LG’s $1,800 TV for seniors comes with an upcharge and AI button

Op-ed: A dumb TV would be better.

See full article...

 

[FSTargetDrone]

The lag with smart TVs is particularly annoying. I still remember, and frankly miss, the days of rolling through the dials and instantly switching between channels on analogue TV. With digital OTA TV, there’s lag between changing channels and for me, that alone is barely tolerable. I’ve yet to use a smart TV from any brand that is anything but an exercise in frustration navigating menus.

AppleTVs on all of my smart TVs with the network connections disabled is the way to go for me. The cheap little Homeworx OTA tuners I have on a few of those TVs isn’t perfect, but is still faster and far less annoying that watching OTA TV with built-in TV tuners.

 

[SpikeTheHobbitMage]

Can’t you simply not connect these things to the internet?

I just connect my appletv to my tv. I am hoping that apple continues to derive enough profit from not selling my data that I can feel comfortable using their products.

When that changes… dunno.

It's increasingly common for smart TVs to require an active internet connection to do anything.

 

[Voix des Airs]

I haven't read all the posts here yet so this may be redundant but...

I got a new LG OLED over the summer. My previous TV was also an LG OLED and I can say without reservation that LG's new remote and interface is terrible. It's incredibly annoying and unintuitive. One of the worst consumer UIs I've yet to come across. Really, really bad

 

[el_oscuro]

i'm not that old. but getting up there.

have not bought any smart tvs, and refuse to
get any, especially with AI or cameras.

i only use old ones, like samsung, and they usually
have remotes that are basic, and i can use them properly.

my parents have a newer 4K tv with all the bells and whistles,
i have yet to figure out how to use it, the cable box, and
bose surround sound. there's at least 3 separate remotes,
various options that need to be fiddled with, separate volume
control etc.

WE LITERALLY have a printed out step by step instruction sheet
near the tv, anytime we need to watch stuff, and then even more
when playing a bluray or dvd disc.

i like the flexibility and fancy features. but its ridiculous how all
this stuff works or doesn't work.

and if you hit a wrong button one of them, and everything gets
messed up, or there's no sound. or you plugged in the bluray
player at the wrong time, it doesn't detect it.. YIKES, and then
you have to go through all the steps again to get it working.

i personally don't care or need 1080p tvs, 720p is fine, but they
have pretty much vanished. so i can live with the older basic
tvs. i have about 10 of them (donated by friends who have all
replaced all their tvs with newer ones), all over the house.

i even multiplexed 4xtvs to make one larger one. running it through
a pc, and an NVIDIA card to montage the image. all the other
are various media players, as i actually don't watch tv, and have
never subscribed to a service, or ever had cable either.

its all, vhs, laserdisc, dvd, bluray, and digital for viewing, along
with youtube, and free online streams.

i could also use monitors i guess, but they cost more. they are
a lot easier to use though. power on, and select input (even
have autodetect). and volume buttons.

I HATE tvs that only have touch interfaces, and no physical buttons on.
if you lose the remote, or it breaks, you basically have a big slab until
you can find a replacement one that works with it.

end old man rant....

That isn't really an old man rant. You have just described my experience watching TV since I was in my early forties. And I am someone who grew up helping my dad build a Heathkit TV. Installing that flyback transformer on the neck of the CRT was quite challenging.

 

[betam4x]

 

[A_Very_Tired_Geek]

Look for professional monitors.

NOT TV's.

They're called "commercial displays" not professional monitors (there's really no such thing as a 'professional monitor' - either you need a monitor with really good color reproduction/high resolution or not). Basically they're the screens you see hosting dynamic menus and the arrival/departure screens at airports. Thing is, they're very expensive. What it makes obvious, however, is just how much a "TV" from any manufacturer is being subsidized with the sort of crapware/intrusive advertising we users used to berate PC OEMs for.

However, a monitor is not a TV, not traditionally, not now. A TV has OTA (ATSC/PAL/NTSC/DVB) reception capability along with other features oriented for traditional boob-tube viewing including an native interlaced display mode. Monitors are designed to be the VDT of a computer with features required for that specific environment. Interlaced video is blurry because computers are progressive scan and do not provide an interlaced mode on modern hardware.

