On: The cost of cheap TVs

[eightysixfour]

If you give the TV internet access it will still identify the content and share it with advertisers, even if you are using an external box. If you don’t give it access, some have been observed connecting to open networks nearby.

[gruez → eightysixfour]

>If you don’t give it access, some have been observed connecting to open networks nearby.

"observed" in this case means "random reddit user claimed so, but no reputable organization was able to replicate such a easily to replicate claim".

[gloryjulio → eightysixfour]

I unplugged the box after the usage. Why would I ever connect the tv to the internet? It's implied.

[squarefoot → gloryjulio]

Beware of any nearby open WiFi network, as the TV will try to use it, and don't forget HDMI cables with Ethernet compatibility; if the TV doesn't connect to the Internet, the external box almost certainly will, and the TV would immediately use it to get online as well.

[mrpippy → squarefoot]

Was “HDMI with Ethernet” actually implemented by any devices? I can’t find any reference of devices supporting it.

(The idea was that fancy HDMI cables could also carry Ethernet, so an AV receiver or TV could also be an Ethernet switch for connected devices.)

[gloryjulio → squarefoot]

I unplug the power when things are not used. So they will not be connected. That's why I use different physical boxes.

[zamadatix → gloryjulio]

What good does unplugging it when it’s not in use provide? Surely it wants to share information about how you use it not how you weren’t using it. I guess if it has a built in vouce assistant or something but that’s not something hard to avoid.