Smart TVs are stupid (and what we need to do about it) 

It just occurred to me that I didn’t even get into ads! Who else things we have a ton more ads coming at us on smart TVs?

i would love a "monitor" option from companies, no smarts inside, even no speakers

10 out of 10 need to bring back “dumb” TVs, or at least the option to disable the Smarts (like Sony).

As a smart home systems integrator for 20 years we have always recommended external smart devices like Nvidia shields or Apple TV’s. 1. They allow easy upgrades separate from the tv. 2. They are typically better performing. 3. They allow IP control from Control4 or savant control systems. 4. They are more secure. 5. They allow us to create a standard interface across multiple tv models throughout a home. (LG vs Samsung vs projector….oh yeah you forgot projectors) 6. If an Apple TV breaks, it’s easily replaceable. 7. Centralizing sources like a streaming device allows us to share them throughout the house using video distribution. So…please give us a dumb option with ultra high end visuals and super reliable IP control (or RS232) And while we are at it…remove premium sound options. We can take care of audio externally just like the “smart tv” functions. Great video👍

Been feeling like this for years. I always add a set top box (Smart Device). I'd prefer a "Dummy TV" option. Only need online connectivity for updates.

I am glad somebody's finally talking about this, it has been an issue for a while now.

I totally agree with a universal implementation similar to Sony’s basic mode. Bottom line is that TV’s should 100% be usable with or without an internet connection. I’d go a step further and add a physical switch to the IO to turn off the wifi antennas like some routers do. Especially now that TV manufacturers are pushing add/suggestions/services on 50%+ of our Home Screen real estate. Speaking of, I’d like to see more options to customize home screens just like tablets/phones to completely remove unnecessary clutter. Many buy TVs for their elderly parents and I haven’t seen a single TV so far that does this well. Like I’m talking about truly simple that even a grandma can use without feeling intimidated or stupid (as they all say they do). So absolutely there’s areas for improvement.

A Bad slow sluggish tv operating system really kills it for me.

Here's a way we could improve smart TVs: give them a lobotomy. Going back to dumb TVs would solve all of this. Let the display be nothing but a display, and handle the intelligence externally with a low-cost device (Google TV, Apple TV, PC) that can be replaced as needed to keep pace with newer more demanding software. I hate the idea of being pushed out of using a high quality display because its software has gone to heck. I'm still using my sony XBR8 from 2009 and it is 100% as functional as the day I bought it because the software has never been updated. Planned obsolescence is the only reason for smart TVs, and we all know it. Improving the security flaws will not change that.

I think it's really wrong that if you want the optical settings and everything your to TV can do, you have to allow the manufacturer to access your data. That should be illegal.

I would love to have a non smart tv with all the latest bells and whistles and pay less but that will probably never happen.

Words can't express my appreciation for this video. Consumer rights and our responsibility when it comes to understanding our tech is overlooked and ignored by so many every day. As a tech enthusiast, and a technician working in related fields, I can't tell you how frustrating the ignorance and lack of education on this matter is. I refer to "Smart" devices as DUMB devices every single day at work. However, the people that buy into a product at a basement level price, who expect top-tier performance, should also be held accountable. Manufacturers need to be held to higher standards. Longer warranties, less or no extensive agreements upon setup, and choice in level of features should be mandated. If our government won't do it, either because of a lack of ability to because of too many pitchforks, we need to demand it as consumers. The IoT and smart features are making everything worse, more than they are making things convenient and easy. And we could all do well with more homework before spending our hard earned money on devices.

I have always thought that making TVs "smart" was a pointless, expensive gimmick. An accurate image and product reliability are all I really need from my TV. If I want better sound I can add a good soundbar or a home theater system. If I want a "smart" interface I can choose from a wide variety of electronic devices that I can connect to my TV. As others have said here, the only intelligence my TV needs is the ability to receive firmware updates that improve basic performance. I also have no interest in smart appliances. Our electric utility recently had a power interruption that burned out the circuit board of my sister's new refrigerator, an $800 repair. My "stupid" refrigerator remained in perfect condition.