Edit to add: I dispise tone deaf marketing and stereotyping like LG is doing with this product. Every senior I know, and that's increasingly including myself despite not quite retirement age having a tech job, wants simple interfaces, no crap or adware, DUMB appliances that are easy and intuitive, NOT computerized BS that will be obsolete soon as its home or serving up unwanted ads because some stupidly rich amoral CEO wants another highrise penthouse for his second mistress that he's cheating on his first mistress AND his wife.

 

[Mental Gear Reduction]

I haven't read all the posts here yet so this may be redundant but...

I got a new LG OLED over the summer. My previous TV was also an LG OLED and I can say without reservation that LG's new remote and interface is terrible. It's incredibly annoying and unintuitive. One of the worst consumer UIs I've yet to come across. Really, really bad

You can buy 'service remotes' for LGs for about $10 that have just about every button imaginable. They can be used to invoke service mode to change settings you can't normally reach, but most people don't need that. All those buttons are sure nice, though, like instant input switchers.

The UI will remain unchanged, but you may be able to skip past some of it by using the dedicated buttons.

 

[Thinker_in_TX]

+1 for dumb TVs, it solves the most problems in modern TVs.

Also will there just be a single large button on the US version of the remote for Fox News? (I kid)

Ninja'd by Deelron.
I was about to suggest a "smart" MAGA TV that automatically searches for the local broadcast Fox station and also connects directly to the Fox streaming channels if there's an internet connection. The remote would only have a power on button (on only, no off capability) and no other buttons except for maybe a repeat for the last 5 minutes. Also a button for a feed of "Truth Social". Volume control would be by subscription only from Truth Social. The remote and the picture frame would only be in a "gold" color (fake of course) with Trumps image emblazoned everywhere.

This would sell like gang busters in rural America and be mandated for EVERY HOME here by the right wing Texas legislature. Oh, 50% of the purchase price goes directly to the Trump organization.

/s (as if it's necessary)

 

[stevesabol]

My parents (in their 70s) use an Apple TV with the YouTube TV app (and other streaming apps). They never have to change the input. The volume is controlled from the ATV remote. The one thing I wish Apple would add is for me to be able to remotely connect to help troubleshoot. Right now we just FaceTime while I order them around.

 

[xarathion]

They're called "commercial displays" not professional monitors (there's really no such thing as a 'professional monitor' - either you need a monitor with really good color reproduction/high resolution or not). Basically they're the screens you see hosting dynamic menus and the arrival/departure screens at airports. Thing is, they're very expensive. What it makes obvious, however, is just how much a "TV" from any manufacturer is being subsidized with the sort of crapware/intrusive advertising we users used to berate PC OEMs for.

However, a monitor is not a TV, not traditionally, not now. A TV has OTA (ATSC/PAL/NTSC/DVB) reception capability along with other features oriented for traditional boob-tube viewing including an native interlaced display mode. Monitors are designed to be the VDT of a computer with features required for that specific environment. Interlaced video is blurry because computers are progressive scan and do not provide an interlaced mode on modern hardware.

Edit to add: I dispise tone deaf marketing and stereotyping like LG is doing with this product. Every senior I know, and that's increasingly including myself despite not quite retirement age having a tech job, wants simple interfaces, no crap or adware, DUMB appliances that are easy and intuitive, NOT computerized BS that will be obsolete soon as its home or serving up unwanted ads because some stupidly rich amoral CEO wants another highrise penthouse for his second mistress that he's cheating on his first mistress AND his wife.

Sadly I've also found (some) of these commercial displays to be loaded with crapware too. I was installing a Samsung one in a conference room at my job last year, and the menu that thing had was infuriating. It kept trying to register inputs to specific devices and doing other weird things, rather than just having a simple dumb menu for selecting your input. Though that seems par for the course with all Samsung software these days, no matter the device.

I do think other brands out there that are selling commercial displays are probably okay, though. IIRC Panasonic still makes things simple.

 

[Voix des Airs]

You can buy 'service remotes' for LGs for about $10 that have just about every button imaginable. They can be used to invoke service mode to change settings you can't normally reach, but most people don't need that. All those buttons are sure nice, though, like instant input switchers.

