[Koshkin]

I guess, the point here is, why disable the smart features in your TV only to plug another, just as “smart”, device (i.e. one that watches you) in it?

[taejavu]

…because it has less/no ads, and without some smarts somewhere I can’t watch Netflix?

[jitl]

Feel free to substitute a computer running GNU/Linux as the “smarts” here. This can be quite ergonomic with a wireless trackpad-keyboard combo. I’m quite happy with an Apple TV running Emby though.