There really is a lot of processing between the signal and final display. It's pretty common for TVs to ship and then get a firmware update that does actually affect core display functionality.

I'd rather they just shipped finished firmware, but yanno. I got bit on a monitor that has actual firmware bugs but no firmware upgrade path that doesn't involve trying to ship it to a service center.

To Ardon's point, my Dell AW3423DWF shipped with an incorrect EOTF for its HDR Peak 1000 mode which was fixed in a firmware update. It's still just a plain monitor though without any "Smart" features though.

... I said something about not sneaking crap in but then I remembered that Dell liked to try and push the Alienware app via Windows Update. I don't have it but I don't remember what I did to block it or if they just stopped pushing it.

There is a feature that you can enable in windows update, which was off by default once upon a time, that allows windows update to lookup and install apps by usb/peripheral id: plug and play something. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2450930/...

security updates ?

Only needed if you connect it to the network. Don't.