The UI will remain unchanged, but you may be able to skip past some of it by using the dedicated buttons.

Cool. Thanks. I'll check that out.

 

[FishInABarrel]

Sadly I've also found (some) of these commercial displays to be loaded with crapware too.

I needed to replace a dead TV so I decided to go the commercial display route. It was frustrating just trying to decide what to buy because they don't give you many specs on the commercial models. And reviews are all but non-existent.

I got a Samsung LH55BEDHLGFXGO, and it's not great. It wants you to connect it to wifi and set up a Smart Hub account. The prompt for this takes up the top half of the landing screen and can't be dismissed. Thankfully I don't have to deal with this nonsense because it can be set to start on the last selected input. It also just seems really dim, though, even though I have the brightness maxed out.

 

[Steve austin]

Look for professional monitors.

NOT TV's.

Assuming you mean the types of large screen displays that are used in conference rooms for computer output and in hotels, etc. for message display - as others noted, they are expensive to very expensive. They also have poorer picture quality than high end TVs, since clarity and brightness are generally their goal rather than fidelity. I’d like a dumb monitor with a panel equivalent to a current high end LG OLED (and might be willing to pay a premium for it), but the best I’ve figured out is to get the TV and not connect it to the net. I haven’t used a tuner in a long time, but I’m close to convincing my noble leader that we should get rid of our (cable equivalent) live streaming service, in which case being able to use a tuner so she could get locals would be helpful.

 

[dagar9]

The real answer is to get one with a panel you like and attach an AppleTV.

Is it, though? Does AppleTV work without an Inet connection? All I want is OTA, other stuff I'll watch on my computer, which has a large monitor.

 

[jm_leviathan]

The lack of an input button on the 2025 LG remote is ridiculous. Really, the entire interface is a step back compared to the previous "blade" UI, though that change was pushed through some years ago.

 

[Frank C.]

Reminders to take your prescriptions? You really want anyone besides your doctor (and unfortunately insurance companies) to know what drugs you’re taking?

 

[XSportSeeker]

First of all, I think calling it senior is condescending and offensive to costumers, and then just plain wrong. Simplified would be good enough, since this should be useful for those who just want a simpler experience. Senior citizens range in ability to deal with complex control just as much as any class of citizens, so while I do understand the need for simpler controls, it's not something tied to age.
Second, if that monstrosity of a remote is what they consider "for seniors", like meaning it's a simpler version of modern remotes, then they have zero concept of a senior needs or wants, or what simpler controls would be.

I'll tell you right upfront that putting number buttons back in remotes is meaningless because numbers don't mean jacksh*t anymore. They were useful back then because a number was always tied to a channel. Now that simply isn't the case. The better way to simplify things these days is to block all channels that people are not interested in, and let them use a channel up and down function instead.

So, here you go. If you want to make a remote that is simpler, you want few physical control points with good tactile feedback (so, large buttons, dials, switches, rockers). Not more than say, half a dozen. They all have one function and one function alone (meaning no double press or long press functions) - adjusting volume, changing channels, turning the TV on and off. You could have a few fully programmable and scriptable buttons for particular stuff - like getting into Netflix directly into a watchlist, resetting everything to a "default" state, and stuff like that.

I can't tell you how important a reset button is, and how I've never seen one. The moment people with low tech ability press a button that puts the TV inside some weird menu, "smart" mode, or some other sh*t, they dunno how to go back anymore, and then you broke the experience because they'll need to call someone who can just put the TV back to what they were watching.

Better if it's large and color coded, and physical controls have different texture and shapes so it can be easily distinguished by tactile feel alone. Internal battery can be recharged with a solar cell, internal battery lasts long and does not leak or break easily.

But more than that, what you have to eliminate is all the computer-like or mobile-like crap from the screen. No hundred tile menus, no crazy OSD stuff, no wall of text and options, no "smart" crap, no overlay menus, no status bar, nothing that goes over what is supposed to be on display. Everything that gets in the way of watching the content is just an obstacle, if not breaking the entire experience.