Thank you so much for talking about the Privacy and security problems on these devices. TVs, Soundbars, etc. should all have a physical hardware switches to turn off all microphones/cameras.

All smart TVs should come with a slot in the back where you can replace the "smart" hardware for up-grade components or the OS of your choosing... like the raspberry pi.

This was a nice change of pace from the usual spec and product review front. Some "TV theory". Would like to see more stuff like this Caleb. Good stuff 👍

Huge issue. Thanks for bringing it up. I’d like an option on my LG to just let Apple TV take over as the main OS. Modular TVOS computer modules that are upgradeable would be nice.

Hi Caleb, I use Apple TV4K with my old Sony Bravia XBR 5 and HomePod stereo speakers.

I agree, smart TVs nowadays are just another glorified advertising tool with the same recycled tech disguised as the latest and greatest.

Caleb, you bring up a very valid point. I will even say it is a major one for the elderly who are not as tech savvy as most of your viewers are. For them, a Smart TV is a nightmare. Where are the days when you just pressed the On/Off button and rotated the dual to the desired channel? That sort of simplicity is what is missing

When I first saw 'smart TVs' appearing, I thought they were a bit of a gimmick. Then suddenly every 'TV' is now a 'Smart TV'. Heck, I'd say that the streaming contracts and advertising deals 'TV manufacturers' have these days are an essential part of their business plan by now. Smart TVs are also why I'm not remotely interested in TVs these days. If I'll want a big screen at some point, I'll get a Large Format Gaming Monitor, as they're called instead. They're now the 'dumb TVs', it would seem. That said, they have all the features a regular ol' TV used to have, like a screen, and inputs and a remote control. Maybe not a tuner, but heck, who still watches TV these days? :) I feel that hooking up an HTPC of some description (even an old laptop or desktop PC) is in so many ways superior to the 'Smart TV' experience. Not only do you get to stream from the same 'apps' as with a 'Smart TV', but you also control the hardware, the OS and its updates. Leaving that to some random manufacturer would seem... unwise, to put it mildly. Plus you can also play games and other things on this HTPC, using your own Steam or GoG library or DOSBox or whatever. So much better than one of those dumb 'Smart TVs', if you ask me.

I've never used a TV's apps for content. Anything I watch I do it through a device. Same goes for speakers. I never use the TV speakers, no matter how good they are, because even the best TV speakers can't really match an affordable soundbar. I'm looking to buy a new one in the next year or so, and the only thing I really care about is: does it have HDMI 2.1, eArc, and all the HDR formats, 120Hz. Everything else doesn't matter. If you could strip away all that extra stuff, would that reduce the cost of the TV? As far as software, I'd rather have some ability for the TV to self calibrate using my phone's camera or some such rather than run Netflix.

I'm a 3rd party vendor w/ a TV manufacturer selling their TVs in a major retailer on the weekends. This is something I mention to folks often when they start asking questions about it. Some people think that they need a new TV when all they need to do is plug in a Roku or Firestick.

This is an exceptional video young man. Please expand this topic. Kudos 👍

Thank you so much for bringing this up! I subscribed to this channel initially for reviews of TVs that I can never buy. But this time you really open my eyes to something much more important and serious. I believe it is a great service to many casual tech users who are yet to understand what it means for TVs, or even a lot more appliances, going 'smart'. The update issue that forces ppl to retire their TVs, the security and privacy issues. A lot more things must be done to address the issues. I think both the consumers and the law makers would need to act, so as to ensure that we do not fall into some sort of techno-dystopia.

I dont even plug my tv into the internet. I use a roku box for streaming. Maybe its better these days, but the built in aps always felt slower and more clunky than something dedicated to streaming.

Please return to long form videos, this deserved a good half hour analysis in depth.

“Smart TVs” have never been smart, we as the user have to do all the work. I agree with what is being stated.

