Can i pleace find a decent TV without smart-capabilitys? I just want HDMI thats it
“Awful”: Roku tests autoplaying ads loading before the home screen
Submitted 1 month ago by flop_leash_973@lemmy.world to technology@lemmy.world
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/roku-says-unpopular-autoplay-ads-are-just-a-test/
Comments
spaffel@spaffel.social 1 month ago
CancerMancer@sh.itjust.works 1 month ago
Don’t give your TV wifi access, use a separate device to watch stuff (Chromecast, FireTV, Android box, etc…)
surph_ninja@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Wish it had more apps, but Apple TV is pretty solid. With the Steam link app, it’s also good for couch gaming on your pc.
jacksilver@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Yeah, that was my approach, but the forced ads are also on the roku stick :(
scala@lemmy.ml 1 month ago
Technically you can get commercial TVs but many companies stopped selling them. They are literally the new screen tech with no “Smart” capabilities. They are also much cheaper than their smart counterparts.
RedEyeFlightControl@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Buy a commercial signage display. It’s just a TV without the smart garbage.
Or, get a projector :)
dan1101@lemm.ee 1 month ago
I’ve had luck with just not giving a smart TV my wifi password.
Captainautism@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 month ago
I’m looking to upgrade the living room TV soon, and this is what I plan to do.
moseschrute@lemmy.world 1 month ago
That’s what I do
TK420@lemmy.world 1 month ago
[deleted]Bristingr@lemm.ee 1 month ago
I must not be looking at the right thing. All I’m finding are expensive displays that have all this fancy scheduling, web surfing, etc. built into it.
brygphilomena@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 month ago
A buddy sent me this recently. I’m intrigues. www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=46513
andros_rex@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Cheap computer monitor works well for me.
CatZoomies@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Just a heads up that the Smart Cancer has already begun infecting PC monitors. Samsung makes Smart Monitors.
It won’t be long before there are no longer Dumb Monitors.
lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 month ago
A Sharp Aquos TV from the late 2000s, pre-Hisense days. I have a 42" model from 2007. 1080p, plenty of I/O for modern and legacy equipment, and lots of configuration options. It’s an absolute monster at 75 lbs, but is an incredibly high quality unit, especially for it’s age. I’ve owned it since 2019 and it’s needed zero repairs.
For reference, we also have a much newer 55" curved Samsung TV (in our basement, wall-mounted up high) which that has already needed its display driver board replaced.
Smokeless7048@lemmy.world 1 month ago
the largest problem with older TV’s isnt the resolution. even on my 75" its hard to tell the difference between 4k and 1080p… But HDR is amazing, it really blows me away each time a scene lights up!
gedaliyah@lemmy.world 1 month ago
For years I was a big fan of Roku. It represented a better value alternative from the big corporations pushing their own agenda like Google, Apple, Samsung, and Amazon. They made products that were intuitive and user oriented and carved out a very nice and stable market share for themselves because of it. Now they’re just leveraging their hardware relationships to transform the software into something terrible.
I used to look for tvs with Roku built in. Now I’ve disabled Roku features from my smart TVS and use a separate streaming device.
jacksilver@lemmy.world 1 month ago
I think the issue is they hit market saturation and haven’t been able to develop any real revenue streams beyond the sale of devices (which is one time cost while maintenance and development constantly drain them of any profit).
I suspect the increased enshitification is because they need other revenue streams. Just take a look at their stock price and it doesn’t paint a great picture for them.
potentiallynotfelix@lemmy.fish 1 month ago
Don’t connect your Roku to the internet.
SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 month ago
Or better yet, use a Pi-Hole or something similar to block the relevant adservers at the IP level.
Hellmo_Luciferrari@lemm.ee 1 month ago
I wouldn’t say this is “better”
I do run a pihole, but I still will never connect my roku to the internet. It is much better to have a media PC or other streaming device I have control of fully connected.
ALostInquirer@lemm.ee 1 month ago
Would you happen to know of any guides or have advice on identifying the adservers to block?
CeeBee_Eh@lemmy.world 1 month ago
That’s not better, you didn’t allow any smart TV to connect to the internet.
tal@lemmy.today 1 month ago
Don’t connect your Roku to the internet.
