Buying Dumb TV / Used Commercial Displays

xyzabc123 on 22/10/2022 - 09:25
Last edited 22/10/2022 - 09:41 by 1 other user

Hey everyone.

Looking for suggestions on getting a dumb TV (NO smart TV OS / features / apps / assistants) - but there doesn't seem to be any options available in Australia like in Canada / US.

Are there any retailers (in-store / online) selling dumb TV's in Australia (I am in Sydney Region)? (I have tried searching on amazon, the local retailers like The Good Guys/JB Hi-Fi and couldn't find any).

Also open to get a used commercial display - however cannot find anything on Gumtree - any other market places where I can find used commercial displays? (New commercial displays are super expensive, and most resellers don't want to talk to someone looking for just one display).

Electrical & Electronics TV

Comments

  • Cheaplikethebird on 22/10/2022 - 09:41
    +3

    Why the need for a dumb TV? Is it a cost thing or another reason? Going to be hard to find a TV without even token smart TV features, there might be another option for what you're trying to achieve.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/10/2022 - 09:46
      +10

      probably because all the "smart" tvs are just extremely low spec computers with proprietary OS, that often includes advertisements (if you ever connect it to the internet)

      if you want a properly smart TV, you are better off getting an apple TV or nvidia shield, something along those lines.

      • Cheaplikethebird on 22/10/2022 - 09:48
        +2

        Yeah Shield guy here but then you would just make a decision on display performance and ignore Smart TV features. I'm assuming they need a screen for retail display that can't be hijacked.

      • dizzle on 22/10/2022 - 10:09
        +2

        However, even if you find a dumb TV, you're not going to be saving much money. And you can make a smart TV dumb, by not connecting it to the internet.

        Really you're choosing the TV for the visuals and any dumb TV will be entry level - probably not 4K, definitely not OLED.

        If they're after a commercial display, then it will be a monitor

        • Cheaplikethebird on 22/10/2022 - 10:20

          Couldn't you use a universal RF remote to access the menus then connect it to your phone's hotspot and cast to it for example?

        • n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 23/10/2022 - 15:03

          "And you can make a smart TV dumb, by not connecting it to the internet."

          I have read that certain models cannot be setup without internet connection.
          Not sure about the details maybe it can be used like a PC monitor without setup, but without setup you can't use it as a TV which is what it is.

      • kusama on 22/10/2022 - 10:33

        Yeh, if I buy another TV I'll be looking for a fast tv to connect my devices. Don't care if it's smart. Just turn on and quickly switch to right display when I turn the Apple TV on. My older less smart TV does this quicker than my newer TV.

        • [Deactivated] on 22/10/2022 - 11:16
          +2

          Yeh, if I buy another TV I'll be looking for a fast tv to connect my devices. Don't care if it's smart. Just turn on and quickly switch to right display when I turn the Apple TV on. My older less smart TV does this quicker than my newer TV.

          same reason i will not be buying a smart TV, the "smart" aspect is just bloatware that slows down the TV. if it comes to it, i'll just get a computer monitor, they are still dumb and you can get them in 4k.

          • Hybroid on 22/10/2022 - 11:24

            @[Deactivated]: That may be true for budget brands but not the case for higher spec TVs. You get what you pay for.

            • [Deactivated] on 22/10/2022 - 11:31
              +1

              @Hybroid: rather not drop 6 grand for what used to come standard on all TVs..

          • websterp on 22/10/2022 - 11:26

            @[Deactivated]: And I don't think you'll be able to find 65"+ computer monitors either.

          • Franc-T on 22/10/2022 - 15:45

            @[Deactivated]: Some tv's yes. I have a mix of both (Have 6 tvs in the house that get use) and none of the smart tvs are slow (I know that a lot of older units can be and presumably some current units - but if thats the case just dont use the smart features instead of buying a used commercial tv that is inferior in almost every way).

