Hacker News discusses privacy-respecting TV options
Users share strategies for buying and configuring large displays that don't spy on viewers.
What to know
- All major smart TV manufacturers (Samsung, LG, Sony, etc.) embed tracking and surveillance features; no inherently privacy-respecting consumer TVs exist.
- Multiple strategies exist to mitigate: physically disabling wireless radios, never connecting to internet, using DNS filtering and firewall rules, or replacing TV firmware with rooted systems.
- External devices via HDMI—cheap Linux mini-PCs, projectors, commercial displays, or rooted media boxes—are recommended to avoid depending on TV manufacturers or replacing them with other surveillance companies like Apple or Amazon.
- The ideal setup isolates the TV as a dumb display and handles all media and connectivity through a trusted external device under user control.
The dispute Whether plugging in external devices like Apple TV meaningfully improves privacy, or merely swaps one surveillance company for another (Apple/Amazon for Samsung/LG). · positions read across 117 posts and comments
Avoid smart TV surveillance by treating TVs as dumb displays and routing all media through external Linux devices or trusted streaming boxes.
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“Buy any TV you want, ignore all instructions to connect it to the internet, then look for an HDMI port on the back. Plug an HDMI cable into one end, and in the other end plug in a cheap Linux computer like a used Intel NUC from ebay.”
lrvick · Hacker News ↗
Root the TV itself using tools like Codex or adb to disable spyware, block firmware updates, and regain control over what the device sends.
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“I was able to root my Samsung TV easily with Codex, disable updates and spyware, MITM everything with the eMudhra certs.”
zaptheimpaler · Hacker News ↗
Use network-level controls (DNS filtering, firewall rules, custom router firmware) to block TV tracking while keeping the device functional on local network.
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“I allow my Samsung to connect to my local network, but then use openwrt and refuse to allow any outbound data from any IP using the MAC address of the television set.”
thinkingkong · Hacker News ↗
Buy commercial displays or older pre-smart-TV models instead of consumer smart TVs; they lack surveillance hardware but cost more and require external media devices.
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“Both sell large displays meant for 100% user ownership with no spyware or mandatory internet connection, you just have to buy those and not their TVs. The catch? They come at steep prices compared to consumer TVs, unless you can land a…”
PorciiVorbesc · Hacker News ↗
LecroJS Hacker News user asking questionepwr HN commenterdrnick1 HN commenterlrvick HN commenter
How it unfolded 8 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlespostscomments
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8
Thread concludes no privacy-respecting smart TVs exist; focus shifts to rooting capability
By late evening, discussion consensus solidified that consumers should assume all modern smart TVs spy, and instead evaluate which models support unsigned firmware flashing for maximum control.
“The consensus thus far appears to be that all modern TVs wipe their ass with user privacy. Given what happened with games very recently, perhaps the question should be rephrased to: "Which modern TVs support flashing unsigned firmware?"”
— rl3 -
LG makes the best panels, in my opinion, but they’re also the most customer-hostile when it comes to privacy.The easiest solution is to never give the TV network access at all (no WiFi, no Ethernet) and only drive it over HDMI, via an Apple TV for example. The onus then shifts to how much you trust Apple, and the TV becomes mostly a dumb display…
2 more of the top 3 · 92 posts in this stretch
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- Buy an LG OLED TV. They're as gorgeous as they are notorious. I just got a 77" LG C6 and it is crazy good.- Root it [0].- Install Glasshouse [1] and disable all telemetry. YOU now own the glass. Now you can chromecast to the TV, use Adfree YouTube, access IP TV, etc etc etc. No point crippling your TV by pulling the wireless module and voiding…
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Recently I've had to deal with this same problem - get a new TV for living room. Personally, I do not watch TV at all, but kids want to see cartoons when having their breakfast. I spent a week reading forums and came to conclusion that best solution would be to buy a "dumb TV" and connect it to a PC I trust, but it appears there are no dump TVs in…
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Expert advises treating TV as display-only, not as media device
An experienced commenter synthesized the thread's findings: physically disconnect TV radios, never use built-in apps, use only HDMI inputs from trusted external devices, and accept that all modern TVs are privacy-hostile by design.
“Never use the "apps" built into the TV. Next, don't plug Ethernet into the TV. Plug HDMI cables into the TV. Use a box of your choice on the other end of the HDMI cables. This is now the box that you trust.”
— drnick1 -
Some good answers here already. Step 1 is always not to connect the TV to the Internet. You can go further and remove the connectivity daughterboard and/or resolder the WiFi chip.Step 2 is to connect a TV box, but if you replace Samsumg, LG, or Google by Apple or Amazon, you have made no progress at all towards privacy.Having researched this topic…
2 more of the top 3 · 8 posts in this stretch
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First of all, open the TV and disconnect the wireless radio from the main board, on mine (Samsung) it was just unplugging one cable (AI or Google it). I dislike doing stuff like that, but it was easy in my case, maybe you'll be lucky, too.Second, never use the "apps" built into the TV.Next, don't plug Ethernet into the TV. Plug HDMI cables into…
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We have to block our TV from dialling home (there just aren't any privacy oriented 'smart' TVs). We chose to go down the DNS filtering route and pay for https://nextdns.io/ - it turns out it super helpful for a whole host of home network privacy jobs (ad blocks, kids safety filtering, security posture etc.). I can't stop recommending it to people.
