[stravant]

Why wouldn't you want it to be a computer? Then it can be connected to your devices AND also do the job itself in a situation where it's awkward to connect to a device.

If already needs a computer in it to drive menus / modern display protocols. Having that computer be powerful enough to also decode content is barely an extra cost.

[fulafel]

A rooted piece of trashy IOT is trashy IOT. It's an acquired taste, the excitement of putting a black box insecure linux device on the home network to add to your home infra admin duties.

[pessimizer]

A rooted computer is the opposite of a black box. This makes no sense.

[olyjohn]

If someone can get access to the TV on your local network, you're already in trouble.

[lenkite]

> Why wouldn't you want it to be a computer?

Because I can then easily upgrade my computer without upgrading my TV.

[pessimizer]

Do you have to upgrade your computer when you upgrade your router?

This entire subthread is not computer-literate. Your monitor contains a computer. A dumb display contains a computer. Your keyboard contains a computer.

You can strip the software down on them so they do nothing but take commands and drive whatever electronics you have attached to them, but it will still be software on a computer. If there's a lot of RAM and a fat processor, like on a rooted smart TV, I might (but not necessarily) make it do a little more than that.

[wiether]

For the same reason I don't want a self-heating mug.

[michaelsalim]

Why wouldn't you want that? Genuinely curious

[ryandrake]

> Why wouldn't you want it to be a computer?

The same reason I don't want anything else in my life to be a computer. A computer is one more component that can fail and take down the whole product. I want my computer to be a computer and that's it.

[Itoldmyselfso]

How about the abdysmal security Smart TVs either have right of the shelf or for certain after they are no longer kept up-to-date? I don't want to worry having my TV act either as botnet or spying device (many come with microphones and cameras nowadays). I rather purchase additional device that has decent security that I can attach to the TV if I need to.