this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2025
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Privacy

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My question is: Can you block the IPs it's phoning home to without breaking other TV functions, like OS/app updates, etc? Is there a list of IPs available for smart TVs specifically that keep the fingerprint from being received by the mfg?

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[–] harrys_balzac@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 1 week ago (3 children)

Are there any good options for Android boxes? I just need SmartTube and Emby. Otherwise it's just going to be a giant screen for my XBox and PS5.

[–] unabart@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I have a Formuler Z11 Max and it’s awesome. Though a little pricier. Also have hooked a couple people up with those 29$ Walmart 4K ONN AndroidTV boxes, that are an extremely good box for the value. I live and die by SmartTube.

Thank you! I'm pretty tech-literate but I am just dipping my toes into this stuff. I'll look at both of those.

I have SmartTube on my TV and NewPipe on my phone. I can't imagine life without them.

[–] Evotech@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I use an nvidia shield. They’re good

Native Google play store. So you can get any app

Ironically enough as it is to believe, the Walmart branded ONN ones are pretty mundane. Spend a little for the more premium model that they sell. It doesn't block you from doing basically anything and they're very vanilla. I don't know if there's any background spying going on from Walmart or not but the OS itself doesn't seem touched, but you can lock it to a VLAN if you want. I consider my entire default routed network hostile and selectively run my PCs on a separate private dns and network. I find it's easier to jail myself than jail the malware every time I buy something new.