No one forces you to use that stuff. I don't think I've ever used my TV menus. I have a chromestick and I just cast everything from my phone. I could have the smartest TV in the world for all I know, I don't care.
A few years ago I got a Sceptre UTV 55" U558CV-UMC on Amazon. It was about $250 and has been pretty good! Probably out of stock now but there may be a similar one available.
Plug a computer into it. There are little machines that you can hide behind the TV, if that's what you want. Not only will you not get ads, but you also won't get ads with stuff like YouTube if you use an ad blocker.
I got a Vizio a few years ago because they don’t require you to connect it to the internet at all. I just use a separate set-top box with it.
We're looking to get our first TV in years, the current one is about 10-12 years old. We don't watch normal 'tv', everything is streamed through another device.
What kind of adverts can I expect in a modern current-gen TV?
Mine just pushed streaming services and shows I'm not interested in, and makes it waaaaay easier to accidentally get advertised at than to find the input select menu to get out of that.
The UI also lags hard while trying to stream video because the embedded computer is terrible
The less you pay for the TV, the more adverts and worse experience you'll get.
Ignore the smart features completely. Focus on the display quality and get the best you can afford.
Then get a streaming device. I recommend Chromecast with Google TV, only adverts I get are for shows (same recommendations the apps give me). Fire TV is also good, but more general adverts for Apps that aren't installed. I've heard good things about Apple TV, but I don't have any experience with it.
Get the latest streaming device and power using a socket, not the TV usb, and you can't really go wrong.
Oh OK, so when we're talking about adverts, are we talking about only when using the native smart apps like Netflix or Prime?
Sorry I know this seems like such a dumb question now I'm writing it out, I just feel so out of the loop now.
I generally run everything through my PC onto the TV, it's basically a glorified media centre, so I've never had any need for a smart TV. Problem is its got all sorts of screen burn now though, so I badly need to upgrade. I was planning to spend about 1.5k on a good new one with decent visual quality, low response time for gaming, etc.
Not at all, no dumb questions.
Many Smart TVs do have modified software to show even more adverts than normal. Some of the built-in TV smart apps also have a lot of adverts. That's why many people are recommending getting a proper streaming box/adapter instead of using the built in smart TV features.
Even on the official streaming devices there are "adverts", but they are usually only for installed apps and they are more focused on their content and recommendations.
Though this does vary it seems.
It sounds like you have the right kind of plan. Main thing to know is that the Smart features on TVs are very much a "nice extra" and shouldn't factor in to your buying decision as a £50 stream stick/box is usually way better.
I've had a TCL Roku tv for a while and I love it. There's really only one ad and it's off to the side of the list of apps, so really non-intrusive.
Same, but I have that one ad blocked with PiHole so it just an empty rectangular box.
The only thing I don’t like is the crappy remote and the fact that “they” switch my theme.
You can actually block adds on roku through a secret menu in the settings
Can you elaborate on this secret method?
The Roku secret menu can be found on Roku devices only, and you can adjust what ads you see through it by clicking the home button 5 times, pressing up,right,down,left, and toggling different advertisement settings once the menu opens.Jun 22, 2023
Yes just a NonSmart TV they are usually cheap or very expensive or old
Just buy a tv that has the features which within your budget. Don’t connect it to the internet if you don’t need that. Get an Apple TV or other desired streaming stick if you do but some or most will some form of ads or tacking.
You could look at setting up pihole or adguard home server to help minimise internet based ads & tracking but it may not stop all.
There are third party launchers you can download for many non-roku smart TVs. I have an android tv that has a god awful interface by default, but I installed FLauncher and haven't seen a single ad since.
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