I thought that Roku was some kind of streaming service to a device. Doesn’t that need to be Internet-connected to function?
kagis
Ah. Apparently that’s what they originally did, but they’ve also subsequently come out with smart TVs, which I assume can operate without an Internet connection.
greybeard@lemmy.one 1 month ago
Roku started as a streaming media box. You paid them money, they gave you a box that could play Netflix and Youtube. It was a simple transaction. Unfortunately, at some point they decided to start selling/giving their OS to TV manufacturers. This was actually nice at the start. You got a smart TV who’s “Smarts” were designed by competent people. A revolution at the time. But the drive to drop prices lower and lower meant that there was no margin on the TV, which means Roku had to investigate other ways of making their revenue, AKA Ads and selling data.
Of course, the stand alone box probably would have went that way anyways, but at least with selling a dedicated box, there is a clear financial benefit without the need to get invasive.
brygphilomena@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 month ago
I have a Roku ultra in my kid’s room.
I do not want her subjected to ads when she turns on the TV.
This is unacceptable to me and I will be replacing all my Rokus immediately.
melpomenesclevage@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 month ago
pirate, or you’ll just be doing the same fucking thing again in two years.
brygphilomena@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 month ago
I have a 200+TB library for my Plex and jellyfin instances. The Roku was just a family friendly launcher and remote. I bought them when you could still disable ads in the secret menus and most of the Roku BS is blocked by a pair of piholes, but I’ve gotten annoyed chasing new urls to blacklist.
It’s DRM for the other app bullshit that becomes a hindrance for going the Kodi route. There really isn’t a good alternative that I’ve found. Linux boxes will limit some services to 720p and jt’s mostly baseball and local news programs that I’ll lose.
For the news, I need to look at something like hdhomerun or something else I can pair with an OTA antenna.
For baseball, not much other than the absolute mess that live streaming sports is. Doable, sure. But a pita and sketchy last I looked into it. My season ticket comes with MLB.tv, but the irony is that I’m “in network” so all my teams games are blacked out for me. I had previously created a VPN tunnel and routed one of my Rokus to a different state to watch it. But it’s not a user friendly experience.
For games, I already have a batocera box running on an old dell thin client with way more power than a pi, and it has Kodi on it. But the UI/UX still sucks.
blazeknave@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Almost downvoted instinctually as a reaction to the headline. Visceral reaction. I hate this beyond belief.
BrianTheeBiscuiteer@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Shit. I got a Roku TV. That’s one big fucking stick to toss.
Lexam@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Step 1. Factory reset.
Step 2. Do not allow it to connect to the Internet.
Step 3. Connect a Linux based computer to it and run everything through the computer.
Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Instructions unclear. TV now controlled by Nicole the fediverse chick.
ripcord@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Eh, I just started connecting cheap ($30 or so) used Apple TVs to mine. I saw the writing on the wall.
_sideffect@lemmy.world 1 month ago
This is why I disconnected my parents Roku tv from the internet last year, when they started to get updates that wouldn’t download, and freeze the whole tv, i said enough is enough
SocialMediaRefugee@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Get to the endgame. Just strap us to a chair and make us watch your crap ads.
SynopsisTantilize@lemm.ee 1 month ago
But the eyelid things look like they’re really uncomfortable. Any chance you can just hack into our brains and stream advertising consistently while I’m in a coma?
SocialMediaRefugee@lemmy.world 1 month ago
The Matrix ad campaign
HugeNerd@lemmy.ca 1 month ago
Uh huh, but collecting Blurays is just silly I’ve been told.
Tantheiel@lemmy.world 1 month ago
So glad I blocked my TVs access to the Internet at the router level. Never complainrd about not setting up a network if the network doesn’t work.
IphtashuFitz@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Why even connect the tv to your local network?
histic@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 month ago
Casting, using your phone for a remote, so the popup for connecting goes away
JackbyDev@programming.dev 1 month ago
What a goofy thing to ask. You know exactly why people use smart TVs on the Internet.
Tantheiel@lemmy.world 1 month ago
I used Netflix on my TV but after the password sharing and other issues I choose to block network access.
Most of my Internet is done on my computer.
brygphilomena@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 month ago
When my girlfriend moved in, she had a big TCL Roku TV its software absolutely sucks. But it would keep a blinking led on ALL THE TIME if it wasn’t connected to wifi.
I put it on my iot network, and I’m considering null routing it.
I actually had a Roku box plugged into it since it had a better experience, but I’m probably going to switch that to a Nvidia shield pro because of this ad bullshit.
JIMMERZ@lemm.ee 1 month ago
Watching Roku steadily decline from a trusted brand has been something. For a time, they were the alternative to the other bigger more Ad driven companies. I’ve owned 2 and used to enjoy them overall. Now, they’ve slowly become just as bad or worse than their competitors in some regards. When history looks back on streaming boxes as a failed delivery method, Roku might just get to be the example in the forefront.
