i don’t know why i didn’t expect hisense to do it.
Hisense TVs force owners to watch intrusive ads when switching inputs, visiting the home screen, or even changing channels — practice infuriates consumers, brand denies wrongdoing
Submitted 6 hours ago by throws_lemy@reddthat.com to technology@lemmy.world
Comments
Mwa@thelemmy.club 1 hour ago
Atlas_@lemmy.world 1 hour ago
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, <eldrich horror rant text>
Ajen@sh.itjust.works 40 minutes ago
Cell modems are getting cheaper and cheaper, it’s only a matter of time before cheap smart TVs will flood the market with always-on telemetry and intrusive personalized ads.
billwashere@lemmy.world 33 minutes ago
Well then I guess I make the room a giant faraday cage.
ManosTheHandsOfFate@lemmy.world 1 hour ago
I haven’t experience this myself but I’ve read that some newer TV’s are forcing you to connect to the internet before you can do anything else.
billwashere@lemmy.world 34 minutes ago
Not to mention it seems like the apps on a smart tv get ignored when it comes to updates.
Kolanaki@pawb.social 39 minutes ago
My face’s mind sits right behind my face.
NekoKoneko@lemmy.world 6 hours ago
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’s via an update that I didn’t want and then refused to fix it even after 6 months of escalations and emails.
henfredemars@infosec.pub 6 hours ago
They’re not alone, either. I had to downgrade my Visio just to use the features that it shipped with. I’m sure this is illegal, but no one cares unless you’re rich.
NekoKoneko@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
I outright told them it’s illegal, since they are unilaterally altering the terms of any T&C agreements when we started using the TV and materially interfering with our ownership and use of the TV we purchased. They didn’t care. I then sent it to our state attorney general and nothing happened.
roofuskit@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
I know they’re different manufacturers, but TCL tried this shit and I just factory reset and never setup the Internet on it. I use an android TV box for the smarts.
OR3X@lemmy.world 1 hour ago
Unfortunately manufacturers are starting to get wise to this as well. I recently bought a new Vizio smart TV with no intentions of connecting it to the internet and during the initi setup it kept very persistently insisting that it needed to be connected and after setup it constantly bitches at me that it’s not connected.
NekoKoneko@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
Unfortunately the firmware was the issue, not just OS software. So factory-resetting didn’t help us. But yeah, that definitely radicalized me to the “never connect it to the internet” camp for future TVs.
triptrapper@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
I got a TCL last year and it wouldn’t let me use the TV until I set up the internet. After 4 factory resets I figured out how to put it in store demo mode, and plugged in a separate streaming device that connects to the internet. Now I realize I could have connected the TV to the internet and then blocked it at the network level.
zod000@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 hours ago
I did the same thing, their bullshit ad infested updates were the final straw,
frongt@lemmy.zip 6 hours ago
Chargeback?
NekoKoneko@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
Would have loved to. It was just over one year (right after the warranty ended as well), though.
leoj@piefed.zip 4 hours ago
Was gonna say, LG does the same thing.
So far my only TV that hasn’t forced things in an absurd way has been my Sony… Guess what Sony just did? (Sold their Bravia TV line to TCL…)
panda_abyss@lemmy.ca 3 hours ago
I’ve never connected my LG TVs to the internet and they work pretty well.
I hear you can jailbreak them, which is appealing to me.
BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 4 hours ago
My mom has a Hisense TV (because my parents invariably buy the very cheapest they can. They’d get a B&W if they could), and it just started something new - on start up, it now shows a static page of color wash, then you choose a channel. It doesn’t start on the same channel you turned off last night. Must be a new update came through. She let it sit on the screensaver all day, because it never occurred to her to try to change the channel.
Not a big deal, but weird, and NOBODY asked for this.
SlippiHUD@lemmy.world 1 hour ago
I would resort to violence, Holy shit.
