[beAbU]

What's the difference between a TV with built in shit smarts and a plugged in firestick, and a TV with no built in smarts and a plugged in firestick?

In the former you get subsidized hardware so the TV is cheaper, in the latter you don't so the hardware is much more expensive.

My TV got a Chromecast on day one out of the box. I have never used it's smart settings, it's never been connected to any network, and it never will be connected to any network. It's remote is in a box or drawer somewhere, never used. I use the Chromecast's little cute remote as it has all the functions I need.

As long as a TV has an HDMI connection, and I can connect my external media box, I will never ever ever use the onboard smarts, but I will definitely continue using the subsidized hardware.

[rbanffy]

> and it never will be connected to any network

That you know of. It might still connect through other TVs in the vicinity using hidden access points, and reach the internet through those for automatic updates and telemetry and, of course, malware.

[nolist_policy]

Do you have a source for that?

[rbanffy]

The best I could find was Samsung TVs connecting to a nearby unsecured hotspot (some routers used to have that by default).

OTOH, if during setup you agree to them sending telemetry, they might just use a cheap cellular modem with arrangements with local telcos for low-traffic data connections with a lower QoS than telephony, the same way some cars do OTA updates even though you don't give their on-board computers access to your phone or home.