My TV started playing a video in full screen by itself. What happened?

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Vizio “Scenic Mode” behavior and FAQ wording

  • Scenic Mode auto-starts full-screen “relaxing” video when the TV is idle, then injects ads, which cannot be disabled while using the mode.
  • The FAQ emphasizes that Scenic Mode is “free” and that ads fund “enhanced” features and low TV prices; many commenters find this framing insulting.
  • The same document later explains how to fully disable Scenic Mode, but the initial Q&A (“Can I turn Scenic Mode ads off? No…”) is seen as intentionally misleading or dark-patterned.

Smart TVs as ad/spy platforms

  • Vizio’s past tracking lawsuit and ongoing GPL dispute are cited as part of a pattern.
  • Several commenters assert that virtually all major smart TV vendors (Samsung, LG, Sony, Roku, etc.) track viewing habits and/or push ads in launchers, idle screens, and “ambient” modes.
  • Some report firmware updates adding ads or degrading UX on TVs that originally had clean interfaces.
  • There are anecdotes of “haunted” TVs turning on or launching channels at night, often blamed on streaming boxes or firmware.

User workarounds and alternative hardware

  • Common strategy: never connect the TV to the internet; use Apple TV, Chromecast, consoles, or mini PCs over HDMI. Some block TVs by MAC address or put them on isolated VLANs.
  • Others physically remove Wi-Fi modules or consider replacing mainboards with generic scaler boards to “dumb down” cheap smart panels.
  • Recommendations include projectors, large monitors, or commercial/kiosk displays that lack consumer “smart” features (though often at higher cost).
  • Apple TV is widely praised as relatively privacy-respecting and smooth, though some find it pricey or dislike the remote; Android TV is criticized as an “ad faucet” unless you replace the launcher.

Escalation fears and regulation debate

  • Several worry TVs will eventually require constant connectivity, use cellular (5G/eSIM) or piggyback on ISP/IoT networks to bypass user control, and might even drop HDMI to force built-in platforms.
  • Some advocate regulation (privacy, consent, offline functionality); others argue market backlash and new “FairTV”/“DUMB”-certified products could be a better remedy.

Ad creep and political content

  • The Scenic Mode ads reportedly include political spots, raising concerns about propaganda in what’s marketed as a “relaxing” feature.
  • Many connect this to a broader trend of ads invading every idle surface and device, describing the outcome as “boring dystopia” or “1984 with TVs.”