It’s no secret that smart TVs are increasingly becoming ad platforms even after purchase. They require you to scroll through bar after bar of sponsored content just to get to the one program you actually want to watch.
We’ve already covered how to turn ads off where possible in our article here, but we haven’t covered the setting that goes further: how to switch to a dumb TV.
Basic Mode is a switch that Google TV users can toggle to cut a smart TV back to live TV and HDMI functions only. Unfortunately, the toggle isn’t available on Samsung, LG, or Hisense, but some settings allow you to get close.
What Google TV Basic Mode does
Basic Mode is a Google TV feature that strips back the TV, removing the smart platform entirely and leaving HDMI connectivity and live TV. In practice, it’s available on midrange to premium end Sony and TCL TVs.
It’s easy to confuse with Apps Only mode that hides the recommendation rows and leaves a grid of your apps, but where Apps Only leaves streaming platforms for you, Basic Mode works like the dumb TVs we used to have.
Like Apps Only mode, Basic Mode removes search and Assistant, but where Apps Only leaves a promotional banner at the top, Basic Mode all but requires an external box to function.
Because it’s a setup option, you’ll have to factory reset to access it. After choosing your language and region, choose Basic TV and the smart platform will not be loaded.
No basic mode? You can still get a dumb TV
None of the other major brands offer features like Basic Mode, and their home screens stay pretty much the same when customising settings. What you can do is turn off telemetry features that identify what’s on screen and feeds into the company’s advertising.
Samsung calls its telemetry Viewing Information Services. Switch it off in Privacy Choices, along with Interest-Based Advertising and Voice Recognition Services if you don’t use voice search. However, don’t rely on it: independent testing published this month found a Samsung TV continued to send data even after opting out of ACR.
LG has been at the centre of a data collection scandal in recent months with YouTube channel Gamers Nexus conducting testing on what data is collected. That story is ongoing, but in the meantime it’s worth opting out of Live Plus, Viewing Information, Voice Information, and Interest-Based Advertising in the User Agreements section. Recheck these settings after updates, because LG may ask you to accept revised agreements.
Hisense names its ACR setting differently depending on the model. Search around the Privacy menu for options named Viewing Information or Enhanced Viewing Services and switch them off.
Severing connections
Another option to effectively limit advertising and data collection is to simply not connect it to your internet. Without a connection, the TV cannot load ads or send viewing data, and you can use a streaming box or stick as your home screen.
The obvious tradeoffs are a lack of access to streaming platforms and no firmware updates, but this is the closest thing to a “dumb TV” as you can practically get with these brands.
If you’re buying new, it may be worth looking for a commercial display. These are screens commonly sold for offices, shops, and signage, and often come in loungeroom sizes. The downside is no home screen, no streaming platforms, and brightness and picture processing aimed more at signage than movie quality. Check one in person before committing.
The bottom line
If you’re looking for a TV that only shows what you plug into it, the easiest way to get that is with a Google TV model like Sony or TCL. It’s the only platform that offers a simple toggle, and you can always switch back if you miss the apps.
On other brands, turning off ACR helps preserve some of your privacy, and keeping the TV offline and opting for a streaming box is another way to dodge the ads and streamline your viewing.
The unfortunate thing is that it’s such a hassle to actually get the simple experience we used to take for granted.
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