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submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 10 hours ago) by Nicro@discuss.tchncs.de to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

The EMMC on my PC-TV finally broke down and I'd like to replace it with something that doesn't run an OS or will predictably fail with a countdown. But dumb TVs are hard to come by and monitors come at a premium at that size. I want to run a PC (DP/HDMI) and an SBC (HDMI) with it. I also have an S2 satellite cable, but that's secondary. I'd like to have ~43", 16:9, 4K but without an embedded smart-hub, ideally running of eeprom-firmware, or just anything independent of write-cycles. But I can't find any good options online. Are there companies for this. Comments and recommendations welcome.

Edit: I'm EU, hence the DVB-S2 cable. Scepter would be great, but doesn't run on EU power.

Edit: I've pretty much settled on a philips 439P1/00. I'll give it another day, but it seems good. The PC over DP is my main focus and I can connect my own SBC for streaming. It lacks freesync but has adaptive sync and basic HDR. Being an office-monitor, it has no smarts and at ~600 bucks with consumer warranty and support it fits what I'm asking for well. Industry-signage wasn't really an option.

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[-] BearOfaTime@lemm.ee 26 points 1 day ago

It's possible a smart TV will use its wifi to connect to another device of the same brand on its own. I'd read an article about it a couple years ago.

If I'm reading about it, that means a company has been working on it, and frankly it makes sense. If I were in their shoes I'd look into making it happen. It's pretty trivial to do when you think about it.

Not that I think it's happening in the wild, just an idea to keep in mind.

Also, those devices are always capturing data. So if/when they ever connect, that data will get uploaded.

[-] Fusty@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 day ago

There is no meaningful data for the OS to capture if it used as a display for externally connected devices.

The only way to have 100% privacy on all devices is not have internet service.

[-] DScratch@sh.itjust.works 20 points 1 day ago

Many tvs have microphones built into them or their remotes.

Some are even sending screenshots of what they are displaying to their backend servers.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2449198-smart-tvs-take-snapshots-of-what-you-watch-multiple-times-per-second/

[-] Fusty@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 day ago

I guess that you cannot read well so I will say it plainly, when a TV has no access to the outside internet over the lifespan of the TV, zero information or files will ever be uploaded and will stay on TV with no external copy existing anymore.

[-] otter@lemmy.ca 10 points 1 day ago

Also, those devices are always capturing data. So if/when they ever connect, that data will get uploaded.

This seems to be the key bit of the comment.

Outside of the examples listed, a more reasonable possibility is if someone else in your home (ex. A family member) connects it to the network. Also even if it doesn't automatically connect to a public network, well placed popups can also lead to mistakes.

[-] Fusty@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 day ago

Yoy can dream up every fantasy scenerio you want until you are butt stupid, it does not make it plausible.

[-] undefined@lemmy.hogru.ch 5 points 20 hours ago

Have you missed the other comments? It’s pretty well documented that the TV will either find a similar brand TV to connect to (and reach the internet) or as I’ve read, it’ll find an open WiFi network to do so.

There is no meaningful data for the OS to capture if it used as a display for externally connected devices.

Except that some of these devices are periodically "screenshotting" the screen and harvesting data from that.

Pair that with automatically connecting to open wifi networks and nothing is truly safe.

[-] lone_faerie 2 points 21 hours ago

Username checks out. Your own article you linked dispels this.

the opt-out mechanisms implemented on LG and Samsung smart TVs are working

A better solution is to disconnect your Smart TV from the internet entirely... Smart TVs cannot utilize ACR when they are offline.

[-] MonkderVierte@lemmy.ml 1 points 17 hours ago

Some actively listen with a microphone though.

[-] Boomkop3@reddthat.com 1 points 6 hours ago
[-] MonkderVierte@lemmy.ml 1 points 6 hours ago
[-] randombullet@programming.dev 0 points 1 day ago

I'll just connect it to my LAN only wifi network. No way in no way out.

[-] undefined@lemmy.hogru.ch 8 points 20 hours ago* (last edited 20 hours ago)

I think what they were talking about is the TV actively scanning for similar models and connecting to those to reach the internet. I’ve read similar articles showing how smart TVs will even connect to an open WiFi network to try to get online.

All this would bypass your LAN restrictions of course.

this post was submitted on 22 Nov 2024
106 points (100.0% liked)

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