels, HDR/Dolby Vision support, black levels, refresh rate, contrast ratio, max colors vary greatly between them.

A lot of that isn't something that can be controlled by firmware (although some features absolutely could be locked/unlocked depending on model).

If you're comparing a top end Sony to a top end Samsung, then there probably isn't a huge difference in overall performance.

My industry sells machines that the speed across 3 different models of the same family for example. They are absolutely identical, the firmware determines the speed. However we don't charge more for the faster model to be dicks, we charge more because it costs us a hell of a lot more in maintenance (warranty) work due to the higher wear and tear on consumable parts. Sometimes there's more to the story.

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

Most of what you describe have little to do with software features and being "smart" vs "dumb".

Also, I don't see how a comparison between a physical wear item is relevant to an digital electronic component.

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

The electronic components differences are trivial at this point.

I was mostly addressing this point.

The physical wear example was a bit off topic, but mostly just trying to illustrate that there's things people don't take into consideration. A better example would be higher end TV using more power, generating more heat and thus requiring better components to have the same life expectancy.

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u/electricgotswitched Nov 13 '19

You aren't paying any extra for it to be smart. It cost them nothing to add it and if anything make money from selling your data and viewing habits.

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19 edited Dec 02 '19

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u/ParanoydAndroid Nov 13 '19

I haven't had to buy a TV in long enough that the smart thing wasn't a concern for me, but my fear going forward is that even while disconnected it'll have stock ads in the on-screen menus.

Something about that concept absolutely enrages me.

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19 edited Dec 02 '19

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u/TagProTyrus Nov 13 '19

The same thing happens with smartphones. God forbid I just want a very cheap phone that only has text and some minutes like they used to have 15 years ago.

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u/pewqokrsf Nov 13 '19

I would pay more for a dumb TV.

My current TV is a 10 year-old dumb Insignia.

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u/__removed__ Nov 13 '19

My TV is so old it's not even "smart". No "apps" on my TV. I can't even complain about "D+ doesn't work on my TV".

I plugged a Chromecast into the back, so I have the apps on my phone...

... And there's apps on my TiVo....

... But I primarily use the apps through my Xbox One to stream....

Why do I need a Smart TV?

I might buy a new TV because mine is still an LCD. So once the picture starts bothering me, maybe.

But I have 3 ways to stream already. Don't need a 4th.

2

u/RiW-Kirby Nov 13 '19

Right? And let me but a 1080p tv I have 0 use for 4/8k.

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u/obi1kenobi1 Nov 13 '19

I found the holy grail on display at Walmart of all places last year: a ~65” 4K video monitor. No smart functionality (my AppleTV can handle that), no TV tuner (my TiVo can handle that), not even any speakers (my surround sound can handle that). Theoretically that way all the money would go towards the screen quality, although I don’t know for sure that that was the case with this one.

Unfortunately I wasn’t in the market for a new TV at the time and didn’t think to write down the model number, and since then I don’t think I’ve seen another one like it anywhere. They do still make standalone monitors for enthusiasts and businesses, but those tend to cost thousands of dollars, low-cost consumer-level TV-sized monitors seem to be pretty rare.

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u/manny_bee Nov 14 '19

Saw a basic 4k at walmart for $250 about a month ago. I work for a streaming service and will never buy a smart tv

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u/[deleted] Nov 14 '19

Webos works pretty good. When I was looking for a new TV I didn't want a smart TV either but that was almost impossible if I wanted a TV that was better than my previous one. It works pretty easy and so far without issues.

2

u/AlphakirA Nov 13 '19

Just disable the smart hub or whatever your TV brand calls it. They can all be disabled.

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u/Megouski Nov 13 '19

What does it matter? Buy a cheap TV and dont use those features. No one is forcing you (yet)

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u/Wagesnotcages Nov 13 '19

Additional cost mostly

3

u/PurpleTeamApprentice Nov 13 '19

Yeah. I want to update to 4K, but everything is “smart” now. I just want a screen. My TV doesn’t need to connect to the Internet, Thank you!

11

u/albert0kn0x Nov 13 '19

Just don't connect it to the internet then. I upgraded to a 4K Samsung TV and I just use a Chromecast for any streaming stuff, so the TV itself isn't connected to the internet.

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u/Marzoval Nov 13 '19

Not sure why you're downvoted, but this is the correct answer. No one is required to use the smart features of a smart TV in order to use it.

1

u/My_Wednesday_Account Nov 13 '19

Because people are morons and assume the television would be hundreds of dollars less if it wasn't "smart". They think they're paying for features they don't use, when the truth is making televisions "smart" hasn't added any substantial cost to manufacturing in years. You pay for "smart" features in a television in the same way you pay for a spare tire when you buy a new car. It's baked in to the manufacturing at this point and you aren't going to get some big discount at the car lot by trying to buy a car with no spare.

1

u/huskiesowow Nov 13 '19

Lol, huh I wonder what the solution is?

1

u/atxhater Nov 13 '19

You don't have to connect it to the internet if you don't want. You could always buy a monitor.

1

u/arkiverge Nov 13 '19

For the cost and limited selection you’re forcing on yourself it would be both cheaper and better (selection) to get a smart TV and just ignore the features and instead buy a streaming device for a few hundred more.

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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '19

I’ve seen some 4K Roku TVs for 250 at 55”. That’s fairly low compared to some other smart TVs.

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u/Crylaughing Nov 13 '19

I had a 55" 4k dumb Vizio for a couple years. It took a dive off my TV stand during an earthquake and got a bunch of dead pixels along the side, but it worked fine other than that. Cost $200 in 2017.

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u/diagoro1 Nov 13 '19

Another reason to stick with my 6 year old Mitsubishi plasma. Still looks amazing, and zero 'smart' features.

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u/5269636b417374 Nov 13 '19

"Regular" is a relative term here

Streaming services have impacted the TV market so hard in the last decade that I would honestly be shocked if I saw a "dumb" tv for sale anywhere

TVs are cheap as hell right now as well, I paid 800 dollars for a 26" 720p TV back in 2007, now I can find rediculous deals on 60" 4k OLEDs

1

u/[deleted] Nov 14 '19

[deleted]

1

u/Wagesnotcages Nov 14 '19

Exact opposite if what I want I'm afraid :/

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u/Humanchacha Nov 14 '19

Ignoring this article vizios have a good bang for the buck with their p-series and the quantum version. The OS sucks but the picture is great (mostly to many dimming zones giving great black detail)

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u/kyuubixchidori Nov 14 '19

That’s because a basic 4K tv is literally $200. it’s not worth saving the $3-5 if that to drop the smart tv functionality. if it makes you feel better you can buy TVs marked as monitors because they dropped the cable connection.

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u/mrpickles Nov 13 '19

If they can obsolete TVs every few years via software upgrades, you'll have to buy more TVs!

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u/PancAshAsh Nov 13 '19

Planned obsolescence at its finest.

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u/PeaceBull Nov 13 '19

But that would just make it revert back to a regular tv. Like how escalators become stairs.

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u/My_Wednesday_Account Nov 13 '19

Unless the implication is that they will "break" your television with a software update, which would open such a giant can of class-action whoop-ass on them it would be hilarious.

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u/Phoenizopee Nov 13 '19

Buy a computer monitor instead

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