Bought my smart tv around 2017, screen is great however after time the apps such as Netflix and RU-vid became very slow as the hardware hasn’t kept up with software, plus Disney plus doesn’t work on it so it was supposed to be a new tv £600 but then I discovered a fire stick for £15 runs everything perfect, be careful as I nearly threw away a perfectly good tv

I Absolutely agree! I'm so glad this topic was brought up. Ever since smart TVs became widespread, I have been saying I would much rather buy a regular tv and use a streaming device.

Awesome and much needed content! Apple TVs interface is best among all. I use built in OS in my Samsung Frame tv since I don't want to spent more after buying an expensive TV. Features I like to see on all TVs: 1. One touch switch between cable and streaming services. 2. LG like pointer interface 3. Apple tv/Google tv like interface where I can search a title across all streaming services. 4. A single place to keep my watch list. 5. Decent in-built speakers

I think a small but well written law would help a lot. Something like "manufacturers have to provide security updates for at least 10 years after the customers purchase and release those not later than the updates for their newest or highest-end products".

Thanks for calling attention to this massive annoyance. I see the corporate lock in to content providers and their various Destructive Restriction Mechanisms (DRM) as the core of the problem. I've recently searched extensively for an "intellegent" TV (as opposed to Smart TV) and they are nowhere to be found -- apparently the content provider subsidies and licensing deals provide too much profiteering incentive. Separation between content providers and content carriers, e.g. Net Neutrality and passive delivery devices, is a necessity for resolving this expanding disease of privacy invasion and consumer abuse.

I use mostly the native apps on my TVs. I use my console for crunchy roll and yeah the LG not having HBO max was irritating for a while. The common user may not have the luxury of overlap of having a smart tv, 2 next gen consoles and maybe an external streaming device. I agree with the issues brought up in this video.

thank you for the teaching

Thank you, Caleb and team! This issue needs addressing.

That's a pretty cool shirt, Caleb's gotten some real style going for him lately

I've been really happy with Sony Android TV implementation. Vizio is trash though.

Yes! Thank you for talking about this topic, 2020 & 2021 Samsung TVs are so frustrating with their connectivity issues and the low cpu performance. most definitely NOT smart TV

Same feeling here, thanks for bringing that up with this video! 👍

Step one keep your tv offline and use it as a good looking monitor Step two just buy a media player that controls cec Step three, win

I never use the build in apps. Always an external device...( Shield tv)

EXCELLENT video. This is a huge problem, thank you for bringing it up. I’m seriously considering my recently purchased LG my first time having a smart TV because of this problem exactly. It shouldn’t be this complicated to watch TV, and we should not be at the mercy of software for long term use.

Dude, all good points. One that has just bugged the heck out of me is that damn handshake between devices like your TV and soundbar, i.e. CEC. Weird that there is one standard to rule them all.

Not really a bad experience exactly but both my smart tvs (from like 2015-2017) are worse then using a console or computer when it comes to apps and I don't appreciate the fact that I can't update them anymore (they're still decent picture quality so why get rid of them?). Ads are a big concern for me whenever I upgrade in the future as I don't really want to get blasted in the face with ads as soon as I hit power on the remote. Security is also a issue as I don't need a device that's a liability in my own home. It's kind of to the point where I'm actually thinking about getting a apple tv (so I can do airplay as well as have a decent experience on netflix). Also hdr is kind of a big issue too; One of my tv was advertised as having hdr10 only to find out that the peak brightness is 400 nit and it only really does "hdr" by accepting a hdr signal (and looks worse then sdr due to no wide color gamut and low peak brightness). We need a tighter standard on HDR instead of this wishy washy "is it really hdr" game that I'm currently trying to play with on buying a second monitor eventually.

Just get rid of all the bloatware! (sorry, I mean ''apps''). - Cheaper TVs - More stable - Better privacy If you REALLY want these stuff, then get yourself a laptop an an extra HDMI cable.

