Mine still takes several seconds to boot android TV just so it can display the HDMI input, even if not connected to internet. It has to be always plugged on the power because if there is a power cut, it needs to boot android TV again.
My old dumb TV did that in a second without booting an entire OS. Next time I need a big screen, it will be a computer monitor.
Even switching to other stuff right after the boot (because the power-on can't be called a simple power-on anymore) the tv is slow.
I recently had the pleasure of interacting with a TV from ~2017 or 2018. God was it slow. Especially loading native apps (Samsung 50"-ish TV)
I like my chromecast. At least that was properly specced. Now if only HDMI and CEC would work like I'd like to :|
Signage TVs are good for this. They're designed to run 24/7 in store windows displaying advertisements or animated menus, so they're a bit pricey, and don't expect any fancy features like HDR, but they've got no smarts whatsoever. What they do have is a slot you can shove your own smart gadget into with a connector that breaks oug power, HDMI etc. which someone has made a Raspberry Pi Compute Module carrier board for, so if you're into, say, Jellyfin, you can make it smart completely under your own control with e.g. libreELEC. Here's a video from Jeff Geerling going into more detail: https://youtu.be/-epPf7D8oMk
Alternatively, if you want HDR and high refresh rates, you're okay with a smallish TV, and you're really willing to splash out, ASUS ROG makes 48" 4K 10-bit gaming monitors for around $1700 US. HDMI is HDMI, you can plug whatever you want into there.
I don't have a TV, but doesn't a smart TV require internet access? Why not just... not give it internet access? Or do they come with their own mobile data plans now meaning you can't even turn off the internet access?
They continually try to get ob the Internet, it's basically malware at this point. The on board SoC is also usually comically underpowered so the menus stutter.
OK, that's really fucked. What the hell? Wait a moment... that means they could turn the use of the TV into a subscription at any time! That's crazy...
Right now it's easier to find projectors without it and a smart os. Before long tho it's gonna be harder to find those without a smart os and AI upscaling