Obviously, you'll need to still have lots of controls and setups that are hidden for a tech savvy relative or friend to configure. So perhaps it's a "mode" instead of being completely oversimplified. But that's what I'd want in a simplified remote and TV. Really thinking about potential disabilities or lower understanding of tech, really banking on stuff we know works, really putting an effort to make it super simple to use.

I know this because I've been searching and researching a way to make several functions of a TV accessible for senior citizens for well over a decade now, and there simply is no practical way currently to do so. Not one that both attends the needs while not entirely crippling the experience.

Particularly when it comes to stuff like streaming media. So what I see the most is just people getting defeated by the confusing mess of apps, menus, options, and whatnot, sticking to a few channels they've been watching forever, because all of the new content becomes inaccessible behind a wall of "intelligent function" crap.

Let me give people a simple personal example just to pass the message clearer. Say I'm trying to watch YouTube on a big TV. Just count how many hoops, steps and loops you need to make to get into your watchlist, give a thumbs up if you liked the video, erase the video you just watched from the watchlist, turn a sleep timer on and off, turn closed captions on and off, and do all other basic stuff that you usually do while watching something.
There's no way, right? You need to get a portable keyboard, worse yet, you need a portable keyboard with a touchpad, trackball or something. It's f*cking ridiculous. Even for some basic controls you still need a mouse, you need to go over the video, get into the overlay menu, and then go click an item inside a menu, when not an item inside a submenu, to get what you want.
You cannot simplify things. So if it cannot be done by us for us who know how to work these things, imagine how it is for others.

We've been going like this for decades now. TV manufacturers keep thinking about 3D yadda yadda, smart crap, 8K, HDR, all this sh*t, while they keep missing the stuff that matters the most for most people. And don't get me started on the sh*t quality of TV speakers to this day, when you can have smartphones and tablets that sounds better than 40 inch TVs...

 

[Laramar]

My parents watch broadcast only. They have a Samsung OLED TV that drops a channel if the TV signal is low, which happens from time to time because I don't know why. I have to rescan the TV to get the channel back. My parents needs me to rescan the TV for them because they can't and don't want to learn. All they need is a channel up/down, volume up/down, and power button. Also for the TV to not drop channels.

I was looking at programmable remotes with simple buttons for seniors, but haven't gotten the motivation to try one.

 

[SethNS]

I tell you what... That lg remote still looks like crap and the jubilee one looks like one catered to the older crowd. I'm 43 and can tell this. Apparently they had little input from actual old people.

 

[silverboy]

Exactly this. Something that can turn the tv on and off, change the channel, adjust the volume + mute, and a way to cycle through favorite channels. That's it.

Hmm, sounds like every single TV that existed before 2010.

Can we go back? This timeline needs a rewind.

 

[SethNS]

Hmm, sounds like every single TV that existed before 2010.

Can we go back? This timeline needs a rewind.

I don't know. He didn't mention switching inputs so how far back are we going? Do I have to put it to channel 3 or 2? Jking

 

[colin_sutton]

Can I suggest two remote buttons that are missing for features that differ in every app?
1 . Turn on subtitles
2. Log out all apps on this TV - when you have logged in while travelling

 

[Yagisama]

Seniors aren't dumb. They've just ran out of patience for bullshit.

 

[Zeppos]

I was out on my bike today, and just thinking about the market for a dumb TV. I would be willing to pay 10 or 20% more just to get an 'appliance' with some input connectors. I'm just not sure how big the market would be, but I would pay extra.

Isn't that a computer monitor?

 

[Marlor_AU]

I'm not sure TVs for "seniors" need to be dumbed down to the level LG thinks, nor to have everything crammed into a limited number of buttons on a remote.

An octogenarian in 2025 was in their 40s in the mid-1980s. They were probably running a stacked Hi-Fi system with tape decks, a CD with disc changer, a turntable, a physical equalizer, and dedicated radio. That setup probably had enough knobs and buttons to send a Gen-Zer screaming and running in the opposite direction.

What they want is determinism. No software doing weird things, no popups, no menus piled five layers deep. Just buttons that do a thing. And if there are lots of things to do, there will be lots of buttons. What those buttons do shouldn't change based on context, or change due to software updates. There should be a direct connection between action and response that is well-defined and easily understood.

