On: The cost of cheap TVs

[29083011397778]

Until storage gets cheap enough that the TV can simply cache it's information about you indefinitely, and upload as part of a firmware update.

Hell, that could be today, just rotating logs and discarding the oldest.

[lotsofpulp → 29083011397778]

If a TV is being used only as a display for external devices such as Apple TV or gaming consoles, it is a reasonable assumption to assume the TV will never need a firmware update.

At least in my 15 years of using flat panel TVs, I have never seen a need for a firmware update.

[toast0 → lotsofpulp]

> At least in my 15 years of using flat panel TVs, I have never seen a need for a firmware update.

Never had any HDMI negotiation issues or CEC issues or OTA demuxer crashes, I guess? Or adaptive backlight dimming issues... Lots of software in TVs these days.

[adolph → lotsofpulp]

HDMI version updates may cause machines with older decoders to not work without an update. Its no biggie until you attach a streaming service dongle and it can't send its encrypted HDMI.

[29083011397778 → adolph]

Which brings us back to Mr. Gabe Newell and his "Piracy is a service problem" quote, but we've already had that discussion on HN this week.

[tnel77 → adolph]

While I try to hold onto my electronics for awhile, I personally would have a new TV by the time that happened.

[spear → lotsofpulp]

Times have changed. My TV (a 2018 Sony) needed a firmware update to support Dolby Vision. My receiver needed a firmware update to support eARC.