Draegur@lemmy.zip 6 hours ago
This future fucking sucks
A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
This is the cyberpunk future that the 80s kids were so hyped for.
partial_accumen@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
If anyone remembers the cyberpunk 80s TV show Max Headroom, then they know that TV was everywhere all the time in that universe. There was a scene in one episode where the police enter a suspect’s home and discover that she had an off switch on her TV. The cops react in shock to the fact, and one of them says “She’ll get twenty years for that.”
This universe also had “blipverts” which were a type of ad (advert…advertisement) that directly accessed your brain’s motivation to get you to buy something. The only problem was that blipverts also had a high chance of killing the people that watched it.
This was a TV show from almost 40 years ago now and it looks like these would be the things that are coming in the next few years from now.
a4ng3l@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
As a 80s kid I don’t recall being hyped. If anything all sci-fi books were warnings for us. Younger generations embraced the black mirror shit thought.
LoafedBurrito@lemmy.world 1 hour ago
I don’t have this issue with my higher end hi sense, but the article states it’s for the lower end models. So this proves that companies are lowering the costs of TV’s and offsetting it by selling your data and forcing you to watch ads they get paid for.
Mine is connected to the internet and no issues. If they ever do this to my TV, internet is off and i’m buying a shield pro.
phoenixz@lemmy.ca 4 hours ago
Okay, so strike Hisense products from the list of brand I’ll ever buy from
tidderuuf@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
The list is getting pretty big.
grue@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
This is why, for years, I’ve been trying to point out that “if you don’t like it, just don’t buy it” isn’t good enough. Boycotts aren’t enough; we have to force the law to change to prohibit the abusive corporate behavior.
Croquette@sh.itjust.works 2 hours ago
At this rate it is easier to do a whitelist than a blacklist
Croquette@sh.itjust.works 2 hours ago
Anyone has a list of TV manufacturers that don’t suck yet?
MunkysUnkEnz0@lemmy.world 58 minutes ago
Personally, I use computer monitors. They’re cheap enough. 32 inch ultra wide. 36 inch. They’re only getting larger and cheaper.
As for remote control, I hook it up to the computer and use unified remote.
GreatBlueHeron@lemmy.ca 29 minutes ago
I’ve got a Sony and even it’s showing home screen ads - normally it’s just “suggestions” for shows on streaming services I don’t have, but the occasional car ad also comes through. I have a theory that the reason Sony are getting out of the TV business is that they don’t want to develop their own TV OS and they’re sick of their customers complaining about the ads in Google’s OS.
I’m about to get a 2nd one and I’m seriously considering a computer monitor hooked up to a mini PC running XBMC or something.
SuspciousCarrot78@lemmy.world 1 hour ago
It seems like a lot of the bigger names suck. I bought a Blauerpunkt and it is awful - not hackability wise but as a product. Probably for the same reasons as Nokia, Phillips, JVC etc are pale shadows of themselves (sold off / rebagged)
I have a Blauerpunkt, a TLC and a Samsung. Of the three, it’s the TCL that’s been the least locked down.
At this rate, I’m probably going to go for a short throw projector or just get an old school plasma if /when these go tits up.
grue@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
I used to recommend Sceptre, but even they appear to have stopped making dumb TVs now too.
HowAbt2day@futurology.today 2 hours ago
I haven’t had a Tv in years but because I wanna be cool or some shit but I don’t want to have one of these intrusive machines in the middle of my house. I already have enough of those.
Know_not_Scotty_does@lemmy.world 6 hours ago
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 adds. Both are free and work really well. I don’t see trash on my homescreen anymore.
SuspciousCarrot78@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
Good call!
I’d also like to share another option for folks: Flauncher. I’ve been using it for a few years - it’s very clean and lightweight.
You can set it as the default using ADB commands, or install it directly from the Play Store.
gitlab.com/flauncher/flauncher
Paired with a button remapper and set as default, I honestly haven’t seen the stock Android interface in years. (Like you, I’ve also used ADB to disable telemetry)
PS: For the uninitiated, these are also worth installing:
Gives you ad-free YouTube and then some.
f-droid.org/packages/org.courville.nova/
Lets you connect a hard drive to your router and create your own local media streaming frontend ala Netflix (or plug your hard drive / USB directly into your TV; it doesn’t care).
