Show HN: Making a smart TV dumb and then smart

So, de-bloating the TV and removing all the ads, etc… is good. None of that requires an Internet connection, and no TV should ever need an Internet connection. And here, I can see that might take you writing some software to achieve that goal. I would try to just choose a better vendor of TV hardware, but I know that’s not always an option.

As for putting the smarts back in, why not just plug in a small but trusted device that can output HDMI and can give you the smart output that you want? This could be a media server front end (obviously not Plex, but one of the many Plex alternatives), or a trusted software solution from another source? This part doesn’t seem to require writing any software, just choosing a suitable alternative and configuring it.

For me, that would be an AppleTV device, but I know that this community is not going to like that vendor.

$7000 DGX Spark as a media PC, what a world. Surely there's cheaper hardware that can run a decent voice assistant.

This is a side topic, but relevant to those of us who care about UI/UX:

I have a webos TV and notice that it comes with free Samsung IPTV channels. But they are unusable because of the delay in switching between channels! This relatively minor detail could be the difference between a killer app that could grow and monetize, vs something that users try and give up on.

I'm sure there are ways to make it as fast as cable TV, even if it initially degraded the video or had other consequences.

We need to stop saying "dumb TV" because for the general public smart = good, dumb = bad. What about turning the tables and calling them safe TVs, as opposed to (implied) unsafe "smart" TVs?

What are the best brands / models to buy right now to install webOS?

Found this a few days ago as well.

https://github.com/Gathin23/cleanyourtv/tree/main

Curious about Netflix, does it limit the resolution because it is not an “official” app or something like this?

Also, it says you have to have system root of the tv, how does one get root access to the LG TV?

My advice for everyone…. If you have to buy a new one …

just never connect it to the internet.

Wait 6 months or 6 days

And then root it till you own it for real.

Just used slopbro and did all 3 in my place. Kept on Ethernet point to point connected to my laptop until I had verified I had everything and every packet explained.

(Shout out slopbro and everyone else!!)

Getting Llm + ghidra to check every and document every binary, etc and make sure startup to a running system is understood, logs are rotated properly.

After this … all 3 will probably run one giant rust binary from startup lol

For anyone that can read this, if you have one connected to your network, change your WiFi password and don’t update your devices or bring them on the internet until you pwn/root them yourself.

From here out … everything only via tailscale and nothing should be able to connect inbound. Setup some firewalls.

All I really want my TV to do is turn on, quickly and reliably, and display whatever is plugged into HDMI1. The market is flooded with “Smart” (actually Surveillance) TVs so not buying one isn’t really practical.