T00l_shed@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Was roku recently acquired by an investment firm?
oyo@lemm.ee 1 month ago
If this happens on my box I’ll be taking them to small claims court and let you all know how it goes…
phorq@lemmy.ml 1 month ago
Just a heads up that you probably “agreed” to binding arbitration…
LucidNightmare@lemm.ee 1 month ago
Bought a Roku back in 2020 or 2021 because the Apple TV was more expensive.
Now I know why.
For what it is worth, I have Roku set up as a REGEX in my Pi-hole so for the most part, any of this nonsense is completely blocked on my Roku.
Needless to say, I shouldn’t have to do this shit with a device I paid for and mainly use for Plex streaming.
brygphilomena@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 month ago
I know it’s being lazy. But if you have the regex you could post, I’d appreciate it.
I had this happen to me just a few days ago. Within the hour I bought an Nvidia shield and came up with a plan to install the projectivy launcher and button remapper.
I’m mostly happy, it’s much more snappy but it’s missing a couple apps I used on the Roku (WGN and Marquee Sports). At least I can use my own pictures for the background and screensavers.
spongebue@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Looking around Roku’s site, I found this email address: AdsPR@roku.com
I’m planning on giving them a brief but firm “oh hell no” letter. I wonder how many others will do the same 🤔
Mandragora@lemmy.world 1 month ago
this is the worst, next they’re gonna put ads on cars
scala@lemmy.ml 1 month ago
Stellantis is already doing this on new cars in the US. (Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Maserati, FiAT, etc) Soon as you press the brakes and come to a stop ads play on your infotainment system. Have the car in park? Yep more ads.
Fixxelious@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Bro they already tried charging you monthly sub for unlockibg seat heating functionality… if they are not already here, you can bet they are coming.
ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.world 1 month ago
So glad I ditched Roku. My modified Onn box (with an open source, ad-free launcher) is so much better.
fluffykittycat@slrpnk.net 1 month ago
I got to know more about your setup. How much was the device and what software are you running?
ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Sure. The device I use is an Onn streaming a Android TV box. I think I got the 2023 4k streaming version and it was about $20, from Walmart. You can probably get cheaper models, but I wanted one with an Ethernet port.
Then I installed a couple of alternative launchers from the Play store on device. I also loaded F-Droid as well (though I had to do that directly through an apk). I can’t remember which launcher I went with in the end, but it was either FLauncher or Projectivity. They were both good.
The wrinkle here is that the OS defaults back to the default launcher (which has ads and a lot of clutter on it). But I used a free command line tool called adb to switch the default launcher off.
I’ve been very happy with the new setup. My kids (who use it all the time) occasionally complain that an app will crash while they are watching something, and take them back to the home screen/launcher. But I haven’t run into that, and it’s probably just them accidentally hitting a remote (which I know they accidentally do a lot).
I documented the process and posted them here, in another thread a few months ago.
Additional note: The default YouTube app isn’t very conducive to quick profile switching, which can be annoying. To switch profiles you basically have to go back to the OS level and do it there, then go back into the YouTube app. It’s an Android TV quirk. But I discovered that if you side-load the Amazon Fire version of the YouTube app onto the device, you can switch profiles within that version of the app, and it works just fine.
THX1138@lemmy.ml 1 month ago
Apple TV for the win
SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 month ago
If you think another private company with profit on their mind is safe, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.
THX1138@lemmy.ml 1 month ago
As it stands now Apple TV for the win and I’d be legit shocked if Apple puts ads as you boot up an Apple TV.
Blue_Morpho@lemmy.world 1 month ago
It’s not that they won’t do it. It’s that they currently don’t so it’s a good choice.
When they add ads, then we can find something else. I’m on Roku now but have been increasingly annoyed by the increase in ads.
melfie@lemmings.world 1 month ago
I don’t want any device for my TV that makes it hard to install free apps like Jellyfin without logging into an account. I tried fake accounts with Apple devices in the past and ended up with a couple devices that were basically bricked when the fake email account I used got disabled due to lack of activity.
Brotha_Jaufrey@lemmy.world 1 month ago
I only ever tried using a Roku so I could stream my PC to my smart TV, but it turns out there’s MASSIVE latency. If I had to deal with that AND ADS, I would have set that shit on fire
OminousOrange@lemmy.ca 1 month ago
Steam Link works well if they’re still around.
Brotha_Jaufrey@lemmy.world 1 month ago
At the moment I just have an old laptop and connect it to my TV via hdmi and installed Parsec on both devices. It’s a nice, free method.
