There are lots of things you need to know before buying a smart TV & the OS on your smart TV will define its interface and software capabilities
They all suck, but I’ve always found myself going back to Roku when I try any of the others. Still selling my data, but at least 99% of apps work.
No words on ads displayed.
Nothing a good instance of PiHole or Adguard Home can’t deal with
Or you get a set top box and don’t worry about the trash software that comes with the tv.
I really like my newish sony tv that has a basic mode. Disables all the smart BS so it functions just as a screen. I use an Apple TV or ps5 for all content.
Couldn’t agree more with this. I just use a Roku set top box with all my TVs and never even connect the TVs to the internet.
Fiercely agree. I have Samsung “smart” TV that I use as a dumb screen for my Apple TV and PS5.
Samsung’s software manages to bug out even without using it. The TV remote would randomly disconnect, screen would respring, randomly adjust contrast etc. It’s like “the printer of TVs”.
How is Apple TV not on this list? It’s miles ahead of the competition in every way
This is only going through TV OSs, not stand alone hardware.
That’s like asking ‘what’s the best nut to get kicked in?’
“What’s the best company to give control of my thermostat to?”
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the coconut.
I still just want a nice dumb tv with the latest panel tech. Or a nice CRT in good condition for retro gaming.
I just plug my laptop into the TV. Works and looks great.
Anything that can load videos from my NAS. Preferably with software like Kodi. Streaming services come and go but my media library has been growing for years.
Another thing that seems overlooked is that these smart tvs spy on your activities very much. Try installing pihole and you will see your TV chatting constantly and calling home.
None. Any “smart” TV won’t be upgradable. It might get a few software updates but it will eventually be incapable of being updated enough to function as it used to with changes in services and codecs.
I have Roku and Fire devices, even on the “smart” TV. When the device isn’t enough anymore I can just replace the device for like 20 bucks, not so for the built-in software on the TV.
And the TV itself doesn’t get Internet. Shouldn’t need a direct connection.
The built-in TV software may be trash, but there is no way I can convince my dad that another device that does the exact same thing is worth it.
The dumbest one
NEC makes some TVs where you can slot in a pi as the host OS, so i’d say that’s probably the best “smart” TV as it has an OS of your choosing.
wow, that’s actually sounds nice
A TV with a good panel and a Shield
Idk Hisense recently updated their TVs and it’s been fucking with my Shields pretty bad. Going to try downgrading to the oldest, dumbest OS the TV will allow and keeping it disconnected from the internet. Still love the Shield
I’m a fan of Android TV / Google TV. The Android TV we bought didn’t have enough memory and had problems catching up but we stuck with the brand and bought a Chromecast with Google TV. It was a good decision.
I recommend replacing the default launcher. Google has packed so many fucking ads into their paid-for devices that it blows the mind to see. A good replacement launcher removes all that junk and the device runs faster too as a result. I did it on my nvidia shield pro (runs Android TV) and a google tv/chromecast I have too. Made the shield basically flawless and the best entertainment experience and the google tv it made much more useable.
The launcher I’ve been using is called “projectivy launcher” for the google tv. There’s a giant post over on XDA with specifics if interested. It’s made my google tv much better and I’d recommend the small asspain to try it. (I’m not affiliated with the launcher team or anything I just like it a lot)
Flauncher
