this post was submitted on 05 Oct 2024
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My parents are getting a new tv, and are asking for recommendation. I think all I can influence is the brand/model (not realistic to propose rpi and more complex systems). I instinctively avoid google/android and lean towards anything else open source, so probably LG WebOS.. But I had bad luck searching for more detailed comparisons. Maybe you have experience or opinions?

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[–] [email protected] 90 points 1 month ago (18 children)

Just don’t connect it to the internet.

[–] friek 24 points 1 month ago (4 children)

This is the way. I have an LG and bought one for my parents. Do the initial sign up/registration, then turn off Internet access. I actually thought mine was broken when I got it, but it was just my pihole blocking it. Temporary whitelist for setup, smooth sailing since.

[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 month ago

That's generous of you. If I'd mistakenly bought one that wouldn't work without ever having a network connection, I'd be returning it and demanding my money back. Hasn't happened yet, though.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] friek 3 points 1 month ago (2 children)

It was required for setup, and the latest update shoves ads at you.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I used to be a fan of LG TVs (we have 3 of them, last model is a 2021 Nanocell). Because of this alone LG will never see my money again. Thanks for the warning.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I have recent LG TVs. They did start showing ads, but if you dig around in the menus you can disable them.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

To each his/her own. It's not easy in some places to find TVs that aren't smart, and in all honesty, I think LG has no competition when it comes to the panels. But out principle, I'm not giving money to companies like that. Why isn't it opr-in instead of opt-out and on top of that you have to dig deep to opt-out?

I do understand your position, and respect it. I'm just not willing to be part of their revenue.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

Didn’t really state a position other than ownership, which does have some implications. I am fine with smart TVs but not ok with data collection and ads.

Either would only be ok if I had opted in, especially be paying a lower price with that tradeoff, but I and everyone else are paying full price, so I am adamantly opposed to it.

You took it a step further than me, and I applaud your efforts. I hope they are noted by the manufacturers.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago

This is why I buy my TVs from Costco. If it needs internet at any point, return. It's a TV, it shouldn't need internet at any point.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

But you can just block all the ads on the home screen with pihole. Then you can still use the native TV apps. It's a win-win.

If you turn off Internet access then your parents can't stream.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

So, stupid question, all I have is internet TV, no cable carriers, how do I pull that off with no internet access to the TV? It's late and I'm tired, I could be really dumb right now.

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