Looking to replace my 90 year old mother’s old big box tv. Don’t want a smart tv. Looking for something we can just hook her dish cable up to and have her regular channels that’s in her plan. Not looking for anything bigger than 40”.

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Posted by Sl0thstronautEsq

Member since Aug 2018

16480 posts

Posted on 7/7/25 at 10:13 am to tigger4ever

I think Sceptre makes "dumb" tvs. But couldn't you also just get a smart tv and not connect it to the internet?

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Posted by epbart

new york city

Member since Mar 2005

3186 posts

Posted on 7/7/25 at 10:30 am to tigger4ever

I have zero knowledge, but became curious if anyone even makes non-smart tvs these days or if you'd have to look at something more like a computer monitor... I did see this 32" Phillips unit at Walmart for a modest $98.

walmart
When you scroll to the comparison to similar units, for "smart TV platform" this unit is blank (has a dash) vs having "Google tv" or "roku tv", etc. So, it seems like it might be okay.

Due to modern complexity and varied input options, it may not be as straightforward/dumb as you'd like, but it's a starting point.

Also, I see other people have this type question when trying to help out older parents, so you might try reading reddit threads like this one which talks about turning some settings off to lock the tv into working more simply / avoiding excessive sceeens...

reddit

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Posted by Dallaswho

Texas

Member since Dec 2023

3403 posts

Posted on 7/7/25 at 10:36 am to tigger4ever

Newer Visio TVs will automatically switch to active hdmi inputs despite their own menus being awful. This is a decent solution. May require turning on CEC, not sure.

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Posted by dblwall

Member since Jul 2017

1126 posts

Posted on 7/7/25 at 10:40 am to tigger4ever

I would check out Walmart 1st, and see what the start up menu is like. That can likely be confusing picking options etc.

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Posted by LEASTBAY

Member since Aug 2007

16333 posts

Posted on 7/7/25 at 11:12 am to tigger4ever

Probably cheaper to buy a smart TV and not use any of the smart features. What's the reason you dont want the smart TV? Cost would be the only one I can think of.

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Posted by LemmyLives

Texas

Member since Mar 2019

13420 posts

Posted on 7/7/25 at 11:54 am to LEASTBAY

It'll be the typical, "My momma only knows wheel of fortune is on channel 44!"

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Posted by notsince98

KC, MO

Member since Oct 2012

21368 posts

Posted on 7/7/25 at 12:01 pm to tigger4ever

you can disable/avoid the smart features of any TV. You wont find a non-smart tv anymore.

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Posted by weadjust

Member since Aug 2012

15650 posts

Posted on 7/7/25 at 4:20 pm to notsince98

Westinghouse 32 Inch TV, 720p HD LED Small Flat Screen Non-Smart Television with HDMI, USB, VGA, & V-Chip Parental Controls

$150 @ Amazon

Amazon

quote:
What's the reason you dont want the smart TV? Cost would be the only one I can think of.

I went through this with my 93 year old MIL who has muscular degeneration and can barely see. I had to have a TV that she could use with her eyesight impaired large button remote. She can't read prompts or the guide on the TV screen. All she needed was on/off, volume, and channel # pad or up/down channel button. The nursing home provides cable tv.

It took me forever to get that damn remote programmed. When I was finished programming the remote. I told her the picture looked great. We were both looking at the tv and she asked me if it was a color tv

Turns out what she can see is only in black and white.

This was 3 years ago and the only 43" non smart tvs I could find were a Phillips @ Sams Club and an Insignia @ Best Buy

This post was edited on 7/7/25 at 4:36 pm

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