Excellent commentary! This is one of the many reasons why I love this channel. Great job! 👍

This is fantastic! I've often thought about this very topic following the FBI's bulletin. Myself I prefer to keep my applications on all platforms (PC, smartphone, TV, streaming device) to a minimum to minimize security risks. I think you have to approach this from a few angles. 1) TV operating systems should have to meet a minimum security standard; 2) Our home networks need to have active monitoring to detect and address unusual activity from connected devices; 3) TV OS platforms need to agree to support a TV operating system and SoC for a minimum of seven years from date of purchase; 4) Any external streaming device needs to maintain backwards connectivity compatibility for TV inputs for the previous ten years of HDMI (or whatever else arises) standards; 5) TV manufacturers need to offer free scanning tools to check TVs for malware; 6) TV manufacturer application listings need to ensure that any and all applications are vetted such as those on Google Play or the Apple App Store.

We do not use any built in apps. We watch all our content on Apple TV because it tracks what we are watching accross all apps, has no adds, and works well with our other apple devices.

I just had that conversation 2 weeks ago. I would love to have a "dumb" TV with no smartfeatures at all besides Software updates and of corse image enhancments and add my own streaming device. This way I could have the OS that I want with the TV that I want without having it be slowed down by heavy software and could just upgrade the streaming device if I felt like I need an upgrade.

Features I like to see on all TVs: 1. One touch switch between cable and streaming services. 2. LG like pointer interface 3. Apple tv/Google tv like interface where I can search a title across all streaming services. 4. A single place to keep my watch list. 5. Decent in-built speakers

This was a needed video. Thank you

Apple TV 4K is a must in my book if you’re buying a high-end TV and care enough

I use an Xbox Series X, and actually keep the wifi turned off on the TV unless I'm using specific apps or updating it. No use hogging more wifi needlessly.

Very good video Caleb. The basic setup idea is a good one. There should always be a way to switch between inputs and picture functions without getting into the smart TV OS, and on some brands/models, maybe there already is. That being said, (without having done any research myself) I don't think it's very common that TV OS:s gets messed up. But as a fail safe, still being able to still use the TV in such a case is of course a plus. Cameras on TVs that can't easily be disconnected (physically) or have their lense covered is a very bad idea. Same goes for a microphones, although I think most TVs (up until now at least) that has one, has it built in to the remote control rather than on that actual TV. That will most likely change however, since more people tend to work from home now, and are more likely to use their TVs in multiple ways (voice in gaming, job meetings etc etc) where a microphone on the actual TV "could" become more useful. This is kind of basic stuff though, so I think most manufacturers are clever enough to figure this out. When it comes to ads I think it should be possible to turn them off completely. That being said, I am using both a Sony bravia and an LG Oled, and as of yet I can't really say I've had a problem with that, apart from annoying RU-vid ads, but that's not really what we are talking about here. What bothers me more is going between the different remotes and different smart TV OS:es, it's a hassle. ;-) #welfareproblems

I think several of the drawbacks to smart TVs you mentioned can be attributed to the silent wars going on in the background among the tech and media companies for the licenses to content. My wife and I bought a LG C1, but exchanged it for the color accuracy, but more subtle color, of the Sony A80J. We use the TVs apps where we can but also use the Roku TV to stream Spectrum Cable and some other apps.

I really like how Benq has been handling this, by shipping a separate streaming stick along with their projectors. You don't have to install it if you don't want it

LG turning webOS’s clean ribbon into a full screen spread with ads and apps from different ecosystems is one of the worst unforced errors a television maker has ever made. And this clown actually championed it.

Nice work. Thank you

Excellent points you raised!

Making the hardware more open for alternative firmware might be an option, like Cyanogen firmware keeps android phones alive a lot longer than the manufacturers

I´ve been using the apple tv 4k second generation and it´s great. TVos is just so much better!

I love the wooden stand the TVs in your videos are sitting on! Where did you get it from?

