1y ago

What's the 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

38 comments

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.
- wow, that's actually sounds nice

I still just want a nice dumb tv with the latest panel tech. Or a nice CRT in good condition for retro gaming.

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.
- And the TV itself doesn't get Internet. Shouldn't need a direct connection.

I just use a PC as then you are more in control.
- 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.
  
  Buy them fast, cause they're discontinued!
- Ive been doing the same for decades and I don't think I'll ever go back

A TV with a good panel and a Shield
- 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

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.

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.
- Would you mind explaining what sideloading is? I'd be interested in ad-free YT
  
  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.

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.

No words on ads displayed.
- Nothing a good instance of PiHole or Adguard Home can't deal with

How is Apple TV not on this list? It’s miles ahead of the competition in every way
- This is only going through TV OSs, not stand alone hardware.

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.

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 use Google Chromecast with remote so I don't fuck with Roku's smart TV software anymore.

I'm a fan of Android TV / Google TV. The Android TV we bought didn't have enough memory and had problems catching up but we stuck with the brand and bought a Chromecast with Google TV. It was a good decision.
- I recommend replacing the default launcher. Google has packed so many fucking ads into their paid-for devices that it blows the mind to see. A good replacement launcher removes all that junk and the device runs faster too as a result. I did it on my nvidia shield pro (runs Android TV) and a google tv/chromecast I have too. Made the shield basically flawless and the best entertainment experience and the google tv it made much more useable.
  The launcher I’ve been using is called “projectivy launcher” for the google tv. There’s a giant post over on XDA with specifics if interested. It’s made my google tv much better and I’d recommend the small asspain to try it. (I’m not affiliated with the launcher team or anything I just like it a lot)
  
  Flauncher

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.

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.

38 comments