We’ve noted for years how the “smart” TV sector is at the forefront of enshittification. It’s a sector full of companies that have doubled down on annoying ads and surveilla…
For those looking for alternatives, here are a few options:
Continue with the mainstream brands but with some modifications. This seems counterintuitive to the subject of the article and the problem at hand but the author themselves link to this Consumer Reports article that details how to turn off some of the anti-privacy settings on many of those TVs. I would only recommend this option if you’re tech illiterate, though, considering Lemmy’s user-base is very unlikely, or, more likely, you’ve a tech illiterate relative.
Business TVs. If you’ve worked in a corporate setting, you’ve probably seen this. They’re nearly identical to their consumer-grade counterparts but don’t feature ads and many of the ‘smart’ features are either removed and reduced in their capacity. These are going to be a bit harder to find and a bit more expensive. Your best bet for finding one would be a liquidation sale/auction. Would only recommend this option if you’ve the money and the patience to find and won’t consider the next few options.
Projectors. More of a cinematic experience and, possibly, the most expensive option. Budget projectors do exist but quality will vary. Projectors will also require a flat surface for the projection which means that a dedicated space is recommended for ideal viewing. Media and hardware are self-provided. There’s installation and placement of the projector itself. Would recommend if you have the money and space for such a setup though the payoff would be worth it. It’s the best option for viewing for high resolution (i.e. 4K) content like movies. Though, be warned, ‘smart’ projectors do exist and, even though they’re a minority in the market, they should be avoided at all costs.
Monitors. Possibly the most cost-effective option and your best choice. Since monitors are geared towards desktop PC use, they’ve one of the few tech products to not (yet) be affected by enshittificaiton. Unless if you consider curved monitors as enshittification. Monitors tend to be the best ‘all-rounders’ when it comes to content viewing. Streaming, gaming, internet browsing and, of course, wanking. When it comes to monitor sizes, very large monitors (like this 220cm Dell 4K display) do exist but the average large monitor size is 120cm or 55in for my fellow Americans. If you view most of your content on your PC, which,again, considering the website, is very likely, then I recommend this option.
Another possibility is to not connect your TV to the internet and use a PC/shield TV/game console/other android streaming box as your way to get content on your tv
Fucked up and connected my latest TV to wireless, mindlessly input the password. Had to wipe it to factory to undo that.
Mine’s plugged into the network, but haven’t seen anything obnoxious. Worst was them changing the screensaver to have some fairly subtle ads. If they ever fuck around I’ll cut it off at the firewall.
And yes, as you said, I power it off Jellyfin running on my PC. Or, again using it as a 2nd monitor, I sling the VLC window to it. We don’t pay for any media at all unless you count Amazon from my Prime subscription. Or unless you count my $6 VPN. :) (I know that’s hateful around here, but I can’t afford to drop it.)
Nice write-up. Doesn’t point 3. and 4. mean you’re using a computer to watch TV?
Or would that be a 5th point: don’t use a dedicated TV at all?
Does TV even require extra hardware anymore? AFAIK everything is streamed nowadays, incl. “classical” TV stations, no?
I have to admit I haven’t actively watched actual TV for 20 years…
Anyhow, on a computer the situation is almost infinitely better since you can control what comes through the internet and what doesn’t. Domain blocking is easy as pie (or HOSTS).
Monitors. Possibly the most cost-effective option and your best choice.
Just adding a note here that the Smart cancer has already begun infiltrating monitors. Samsung and LG make them, and I’m sure more will follow very soon. It won’t be long before dumb monitors no longer exist.
For those looking for alternatives, here are a few options:
Continue with the mainstream brands but with some modifications. This seems counterintuitive to the subject of the article and the problem at hand but the author themselves link to this Consumer Reports article that details how to turn off some of the anti-privacy settings on many of those TVs. I would only recommend this option if you’re tech illiterate, though, considering Lemmy’s user-base is very unlikely, or, more likely, you’ve a tech illiterate relative.
Business TVs. If you’ve worked in a corporate setting, you’ve probably seen this. They’re nearly identical to their consumer-grade counterparts but don’t feature ads and many of the ‘smart’ features are either removed and reduced in their capacity. These are going to be a bit harder to find and a bit more expensive. Your best bet for finding one would be a liquidation sale/auction. Would only recommend this option if you’ve the money and the patience to find and won’t consider the next few options.
Projectors. More of a cinematic experience and, possibly, the most expensive option. Budget projectors do exist but quality will vary. Projectors will also require a flat surface for the projection which means that a dedicated space is recommended for ideal viewing. Media and hardware are self-provided. There’s installation and placement of the projector itself. Would recommend if you have the money and space for such a setup though the payoff would be worth it. It’s the best option for viewing for high resolution (i.e. 4K) content like movies. Though, be warned, ‘smart’ projectors do exist and, even though they’re a minority in the market, they should be avoided at all costs.
Monitors. Possibly the most cost-effective option and your best choice. Since monitors are geared towards desktop PC use, they’ve one of the few tech products to not (yet) be affected by enshittificaiton. Unless if you consider curved monitors as enshittification. Monitors tend to be the best ‘all-rounders’ when it comes to content viewing. Streaming, gaming, internet browsing and, of course,
wanking.When it comes to monitor sizes, very large monitors (like this 220cm Dell 4K display) do exist but the average large monitor size is 120cm or 55in for my fellow Americans. If you view most of your content on your PC, which,again, considering the website, is very likely, then I recommend this option.Another possibility is to not connect your TV to the internet and use a PC/shield TV/game console/other android streaming box as your way to get content on your tv
Fucked up and connected my latest TV to wireless, mindlessly input the password. Had to wipe it to factory to undo that.
Mine’s plugged into the network, but haven’t seen anything obnoxious. Worst was them changing the screensaver to have some fairly subtle ads. If they ever fuck around I’ll cut it off at the firewall.
And yes, as you said, I power it off Jellyfin running on my PC. Or, again using it as a 2nd monitor, I sling the VLC window to it. We don’t pay for any media at all unless you count Amazon from my Prime subscription. Or unless you count my $6 VPN. :) (I know that’s hateful around here, but I can’t afford to drop it.)
Nice write-up. Doesn’t point 3. and 4. mean you’re using a computer to watch TV?
Or would that be a 5th point: don’t use a dedicated TV at all?
Does TV even require extra hardware anymore? AFAIK everything is streamed nowadays, incl. “classical” TV stations, no?
I have to admit I haven’t actively watched actual TV for 20 years…
Anyhow, on a computer the situation is almost infinitely better since you can control what comes through the internet and what doesn’t. Domain blocking is easy as pie (or HOSTS).
Just adding a note here that the Smart cancer has already begun infiltrating monitors. Samsung and LG make them, and I’m sure more will follow very soon. It won’t be long before dumb monitors no longer exist.