In the future though I do want to look into getting a mini PC and doing essentially the same thing except it could be an individual device for the most part.
a_wild_mimic_appears@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 month ago
i have 3 just in case one dies
nul9o9@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Roku had the best smart tv ui. I was seriously bummed when the ads started rolling in a few years ago.
I want an open source streaming client, but from what I hear DRM gets in the way of that.
PeteZa@lemm.ee 1 month ago
I’ve much preferred Google TV for some time now. The recommendations and live free tv options are essentially built into the UI. Although I do use the Roku app as one of my free streaming options lol.
mystik@lemmy.world 1 month ago
They just did this to me. How can I tell them they failed this test?
candyman337@sh.itjust.works 1 month ago
Reasons I turn off WiFi on any TV I buy and use a streaming box
thermal_shock@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Roku will do this on their boxes too.
MetalMachine@feddit.nl 1 month ago
Any good recommendations?
not_IO@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 month ago
isn’t their a foss os you can flash on your tv?
selokichtli@lemmy.ml 1 month ago
I was thinking about changing my Roku TV anyway. “Dumb” TVs are the future for me.
modus@lemmy.world 1 month ago
PiHole.
cultsuperstar@lemmy.world 1 month ago
I think this happened to me last night with an ad for Moana 2 playing automatically. I just assumed I accidentally hit a button.
Also, the Netflix app is absolute garbage on the TCL Roku TVs. Constantly freezes and crashes, sometimes while not even try to rewind or pause/resume. It just decides its had enough and causes the TV to restart lol.
Empricorn@feddit.nl 1 month ago
Roku box: Bye, bitch!
HulkSmashBurgers@reddthat.com 1 month ago
Aaargh matey!
MetalMachine@feddit.nl 1 month ago
Roku is the one that bricked peoples TVs unless they agreed to their new terms of service.
MiniMoose4Free@lemm.ee 1 month ago
My vizio tv auto plays shows, ads, and light music if you leave it idling too long after you turn it on. Moving the remote down just once disables it till the next time your on home screen.
AmbiguousProps@lemmy.today 1 month ago
Roku is bad, I have one older Roku ““smart”” tv that I just block from accessing the internet entirely, and use a shield with a custom launcher instead.
dugmeup@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Oh please do tell more
AmbiguousProps@lemmy.today 1 month ago
So, I use regex to block all Roku domains on my network via pihole:
(ads|logs|cloudservices|image|images|web|prod.mobile|wwwimg|captive|customer-feedbacks|amoeba|amoeba2|sr|giga.sb|cs).roku(.admeasurement)*.com$Then, possibly overkill due to the above, I used OpnSense firewall rules to block all traffic from my Roku tv. I think I just got fed up with seeing Roku spam in my pihole, as the above regex seems to completely “break” Roku.
After that, I set up FLauncher (following the method #2 instructions on the gitlab page) on my shield. This makes it so I only see the Roku launcher for a few seconds while the shield starts up, and then I’m dropped straight into flauncher. I chose flauncher because it’s very simple and barebones, so you might want to explore other options if you want more advanced features. I don’t really need those features since I’m usually using an app anyway.
firadin@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Is there any point in getting anything above the bottom tier Shield? Just trying to use it to replace my chromecast/stream tv and youtube
AtariDump@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Get an AppleTV.
consumptionone@lemmy.world 1 month ago
I have been using an onn 4k streaming box, which runs Google TV. They’re $20. It’s pretty easy to disable the default launcher and have it boot to Flauncher. Then you can side load smart tube for an ad free YouTube experience asking with Plex, stremio, or whatever else you want to stream.
Ulrich@feddit.org 1 month ago
You should not buy a Shield. They haven’t been updated since…2019? And there’s really no reason to. Get the $20 WalMart one.
melfie@lemmings.world 1 month ago
I haven’t really compared the specs of between them recently, but I have the Pro, and the main decider for me at the time was that it was $50 more and has Ethernet. That being said, I added a USB Ethernet adapter to an Onn device and it works, though the first one I tried didn’t work. It was worth the $50 at the time not to deal with that for the Shield.
limonfiesta@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Nvidia has absolutely destroyed the stock Shield TV experience with ads, but it’s easy to install custom launchers like Projectivy. The underlying system is still a privacy nightmare, but I genuinely don’t care that Nvidia knows what TV shows I watch.
I mean, I do care, just not enough to use something like Kodi as my primary TV interface. Maybe if I used any ad supported services I’d feel differently, but I don’t, so meh.