Is Vizio spying on you?

kevhed72

It's all good in the name of keep us safe Funny how so many people don't worry about PM the current monitoring technology, when you know over time it will only get worse.

[Deleted User]

"you know over time it will only get worse."

See Great Britian

tonyb

In regards to using the TV as your hub for apps, Todays TV's are faster than just the prior few years. Every year the processors get better. I've said it a million times, when looking for a smart TV you need to put fast processing on your priority list. Slow app loading can also be a Wi-Fi problem you may not be aware of.

This is also why most should stay away from off model numbers, Walmart sets, cheap sets, they won't have the latest and fastest processors in them. A slow hub for your apps can make your smart tv very aggravating to use.

heiney9

As an aside, we were having streaming issues with a brand new top of the line Netgear wireless router. I have Comcast Blast 50mbps service. All streaming had issues with buffering and blurry screens at times. Did a speed test and getting 2mbps.

Switched to the 5G hub of the router and BAM, super awesome, fast streaming.

H9

msg

I tested this last night on a few-year-old Sony.
I do stand somewhat corrected. It's the clunky navigation that would annoy me before. It's really not too bad. To me, it's still a little easier and more fluid on a streaming device, but as mentioned, it's probably just getting better on newer models. I am, however, having an ongoing issue with the Sony, some kind of error that, last time I looked at it, requires a factory reset to address. It gets wifi access and network checks good, but can't get software updates. I spent a lot of time customizing the tv over the first few weeks and can't be bothered doing it again after a reset. Since I don't use the apps or any other connectivity, it doesn't really matter.

Some would say the ability to add a great selection of apps makes the case for a streamer. I've had that ability for years. A lot of it's mostly junk, imho, and I only use the same handful I've used for several years.

msg

mdaudioguy wrote: »

I don't have the scrolling screensaver with my 3, although I recently noticed it on my older stick. Pretty sure autostart can be turned off too. I'll check and PM you my addy for a 6 pack. lol

That's weird. Both of mine are doing it with no option for the standard Roku bouncing logo. Do yours both have the latest firmware?

mdaudioguy wrote: »

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201638020
http://www.idownloadblog.com/2016/05/10/how-to-disable-autoplay-on-netflix/
Do these instructions work?

No; different issue, and yes, I found that setting a while back in "the user profile that is my friend".
The issue I'm talking about is before play, not the autostart of the next episode. This issue I'm talking about is when you're just browsing shows or films, and open one just to read the summary to see what it's about, etc. The show/film starts playing automatically. If I want to watch it, I'll tell it so. I find this distracting. IIRC, it also puts an entry in my "continue watching" section, if that's still around. Anyway, this autostart feature makes me wonder whether it's somehow beneficial to Netflix, counting up some ticker for "watched programming".

mdaudioguy wrote: »

You can still choose the clock screensavers. I've actually turned the screensaver off altogether, since when we're not using the Roku, it's DirecTV or the TV's off. I hate switching to Roku only to have to hit a button to clear the screensaver.

Yeah, I see the other screensaver options, but I don't want them. I've tried them; I prefer the plain bouncing Roku. Why should that be so difficult?

OleBoot

heiney9 wrote: »

Yes, as I said this TV uses the Google Chrome Cast platform, built into the TV. It just happens to be a Vizio M series.

H9

Bit OT here, but I have recently got a Vizio M Series also, a 65". Apart from the fact that the first one that they sent me was a dud (I got it direct from Vizio, and they did send me a replacement within a matter of days) I have been really impressed with it for the $$. We are still tied to cable (Verizon), and watch more TV than movies nowadays, so suits us fine - does a really good job at upscaling the cable signal. The tablet idea I think is really neat - can use any app with a cast button, although lose out on Amazon content .

I have friends with much more expensive Sony, Sammy Tvs etc., and don't feel I am losing out too much on pic quality.

How are you liking yours, H9?

[Deleted User]

I bought a Vizio at BB. When I loaded it into my VW the tires deflated.
Returned shortly after.

mhardy6647

rednedtugent wrote: »

I bought a Vizio at BB. When I loaded it into my VW the tires deflated...

How'd it do that?! Darned Internet of Things!
Note to myself -- do not let the TV talk to my car's tire pressure sensors. Bad TV! Bad, bad TV!

heiney9

OleBoot wrote: »

heiney9 wrote: »

Yes, as I said this TV uses the Google Chrome Cast platform, built into the TV. It just happens to be a Vizio M series.

H9

Bit OT here, but I have recently got a Vizio M Series also, a 65". Apart from the fact that the first one that they sent me was a dud (I got it direct from Vizio, and they did send me a replacement within a matter of days) I have been really impressed with it for the $$. We are still tied to cable (Verizon), and watch more TV than movies nowadays, so suits us fine - does a really good job at upscaling the cable signal. The tablet idea I think is really neat - can use any app with a cast button, although lose out on Amazon content .

I have friends with much more expensive Sony, Sammy Tvs etc., and don't feel I am losing out too much on pic quality.

How are you liking yours, H9?

I was torn because of Vizo's rep for being entry level TV's. I shy'd away from Samsung because of some issues friends have had and a recent friend had an absolutely horrible customer service situation with Samsung corporate. Soured me on the whole brand unfortunately. And frankly they cost a lot more and I'm not always sure they are the best value.

This TV has been simply amazing and at it's price point no other TV offers what it does and it has a killer picture. I got a killer deal on it and it's the only one at it's price point that has active backlighting (32 zones). The tablet is great for smart use, but basic remote functions it's a bit cumbersome. We use the DVR remote from Dish to adjust volume and change channels, etc so for me the tablet isn't a hindrance.