Absolutely spot on. I was just beating my head against a wall because I couldn't get my mom's "smart" Samsung TV to download the Disney+ app. A few RU-vid videos later I realized that even though it's a 2015 UHD flat screen that works perfectly, it's too old to run Disney+ (womp, womp). Thanks to one of your other videos we are bypassing the TV's dated OS and purchasing a new Apple TV box that does have the hardware and software to run Disney+.

I don’t use built in tv apps. If I could buy a dumb tv with a great screen and save a few bucks, I would.

Apple TV on all of my tvs. Slick user interface and we get the same experience no matter what tv we’re using

Thanks Caleb , I was just talking about this all week . I purchased a new Sony X91J 85" TV for my dedicated home theater and it has been a total nightmare !!! I have a full 7.3.4 Atmos set up consisting of , Denon AVR-X3700H + Denon POA-8300 three chan. power amp (powering the front stage)with a Sony BD-X800 M2 Blue Ray player and a brand new Fire TV Max and it is controlled with a Harmony Elite remote , and every time it turn on the system the TV decides to pick what source I am using !?!?! The remote tells it to use HDMI 4 input but it sees the fire stick and the Blue Ray player and usually picks the player instead of the Fire TV !!!! I just need this TV to be a video display and nothing more , just give me the best picture it can produce and the rest of my system will do the rest!!!! I do not understand why these TV manufacturers don't have a way to simply turn off the smart/stupid TV functions , or better yet offer the same TV as a video display only , call it Theater View -no smart features and no speakers etc . We pay for all this stuff we don't need and it just makes setting up a home theater 10x harder !!!!! Love your show and the stuff you cover !!!!!!

hi, I am thinking to buy a miniLED TV , 65", I cannot fit the 75" in the space i want, but I am very confused of what to buy or to look for in 2022. Also, i'm from Europe and especially TCL models are branded a bit different? so, am I lookin for Samsung 90A/B , Hisense U8QF/H , Sony X95K or TCL C821 or TCL X10 (that is double in price compared to C821) ? Also, another dumb restriction, I need a VESA standard of: 200 x 200 / 400 x 200 / 300 x 300 / 400x400 so the Samsung vesa standard of 300x400 is not ok for me

100% - One big frustration is those TOS contracts. I can't use half of the products and services out there these days because I do read them, and they're not acceptable. It says a lot that the click wrap software never has the option to decline the TOS. It's designed as a hoop to jump through, not a decision that people will really make (Do you accept the TOS, Yes or Yes). Another is feature changes are forced, bundled with necessary bug fixes, or can't be rolled back. Consumers deserve the right to the software, hardware, and services that were in place at the time they purchased the product. If I buy a $1000 TV, no-one should be able to change the features of that product without my permission. If I can't choose to use software and services that were in place when I made my purchasing decisions, I should have the option to return the product for a full refund of the hardware and unused service fees. Google and Sony lost me as a future customer with exactly that sort of nonsense when they added advertisements to my expensive Bravia TV home screen 3 years after I purchased it. They even added a special flag so, while it appears in the list of home screen features, it can't be turned off (unlike all of the other home screen features). Google is doing many other things that discourage me from using its other products too, like nasty contracts on some of their services and apps, and updates on my expensive Chromebook that are making what was a powerful and snappy product into something that's slow, runs hot, and has a terrible battery life.

I just bought the TCL 6 series with Google OS. Any privacy settings that should be tweaked out of the box?

Thanks Caleb and team for not clipping your voice audio in this video.

