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Smalltalker-80 | on: Root shell on Samsung TV
It's beyond me why people are still buying smart TVs. I've juist looked on a large EU webshop (bol.com). You can buy a non-smart, full-HD, 40 inch TV for less than $200.
r_lee | parent | next
> full-HD, 40 inch TV

are we living in 2010 or something?

TheSkyHasEyes | root | parent
Not sure of purpose of your question. Not everyone needs a larger TV than that or accommodate one in their living space.
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LikesPwsh | parent | next
Because for most people to get any utility out of it, they need to plug in a smart device.

It doesn't matter whether you run android TV from the TV itself or an external device.

All the popular streaming services throttle or block open devices.

There's no regulation on it, because regulators want locked-down hardware that can only take actions approved by them.

dash-44 | root | parent | next
Why in this world of yours is the only option Android TV?

Even with that, there are plenty of safer distros, or you can even get a cheap mini pc and throw one of the many awesome Linux distros on that have zero tracking and are far more capable/performant.

>All the popular streaming services throttle or block open devices.

This just isn't true. Have never encountered this.

snailmailman | root | parent | next
Its effectively impossible to get some streaming services to stream content >720p to a linux device. I know I tried several years ago to use Disney+ and could not find any way to get 1080p content, even on a windows machine. I think now they have an official windows store app, but still refuse to stream full HD or 4k content to a web browser.

More recently I've tried hbo max and it does the same thing. Could not get higher than 720p, even with chrome and whatever DRM options theoretically fix the problem.

Jolter | root | parent | next
Can you play Netflix or Disney+ in a browser on Linux in full 4K and HDR?

I remember that being a problem in the past, that you were limited to lower resolutions.

fernie | root | parent
Good luck getting a 4k stream from any streaming service on Linux:

https://help.netflix.com/en/node/30081

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39257581

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42685008

Your only options are to sail the high seas or use Android TV.

hcurtiss | root | parent
I find Apple TV to be a decent compromise.
goda90 | parent | next
People want 4k, HDR, 60+ inches.
a96 | root | parent | next
A lot of rooms are space constrained, but yes, even the cheapest phones are 1080p and most have been for a decade. It's ridiculous how far larger screens have been lagging behind.
nicce | root | parent
And probably OLED or something close to that
mikeryan | parent | next
All the ad tracking in smart TVs has driven prices down. Tracking and ad data has turned a customer from a one time purchaser to a revenue stream for as long as the device is in use.

If you want a high quality TV for the best price your best bet is either disable/opt out of all the tracking data, or even better just never hook it up to the internet at all and plug an AppleTV or Chromecast on it.

If you look for a Samsung TV without “smart” features you pretty much have to find them under “commercial displays” and you’ll pay a premium for it.

wolvoleo | root | parent
The problem is that now companies are starting to block features when the TV is not connected online.
port11 | parent | next
I don’t find a non-smart 4K television on Bol, except for a single 800€ model. Sorry but it’s not 2016, I’m not gonna sit and watch content at a resolution worse than my laptop’s.
qs1ykyusPlate | parent | next
because sadly Samsung and LG make the best OLED TVs on the market by far. what you need instead, is to buy some tv box to use on the side.
amelius | parent | next
What keywords did you use? Dumb TV gives zero hits.
mpol | root | parent
It's a category, "Geen Smart TV", under TV's. There are several for sale up to 55".

https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/l/42-inch-tv-s-zonder-smart-functi...

This Sony might be an option: https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/p/sony-bravia-professional-fw-55bz...

forgotpwd16 | root | parent | next
This Sony is an Android TV...
amelius | root | parent
Ah right, I was looking on Google. Good to know there's a way to find dumb TVs!
chewchewchew | parent
because 40 inches is tiny these days (sorry boys).
TheSkyHasEyes | root | parent | next
Depends on your living arrangements.
SoftTalker | root | parent
Laughing as i think about the 13" set we had when I was a kid.