      • cfuse on 23/10/2022 - 09:37
        +1

        The biggest problem from my perspective is that they are mystery computers with internet connectivity and a ton of input/output that I am completely unable to security audit.

        The best you can do is disable all the networking, which is going to be beyond the skills of most people.

    • BadAtNames on 16/06/2024 - 20:08

      Smart TVs are often slow, bloated and sell your data or include ads

      • Cheaplikethebird on 17/06/2024 - 08:39

        Then don't connect it to the internet? Use a Smart TV box or HTPC instead.

  • 7ekn00 on 22/10/2022 - 09:50
    +2

    Just don't use the smart features, it not that hard :/

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 22/10/2022 - 10:38
    +3

    Commercial displays are absolute shite for home use. They're designed to run 24/7 as bright as possible. That's it.

    • Franc-T on 22/10/2022 - 15:42
      +1

      Resolution is probably terrible on used units as well.

  • barge-in hunter on 22/10/2022 - 10:59
    +5

    I see the attraction tbh

    It would be amazing if my tv didn’t have the ability to listen to and transmit all the conversations we have in the lounge room to Google/the manufacturer

    Not necessarily saying it does this all the time, but it has the ability to if some company wanted

  • ESEMCE on 22/10/2022 - 11:09

    There was a deal up here only yesterday for a commercial TV

  • [Deactivated] on 22/10/2022 - 11:15

    have you thought of a large computer monitor? essentially just old dumb TVs, though i don't think they come as large as normal TVs do. you can get them in 4K, not sure how big though.

  • jmys01 on 22/10/2022 - 14:40
    +1

    My suggestion would be to get a smart TV from a manufacturer that uses the Google TV platform such as Sony or TCL and set it up in 'basic TV mode'. This is as close as you're going to get to a true dumb TV without spending a fortune on a commercial display or a large computer monitor. I have my TCL set up in basic mode and it really is just like a dumb TV of old with a more modern user interface. I have never had the TV connected to the internet. Ninety percent of the time I just use it as a big monitor for my external media player and my Mac computer through HDMI. I will also occasionally watch FTA channels through the antenna input.

    See more info on basic TV mode here: https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/25/22300702/google-tv-basic-…

  • outlander on 22/10/2022 - 14:56
    -1

    You can probably just open up a TV and disable the smart portion of it. I would imagine it's mostly likely on its own board

    The downside of economies of scales is that when 90% of the population is satisfied with a thing, that thing becomes very cheap while other things (even if those things were the original, or are less complex) become disproportionately more expensive

  • core101 on 22/10/2022 - 16:41
    +1

    Can't you just set and use the HDMI port of a smart TV?
    I have spec'd out GG's cheap smart TV's, for factory display boards, driven by mini PCs with HDMI output.

  • Drakesy on 22/10/2022 - 17:36
    -1

    Yeah, not really following the logic on this one.
    Pretty much everything has to have some sort of smarts these days just to be considered.
    There's next to no demand for dumb tvs.

  • elrotundo on 23/10/2022 - 08:08

    Have a look at some of the online auction houses such as Grays online or Pickles. They turn up at auction periodically. I bought a couple a few years ago from Allbids auctions in Canberra to provide my children with big screens for their DVDs, Playstation and Xbox. The only problem I had was that one of the remotes did not work when I got them but this was fixed with a cheap aftermarket remote.

  • Speckled Jim on 23/10/2022 - 09:37

    Can't be certain on the current Ffalcon range at JB, but our 50UF1 bought in 2019 requires activation of "smart" features.
    It's just a dumb LED 4K TV, but the UI is still laggy anyway.

    My review
    https://www.productreview.com.au/reviews/ec5eafce-a67d-497f-…

  • jonkvh on 23/10/2022 - 09:59

    Those signage screens aren't suitable for TV usage. Just turn off the smart features in any TV you get.

  • Littletoot on 23/10/2022 - 10:54

    Have a look at this company in Newcastle.

    https://australiancolourtv.com.au/

    Toot

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