Before we start talking about smart TV technology, let's take a short trip down memory lane and recall what television was like without it: it's the early 2000s, your favorite show is on, the action builds to a climax, you're on the edge of your seat.... and there it is, the dreaded commercial break.
I got a “smart” TV, but have never connected it to a network… I made sure I got one with an ethernet port, turned wifi OFF and have never plugged in a network cable. The IP address has been set to something that will never work in the off chance someone ever does accidentally plug it in.
I made sure it is one that can be upgraded with the firmware on a USB stick, it does not need to be online to be upgraded…
It is used as a huge monitor for a Linux multimedia PC, but that’s fine!