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Got a "smart" monitor, my first (lemmy.world)
submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by squid_slime@lemmy.world to c/casualconversation@lemmy.world
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Samsung g8 monitor, ive been pining to upgrade my 1080p monitor and thought id go full hug with oled, 4k and higher frame rate (170hz apposed to my previous 144hz),

first cardinal sin: polystyrene packaging.

Second: its apparently smart which I'm taking to mean they added pointless software to it so to extract long term profit from users, have brand deals with streaming company's and to artificially age a product.

I can see a smart TVs making sense, its essentially the evolution of the TV, in general, they started with big antennas and now they have smaller internal antennas, changes to broadcasting has allowed for this.

But a monitor something that has always relied on a secondary system to function now has smart features, why the fuck call it a monitor? Its surely a tv at that point.

Although my disappointment goes further than just the smart aspect, I'd be okay if there was a non intrusive app store, but no the controls have 4 dedicated buttons I will never use, prime video, netflix, Disney plus and Samsung TV plus. If I were to ever use these services I would do so through my PC, or if I had a games console (media centre) I would use that, which then posses the question of what's the point? Did they have old android PCBs laying about the factory and thought fuck it,..

Next issue is how Samsung want me to connect to the internet, its easy to press no to connecting, the issue come from hardware maintenance which is especially important with oled. Oleds degrade quite fast, if I left the monitor on for a day with windows desktop white theme constantly displaying I may run into burn in, so most oled monitors/TVs have corrective software that'll run on command or scheduled, most of these monitors also report its history of corrective operations but Samsung demands I download an app on my phone to view this information.

Why can't tech just be one thing, now everything has to be some kind of Swiss army knife.

Edit: thought I'd look at this app (SmartThings) to see how good/bad it is, download the app and permissions aren't too bad although I dont like that Samsung wants my location, anyway ive two option: top right sign in, centre get started, I click get started and get pulled from the app to my browser met with a message

"Browser not supported

Samsung account can only be used with the following browsers:

  • Samsung Internet
  • Chrome
  • Firefox
  • QQ Browser
  • UC Browser
  • Sogou Browser
  • 360 Browser
  • Safari
  • Chromium
  • Brave
  • Microsoft Edge"

I am using chromium on android... This is just ridiculous. Plus a redflag to Samsung needing me to be connected to the internet whilst using the application which uses Bluetooth to connect to the monitor.

Another edit: multi screen is locked, I can't use two inputs simultaneously to create a split screen unless I connect to the internet. Ridiculous. I had this capability back in 2016 with my old lg ultra wide and now my hardware functionality is locked because I am choosing to stay offline.

Who can I go to in the UK for anti consumer practice's?

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[-] THB@lemmy.world 17 points 7 months ago

Is it too late to return it for a dumb monitor?

[-] squid_slime@lemmy.world 3 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

I messaged the seller to see what can be done, will see what they respond

[-] dukatos@lemm.ee 9 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Never buy anything Samsung. They are shit last 15 years and it gets worse.

[-] squid_slime@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago

Since they entered the android market they've become awful, I'm just going to avoid anything that is self proclaimed as smart as it all seems to be anti consumer

[-] daddyjones@lemmy.world 6 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

I can't help but wonder why you bought this monitor since you're clearly not interested in many of its features?

[-] squid_slime@lemmy.world 5 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Price, it was the cheapest ultra wide oled I was able to find. Reviews I watched focused on technical details and skimmed over the things like inclusion of buttons for streaming services

The smart TV stuff I could look passed maybe even see as a good thing if done right but then noticing that a smart TV wants me to install a separate application onto my smart phone to view information that should already be featured on the monitor is a joke.

[-] null@slrpnk.net 4 points 7 months ago

Price, it was the cheapest ultra wide oled I was able to find.

And the reason for that is that it's subsidized by all the garbage.

[-] squid_slime@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Not at all, I bought heavily discounted, its the most expressive monitor compared to others using the same panel (outside of discount) bought open unused.

[-] slazer2au@lemmy.world 3 points 7 months ago

Yep, many of these are reasons why I avoid Smart(TM) devices. A lot of useless features requiring internet connections that doesn't add value.

[-] CarbonatedPastaSauce@lemmy.world 3 points 7 months ago

I just got a G9 last week so I feel some of your pain. It was frustrating to set up but I kept mine dumb, no network, and it’s been working just fine (no ‘smart device’ annnoyances) after the initial setup. And some of my pain had to do with other new PC hardware I was fighting with. I was definitely thinking about returning it after the initial headaches. After a few days of using it I’m in love though. It’s just GORGEOUS.

Samsung does suck but I couldn’t pass up getting a 5120x1440 oled panel for 1100 bucks. Works great with my old HDMI switch and game consoles too!

[-] squid_slime@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago

I'm using mine dumb too just wish I had access to the features given by the mobile app.

The panel is stunning for the g8 and I can imagine it'll be more so with the g9, but can't help but think that the extra asking price is for the unnecessary smart feature as alienwares monitor using the same g8 panel is a fair bit cheaper, glad you getting on well with it though

[-] squid_slime@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

Are you able to use the simultaneous multi input? Say you have a console and PC both outputting to left and right half of the monitor?

[-] CarbonatedPastaSauce@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

I didn't even know that was a thing!

[-] squid_slime@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

it is i use to use it often with my old lg ultra wide no networking, eula required. sadly lg has locked a hardware feature behind its bullshit

[-] KoalaUnknown@lemmy.world 3 points 7 months ago

I have the same monitor (G8 OLED) and I have never connected it to the internet or used the smart features. You can just ignore all of that.

[-] squid_slime@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago

agree to disagree on this one, while yes theres plenty of useless shite that i couldnt care less about, id still like to do dual input split screen, my old as hell lg ultra wide could do this no problem no network where as that feature is locked with g8 behind the eula. all modern oled monitors have some form of calibration, i believe Samsung to be the only manufacturer to have hidden calibration statics in a stand alone app which is further annoyance as registration, eula and networking are necessary to use the app. getting updates for the monitor i also need to agree to the eula, credit where credits due im glad i can update through usb.

this post was submitted on 20 Mar 2024
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