While it lacks some of the polish, it’s simpler than Jellyfin or Plex.
MunkysUnkEnz0@lemmy.world 53 minutes ago
Stremio is also an option.
Vakbrain@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 hours ago
Until sept 2026…
Do you really think Google will approve those APKs once they have fully lockdown android (that includes Google TV)?
That’s why this push from google to kill the APK installation without their blessing infuriates me!
Know_not_Scotty_does@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
Oh cool, I’ll have to checkout those other tools!
Janx@piefed.social 1 hour ago
That’s great, but people who don’t already own one shouldn’t support this garbage company.
Lawnman23@piefed.social 6 hours ago
I don’t have an Android tv but if that day ever comes, very glad options like these exist.
Lighttrails@sh.itjust.works 5 hours ago
I got a Hisense tv in November and never connected it to the internet. Now I am extremely pleased that I never connected it.
rumba@lemmy.zip 2 hours ago
Ohh it’s not wrongdoing and when we refuse to buy anything from them, they’re getting what they gave.
TrollTrollrolllol@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
I reminds me I should start writing my clickbait “(Millennials/GenZ/GenA or whatever) are killing TV manufactureres” article
rumba@lemmy.zip 49 minutes ago
I’m genX, but now that you mention it, My kids refuse to watch anything not on a tablet or phone, so there’s that…
whyNotSquirrel@sh.itjust.works 6 hours ago
What could have go wrong by connecting a screen to internet!?
floofloof@lemmy.ca 4 hours ago
The human race.
artyom@piefed.social 3 hours ago
I’m never buying another TV again. I got a 48” OLED computer monitor that is now my TV. And I don’t have to use that HDMI garbage.
eager_eagle@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
I bought mine a few years ago, never connected to the internet, never had a problem.
Now I’m definitely never connecting it.
nyan@lemmy.cafe 2 hours ago
Why do I still have a 32" TV? Because that’s the largest size that’s still readily available as an ordinary, cheap, flat dumb panel with a tuner. (Well, that and I don’t especially need a larger one.)
ALoafOfBread@lemmy.ml 6 hours ago
Anybody have un-enshittified 4k tv recommendations?
Mainly want good picture quality for movies + high refresh rate for games.
hydrashok@sh.itjust.works 5 hours ago
The biggest thing you can do is just never connect it to the internet. I even block the MAC addresses so ever if someone tried to connect it, it won’t. Then use an external box like a Roku, PC, or AppleTV to connect to your content.
And, if any TV requires an internet connection to set it up, immediately return it.
A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
Exactly this.
“Smart” TVs never go online, never connect to anything but power and an HDMI, and quite frankly…if it didnt risk causing warranty headaches, I’d open teh fucker up and unplug its wifi antenna too.
Always use an old PC/Laptop/Raspberry Pi/whatever to get them online/on youtube/streaming/etc. You have full control over those devices, and can update them as desired and modify them at a whim.
Fuckin hate smart TVs. a bunch of fucking spyware and adware that just makes the device run hotter and die sooner.
Serinus@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
We’re gonna need this “requires Internet connection” bit to be in reviews.
PalmTreeIsBestTree@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
LG is solid as long as you don’t agree to the terms. I get no ads but I only use the internet on it to update the firmware.
villainy@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
I only use the internet on it to update the firmware.
You don’t even need to do that. I download firmware updates from the LG website, throw it on a USB drive, and plug that into the TV. Actually important firmware updates are so rare that I’m fine with the extra effort required.
moonshadow@slrpnk.net 2 hours ago
There are still non-“smart” monitors (as opposed to tvs), get one while you can. I would but too poor. My world’s full of 1080p trickle down :p
frongt@lemmy.zip 5 hours ago
I bought an LG a little while back. Looks good, no need to connect it to the Internet, you can turn on and off all the features you do or don’t want.
A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
For now. That can change at any time with an update.
