Question of the Day, Wednesday September 7, 2016

Mamanyt1953 · Sep 6, 2016

OH BLECH!

I've been thinking about a smart tv. But now I'm not so sure. I keep thinking about a post on a political site about them, and I'm a bit taken aback. I tried to find the blog, but I don't remember the name of it, and couldn't get it with a topic search, darn it...he went into such in-depth stuff about what they can do!

Here is the exact wording from one manufacturer's owner's information package:

Please be aware that if your spoken words include personal or other sensitive information, that information will be among the data captured and transmitted to a third party through your use of Voice Recognition"

Now, I know that these televisions also have cameras, very like our laptops, for skyping, etc. If our spoken words are transmitted, what assurance do we have that video would not also be transmitted?

What do you guys think? Are the advantages of a smart tv worth the loss of privacy? Would you trust what they might or might not do with the information?

Just a funny bit of coincidence...I wrote this question out last week for this week, Tonight there was a "Through the Wormhole With Morgan Freeman" about the loss of privacy in today's society.

Columbine · Sep 6, 2016

I've heard this too. For what it's worth, I'd never bother with a smart TV, and I don't use voice recognition features on my phone either. It just seems a little unnecessary to me (plus, knowing me, I'd keep ending up triggering things I didn't want :lol3: ).

How important is saving a few seconds when choosing/finding a programme anyway?

Winchester · Sep 7, 2016

No smart tvs here either. I'm not really one to buy something just because it's new and different anyway. I had my old tv in the bedroom for about 20 years or so....didn't buy a new one til the old one died and couldn't be fixed.

As an aside, darn it! I really wanted to see that Through the Wormhole episode last night and I forgot about it. I do like that show.

AbbysMom · Sep 7, 2016

I'd never heard that about Smart Tv's and it does sound a bit concerning. I admit to not knowing much about them. I have a few family members that have them and like them.

Kat0121 · Sep 7, 2016

I don't have one and don't want one.

artiemom · Sep 7, 2016

I have an old model 'smart' tv.. no voice recognition.. just a few internet choices.. I rarely use it. I did at first because it was a novelty.. but now, I am happy enough with my laptop, iPhone and stereo.

If I want to watch a movie, I either rent at Red Box, or just pull it up, On Demand. I do not use Netflix or Vudu any more...trying to cut costs...

denice · Sep 7, 2016

I have one flat screen that has a few options that I don't use. I don't chase technology I find it frustrating to figure out I just get something to do what I need it to do and don't deal with the rest of it

jcat · Sep 7, 2016

The potential privacy issue is primarily with Voice Recognition

Smart TVs raise privacy concerns

Smart TV’s - We have no secrets

and I don't see how that differs from using that and/or webcams on your smartphone, laptop, desktop, etc.. It's up to the user to review and change the settings if he/she didn't pay attention when doing the set-up. Having GPS enabled on a smartphone is just as intrusive.

We got a smart TV not long ago and actually used the features quite a bit while watching the Olympic Games. A lot of that was viewing the equestrian events for Mogli's sake; he was pretty much addicted to them. He also likes watching Bee Gees videos (yes, he's weird) from You Tube on the TV rather than the computer and nature documentaries. :lol3:

We didn't think we'd benefit from the features, but both of us watch shows we've missed, not that either one of us watches much TV.

Willowy · Sep 7, 2016

Haha, anyone who watched my daily life would die of boredom :tongue2:.

lonelocust · Sep 7, 2016

I don't like having a TV at all, but even if I did I don't feel like I must speak to it to have it turn on. That seems unnecessary, yet fun.

I am however an internet security professional, and I will say that the security on almost all of these devices is terrible. They've been designed for functionality and not using people whose primary concern is internet security. There have been many cases of such convenience items being cracked, sometimes with impossibly easy methods because they're just insecure to begin with. This has made a big splash in the tech community, but not as big of a deal in the news at large, because on the surface they often seem trivial. If you want more information about this, search Google for things like "internet of things security vulnerabilities."

That said, it's highly unlikely that the manufacturer of the TV is going to transmit video if they say they're only getting audio for voice recognition purposes. But your question of what "guarantee" there is that video isn't being transmitted is on point, because while they may have had no intent to do so, they all too often don't keep security in mind when designing these things, so don't worry much about what wasn't intended.