For what I watch and use a TV for this has been a great purchase and the Smart functions have been quick and flawless. I bought it based on this review.

https://www.cnet.com/products/vizio-m65-d0/review/

And I'm happy I did. I was looking for value and great picture quality, not all the bells and whistles.

I replaced a 6 year old Panny Plasma 720p TV. A huge improvement and I loved that Panny.

H9

P.s. Was going to get the 55" but I measured and didn't think it would fit, so I got the 50" and there was plenty of room for the 55". Bought it from Dell's website on sale for $599, 6 mos no interest, and free shipping.

Part of the promo up was $250 Dell credit. Since I am a preferred member and used the 6 mos no interest I also got a 10% credit of the purchase price. So I have a $310 credit to use at Dell for anything they carry. I need a new computer so the $310 will come in very handy, and was the cherry on top. Total TV price was like $620 - $310 credit = $310. Not too shabby.

maximillian

My anecdotal take:

Only owned one Vizio amongst 5 Samsung LCD's and one RCA (between my father and I). Vizio died after 1.5 years of use (and acted flacky at 13 months), and the RCA lasted 4 years. No issue with any of my Samsung TV's.

When I called Vizio just out of warranty Vizio said I could live with the issue (took a long time to boot with flashing logo/light on the front), or pay $$$ to ship back and have fixed. Never buying Vizio again. At least it was only 1.5 years of their spying crap.

heiney9

Not really going to get into a pissing match over brands. They all have their ups and downs. For what I paid, nothing comes close, not even close. And it faired better compared to the same cost Samsung. I've been looking at replacing my old TV for over a year. And my Samsung decision was based on more than just 1 incidence with the brand. These are friends, family, co-workers, etc..........not random internet complaints.

H9

tonyb

Every brand has their turkeys, and anything mass produced will have lemons here and there. The thing to stay away from are the off numbered series. These sets are of compromised quality to meet a price point for discount sellers like Walmart.

I've noticed with all brands, the lower series of any brand has the most issues. Try finding a higher series within a brand at a sale price for your best odds of trouble free viewing. Don't we do the same thing for audio products ?

OleBoot

@rednedtugent - I am happy with my Vizio so far, but have wondered why my toaster's cable bill has gone up.

@heiney9 - Wish you hadn't told me what you paid. I thought that the $1099 I parted with for my 65 incher on sale at Vizio was a good deal!

@maximillian - I'll let you know in a couple years.

mhardy6647

tonyb wrote: »

The thing to stay away from are the off numbered series. These sets are of compromised quality to meet a price point for discount sellers like Walmart.
...

It's nice to know that the spirit of "Muntzing" still lives in consumer electronics!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muntzing

maximillian

Funny thing is that I also inherited an old 32" Westinghouse LCD and it is still working well. It's probably 10 years old now. I think this was a Walmart TV. Westinghouse is an old name that was bought/sold/licensed a couple times and was probably made by some Chinese no-name company for Walmart.

I know many of these are made with razor thin margins. Bose tried getting into flat-panel TV business but got out of the market because the market is simply too congested and the product is pretty commodity now. If Vizio is selling TV's at the lowest price point possible then you know they are cutting as many corners as they can.

heiney9

maximillian wrote: »

If Vizio is selling TV's at the lowest price point possible then you know they are cutting as many corners as they can.

That's a stretch assumption......why Vizio, why not every lowest price point TV manufacturer?

Vizio has price leaders and I'm sure they are bare bones, just like any other price leader.

The E and especially the M and P series are very good for the $$$, but they aren't the cheapest either. In fact there are cheaper TV's than the budget Vizio's.

OleBoot

When I was doing my interwebs research before I got my Vizio, I read somewhere that the way Vizio saved money on their E, M and P series TVs was by making them "tuner free" and using the supplied tablet to provide the "smart" part rather than building it into the TV itself, thus allowing full array LED backlighting and active LED zones (e. g. 32 0n the 50" M series and 64 on the 65") at a reasonable cost.

heiney9

I used to snub my nose at Vizio in the past, knowing they made entry level, bare bones sets. But the past couple years the upper 2 lines are very competitive and a good value.

So I changed my mind........which isn't easily done.

H9

tonyb

heiney9 wrote: »

So I changed my mind........which isn't easily done.

H9

I'll say.....lol.

Vizio's upper series is actually not bad. Trick here is, only a few companies make processors/screens....finding what is actually in what series within a brand is like playing Sherlock Holms.

mhardy6647

heiney9 wrote: »

I used to snub my nose at Vizio in the past, knowing they made entry level, bare bones sets. But the past couple years the upper 2 lines are very competitive and a good value.

So I changed my mind........which isn't easily done.

H9

But it saved you all that nose snubbing.

heiney9

I look at value, not final cost..................at the time (5-6 years ago) even though they were less expensive, I found more value in a set that cost more.

maximillian

heiney9 wrote: »

I used to snub my nose at Vizio in the past, knowing they made entry level, bare bones sets. But the past couple years the upper 2 lines are very competitive and a good value.

So I changed my mind........which isn't easily done.
H9

So you didn't buy the cheapest TV out there, purchased one of their top 2 offerings, as was satisfied with their quality. Shocking.

The 42" Vizio I bought for my bedroom wasn't the bottom of the line either, but it was a Walmart buy. But my dad bought two 3000 series 32" Samsungs for cheap from Walmart that both saw more usage and they work fine after 5 years. Both used daily in kitchens. BTW, anyone else's Italian parents cooked in the basement kitchen and ate in the 1st floor kitchen?

It wasn't just the fact that it failed so soon, it was their customer service that rubbed me wrong too. Because of the two I have decided to stay away from them. YMMV.

heiney9

That's what's great about freedom, you have a choice. Time will tell if this set holds up.