Buying new TV, which brands are safe in regards to spamming me with ads?

[TooUnskilled]

Hi

 

I remember seeing some horror stories about some smart TVs having unavoidable built in ads, I think LG was a big offender.

Anyone have recommendations on safe brands, or which ones to avoid?

 

Thanks

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

39 minutes ago, TooUnskilled said:

Hi

 

I remember seeing some horror stories about some smart TVs having unavoidable built in ads, I think LG was a big offender.

Anyone have recommendations on safe brands, or which ones to avoid?

 

Thanks

I think it's more of an Android problem because a quick search (I'm still using dumb 1080P TVs) reveals the ads all stem from Google TV updates. 

 

According to Rtings, Visio and Sony appear to be the best in this regard. 

https://www.rtings.com/tv/tests/ads-in-smart-tv

 

Or you can just buy whichever TV has the best image quality at the right price and use something like a Roku, Apple TV, etc. and not the Smart TV features. 

[TooUnskilled]

2 minutes ago, BlueChinchillaEatingDorito said:

I think it's more of an Android thing problem because a quick search (I'm still using dumb 1080P TVs) reveals the ads all stem from Google TV updates. 

 

According to Rtings, Visio and Sony appear to be the best in this regard. 

https://www.rtings.com/tv/tests/ads-in-smart-tv

 

Or you can just buy whichever TV has the best image quality at the right price and use something like a Roku, Apple TV, etc. and not the Smart TV features. 

Awesome, thanks!

[Colty]

Some Vizio's, most Sony's and LG TV's (as long as you don't use the built in apps).

Then the really bad example is Samsung, who will show you ads even when you change inputs or start the TV. eww (Oh, and it starts after 30 days so you can't return the TV for it)

[IPD]

The problem is---you connected your smart TV to the internet.

[Colty]

On 2/23/2022 at 3:06 PM, IPD said:

The problem is---you connected your smart TV to the internet.

While I agree with this sentiment, there is a fault in the thought process.

You bought a Smart TV. It has a built in Android box or Roku. You paid for that feature. It's very convenient. If you want something else that will do the same thing, you need to drop $30-200 on an external device that may have ads anyway OR get an update later and have ads. (Looking at you ChromeCast with Google TV)

For me, as long as I can avoid advertisements when the TV turns on and when switching inputs, it's fine with me. I just hate seeing a Samsung TV and when you change inputs there's an HBO Max ad. Eww. My LG CX (and my Chromecast) both updated and got ads through the Android TV features. I never really see them though as I immediately just launch Plex/Netflix/YouTube on my Chromecast before anything loads and I don't use the built in apps for anything. 

The REAL solution to all of this is to just block the addresses on your router. Get a TV for its display/features, not for it's UI or lack of advertisements. 

[IPD]

On 2/24/2022 at 5:19 PM, Colty said:

While I agree with this sentiment, there is a fault in the thought process.

You bought a Smart TV. It has a built in Android box or Roku. You paid for that feature. It's very convenient. If you want something else that will do the same thing, you need to drop $30-200 on an external device that may have ads anyway OR get an update later and have ads. (Looking at you ChromeCast with Google TV)

For me, as long as I can avoid advertisements when the TV turns on and when switching inputs, it's fine with me. I just hate seeing a Samsung TV and when you change inputs there's an HBO Max ad. Eww. My LG CX (and my Chromecast) both updated and got ads through the Android TV features. I never really see them though as I immediately just launch Plex/Netflix/YouTube on my Chromecast before anything loads and I don't use the built in apps for anything. 

The REAL solution to all of this is to just block the addresses on your router. Get a TV for its display/features, not for it's UI or lack of advertisements. 

HTPC and you can directly log in to the streaming platforms without the fluff

[kirashi]

6 hours ago, IPD said:

HTPC and you can directly log in to the streaming platforms without the fluff

While I do use an HTPC / laptop to play content on our Smart TV, I've still paid for the Smart TV features. Please link us to a store that sells the EXACT SAME models of Samsung, LG, and Sony TV's without the Smart TV capability at a few hundred dollars less than the Smart TV equivalent.

[IPD]

13 hours ago, kirashi said:

While I do use an HTPC / laptop to play content on our Smart TV, I've still paid for the Smart TV features. Please link us to a store that sells the EXACT SAME models of Samsung, LG, and Sony TV's without the Smart TV capability at a few hundred dollars less than the Smart TV equivalent.

You don't understand how it works.  The same TV without those smart features costs MORE...not less.  That's because you're the PRODUCT, not the consumer.

 

You aren't paying for those features.  You're getting a discount because of them.

[kirashi]

1 hour ago, IPD said:

You don't understand how it works.  The same TV without those smart features costs MORE...not less.  That's because you're the PRODUCT, not the consumer.

You aren't paying for those features.  You're getting a discount because of them.

To us technically minded people, correct, but to the average consumer that's not how things are advertised. Regardless, I'd simply like to purchase a TV with no Smart features, either for less or for more money than a TV with Smart features. The problem is that consumers don't have a choice, and thus are stuck with Smart TV's no matter where they look. Call me old fashioned, but not everything needs to be Smart, nor does everyone want everything to be Smart.

[Dirtnapper]

On 2/20/2022 at 5:09 PM, Colty said:

Some Vizio's, most Sony's and LG TV's (as long as you don't use the built in apps).

Then the really bad example is Samsung, who will show you ads even when you change inputs or start the TV. eww (Oh, and it starts after 30 days so you can't return the TV for it)

Buy from Co$tco and you got 90s days to return, just do it before the time is up not on the day of

[IPD]

15 hours ago, kirashi said:

To us technically minded people, correct, but to the average consumer that's not how things are advertised. Regardless, I'd simply like to purchase a TV with no Smart features, either for less or for more money than a TV with Smart features. The problem is that consumers don't have a choice, and thus are stuck with Smart TV's no matter where they look. Call me old fashioned, but not everything needs to be Smart, nor does everyone want everything to be Smart.

The net effect is that everyone pays less for a display.  So I'll live with "smart" being shoveled down everyone's throat.  I will also never connect it to the internet.

 

I agree about everything being too smart.  I like tech; and I prefer only physical switches to operate it.  I don't need my refrigerator communicating to google about food ads to send me.  I don't need my toilet analyzing my poop and trying to sell me medications.  I don't want my thermostat hijacked by someone accessing it remotely--and either causing extensive HVAC damage & an astronomically high bill--or killing me because the temperature is inhospitable.  And I certainly don't want the tech giants being any more well versed in my appreciation of dank memes and excessively dark humor.  When there's a knock on the front door--because someone wants to have a word with you about your online habits--that should send chills down everyone's spine....

[An0maly_76]

I recently bought a Spectre 55 inch, without smart features. A couple shortcomings, but nothing I call a deal-breaker. The 2016 model I bought was $588 with a 4-year protection plan through Amazon -- something I recommend as so many electronic devices fail between 1-2 years with high usage. Only thing about the one I got, the listing mentioned 120hz refresh, that is only with a certain enhancement feature turned on, otherwise it is 60hz, and I actually had to smack some smarts into Win10 to get it to go above 30hz. Otherwise, I'm pretty happy with it though.

Edited March 1, 2022 by An0maly_76