I’m mostly sailing the high seas, using the tv as a giant monitor for the always-on laptop connected to it. I’m afraid of the 1984-esque “You must connect to the internet to continue using this TV” that might come after some time.

  • forrgott@lemmy.sdf.org
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    1 day ago

    Yes. I connected mine, checked for updates, then factory reset it and did not enter any network login.

    This only works on certain brands I’m afraid…

    • kent_eh@lemmy.ca
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      20 hours ago

      Is there a ful list anywhere of brands and models that lock non-network features behind a network connection requirement?

      I’ve heard people complaining about some that don’t let you select HDMI input without first connecting to the internet and “activating” the TV, but the model is usually not specified in those complaints.

      • forrgott@lemmy.sdf.org
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        17 hours ago

        So I know for sure is avoid Roku like the plague! You cannot use it as a TV at all without a connection and creating an account.

    • Empricorn@feddit.nl
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      23 hours ago

      Why did you connect it at all? Was there specific functionality they detailed in patch notes or something that you felt you were missing out on?

      • forrgott@lemmy.sdf.org
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        23 hours ago

        Eh, I’ve always been paranoid about firmware patches and the like. Also, curiosity got the better of me; I had to see what the crap smart features were like.

        You do make a very good point though!

        • Empricorn@feddit.nl
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          20 hours ago

          I definitely understand the instinct to always be up-to-date with the newest. But then digital storefront “updates” started removing features and even content! Runaway capitalism ruins everything…

          • forrgott@lemmy.sdf.org
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            17 hours ago

            Well, the program is that the computer in my TV is a potential security issue. That said, there’s no way of knowing if I can trust updates to patch problems or create new ones, so… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