Hisense TVs add unskippable startup ads before live TV

I also had to take this approach with my LG TV. The OS actually had its use for a while but Apple TV has become my driver. I no longer wish to consent to LG’s EULAs which are starting to look like the legal corpus of a small nation. I’m also not interested in their software updates. Internet privileges: revoked.

It’s concerning nonetheless as others are pointing out that in the current trajectory the TVs may soon refuse to display any content unless connected.

Even some cheap Kindles came with a SIM card.

I expect this to happen if enough people block ads on TVs. (They'll probably promote it as a "backup connection" or something.)

Pro tip for devices that refuse to simply remove working WiFi credentials (cough Samsung), is to connect them to a different “dummy” WiFi and then simply turn that off.

I’ve yet to see a device that caches more than one set of credentials. But I suppose it’s only a matter of time.

You can also open up the back and remove the antenna connection.

This is outrageous and we need to stand up against it. You're merely avoiding the danger of uber-enshittification of hardware (now once software is enshittified enough), but this will crawl further and further. Meanwhile rating companies are lowering ratings of firms that DO NOT have 'subscription model' in their products, that's why we're intended to pay for enabling heating in car seats from now on.

What do you do with this living space without a TV? Serious question from someone who grew up with a TV companion. I imagine this is what the current generation feels when thinking about smartphones.

Right, never give a TV internet access now. That's where we are.

This means they can't surveil, brick, or change your hardware after you bought it.

So yes, then add whatever dongles to provide content. If the dongle turns bad (evil), chuck it and get a different kind. You preserve your privacy, hardware ownership rights, and freedom to choose.

> an Apple TV device and unplugging the TV from the internet entirely

Had this setup on different tvs for 10+ years, can confirm it is excellent.

Protection of one's attention is our generation's luxury product.

Whether it's the TV hardware or the streaming service in your house, your standard of living is now judged by whether you pay extra for the ad-free tier.

Apple tends to skew luxury purchase, so it makes sense it hasn't been riddled with adware yet. The Apple logo is a status symbol that you're not being bombarded with ads in every corner of underutilized screen real-estate.

One workaround is to buy a computer monitor and use that instead. Most of those are still pretty dumb HDMI or USB terminals that you can plug any signal source into. They don't come in huge sizes like TVs (although search "digital signage" for some options), and you'll need a dedicated sound speaker system, but this route could be an option.

> Is there any smart TV that I can actually just use a TV how I want?

I’ve heard that large computer monitors and TVs intended to be used as displays can be used without connecting them to a network.

> Or am I reduced to buying an Apple TV device and unplugging the TV from the internet entirely ?

An Apple TV is a good choice even otherwise. I’ve never seen a smoother and quicker interface on a native Smart TV (granted that I’ve only seen Android and webOS). I use my Apple TV as the only network connected device while my TV is not connected to any network ever. Once in a while, I update the TV’s firmware by downloading it to a thumb drive and plugging that into the USB port of the TV.

A Shield is the better choice because you can install apps that Apple would never approve of.

> Or am I reduced to buying an Apple TV device and unplugging the TV from the internet entirely ?

At least until TV makers wise up to that strategy and build a TV that requires internet access to unlock the HDMI port, that's the way to go.

>Or am I reduced to buying an Apple TV device and unplugging the TV from the internet entirely?

Why would this be something that you're "reduced" to? Why would it be a bad thing?

Alternatively, dns block the update domains, wait a few months to few years for someone to discover an exploit for rooting, root and sideload.

I bought a Sony Android TV a few years back which has yet to be enshitified - doesn't shove ads or shovelware down my throat, acts like a TV. It's a model made for the Japanese market though and they may have incentives to play nice with domestic customers.

IF its an android, connect to it via ADB and disable all the BS apps, even launcher. I am using projectivity launcher on mine, even has child lock which we really need. No ads or popups etc at all. YouTube is all we watch on this TV anyway, and retro gaming and movies.

I also have Nvidia Shield connected to it, that one is setup the same way.

I would also like to know the answer here because I see similar slop across brands/prices/sizes/generations of TV now.. its inescapable

Anyone who lets their TV on their network is naive. It has one job.

I never would have thought Zero Trust would be a requirement for home networking, but here we are since ~2020.

IMO when ads have to be force-fed to consumers means the ad industry has already jumped the shark. Advertising is dominated by a few giants, trying to push a niche of even more ads becomes a waste of resources for always diminishing returns.

Yet advertisers still believe more ads always mean more sales.

Philips has made "smart" TVs for years, including OLEDs, and they're more or less Android TVs like most other manufacturers. So I wouldn't hold your breath for them.

european TVs aren’t that much better

It's not sweets and it's not an addiction, not everything on TV is for mindless consumption. The viewer is not who's at fault here. The right mindset is not "accept their terms or give up", it's "make your voice heard and try to make the manufacturers change their practices".

My local PBS station has some good shows (ad-free)

We might watch it “live”, but it’s through a TiVo, and not the tuner in the TV. Usually, though, we start the few scheduled shows we watch 30-60m late to be able to skip commercials.