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TV that doesn't require 'on-line activation' to set up. (midwest.social)

submitted 2 months ago by [email protected] to c/technology

76 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I'm going to buy my first new TV in years. Even if it's a 'smart' tv we plan to just use our Roku. I've heard that some TVs require you to connect it to the internet before you can even use a Roku device. For privacy reasons I don't want my TV to EVER have access to my wifi. Is anyone aware of how to know what models/brands of TVs allow me to use it without ever connecting the TV itself to wifi?

If necessary I guess I could connect it to my guest network to 'activate' the TV, set up the Roku to connect to my private network, then change the password to the guest network.

Would rather just have a TV that doesn't even 'phone home' once.

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[–] NeoNachtwaechter 23 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

For privacy reasons I don't want my TV to EVER have access to my wifi.

I think the same.

But if you can't avoid it and it is only 1 time, there's a workaround:

Use your phone.
Switch on the mobile hotspot.
Rename the hotspot Wifi-name, and it's password.

Then set up your TV with this temp Wifi.

Then rename things back on your phone.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 months ago

In addition, you can force your cellphone to GSM/2G (ie: super slow internet).

Depending on what your TV does when it "activates", if it just needs to "activate/register" - it should be fine. If it needs to "update/upgrade/add a bunch of crapware" - Your internet will be so slow, you can turn it off before it's finished (note: there is a slim chance that, this could also put your TV in a broken state - if it does, simply do a factory reset and try again)