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TV that doesn't require 'on-line activation' to set up. (midwest.social)

submitted 1 month ago by catfishsushi@midwest.social to c/technology@lemmy.world

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I'm going to buy my first new TV in years. Even if it's a 'smart' tv we plan to just use our Roku. I've heard that some TVs require you to connect it to the internet before you can even use a Roku device. For privacy reasons I don't want my TV to EVER have access to my wifi. Is anyone aware of how to know what models/brands of TVs allow me to use it without ever connecting the TV itself to wifi?

If necessary I guess I could connect it to my guest network to 'activate' the TV, set up the Roku to connect to my private network, then change the password to the guest network.

Would rather just have a TV that doesn't even 'phone home' once.

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[–] XeroxCool@lemmy.world 11 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Most brands make it seem impossible to setup without connecting. I got a free TCL/Roku and it was such a massive headache to avoid connecting that I connected it. I just skip the ARC HDMI and pretend it's just as good since I don't use the built in apps. ARC ports read your content to "better serve you content" (ads)

[–] LedgeDrop@lemm.ee 13 points 1 month ago

Roku is horrible. I bought a Roku Soundbar (speakers) for my TV and for reasons unknown, I had to (temporarily) hook it up to the internet to "activate" and download the firmware.

It's such a horrible glimpse of the consumers future.

[–] gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I thought LG and Sony and a few of the other big players still had the self respect to sell TVs that can just be.. you know… TVs

[–] CucumberFetish@lemm.ee 5 points 1 month ago (2 children)

LG C series OLEDs are a pain. If you connect them to wifi, they'll give you Apple TV and other "promotions" as pop up notifications at random times.

These TVs also have Bluetooth which cannot be turned off and any device can try to connect to it, giving you a non intrusive pop up of 20% of your screen area.

And their customer support is absolute garbage. In my area, you'll have to call them a few times before anyone picks up, then there is a 50% chance that the clerk doesn't speak English nor your local language. Sometimes you'll give up on calling them, as no one responds. You'll be happy to know that they will call you back in about a month.

[–] gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 month ago (2 children)

You can fix the always-on BT wirh a screwdriver, can’t you?

[–] 0x0@programming.dev 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I hope most of these have discrete hardware, but i won't disregard SoCs...

[–] CucumberFetish@lemm.ee 1 points 1 month ago

Or BT controller soldered onto mobo

[–] CucumberFetish@lemm.ee 1 points 1 month ago

I mounted it on a wall before I found it out. Neighbors haven't bothered to connect to it once, so I haven't risked accidentally breaking it during dismount. It is scary enough to adjust it on it's mount, considering that most of it is a thin and fragile oled panel.

[–] 0x0@programming.dev 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

These TVs also have Bluetooth

It's really nifty to wardrive those and play Tool at max.

[–] CucumberFetish@lemm.ee 1 points 1 month ago

Luckily it doesn't auto connect, otherwise I would have sent it back