Technology

Never buy Hisense, got it.

Relatedly, Hisense also forces updates and disables use of the TV if you do not accept the update (via a full screen non-cancelable prompt).

I learned this the hard way after Hisense broke my TV via an update that I didn't want and then refused to fix it even after 6 months of escalations and emails.

I'd like to let people know that Sceptre still makes dumb tvs and they're pretty good.

This future fucking sucks

changing the TV's DNS servers or disconnecting it from the internet entirely.

Chiming in as an Australian budget VIDAA owner.

I spotted that this TV attempts to query 8.8.8.8, regardless of your DNS settings. I implemented a port 53 (DNS) redirect so those queries get resolved by my local server.

I also figured out which servers are serving up ads/tracking. I fired an email to Pete and got them added to his list. You're welcome. I'm guessing a pi-hole would work with it.

https://pgl.yoyo.org/adservers/serverlist.php

I didn't install the latest update, and probably never will. My TV contacts the unruly ACR servers, but the later firmware probably contacts nexxen.

Don't let your TV be on the internet.

I have a HiSense TV and use ADB AppControl to disable/remove the telemetry or forced updates, and Projectivy Launcher to get a home screen/launcher that doesn't show ads. Both are free and work really well. I don't see trash on my homescreen anymore.

IF YOU BUY ANY TV, DO NOT CONNECT IT TO THE INTERNET.

Televisions were never meant to be smart devices. There's no reason your screen should have software of its own. That would be like your face having a mind of its own.

Ummm,

Okay, so strike Hisense products from the list of brand I'll ever buy from

How hard is it for companies to just make a good screen screen with the necessary ports any nothing else.

We are all losing our minds.

I'm feeling a lot less crazy having my strict rule on AV equipment:
It should work out the box without connecting to the internet, and it shouldn't be connected without a damned good reason.
To the point that I insisted on setting up the PS5 and playing a game on it before connecting, just to be sure.

I have a Hisense that I bought late last year and have never connected it to the internet (I stream everything through my PS5) and boyhowdy does that TV take every chance it gets to let me know I'm not connected lol

i wish people were less tolerating about this shit. most likely users of those tvs will grumble a little at first and then just accept and eventually disparage anyone for speaking against it.

people should get way more angry about this publicly.

just think about how things used to be 50 or 100 years ago. Having a huge scandal could actually end someones career or put down a company. Now there is nothing shitty people and companies can't do because everyone is so apathetic they wouldnt care if they themselves are the victim.

We need openWrt for TVs :(

I got a Hisense tv in November and never connected it to the internet. Now I am extremely pleased that I never connected it.

I have never connected a TV to the Internet. I do have a smart TV but I just use it for my computer.

They can’t force me if I don’t connect it to the internet

I had a 65" Hisense TV for just over a year, and a firmware update bricked it. It was stone dead, and Hisense wouldn't even try to repair it. So I spent a little extra money and got a Samsung instead. And once it was set up, I turned off its wifi...just in case.

Hisense can eat a bag o' dicks.

"Brand denies wrongdoing"

Of course. "Use is consent to the user agreement."

They could get you to swear eternal fealty to Lord Xenu, Alien God of the Universe in the user agreement that you consent to by connecting the TV to the internet.

Anyone has a list of TV manufacturers that don't suck yet?