If you think your Smart TV is completely off when the screen turns off, that's not necessarily true. Learn which systems remain active inside your TV after the screen is turned off.
Smart TV standby mode
After watching TV, pressing the power button on the remote often causes the screen to go black, and it appears the device has completely shut down. However, this isn't always the case with smart TVs. Many models remain connected to the network even after entering standby mode, and various systems continue to operate behind the scenes. This brings the convenience of smart TVs into sharp focus, along with consumer privacy. Let's explore which systems in smart TVs remain operational even after the screen is turned off.
What keeps playing after the screen is turned off?
Smart TVs don't completely shut down when the screen is turned off; many models instead enter standby mode. During this time, the TV's main board, Wi-Fi or network chip, and background operating system may remain active. These can help the TV check for app and software updates, sync data, and support features like casting from a phone or voice commands. Some TVs may also incorporate technologies like ACR to identify content-related information in the background.
How does ACR work?
Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) is a system used in smart TVs to identify the content playing on the TV. Research suggests this technology can periodically identify the content displayed on the screen and match it to the available content library.
Research conducted on Samsung and LG smart TVs examined network data related to ACR. The research revealed that ACR's performance can vary depending on how you view content on the TV. ACR can even remain active when the TV is used solely as an external display. However, if the privacy setting associated with ACR is disabled, network data traffic to its servers stops.
How to maintain the privacy of a Smart TV?
Features like ACR, Viewing Information, Personalized Advertising, and Voice Recognition can be reviewed by going to the TV's Privacy or System Settings. Disabling unneeded features is an option. It's also important to install the TV's firmware and security updates on time. The home router and other connected devices should also be kept up to date. Removing old or unused devices from the network is also useful for security.
