this post was submitted on 17 Mar 2025
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[–] _sideffect@lemmy.world 7 points 47 minutes ago

This is why I disconnected my parents Roku tv from the internet last year, when they started to get updates that wouldn't download, and freeze the whole tv, i said enough is enough

[–] spaffel@spaffel.social 19 points 2 hours ago (4 children)

Can i pleace find a decent TV without smart-capabilitys? I just want HDMI thats it

[–] TK420@lemmy.world 3 points 1 hour ago

Commercial displays

[–] andros_rex@lemmy.world 1 points 11 minutes ago

Cheap computer monitor works well for me.

[–] CancerMancer@sh.itjust.works 8 points 32 minutes ago (1 children)

Don't give your TV wifi access, use a separate device to watch stuff (Chromecast, FireTV, Android box, etc..)

[–] surph_ninja@lemmy.world 1 points 21 minutes ago (1 children)

Wish it had more apps, but Apple TV is pretty solid. With the Steam link app, it’s also good for couch gaming on your pc.

[–] DJDarren@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 minutes ago

We use Moonlight instead of Steam Link. It requires a little more setting up at the PC end, but overall seems to be a more smooth result.

[–] dan1101@lemm.ee 5 points 1 hour ago

I've had luck with just not giving a smart TV my wifi password.

[–] Brotha_Jaufrey@lemmy.world 7 points 3 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago)

I only ever tried using a Roku so I could stream my PC to my smart TV, but it turns out there's MASSIVE latency. Of course I returned it. If I had to deal with that AND ADS, I would have set that shit on fire

[–] Mandragora@lemmy.world 8 points 3 hours ago (2 children)

this is the worst, next they're gonna put ads on cars

[–] Fixxelious@lemmy.world 2 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago) (1 children)

Bro they already tried charging you monthly sub for unlocking seat heating functionality… if they are not already here, you can bet they are coming.

[–] Korhaka@sopuli.xyz 1 points 50 minutes ago

You know I only ever get more glad that I didn't learn to drive and went with cycling instead. It started due to not being able to afford it, now I won't own their shit and I will be happy.

[–] PeteZa@lemm.ee -1 points 3 hours ago (4 children)

It’s 1000% worth it to spend a little extra on a TV to get one that runs Google TV. Android is just superior compared to Roku in this regard. I actually have an Apple TV 4K as well, and regularly switch between the two.

[–] dan1101@lemm.ee 1 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

So far. And I actually prefer the Roku UI even though the Google TV will do more things, like let you sideload apps. Roku is propietary.

[–] Trainguyrom@reddthat.com 1 points 29 minutes ago

The sad thing is Roku's UI was pretty dang good before they added a row of ads at the top, a half screen ad on the left and replaced the background with an ad every 2 weeks, waiting a full minute for it to load the latest nonsense the highest bidder paid them to shove in my face. The ads absolutely ruin a good platform.

[–] Glitterbomb@lemmy.world 9 points 1 hour ago

Manufacturers need to put the cheap ass software on a cheap ass $20 stick. Stop fucking up TVs with it. Stop accepting any 'smart' features and stop calling them smart. They're invasive advertisement platforms, full fucking stop. It is in fact NOT worth it to get a google TV, because they'll pull this shit or worse next week. We had perfectly functional TVs for decades before this shit, stop acting like the only choice is to surrender your hardware.

[–] 0x0@programming.dev 10 points 2 hours ago

I prefer a dumb TV.

[–] Amanduh@lemm.ee 5 points 2 hours ago

Nvidia shield is android and works like a roku or chromecast

[–] not_IO@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 6 hours ago

isn't their a foss os you can flash on your tv?

[–] ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.world 12 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

So glad I ditched Roku. My modified Onn box (with an open source, ad-free launcher) is so much better.

[–] fluffykittycat@slrpnk.net 4 points 2 hours ago

I got to know more about your setup. How much was the device and what software are you running?

[–] selokichtli@lemmy.ml 8 points 9 hours ago

I was thinking about changing my Roku TV anyway. "Dumb" TVs are the future for me.

[–] blazeknave@lemmy.world 21 points 10 hours ago

Almost downvoted instinctually as a reaction to the headline. Visceral reaction. I hate this beyond belief.

[–] beejjorgensen@lemmy.sdf.org 215 points 16 hours ago (8 children)

They're working hard to make sure piracy provides the best experience.

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[–] BrianTheeBiscuiteer@lemmy.world 28 points 14 hours ago (3 children)

Shit. I got a Roku TV. That's one big fucking stick to toss.

[–] ohshit604@sh.itjust.works 24 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

Shall I introduce you to the folks over at !selfhosted@lemmy.world?

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[–] Lexam@lemmy.world 19 points 13 hours ago (3 children)

Step 1. Factory reset.

Step 2. Do not allow it to connect to the Internet.

Step 3. Connect a Linux based computer to it and run everything through the computer.

[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 24 points 12 hours ago (3 children)

Instructions unclear. TV now controlled by Nicole the fediverse chick.

[–] Lexam@lemmy.world 14 points 12 hours ago

You can trust her. She's from Toronto!

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[–] spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works 82 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago)

Not a surprise for Roku. The company has been getting progressively worse in the last few years and their enshittification is accelerating. Their recent forced download of an update that requires users to agree to arbitration to even use our TVs was intended to ultimately take control of those TVs completely away from the people who own them.

Right now it's possible to block Roku's static ads and presumably the autoplaying ones using a local DNS server like Adblock Home or Pihole, but it's only a matter of time before Roku blocks everything unless we watch the ads they are trying force down our throats. I'm already in the process of obsoleting all 5 of our Roku devices.

It has taken Roku years to build up enough market share to allow this kind of behavior and it will take years for the market to abandon them. Their executives will claim ignorance as to why users are walking away when it finally hits their bottom line.

[–] nul9o9@lemmy.world 17 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

Roku had the best smart tv ui. I was seriously bummed when the ads started rolling in a few years ago.

I want an open source streaming client, but from what I hear DRM gets in the way of that.

[–] PeteZa@lemm.ee 1 points 3 hours ago

I’ve much preferred Google TV for some time now. The recommendations and live free tv options are essentially built into the UI. Although I do use the Roku app as one of my free streaming options lol.

[–] drascus@sh.itjust.works 9 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

I have a vero-V but honestly the apps are lack luster. Its amazing if you have your own library of content. I saw my first homescreen add on roku yesterday. I am pissed.

[–] SaltySalamander@fedia.io 8 points 11 hours ago (1 children)
[–] drascus@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 hours ago

I totally get it I could definitely bypass the ads. However the point is that they are doing it at all. I dont want to use their service if this is going to be their strategy.

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