In fact, count me in for that too.

 

[NC Now]

A dumb TV would be cheaper, too,

Not likely as the smart built in app fees subsidize the selling price of most TVs these days.

 

[BustedUpBiker]

How bloody tone deaf. I would suggest to LG that if they're receiving a glut of customer service contacts regarding difficulty using their TVs in general, that instead of shifting blame onto the users, they take a good honest look at themselves and strive to improve the usability and consistency of their interface.

Retired people do not necessarily lack in technical skill, ability to learn, or cognitive function. What if we're (all of us) just tired of having the goalposts constantly move on us with each and every incremental hardware iteration and software update? What if these companies and the people who work for them were to properly consult a wide range of age groups when designing UI/UX and take that on board, even if it means their pet ideas and promotion aspirations fall by the wayside?

I'd bet them a hundred nits that people of all ages get lost in labyrinthine menus. We are wondering where a feature or setting has moved to this time (if not removed post-purchase) or why it is suddenly greyed out now with no change in any other variable except time. Depending not only on generation but also inclination, we may attempt to look it up online rather than phone in for assistance with a side of condescension.

 

[NC Now]

At a practical level, all consumer TVs these days are "smart" TVs. Those apps subsidize the selling price of TVs on our race to the bottom.

The built in apps on TVs tend to be crap, slow, and stop getting updated long before the end of the life of the TV. And as to updating, many don't get security updates in any kind of timely fashion or at all.

My TVs are NOT connected to the Internet except periodically to allow for firmware updates for 10 to 15 minutes. And never on Wi-Fi as most TVs these days will refuse to forget Wi-Fi credentials without a factory reset. After all without that Internet connection, the subsidy money isn't there.

So I tell people to get an AppleTV. Not perfect but way better than something built in or from Amazon or Google from a privacy perspective. And if they don't like Apple, check out Roku. And if you don't like the Apple TV remote, check out Function 101 for an inexpensive alternative.

 

[omarsidd]

The simplified remote with a back button seems like it would be handy for everybody...

 

[Efw100]

I’m getting to the age where I pick technology for the hone with a view to how I would use and maintain it when I’m older. So no IoT and the simplest electrical goods I can find - it’s not day to day usage but debugging it when there is an issue and keeping it updated and secure.

Similarly my car has physical controls for the basics, it’s an EV so I’m hoping it will be the last car I ever need to buy

 

[ferdnyc]

As said, some of these "innovations" — a remote with buttons on it, just like we had in the Before Times! — could be useful to everyone, which causes me to have an especially cynical reaction to LG introducing a new, expensive offering that UNDOES an unnecessary change they made to their product line.

I would f---ing LOVE to see some TV manufacturer take the time to actually confirm their own assumptions about the market and the things people want from their devices. In small, relatively easy ways that don't unduly burden them.

For example, they could offer more customization along the lines of how computer manufacturers let you order their product variations. Take the pack-in remote out of the TV box, and give the buyer choices instead. They can have the new, LG-streamlined remote for free, or they can upgrade to the classic "More-Than-10-Buttons" remote model for $20 more. Heck, make it $30! Enough for people to think twice, but still go for it if it's really something they want.

I bet they'd be surprised how many customers ante up the extra $30 to have an actually-usable remote. I bet they'd be even more surprised how many of them are UNDER 65.

 

[GreenEggsAndCrack]

The ability to secretly limit the max volume on the speakers from the tv

Now there's a smart TV feature worth paying money for.

 

[badbob001]

Didn't we move away from remotes with edge to buttons and then more buttons under a flap because they were too complicated in general? I've seen maybe remotes at aging relatives where either the there are stickers on only the important buttons or all the unimportant buttons are masked out with tape.

I guess the number buttons could be useful for switching channels. They can have a notebook where they write down all the channel numbers they use, similar to their book, next to the phone, with all their contacts' phone.

But we are moving away from numbered tv channels. Even contacting someone by their phone number has long been replaced by voice supporting apps like Whatsapp.

