I’m going to buy my first new TV in years. Even if it’s a ‘smart’ tv we plan to just use our Roku. I’ve heard that some TVs require you to connect it to the internet before you can even use a Roku device. For privacy reasons I don’t want my TV to EVER have access to my wifi. Is anyone aware of how to know what models/brands of TVs allow me to use it without ever connecting the TV itself to wifi?

If necessary I guess I could connect it to my guest network to ‘activate’ the TV, set up the Roku to connect to my private network, then change the password to the guest network.

Would rather just have a TV that doesn’t even ‘phone home’ once.

  • gravitas_deficiencyEnglish
    20·
    4 hours ago

    What the hell sort of TV are you looking at that requires an online connection to use it as a simple display device?

    That’s a serious question. I want to avoid whatever brand you’re talking about like the plague.

    • XeroxCool@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      1 hour ago

      Most brands make it seem impossible to setup without connecting. I got a free TCL/Roku and it was such a massive headache to avoid connecting that I connected it. I just skip the ARC HDMI and pretend it’s just as good since I don’t use the built in apps. ARC ports read your content to “better serve you content” (ads)

      • gravitas_deficiencyEnglish
        2·
        40 minutes ago

        I thought LG and Sony and a few of the other big players still had the self respect to sell TVs that can just be… you know… TVs

    • computergeek125@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      2 hours ago

      Sadly the so-called “smart TV” is becoming the norm. Companies add unnecessary crap to TVs that’s often as slow as your car’s factory infotainment system, and when they feel like not upgrading the software anymore for security issues in a few years, it’s a permanent security hazard until you disconnect it from the network.

      I have a Vizio TV from several years ago with Yahoo branded smart functions (that should date it) that I need to factory reset because I can’t find the WiFi password erase.

    • trustnoone@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
      11·
      3 hours ago

      Unfortunately i think its becoming more a thing, so you have to be careful of future updates as some companies are realising they can put ads on your menu screen now