I'd normally just have a Linux box with Kodi, but once you try to get 4K HDR working, things start getting prickly. GPU and driver combos were a bit of a pain and even Windows had issues.
Same goes for an STB, or car, or any other thing that abuses you. You don't have to sit and take it simply because "that's the modern world".
Consumer choice is an important and powerful tool. Don't buy or use crap that abuses you, and don't shop at vendors that think that abusing their users is ok.
We got into this situation because people tend to throw up their hands and suffer.
> I also generally like the Google stuff including the assistant integration.
Google is an advertising company. Everything they do is in service to this goal, despite whatever side perks it may deliver to you occasionally. Liking the Google stuff while not liking ads is a mistake, because they are inseparable.
If you don't like ads, don't give your money and data to an advertising company. Don't run Android TV.
So you're saying as soon as you're abused just toss a few hundred/thousands/tens of thousands of dollars of hardware out the window and spend a like amount somewhere else -- hoping that /this/ time is different? Even though when you bought the equipment this wasn't the state of it?
It must be nice to live in that world. Wasteful and expensive, but nice.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/security/a264489...
Throw it in the trash can't be the response to everything. Why don't I throw my phone and my car in the trash? Maybe I should throw my fridge and microwave in the trash too?
If my fridge started showing ads one day, suggesting that I shouldn't be pissed because I can just throw it out and get a cooler of ice is not helpful.