Make more dumb TVs and my interest in buying a new one goes up significantly. Im actively avoiding buying a new one even though I have to furninsh a good sized living room and all I have right now is a bit small for the space. It’ll still work.
There are tons of dumb TVs out there but they’re more expensive because the ads and data harvesting subsidizes the cost.
I know it’s not a perfect suggestion but I agree with the other comment: buy a smart TV and never connect it to the internet. The vast majority of displays don’t gain anything (outside of the “smart” features) with firmware updates. The exceptions to that are very rare.
It sucks to have to buy a streaming box on top of it but the two items combined is less than a commercial (dumb) display. Even at cost.
Though instead of a Chromecast for streaming, I’d consider an AppleTV…I’m not a fan of Apple but it’s hands down the best streaming box I’ve used outside of a dedicated HTPC.
I keep hearing people say that, but I paid thousands of dollars for my TV to still have ads. The days of if you don’t pay for the product then you are the product is dead. You will pay for it and still be the product regardless of cost.
i connect my smart TV, along with IoT devices to an internet only group with DNS adblock. I also use an Xbox for streaming but looking at replacing it with a shield or something once my gamepass runs out.
It’s sad how Apple’s strategy of “just use an actually fast CPU and make a Home Screen without ads” is a breakthrough in the industry. It shows what a fucking mess everyone else is in.
The home screen on an AppleTV has ads, unfortunately. The main thing I like about it is how responsive it is - made possible by both the hardware and software. I also really like the remote, though I preferred the one from a generation or two ago.
What I DON’T like about it is that a few years ago Apple disabled IP control unless you set it up through HomeKit. If you don’t want to use HomeKit, enjoy your IR control.
