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by mancerayder18 hours ago |
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upvoteby drnick118 hours ago|
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> Folks, never update a TV firmware unless it's necessary.

Why would a TV ever need a firmware update? Either it works out of the box or it doesn't and I return it. I never updated the firmware of my PC monitor either.

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upvoteby Ardon17 hours ago|
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There really is a lot of processing between the signal and final display. It's pretty common for TVs to ship and then get a firmware update that does actually affect core display functionality.

I'd rather they just shipped finished firmware, but yanno. I got bit on a monitor that has actual firmware bugs but no firmware upgrade path that doesn't involve trying to ship it to a service center.

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upvoteby ZekeSulastin17 hours ago|
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To Ardon's point, my Dell AW3423DWF shipped with an incorrect EOTF for its HDR Peak 1000 mode which was fixed in a firmware update. It's still just a plain monitor though without any "Smart" features though.

... I said something about not sneaking crap in but then I remembered that Dell liked to try and push the Alienware app via Windows Update. I don't have it but I don't remember what I did to block it or if they just stopped pushing it.

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upvoteby spockz14 hours ago|
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There is a feature that you can enable in windows update, which was off by default once upon a time, that allows windows update to lookup and install apps by usb/peripheral id: plug and play something. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2450930/...
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upvoteby dblacc18 hours ago|
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security updates ?
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upvoteby lysace17 hours ago|
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Only needed if you connect it to the network. Don't.
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upvoteby declan_roberts18 hours ago|
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Just keep the TV completely disconnected and use something like an Apple TV.
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upvoteby bigyabai18 hours ago|
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Now you're trusting Apple to not enshittify your TV with a firmware update. Even modern set-top boxes are so awful that I understand why everyone moved on to phones/computers.
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upvoteby bichiliad18 hours ago|
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Anything that you use to show stuff on your tv is gonna have this problem. Apple is a little higher on the trust spectrum than, say, Roku. You’re paying Apple in part for the convenience of not doing a homebrew setup, and in part for the trust.
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upvoteby bigyabai18 hours ago|
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Not anything - you can use XBMC or Jellyfin and have a certain degree of control over your frontend.

Apple's big problem is that whatever they say, goes. If they decide to partner with Hulu for advertisements, you have no escape hatch to install a respectful UX.

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upvoteby 14 hours ago|
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deleted
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upvoteby drnick118 hours ago|
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What makes you think the Apple TV isn't also spying on you? It almost certainly is collecting telemetry too. Whether that's more or less than LG I don't know, but my preference is a Linux box with Plasma Bigscreen.
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upvoteby mancerayder9 hours ago|
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What do you use when you switch between Netflix, AppleTV, etc? Some of those platforms won't even show you HD unless it's through HDCP compliant hardware and OS, which Linux isn't. That happened with the World Cup.
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upvoteby drnick18 hours ago|
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I don't watch Netflix or AppleTV. I believe you can simply use a Web browser, at the expensive of capped resolutions on some streaming services. VacuumTube is a drop-in replacement and improvement for the YouTube/Leanback app. If you require Android apps, Waydroid is an option. Overall, if you value privacy and user-control more than a frictionless experience, it's a great setup.
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upvoteby RattlesnakeJake11 hours ago|
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At least you can replace it if that becomes a problem. Firmware built into the TV itself is something that you're stuck with.
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