I did the same with a Sony A80L, which also runs Google TV. I even uninstalled the bundled streaming apps for good measure, although I never see the home screen.
It behaves like a monitor. I never see the TV UI unless I ask for it.
It behaves like a monitor. I never see the TV UI unless I ask for it.
I have a cheap FireTV which cannot be made to behave this way. If you disconnect it from the internet, it will still require you to interact with the (slow-ass clunky) OS in order to select a different input.
Your best case scenario with some of these smart TV's is the ones which run Android to replace the launcher. Possibly, this gets reset periodically, meaning you have to keep doing it.
Apparently there's a few Fire devices which can be flashed with LineageOS - I might try researching that and see if it is doable. A FireTV stick with LineageOS would be the best case scenario.
The "smart" part is what makes TVs cheaper, since that's what opens the door to a higher CLV. People willing to put their money where their mouth is can still buy dumb displays: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Multimedia-Displays-Di...