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

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Smart TV owners are alarmed that newer Vizio sets can automatically enter a “Scenic Mode” screensaver which plays ambient video interspersed with unskippable ads, including political spots, and whose ads cannot be disabled without turning the entire feature off. Commenters tie this to a broader trend of TVs and streaming devices subsidizing low hardware prices through data collection, tracking what people watch, and pushing ever more intrusive advertising, sometimes added via firmware updates long after purchase. Many advocate never connecting TVs to the internet, using external boxes (often Apple TV or small PCs), hardware modifications, or commercial “dumb” displays to retain control and avoid becoming a captive audience inside their own homes.

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.”