MoochNNoodles · Sep 7, 2016

That would concern me. We don't have smart tvs and I'm not really interested in getting one. I just don't feel the need to keep up with technology. We've only had smartphones for 2 years.

wannahelp · Sep 7, 2016

I got a smart TV last year but if I'd heard about the privacy issues, I probably wouldn't have. I don't use the "smart" features often. I have, what is now, an outdated Samsung and it's really more trouble to use those features than it's worth. I don't have voice recognition, though. I din't even realize there was a camera. Do all smart TVs have cameras? If mine does, then someone is watching my cats push me out of bed every night.

sivyaleah · Sep 7, 2016

I have a feeling our new one might be one. Not sure. All I know is it does a lot of things I could care less about - but my fiance wanted.

Primula · Sep 7, 2016

I replaced my master bedroom TV a couple of years ago. Looked at Smart TV, decided I didn't need one, so bought a 47" LG. LOVE it.

Mamanyt1953 · Sep 7, 2016

Lots of us thinking about this stuff. I do want one for the simple fact that I'm toying with saving a ton of money by switching to Hulu or Netflix, and would like to watch them on the tv rather than my computer. The fact that they actually warn you about having personal conversations in front of the tv is worrisome, although...who do I talk with, other than the cat, and neither of us are plotting anything nefarious. Or, I'm not, I won't vouch for the feline. And that camera issue...I keep my computer top closed when I'm not on it for just that reason. I can't close a tv. Must think further on this.

Columbine · Sep 7, 2016

Mamanyt1953 said:
Lots of us thinking about this stuff. I do want one for the simple fact that I'm toying with saving a ton of money by switching to Hulu or Netflix, and would like to watch them on the tv rather than my computer. The fact that they actually warn you about having personal conversations in front of the tv is worrisome, although...who do I talk with, other than the cat, and neither of us are plotting anything nefarious. Or, I'm not, I won't vouch for the feline. And that camera issue...I keep my computer top closed when I'm not on it for just that reason. I can't close a tv. Must think further on this.

I recently got an Amazon Fire stick with the regular remote (NOT the voice activated one). You can get Netflix via the stick, and for a hell of a lot less than a smart tv

Primula · Sep 7, 2016

Mamanyt1953 said:
Lots of us thinking about this stuff. I do want one for the simple fact that I'm toying with saving a ton of money by switching to Hulu or Netflix, and would like to watch them on the tv rather than my computer. The fact that they actually warn you about having personal conversations in front of the tv is worrisome, although...who do I talk with, other than the cat, and neither of us are plotting anything nefarious. Or, I'm not, I won't vouch for the feline. And that camera issue...I keep my computer top closed when I'm not on it for just that reason. I can't close a tv. Must think further on this.

Why not just hook up your computer to TV when you want to watch Netflix or Hulu?

kirathecat · Sep 7, 2016

Mamanyt1953 said:
Lots of us thinking about this stuff. I do want one for the simple fact that I'm toying with saving a ton of money by switching to Hulu or Netflix, and would like to watch them on the tv rather than my computer. The fact that they actually warn you about having personal conversations in front of the tv is worrisome, although...who do I talk with, other than the cat, and neither of us are plotting anything nefarious. Or, I'm not, I won't vouch for the feline. And that camera issue...I keep my computer top closed when I'm not on it for just that reason. I can't close a tv. Must think further on this.

I've been watching Netflix, Hulu and such as well as rented DVDs on tv through laptop for years with just an HDMI cord to connect tv with laptop. Easy & super cheap.

Or Google Chromecat works too, but everything gotta be on WiFi which doesn't allow for max internet speed.

I'd take a nice big simple HD tv any day over any smart tv

Mamanyt1953 · Sep 8, 2016

Um...see....that's why I need help. I didn't know I COULD hook the TV to the computer...I'll have to look for the port. I'm sure it's on the back somewhere.

kirathecat · Sep 8, 2016

Mamanyt1953 said:
And here's the cord on amazon, for example:
Once you find your ports, get the cord and plug computer to a TV you just have to pick the correct HDMI channel on TV with your remote (1 or 2 or 3) and that's it

There's usually an 'HDMI' or 'Source' button on the remote, clicking it more than once switches my TV from HDMI 1 to HDMI 2 and so on. Maybe a bit different for your own TV though.

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