Caleb. I purchased the 77" Sony Bravia OLED mainly based on your reviews vs all the rest. This one had the sweet spot of price and function. While I love this TV.. LOVE IT.. I have had some issues of late where 1. the Wifi just drops and 2. one time I wasn't even able to find any wifi networks, which points at a wifi adapter card error.. question is, has this been a documented issue, was it fixed and is there anything I can do about it? It's probably done this about 4 times in 2 months. - Mark

Based on your reviews of the Hisenses U series, I bought the U8G at Best Buy. It was back ordered for months. I think it was out on a barge in Long Beach. I ended up with the U7G. I installed Cinema HD and Sterling TV and love it. I used to use my laptop hooked to my TV with one HDMI wire. On it I've got AdBlocker so NO INTERRUPTIONS during RU-vid clips or movies. I can't install that on my Hisense and I don't know why it won't install but I have my suspicions why it's blocked. It is cool to say "hey Google, turn up the TV" or some command like that.

I bought a Vizio TV 3 years ago, bought it at Walmart and who incidentally closed one month later. I was told this TV will do anything, I'm a truck driver so I did not need cable I wanted the antenna TV. The TV was about 13 or 14 hundred dollars. I hooked it up and no picture would come in. Come to find out it doesn't even have a tuner in it, so in the last 3 years I've had to buy three tuners from Best buy, all three tuners burnout exactly one year later I bought all 3 in May of 2022 2023 2024, they're selling these sets as TVs, but if the TV doesn't have a tuner. I don't believe it's a TV. It's a monitor. Beware stay away from Vizio.

Thanks Caleb!

Loving these discussion videos while we wait for the 2022 models to arrive. Super stoked about the A90K and C2. I'd have a suggestion for how you end your videos. It's cool that you offer two more videos to click on, but unless we pause the video, there's not nearly enough time to read the title and make a click decision. How about extending the duration there?

Very nice and informative article...

Please review best tvs from the perspective of security and privacy.

Totally valid points. Have been thinking for a while as to why no one was talking about it.

Awesome video and topic. Am looking forward to your followup.

Just got my first "smart" TV a couple months ago and have never connected it to the internet or used the built-in apps. It really blows my mind that there are no options anymore for a TV without all that bs. From the research I did, it seems that most of the problems TVs have nowadays are caused by the OS, apps, and firmware updates bricking them. This is why I stuck with my previous 10+ year old 720p TV 'til the wheels fell off.

I totally agree. I ended up just buying a Fire TV Stick for my expensive LG GX because I couldn't get all of the streaming services that I wanted to use. Yeah, I can now get HBO Max, but I still can't get Rakuten Viki. I'm in the process of removing/deregistering all of my streaming services on my LG since I don't even use them.

Great video 👍

I have a 2016 model Samsung 4K TV. Still very decent TV today but after 5 years of usage, you can see some problems such as I'm having a playback issue with RU-vid that it keeps closing the app and some newer streaming apps that are only compatible with newer models (this TV can do content casting but limited as some streaming apps preferred Chromecast built in). Plus, some apps are now being stripped down for older TVs to enhance UI stability and as Netflix only updates the UI via its server side, it rarely updates the app via the built-in store app. I'm thinking of purchasing a new streaming dongle or a regular Chromecast (without Google TV) as I can still use Netflix, RU-vid and Spotify directly on TV.

I couldn’t agree more. I bought a vizio tv a year or so ago, and while the picture is great, the software experience is awful. It’s not even that smart cast is slow (which it is) or has limited apps and no App Store, but the actual tv software itself is super buggy. It sometimes doesn’t turn on or locks up the remote, and will require unplugging/plugging back in or a full reset every month. And yeah that’s not that huge a deal to do, but i bought a product expecting it to work reasonably and reliably, I shouldn’t have to reset everything except maybe once a year just to freshen things up. I bought an Apple TV and the experience is light years ahead of whatever chipset they use in the television and I’ll never use a smart tv OS again.

Well does anything prevent you from not connecting to internet and just adding a Chromecast or any Android tv device ??

Does anyone know how to change netflix app audio to default stereo cause I have no any luck on my sony smart tv. thx you.

What is the US equivalent of TCL P725? is it better that the series 6? Thanks.

Since getting the LG C1, I generally use its apps for HBO, etc., especially since the remote has dedicated buttons for Netflix, Prime, and Disney+.

