I looked for a replacement and have ended up with a Philips (32" inch). I wanted the absolute minimal amount of “smart” tv so it does not have a microphone or a camera.
I have no interest in streaming (things like Netflix) so I have not connected the TV to the internet.
However, at random times (sometimes not for a week or two or sometimes twice in the one day) it tells me I have not set up the TV correctly and that I need to continue with the setup.
I’d be inclined to finish the initial setup then simply disconnect it from the Internet.
Unfortunately any TV now will assume it is permanently connected to the Internet for both providing services and to receive software updates intermittently.
If you really just want a display then perhaps you’d be better off just buying a large monitor rather than a TV.
Easiest solution is just a dumb monitor (you can get a 32" one for a few £100) and then add a basic one way (as in without any upstream Internet return path) set top box that connects to whatever broadcast service you have/want.
I’d return the Philips TV if you still can and replace it with a half decent monitor, pretty much any you can get for reasonable price will have at least one HDMI input. Samsung, LG and so forth all do them.
Thanks for all the responses. I will try to reply …
a) I bought the TV from a large electrical shop that mainly sells cookers, fridges etc. so I don’t think there is much point asking the shop for advice. It was less than £300 so I did not think it was worth seeking out a specialist shop that deals with home cinema.
b) A monitor would not be practical in my circumstances since I want a built in tuner and sound. I am picking up some stations via an aerial.
c) I could try updating the software using a USB stick.
d) I don’t want the TV connected to the internet because I am afraid it will start monitoring what I am watching and then start showing me ads.
e) I also think if I connect it to the internet I may get lots of new nagging messages suggesting I join a streaming service.
f) I will investigate contacting Philips for advice.
You can just connect a tuner/set top box to a monitor if you’re that paranoid.
I think you’ll find Philips will just tell you what you’ve bought is doing what it’s designed to do.
If you want a display that doesn’t do the things you don’t like/want it’s called a monitor.
You wont get any nagging messages asking you to sign up to anything. The apps are there if YOU want to use them, they dont open unless you physically open them and want to sign up yourself for an account to start streaming.
And updating via a usb you will need to have connected to the internet somehow to download the update to the usb. I really think you are misunderstanding what connecting a TV to the internet is going to do.
I am not 100% sure about the rules for posting internet links on this site so I won’t try.
BUT … if you search google for something like “samsung smart tv forced ads” you will find that Samsung has started putting ads on their Smart TV’s and there are lots of web-sites explaining how to get rid of them.
What I find annoying is that I have the TV for about two months and it still tells me to “complete installation”. It should have figured out by now that I either don’t have internet or don’t want to connect.
Not being paranoid but I can understand the concerns of OP.
Lots of TV’s nowadays are voice control enabled. Meaning they have a microphone. Are you sure this only used for TV voice commanding??
Hmmmm…don’t know.
I found this thread worrying… More for showing how (some) people think…
Sometimes, we just need to go with the flow. A thing will do what it does - which may not be what we think it should do… Either live with it - or change the thing, for one which better meets you needs.
This will likely involve some effort, by the individual - and will probably not be resolved by a quick post on an internet forum…
Again,not being paranoid but that’s what the manufacturer tells you…
Google and Amazon tell you, “Yes,we record snippets of conversations but solely with the purpose to improve our products. Honestly.”
Whether you choose to believe them is of course up to you…
You have a choice as a consumer ultimately, most of which requires you to opt in or enable something.
As I’ve said here multiple times now, you can buy a completely dumb, inputs only, monitor and connect whatever smart or dumb devices you choose to it including a set top box with just a tuner in it.
Every single time you interact with the Internet you’re leaving a digital footprint that is referenced and repurposed many times over.
Whilst true, I think its fair to say that it doesn’t mean a hacker cannot enable it remotely. Hopefully on a new TV it will be all up to date with patches, but of course anyone knows as time goes on, TV updates become rare, and then the underlying OS on the TV becomes out-of-date and unsupportable, meaning an open door to hackers.
I’d personally like to see a physical analogue switch that disconnects the microphone (and camera)
I suppose if you know where the microphone exits the cabinet, you might be able to cover it with a thick black rubber sticker to block out most of the signal.
Nothing is 100% secure, if it’s truly of that great a concern a monitor and an external source device is your best solution. Everything you do on the Internet is tracked, catalogued and monetised regardless, even this website uses Google Analytics.