ALoafOfBread@lemmy.ml 5 hours ago
Hell yeah. I was considering a C5, but saw people online saying ads are present on LG.
I use shield anyway, but I will probably just follow your advice and set default input to the shield
dellhiver@sh.itjust.works 5 hours ago
Well what about a PC monitor? You can get u to like 43" and beyond. Obviously they are great for gaming as well.
The other very impractical mention - after TVs starting adding ads, cameras and microphones, I switched to a 2nd hand projector. Most have no smart features.
All you need is a white or off- white wall to protect on to. And the ability to block some light coming into the room.
Downsides:
- They can be bulky and noisy. Particularly the 4k ones
- might need separate speakers
- Not as low latency as a tv but models do come with VRR
- bulbs do get darker from prolonged use (and aren’t always cheap to replace)
- you might need separate speakers
- and there are the trailing cables
- And you’ll never get the inky blacks of oleds. But for picture size and immersion for the cost, they are basically unbeatable.
Some can project from a coffee table.
For tv series and YouTube like content, I use a laptop. Then for big movies, I use the projector and 5.1 sound system (mostly 2nd hand as well.)
acosmichippo@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
projectors are not at all a practical recommendation. unless you take very drastic measures to set up your room like a proper theater, the picture quality will be drastically worse than an average TV.
CatZoomies@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
Just a heads up that the Smart virus is spreading to monitors, too. In a few years most monitors will be Smart.
SuspciousCarrot78@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
Would you consider an old school plasma TV? They won’t be in 4K (I think they topped out at 1440p) but there are some real advantages to them (if you can tolerate the disadvantages).
iamthetot@piefed.ca 5 hours ago
My LG has been safe so far.
FG_3479@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
A Google TV. That have a “Basic TV” mode which lets you use it without internet.
hOrni@lemmy.world 6 hours ago
Damn. Just bought a Hisense fridge last week. I hope I won’t have to watch an ad before it lets me get the mayo.
reddig33@lemmy.world 23 minutes ago
meco03211@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
I’m sorry Dave. I can’t let you do that.
moonshadow@slrpnk.net 2 hours ago
Sending pics of your moldy leftovers to your crush if you don’t pay up
Bombastic@sopuli.xyz 5 hours ago
Holy shit, glad I put my hisense behind a pihole blocking all domain lookups and never updated it
itsgroundhogdayagain@lemmy.ml 2 hours ago
So far, I haven’t seen any of this with my Hisense TV. I have a Pihole but I believe smart TV’s, at least this brand, has a hard-coded dns so it can dial home without going through my default dns.
leftascenter@jlai.lu 5 hours ago
“Ads help pay for the smart part of the TV” /s
Luminous5481@anarchist.nexus 5 hours ago
I have a “smart” TV, but it has never been connected to the internet for reasons such as this. Also I don’t want it spying on me, which is a thing society has to deal with now for some reason, and we just let it happen.
We should be burning the corporate headquarters for these places down when they try shit like this.
Greg@lemmy.ca 5 hours ago
Plot twist: this article is an ad for 3rd party streaming boxes
GutterRat42@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
Sceptre
P1nkman@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
This is why NONE of my monitors ever go online. Ever. I did it once for testing back in 2012, and even then the experience was shit.
Bluegrass_Addict@lemmy.ca 4 hours ago
I just stopped using a tv, period…
tabular@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
“I didn’t do anything wrong”, says man who doesn’t understand the concept of consent or ownership.
Shirasho@lemmings.world 4 hours ago
Just one of many reasons I haven’t bought a TV or watched TV in over 15 years. If there is a series I want to watch I will either get the blurays or put on my fancy hat and pull out the rum.
AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space 4 hours ago
So glad my TV is a dumb-as-shit model from the early 00s I bought secondhand for about $30
SculptusPoe@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
All the TVs nowadays are pretty obnoxious with their bars staying up for a few seconds too long between turning them on and switching to the source. I suppose that might be the price we pay when we get a 75" for under $500.
FrChazzz@lemmus.org 26 minutes ago
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