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Commenters report success rooting Samsung and LG TVs to disable surveillance
Several users shared experience rooting TVs using tools like Codex and adb commands to disable Google/NVIDIA services, remove preinstalled apps, and block firmware updates. One reported disabling updates and intercepting communications on a rooted Samsung TV; another described rooting an LG C1 to improve game streaming and enable Home Assistant automations.
“I was able to root my Samsung TV easily with Codex, disable updates and spyware, MITM everything with the eMudhra certs.”
— zaptheimpaler -
I have a TCL QM8, which until recently I was using for its full smart-TV capabilities, and always feeling rather icky about all of the stuff it was sending. I would keep getting notifications about the microphone being turned on even when I had explicitly disabled it at every level.I eventually got an NVIDIA Shield Pro, for which I:1) Blew away…
2 more of the top 3 · 3 posts in this stretch
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I was able to root my Samsung TV easily with Codex, disable updates and spyware, MITM everything with the eMudhra certs. The problem is no one really knows what these TVs do, they're all liars with 100 page privacy policies that will legally allow anything, and encrypted HTTPS communications that we can't even ordinarily monitor what they're…
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Use any screen or projector connected to a linux box or AppleTV for streaming. Personally I use an old laptop running Kodi.What sort of screen? Well, whatever you can tolerate. I use a very old commercial display I got through an e-waste reseller. It’s not great, but it was cheap ans has worked fine for years. If you insist on a “TV” screen or any…
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Users recommend external devices: Linux boxes, projectors, and rooted devices
Commenters suggested bypassing TV firmware entirely by connecting external devices via HDMI—including cheap Intel NUCs running Linux distributions, projectors, old commercial displays, or rooted devices like NVIDIA Shield Pro. Some warned that replacing TV spyware with Apple TV or Amazon devices merely substitutes one surveillance company for another.
“Buy any TV you want, ignore all instructions to connect it to the internet, then look for an HDMI port on the back. Plug an HDMI cable into one end, and in the other end plug in a cheap Linux computer like a used Intel NUC from ebay.”
— lrvick -
Sadly the Samsung TV I have was the best display for the price by a mile, so I've done what i can to balance usage and protection. Its connected to the wifi to allow for AirPlay natively. The tv has a fixed IP at the router to block all traffic in and out of the network, and as a visibility layer its DNS'd through a PiHole too.Its unbelievably…
2 more of the top 3 · 8 posts in this stretch
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Got a Bravia TV for cheap back in 2014 that happened to be pre-Android TV (and pre-Google TV) so Android TV was just released and those something-else-os were "outdated".Sony stopped releasing security patches a while back and there are no longer apps whatsoever and they all were crap - the youtube one was pure torture because of how slow it was…
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Buy any TV you want, ignore all instructions to connect it to the internet, then look for an HDMI port on the back. Plug an HDMI cable into one end, and in the other end plug in a cheap Linux computer like a used Intel NUC from ebay. Then use a nice air-mouse remote like the Pepper Jobs W10.I watch any movie or TV show I want in 4k via Kodi, but…
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Multiple users share hardware strategies for disabling TV tracking
Commenters described practical approaches including physically disconnecting wireless radios from TV motherboards, blocking all network traffic via router firewall rules, using DNS filtering services, and never connecting TVs to the internet. One user reported their Samsung TV generated 90% of blocked network requests over seven days.
“First of all, open the TV and disconnect the wireless radio from the main board, on mine (Samsung) it was just unplugging one cable.”
— realityfactchex -
If you are open to projectors they still make “home cinema” projectors that don’t have any smart features or connect to the internet.I have a BenQ (710tki iirc) that is like this and I believe it meets all your stated requirements (size, resolution, etc). I’ve been very happy with it.
1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch
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With Amazon Sidewalk I don't think not hooking it up to the internet is an option anymore, unless you live out in the boonies
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Commercial displays emerge as alternative to consumer smart TVs
Commenters noted that LG and Samsung sell large displays marketed for commercial use without built-in spyware or mandatory internet connections, though at higher prices than consumer TVs.
“Both sell large displays meant for 100% user ownership with no spyware or mandatory internet connection, you just have to buy those and not their TVs.”
— PorciiVorbesc -
I don't know how true it still is, but dumb TVs have traditionally been marketed as "commercial displays". You'll pay more and have to bring your own media, of course.
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Commenters report all major TV brands are privacy-invasive
Early responses established consensus that modern TV manufacturers from Samsung, LG, and others embed extensive tracking and surveillance. One commenter stated: 'I went and researched this, and found that basically none of the TV brands were anything but creepy on privacy.'
“I went and researched this, and found that basically none of the TV brands were anything but creepy on privacy.”
