Just buy a monitor ,connect a SBC to it ,ad software ,install IPTV player, tvgarden , and visit FMHY.net for ideas
this post was submitted on 28 Aug 2026
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I recently purchased an old plasma TV I will be tinkering with. No internet connectivity of any kind. It is hard to get excited about new TVs that are basically google and Bezos boxes and I do not wish to send them a single dime just to be spied on when I just want to watch my movies on bluray.
I am aware I can just disconnect my TV from the internet, but I don't want to support the stupid platforms that are built into the TV. Why is it any of Googles, amazon or any other platforms business what I use my TV for?
But what stops LG from convincing the Ubuntu maintainers to make an LG variant of their supposed driver to magically appear in your snap or apt package repository? You hope to God they don't, but the danger is always there.
What a convoluted way of saying Linux is better. And using Ubuntu as reference...
Not connecting it to the internet and using HDMI like we've been doing for the last 20 years...
Except there are lots of good reasons to hate HDMI.
So reluctantly using HDMI is more appropriate.
This. Everything is this.
My fear is that this will change. We already saw LG load malware via windows when connected. So in theory future devices like Roku and Apple TV could act as a proxy for the tv.
They could but why would they? Roku sells data on you already and has limited things to gain from teaming up on the off chance you’re using a second source for content. Apple sells on the basis of privacy for a higher price and if they’re getting into that game like Roku they’d just spy themselves and not help a competitor on the chance a consumer has blocked it.
If anything Roku and others being able to say “we have data on people TV makers don’t” increases their own value proposition.
The real risk IMO is on device analysis and built in cellular modems sending this data. That and things like Amazon sidewalk meaning your neighbor’s Alexa device passes it on for a fee. That and just refusing to work without internet of course.
I also fear we will have to install faraday mesh in our walls when these things start arriving with their own internet connection to collect your data and show you ads.
There's paint for that: https://ecospaints.net/browse-all/emr-shielding-paint
I've heard blackboard paint works as well: https://smartersurfaces.com/product/black-chalkboard-paint/
I can only imagine how this would totally screw with cell signal and probably generic interference with wanted wireless tech.
As someone who lives in an older style house that totally screws with cell reception “Wi-Fi Calling” makes all the difference
I hear that some models now require internet access to even be able to use it
Sounds like a great item to return to the store for a full refund. Manufactures just love returned products, completely destroys the profit on the next several sales.
unfortunately, the store often eats the cost as a lower-priced open box.
Then it's on the store to stop carrying bad products.
My dream is for my kid to learn enough about electronics to be able to open up his TV, identify any microphones, and be able to disable them. Then he might have a chance of privacy when he’s an adult.
That's likely not going to cover it. They're taking snapshots of what's on screen and sending that info home. They're using wifi and Bluetooth to get your location and information about what other devices you have. Never connecting it to the internet is going to be one of the best things to do for privacy.
Keep it offline? Wow, that was easy.
just because it isnt conneted to your network dosent mean it isnt sending data over side channels it could:
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use alternative networks provided by other devices (ring cams, amazon echo etc)
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decentral networks like apple or google tracking networks via phones
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it could strait out have a sim card with modem
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sending ultrasonic tones recived by ad tracking networks on smartphones
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high speed IR flickers that could be recived by smartphones distance sensor
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samsung service personal in the building across the street with a big telescope
...by not buying one. /thread
Ha! I knew there had to be an EDID blocker out there!
I love this writing style
How you gonna watch the nfl then??