The fact that the ads are rolled out to customers a long time after purchase to escape the return window is extra frustrating.
The part about being able to e-mail an obscure support address with your device's ID to have ads turned off on your device suggests that they're trying to see how far they can push this without damaging their brand. Users who complain enough get solutions, everyone else has to deal with it.
They're a customer already if they're opening the home screen and they probably already mounted it on their wall so fuck them. Show them ads. Also turn on the microphone in the background (what my Hisense tv does).
I wonder if the australian customer support email address is related to Australia's surprisingly strict consumer rights laws. [0] They even offer a form that helps write the specific sort of complaint you should send [1] that presumably, may jump start the process in removing the ads if you had bought the TV under the impression it would continue to work as advertised originally.
Having added Hisense to my shitlist of TV manufacturers a long time ago - did they ever make a model that haven’t had its power supply die after about 4 years? I don’t think so…
I agree wholeheartedly to the first point, but then why undo that by using a set-top box that only works after phoning home? I'd rather the manufacturer not even know my IP address, let alone get a full login.
I do the same with my Samsung Smart TV but after a couple of months it stops playing videos from the USB drive or stops recognising the same drive. All I have to do is to turn off and unplug from the mains for 10-15 minutes and it starts working again!
I got a used Sceptre TV (https://www.sceptre.com/TV/4K-UHD-TV-category1category73.htm...) and I'm extremely happy with it. No "smart" features, no bullshit, no slow menus, just a set of 4K@60Hz HDMI ports (newer models do 4K@120Hz) with ARC and CEC and a comprehensive set of display options.
I know nothing about hardware, but is there a world where an OpenWRT firmware for smart TVs is possible? Are there that many different chipsets and manufacturers?
If you're going to be forced, Clockwork Orange-style, to endure unwanted ads on your TV, you might as well just get the whole thing for free, right? That's what Telly does: https://www.telly.com/
For me, it worth it to spend marginally more to not have to deal with _any_ of that, but I get the appeal.
The implicit contract when you buy from Hisense is that you'll see ads. They are obviously deploying more aggressive advertising strategies as their more tech-savvy customers break the implicit contract and get around ads entirely -- leaving the less tech-savvy customers holding the bag.
That's all that's happening. Had zero customers done that, they wouldn't have had to go nuclear.
I've never liked the idea of my display having an integrated computer. Especially one I don't control. This non-sense just furthers that.
Displays last a long time. Eventually the computer will become outdated especially if companies can just remotely load viruses like this onto them. I just connect my computer to my TV and that's the only input I ever use. Full control. The "smart" part of "smart" TVs is idiotic.
24 comments
[ 3.9 ms ] story [ 43.5 ms ] threadThe part about being able to e-mail an obscure support address with your device's ID to have ads turned off on your device suggests that they're trying to see how far they can push this without damaging their brand. Users who complain enough get solutions, everyone else has to deal with it.
Be happy they're only showing you ads and not implanting malware into your network or turning it into a residential proxy.
I presume the same mind thought this up.
They're a customer already if they're opening the home screen and they probably already mounted it on their wall so fuck them. Show them ads. Also turn on the microphone in the background (what my Hisense tv does).
[0] https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/buying-products-and-servic...
[1] https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/problem-with-a-product-or-...
It’s called an idiot box for a reason.
My life has improved dramatically without one.
For me, it worth it to spend marginally more to not have to deal with _any_ of that, but I get the appeal.
That's all that's happening. Had zero customers done that, they wouldn't have had to go nuclear.
The insanity needs to stop.
How amazing would that be!?
Displays last a long time. Eventually the computer will become outdated especially if companies can just remotely load viruses like this onto them. I just connect my computer to my TV and that's the only input I ever use. Full control. The "smart" part of "smart" TVs is idiotic.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifteen_Million_Merits
Actually, don't buy TVs at all. Buy books.