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September 25

Bedroom wall mounted entertainment system

We haven't had a TV in years and don't want one; instead we view streaming services on computers and Android devices. We are going to renovate a bedroom and would like to watch these services in bed on a wall-mounted monitor. What hardware and type of device makes sense? It couldn't be a touch-screen. I guess we could manage to use a mouse. Could that let us access an on-screen keyboard? Should this be computer-based or Android? We would want to be able to turn it on and off remotely. (We have laptop computers but don't want to involve them for this.) Do I need to provide any further information? Hayttom (talk) 14:47, 25 September 2024 (UTC)[reply]

So, a Smart TV? Perhaps you'd prefer some kind of free software smart TV platform to avoid possible vendor lock-in. Card Zero (talk) 15:51, 25 September 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Aha, exactly, a Smart TV. I should have guessed. Thanks for the tip about vendor lock-in. Also, having read the article, I think I want one without a camera. (Or I'll cover it up.) Hayttom (talk) 16:07, 25 September 2024 (UTC) [reply]

Resolved

Let's not be hasty, there are many horror stories about security holes and unblockable adverts: Smart TVs sending sensitive user data to Netflix and Facebook (2019), You watch TV. Your TV watches back (2019), I spent $3,000 on a Samsung Smart TV and all I got were ads and unwanted content ... meanwhile, it's possible, with I think practically any TV you buy these days, to screencast from an android tablet to your wall-mounted screen. In which case what you really want is the dumbest TV possible that will accept wireless screen echoing. Card Zero (talk) 16:16, 25 September 2024 (UTC)[reply]

With this screencasting, would I get the maximum resolution on the dumb TV? Hayttom (talk) 17:48, 25 September 2024 (UTC)[reply]

That is an issue, yes. I don't know. We also have a Home theater PC article, and it's worth noting that small bluetooth keyboards exist and can be used with Android, and I think with smart TVs, in case that ends up being relevant. Another frequent complaint I see about smart TVs is that the interface may be slow, awkward, confusing, or filled with auto-playing adverts. Some people use a gaming console for streaming TV instead. I have a vague notion that denying your new TV its own network access (not telling it the wifi password), while connecting it physically to some other small device, such as a small computer, controlled remotely, might work out better. (This might be more straightforward than obtaining one of the increasingly rare not-smart TVs, although Sceptre is apparently a manufacturer of that kind.) As another editor mentioned, you then have potentially burdensome effort when turning the whole contraption on, and launching software and telling it to connect - or the effort of working out how to automate this. Fan noise may also be an issue if the device is powerful. Card Zero (talk) 18:19, 25 September 2024 (UTC)[reply]

You mention it being a bedroom wall. I don't have a TV in my bedroom, but I do have one in my living room mounted on a wall. Behind that wall is a long closet. I ran everything through the wall. The power cable. The antenna cable. The internet cable. The game system cables. Etc... The only thing visible in the living room is the television. I feel that is what you would want in a bedroom. You don't want to see cables and electronic components cluttering up the space. So, while remodeling, think about what is behind the wall. Can you run everything on the other side? As for a smart TV, it comes with a very easy to use remote. You don't have to have a keyboard and mouse next to you run it. Also, you can cast most phone displays to most smart TVs. So, you can watch on your phone and then send the display to the TV when you are ready. If you used a computer, you will lose the simplicity of a remote control and the ability to cast your display from your phone unless you get some rather complicated devices and programs running as well. 75.136.148.8 (talk) 17:15, 25 September 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Already planned all of that, and already mentioned I don't want to use my computer, but thanks. Hayttom (talk) 17:48, 25 September 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Smart TVs are unlikely to have software updates for all the years the hardware will work. There can be problems with the user interface, security and others, as they are actually computers managed by an external company. I have a bookmark to a now lost tweet mentioning LG commercial panels that are used for hotels and displays and have not TV tuner or apps. Searching for "commercial panel" gives me solar panels. It seems that LG calls them commercial displays. I guess that other brands offer similar hardware. With them you will need a home theater PC as Card Zero said. There are commercial solutions or you could search for free software solutions based on Raspberry Pi or similar hardware. Check how its 10-foot user interface is since you will use it a lot. Category:Streaming media systems may have useful articles. Since you probably watch commercial streaming, you may be limited by what operating system the official applications for your streaming service run on. --Error (talk) 23:15, 25 September 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Some research on smart TVs and privacy from a couple of weeks ago: apparently they send screenshots of anything shown on the screen when connected to a device by HDMI, but not when mirroring a phone. Also you can opt out, but it's an involved process, with six settings to change on a Samsung TV and eleven on an LG TV. Card Zero (talk) 09:21, 27 September 2024 (UTC)[reply]