https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/best-smart-tv-operating-system/
There are lots of things you need to know before buying a smart TV & the OS on your smart TV will define its interface and software capabilities
Or you get a set top box and don’t worry about the trash software that comes with the tv.
I really like my newish sony tv that has a basic mode. Disables all the smart BS so it functions just as a screen. I use an Apple TV or ps5 for all content.
Fiercely agree. I have Samsung “smart” TV that I use as a dumb screen for my Apple TV and PS5.
Samsung’s software manages to bug out even without using it. The TV remote would randomly disconnect, screen would respring, randomly adjust contrast etc. It’s like “the printer of TVs”.
Couldn’t agree more with this. I just use a Roku set top box with all my TVs and never even connect the TVs to the internet.
NEC makes some TVs where you can slot in a pi as the host OS, so i'd say that's probably the best "smart" TV as it has an OS of your choosing.
I still just want a nice dumb tv with the latest panel tech. Or a nice CRT in good condition for retro gaming.
I came here to say "none of them" because they all suck gigantic balls and I just use a NUC instead. I also just use unified remote on my phone to control it with a track pad keyboard as a back up.
None. Any "smart" TV won't be upgradable. It might get a few software updates but it will eventually be incapable of being updated enough to function as it used to with changes in services and codecs.
I have Roku and Fire devices, even on the "smart" TV. When the device isn't enough anymore I can just replace the device for like 20 bucks, not so for the built-in software on the TV.
Idk Hisense recently updated their TVs and it's been fucking with my Shields pretty bad. Going to try downgrading to the oldest, dumbest OS the TV will allow and keeping it disconnected from the internet. Still love the Shield
It has to be android for me as it the only one that allows for an ad free YouTube solution via sideloading. Preferably via an external box though.
Sideloading is installing an app through means other than the official storefront provided by an OS. Android has always let you do that, and Android TV is no exception.
As for the ad-free YT experience? Look up SmartTubeNext.
Another thing that seems overlooked is that these smart tvs spy on your activities very much. Try installing pihole and you will see your TV chatting constantly and calling home.
Anything that can load videos from my NAS. Preferably with software like Kodi. Streaming services come and go but my media library has been growing for years.
I own Philips TV with their own OS which is semi-smart and kinda sucks. I hooked it up to Xiaomi Mi Box and enjoy Android on it.
I use Google Chromecast with remote so I don't fuck with Roku's smart TV software anymore.
They all suck, but I've always found myself going back to Roku when I try any of the others. Still selling my data, but at least 99% of apps work.
The built-in TV software may be trash, but there is no way I can convince my dad that another device that does the exact same thing is worth it.
I have a raspberry pi 4 hooked up to a projector with Kodi. Replaced my Chinese android tv box, which is reportedly stuffed full of spyware these days. It was an easy setup once I had an SD card writer.