I have to agree with this alot... I currently use a external internet device to access Prime, RU-vid, Netflix for my 60" 2014 Plasma but it is limited in adding apps...And a family member purchased a TCL Smart TV 2yrs ago just to have it suffer multiple issues and become basically a Bluray Playback device only...my next TV will be OLED 65" When I'm feeling this Plasma just isn't Sharp Enough for Majority of Broadcast Satellite Signals

I just got a smart TV for the first time last December and have since left it disconnected from the internet so I don’t have to see ads/suggestions every time I turn it on. Yet somehow they find a way to bug you with an annoying “Set up your TV now!” banner that never goes away

Caleb, I think this was a great video to bring awareness to a BIGGER issue with modern tech and privacy issues...... I love the idea of a basic tv with all the visual features included, maybe a temp login access for updates (emailed notices) for tv itself....function, software fixes, etc..... then, more of a reliance on the consumers choice of separate streaming platform via chrome cast, roku, apple, fire, etc.... I couldn't agree more with what you are bringing up! Sucks to be stuck into a tv that doesn't do something, or gets outdated on a platform/software level, etc.... Or the Double/Triple platform setup that leaves a little to be desired with cross use, remotes, hit and miss functionality, etc! Good Show buddy!

Awesome video we need more security for smart tv's and the option to have non smart tvs!

Awesome video! I'm a bit embarrassed that I didn't even consider my intellectual security while recently purchasing my first, "Smart", TV. I don't know how capable TV processing is but I wonder what the manufacturers may be able to do with that extra headroom, if the TV was just a panel with (or without) speakers and high-res inputs. Maybe that could be a selling point? More power more better right?

Smart TV's have never been usable. I have always relied on an external streaming box, an external box can be replaced when something better comes out for not much money. I believe smarts should be removed altogether. As Elon Musk says, the best part is no part. Streaming boxes are hidden behind the TV anyway. One solution would be to have a user replaceable module so the smart system can be upgraded (or removed).

I have a smart TV, but I'm really considering getting a non-smart TV. I have 4 devices plugged into it a PS3, PS4, Cable box, and a Firestick that recently replaced a Roku device. The FireTV that basically do the same thing only better and in the case of the Firestick, much better. So in reality all that is needed is a really good display with a lot of HDMI connections and the ability to support external speaker systems and respond to commands like on/off and volume from an external device like a Firestick, Roku, etc. Would be very interested in a video on a setup that would accomplish this. Excellent video!

I've already seen this with my early Samsung sets having no app support beyond Netflix or Prime Video. Same thing happened to my first and second LG smartphones; no OS updates after a point, so I had to chance bricking them for 2 years of extra relevance. I see LG following the same path with WebOS, but it hasn't been as egregious yet.

This was a big reason why I went for the A80J. The Basic TV setup option in it is great (although not perfect). I have an AppleTV and use it exclusively. The only time I get into the “smart” side of the TV is for a firmware update. The UI design on all Smart TV’s are horrible, SOC’s are lacking, and networking speeds are way to low. I’d be happier if they ditched the Smarts (and the speakers) in lieu of higher quality thinner panels at the same prices points (more margin for them) or reduced prices.

I have a 2016 KS8000 Samsung. I use the native apps for the majority of my content. I have to use my 4K firestick for the newer apps that the TV doesn't support. I have gotten the settings right where I want them for the native apps. On the firestick, it is not quite the same and I can't seem to dial out the "soap opera" effect. I will live with this as the TV is pretty old and I am looking to see your reviews on the newer 2022 monitors. Trying to hold out for newer technologies as long as possible. Unlike the newer TVs, I don't have ads or other things cluttering up the interface.

My Sony A8H is mostly used as a monitor, via HDMI from a AV Pre-Amp which does the switching between the sources, using a sound system. So I have not used the TV features at all. My previous "TV" was actually a KURO 60 inch monitor only as it did not have a tuner and worked great that way.