[dmalik]

No need to connect or use any smart tv feature.

How much is your time worth? Apple TV is the best experience (not even close to FireTV) for the cost of it. There are ways to get completely ad free if you have time. I've been using a HTPC for close to 20 years for example.

[robomartin]

I think that if you want a modern 70+ inch screen I am not sure that plugging anything into and HDMI input will do it. You need to lobotomize the TV. I could be wrong. I am probably going to explore this to some depth next year.

[hapticmonkey]

Depends on the TV brand. I use an LG OLED TV and it’s 100% fine being used as a “dumb” TV. I keep it disconnected and use an AppleTV. I never see the TV’s operating system unless I want to adjust picture settings.

[dingaling]

> No need to connect or use any smart tv feature.

Many 'smart' devices now have their own 5G modems, you don't have a choice of connecting or not.

[bentley]

> Many

How many? Can you provide some examples?