Yeah the current models are a bit disappointing, but I bought the cheapest one and I'm not planning on using it for very intensive stuff so I figured at that price why not.
I had to do that this year! It was entirely by mail! Took like 3 months turnaround in total, not bad. I figured if there was any time to not have my passport available...
Frankly I agree, I find value in some metrics for various reasons, it's not always a bad thing. There also isn't a single #IndieWeb opinion on this kind of thing, which is the great part about the IndieWeb.
Last time I bought a TV I found a "commercial display" which was the only way to get a not-smart TV. It's the kind of thing you'd buy for airports and bars. I bought this in like 2014 though and I'm hoping I don't have to replace it any time soon.
Pretty sure they're all the same panels underneath. That said I still wouldn't buy any smart TV. Give me a big display and let me add the smarts in external devices instead.
I'm livestreaming a very long 3D print with some chill tunes! It'll be running for the next 5 hours or so, excellent to put on in the background! youtube.com/R3Wx_NVBbgk