We need senior mode like kids mode. Limit which apps are visible. Limit access to purchases, trials, and popup messages/ads. Ignore long press of buttons. Always have a home button so they can start from the beginning.

 

[ferdnyc]

I got a new LG OLED over the summer. My previous TV was also an LG OLED and I can say without reservation that LG's new remote and interface is terrible. It's incredibly annoying and unintuitive. One of the worst consumer UIs I've yet to come across. Really, really bad

I feel really bad suggesting this NOW (because it's almost certainly too little, too late), but if you replaced your old LG TV with a new LG TV and thought the remote on the old one was better, you probably could've kept that old remote and used it with the new TV.

It's pretty rare for manufacturers to change their remote codes, they like to be able to use them with multiple models so they tend to stick with what works until something forces a change.

Wouldn't have helped with the UI, of course, and depending on the age difference and feature disparity the old remote might have been missing functions necessary for the new TV, but point is: When you replace equipment, if the accessories still work, hang on to 'em for at least a little while. They might come in handy in unexpected ways.

 

[MMarsh]

I'm not sure TVs for "seniors" need to be dumbed down to the level LG thinks, nor to have everything crammed into a limited number of buttons on a remote.

An octogenarian in 2025 was in their 40s in the mid-1980s. They were probably running a stacked Hi-Fi system with tape decks, a CD with disc changer, a turntable, a physical equalizer, and dedicated radio. That setup probably had enough knobs and buttons to send a Gen-Zer screaming and running in the opposite direction.

What they want is determinism. No software doing weird things, no popups, no menus piled five layers deep. Just buttons that do a thing. And if there are lots of things to do, there will be lots of buttons. What those buttons do shouldn't change based on context, or change due to software updates. There should be a direct connection between action and response that is well-defined and easily understood.

In fact, count me in for that too.

Bingo.

We have TCL TVs in some conference rooms and Samsung TVs in others. This is an engineering office full of 20somethings and 30somethings, half of whom have postgraduate degrees. The single biggest source of frustration is "what are the damn TVs gonna do today?" to the point that one person will show up early for each meeting just in case troubleshooting is needed .

Which it often is, because the TCLs will sometimes start connected to the Neat, sometimes to the PC, and sometimes to a "we need your Amazon account credentials and Wi-Fi password" prompt. The Samsungs respond to each other's remotes at random for power-on and power-off, but not for commands, so sometimes you need to sneak up to one and shield its IR sensor from the others to turn it on without shutting the others off....

Determinism. It's a good thing.

 

[gnasher729]

Can’t you simply not connect these things to the internet?

I just connect my appletv to my tv. I am hoping that apple continues to derive enough profit from not selling my data that I can feel comfortable using their products.

When that changes… dunno.

Apple makes money by selling you an iPhone, iPod or Mac. And they will happily sell you anything that makes you buy the next money making device from Apple.

That’s why they give you privacy: Because selling your data would make a bit of money, but selling iPhones makes a shitload. That’s why you can go to an Apple Store and they will actually help you, for free: Because it sells devices.

 

[gnasher729]

I got a Samsung LH55BEDHLGFXGO, and it's not great.

Who the fuck comes up with these names?

 

[MMarsh]

Who the fuck comes up with these names?

Someone at Samsung probably maintains an 1800 page schema document describing exactly how to parse them and how to create new ones.

I kind of prefer Amazon's way – of the names aren't going to be human memorable anyway, then just make them 100% random.

 

[Wheels Of Confusion]

I like the idea in concept, but looking at (for example) B&H Photo for professional video monitors, it seems like the panel sizes are topping out at about 31" and that will cost you over $30k.

Maybe a good computer monitor would do the trick.

I think they meant commercial/professional displays, not monitors. NEC has a line of such displays like Sharp/NEC's:
https://www.sharpnecdisplays.us/products/displays#?page=1
They come in all the expected 4K resolutions and common panel sizes (and larger!), and some of them have an integrated Raspberry Pi compute module slot.
Take https://www.sharpnecdisplays.us/products/displays/m501-2 for example. I'm sure other brands have similar offerings, these are just the one's I've heard of.

 

[cinc]

Everything from TVs, to tablets, E-readers, set top boxes and phones should have built in remote access software.