— epwr -
I went and researched this, and found that basically none of the TV brands were anything but creepy on privacy.What I’ve ended up doing was I got an LG and never hooked it up to Wifi/internet, and then use an Apple TV to watch things on.It’s a bit annoying if I want to switch to a game console as Apple TV can’t control the TV’s input channel, but…
2 more of the top 3 · 3 posts in this stretch
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I rooted my LG C1 and honestly I can't go back to an unrooted TV. Game streaming works so much better(I can actually install the apps). I can control everything so Home Assistant automations are much better. Internet is blocked so no nagging or ads, But they are turn off via root just in case.
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Keep the glass disconnected from the network forever and it will solve the vast majority of your concerns.Jellyfin is the answer if you are looking to spend a premium on a privacy-focused media experience.
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User asks Hacker News for privacy-focused TV recommendations
A Hacker News user posted a question seeking TV recommendations in the 60–80 inch range with 4K and 60Hz display, prioritizing privacy. They expressed interest in using Apple TV as an external device rather than relying on native smart TV apps.
Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
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first by HN Best, 10d ago · also HN Frontpage
What people are saying 12 voices from 1 site · best of 117 · verbatim
- Can simply disconnecting a TV from the internet truly prevent tracking, or do TVs use other vectors (like Amazon Sidewalk) to phone home?
- If you root a TV and disable updates, what happens when the manufacturer pushes a mandatory update that overwrites your modifications?
- Are there any commercial displays or projector options that meet 60–80 inch, 4K, 60Hz specs at reasonable prices?
- Nov 2
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I love this. Do simple procedures like this exist for every smart TV? For every smart device?And how well does it work in practice? My experience with setting up my own media box suggests that online community solutions, no matter how well integrated, will always still have some rough edges that you don't see in commercial products (subtitle sync…
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Projector with media server running Kodi with various plugins. Projector screen is unbreakable by kids or pets and projector itself is high enough to be outside a range of them.Kodi is controlled by smartphones connected to home network so no need to store one physical remote controller.Bonus: When you are outside home, you can still control…
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Buy any tv with CEC support (almost all of them) and never connect it to the internet. Never. Never start any app on the tv. Hook a Kodi box to the hdmi port and use that, and only that.For the Kodi box get series-7 Intel NUC with Kabylake-era processors, gen 7. They don't run Windows 11, so come very cheap second hand, but decode h264 and hevc in…
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Agree … but the part that needs to be rememberedmake sure it’s a model where the latest firmware is rootable and never connect it to your WiFi until you have rootEverything you need to do to get root can be done with an Ethernet connected directly to the TV and your laptop. There may be modifications needed to the root toolkits but with good…
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The simple answer is: anySmart TVs are just a normie alternative for what tech enthusiasts were doing for 30ish years: put a computer next to the tv and use it.Alternative, get yourself something capable of running Moonlight (https://moonlight-stream.org/) and run Sunshine (https://app.lizardbyte.dev/Sunshine/) on your workstation, I am even…
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I recommend a projector. When we moved into our current place, I considered a TV and went with the projector instead. Because:- A TV has a backlight. It doesn't feel as 'natural' to the eye when watching because you are staring directly at an LED.- A TV is smaller than a projector.- A TV, when it is off, imposes itself on the room. It's a large…
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buying expensive equipment to deliberately take advantage of a now-exploit is such a bad idea, and it's bit me more than once in the past few decades.and ethically, what's the point in giving hostile corporate groups any money ? I get that you're breaking out of their mega subsidized and profit-locked walled garden, but 'sold units' is still a…
- Nov 1
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The other day I saw this project to flash your TV with custom software: https://www.tiktok.com/@itstundealao/video/77013919041931215...Here are the repos mentioned: https://github.com/Gathin23/cleanyourtvhttps://github.com/simbasjungles/free-my-tvThe video is pretty cool. The guy flashes his tv with a custom firmware with a look/feel and elements…
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As others have said, buy whatever you want just never connect it to the internet.Now many people are also claiming that TVs will surreptitiously connect to an open network, but as far as I can tell, there is no evidence of this actually happening with a real commercial TV [0]. Of course it’s technically possible, but until a researcher actually…
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The one with the best looking picture at the store. Don't connect it to Internet and use your own streaming box (that you trust).Really I think in store is the way to go. Some "low" and "mid" tvs look identical to me. Some "high end" are meh. Some other "low end" look great. I think it's a bit of a crapshoot. Not sure currently but Samsung QLED…
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I got an old gigantic monstrosity of a DLP tv off facebook marketplace for free then plugged an old Intel NUC into it. It's not for everyone, but I think that it's great, partly because the facts that it was free and that it's stupidly big give me joy.More practically, when I am not using that, I just watch tv shows and such on my desktop computer…
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I like LG OLED quality. My lg tv has never been connected to the internet and connects to a avr that handles inputs and 5.1.2 speakers Nvidia shield with hdmi-cec to turn on/off the receiver and tv. Jellyfin, android tv app for cable company, YouTube sans ads and projectivy launcher (Google one sucks). You can update firmware via usb stick. Would…