Sick of smart TVs? Here are your best options

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Core approach: Treat every TV as a dumb display

  • Many commenters say the real answer is simple: never connect the TV to the Internet and use HDMI from another device (PC, streaming box, console).
  • Several report that recent LG, Samsung, Philips, TCL, Roku TVs work fine offline, though some brands/models nag about Wi-Fi or TOS repeatedly.
  • A few people physically remove Wi-Fi modules or would do the same for future cellular modems.

Escalating tracking and “spy rectangle” fears

  • Strong concern that TVs will eventually auto-connect via neighbor Wi-Fi, public hotspots, or embedded 4G/5G (especially with cheap 5G RedCap-style IoT modems).
  • Anecdotes: insurance “wellness” devices and smart toothbrushes shipped pre-paired, silently uploading data; this makes people wary of any networked appliance.
  • Some suggest honeypot open Wi-Fi or Faraday-cage-level defenses; others warn against repurposing embedded SIMs due to extreme overage charges and legal risk.

“Dumb” TVs and criticism of the article

  • The article’s listed dumb TVs are criticized as low-end: HDMI 2.0, 4K/60 only, weak panels, poor sound, short warranties.
  • Several say: buy the best smart panel you can, then keep it offline and ignore the built-in OS.
  • The piece is called poorly researched (brand ownership errors) and overly slanted toward an Apple TV solution.

Apple TV vs TV spyware vs other boxes

  • Debate: some see Apple TV as a practical “least bad” box with no OS-level ads; others argue its data collection is still substantial and undercuts the privacy framing.
  • Alternatives mentioned: Android TV/Chromecast boxes, Nvidia Shield, Raspberry Pi/Kodi, Jellyfin/“high seas,” used last-gen consoles, HTPCs with keyboard/trackpad.
  • One camp loves HTPCs for full browser access and flexibility; another finds “use a computer” a clunky living-room UX.

Blocking and hacking approaches

  • Pi-hole/AdGuard and DNS interception can reduce some tracking, but can’t stop GUI ads, “suggested” content, or devices with hardcoded DNS/DoH.
  • Jailbreaking LG TVs (rootmy.tv and successors) is praised for ad-free apps, remote remapping, ambilight, etc., but most easy exploits are now patched and fragile.

Broader “smart everything” backlash

  • Parallels drawn to cars with telematics: some prefer pre-2014 vehicles or pull telematics fuses.
  • Overall sentiment: best long-term pattern is to own the display, own the smarts, and minimize what any single vendor can see.