Between the leader and this update. kim jong il is laughing is ass off.

Uh, no. Blogging is not journalism. She regularly comes here and asks you guys questions about the industry and then puts a story up on CE Pro about what you tell her. And then she champions DIY product.

Tell me, WHY would a Samsung firmware update disable HDBaseT? Between the extender receiver and the TV it's just a regular HDMI link.

Do these Samsungs have a HDbT input on them that is now disabled? Do these TVs fail with a straight HDMI connection?

????? Don't get it. They all need power. Why would it cough? Where can I find out more about this Add Power. Why does power have ADD? Can't it get medicine for its ADD?

One reason might be the built-in streaming apps (amazon, netflix, and youtube are some) are a source for 4K video. Roku and some others do offer 4K players, but its easier for me to program a remote (and sell a system) with the tv as the streaming source.

Two modern rules of audio/video:

You get the best performance out of HDMI when you look at all its features and beat the holy crap out of every one of them you can get your hands on.

Smart TVs are NOT smart and their streaming capabilities are best referred to as streaming piles, not least of all because the audio outputs of the TVs are, with few exceptions, just 2 channel outputs.

There is no way, zero, zilch, none, that it is easier to program a control system to use built in streaming on a tv rather than using an external source such as Roku. TVs handle streaming in a crappy manner, especially exiting the streaming. With an external device, simply change inputs. With a tv, send exit command, then exit command, then delay, then exit commad. Oh wait, this tv is exit command, delay, then exit command. Oh wait, this tv is exit command, down arrow, then select to confirm exit. Oh darn, thats just for Amazon Prime. For Netflix its exit, right arrow, then select to confirm.

Programming streaming services on most tvs is a pita.

In my opinion the only reason for using the network connection for a TV is if the customer demands to use a TV "App" and I discourage this because the Apps are often silly, difficult to use, slow responding, and (if someone figures out how to update), the App might change or disappear. Update might also cause trouble for my system remote programming because the required command timing or sequence might change.

Actually, there is some utility to the recent Samsung voice commands -- if you can figure out the correct keyword to speak. However, this works only when using the Samsung native remote. I can imagine that this will be used as another nail in the coffin of "universal" remotes, programmed by CI's, as Samsung's home control is integrated into this scheme. And this will be used by the manufacturers to further shorten the useful life of products because last year's product will not integrate well with this year's home control scheme.

My understanding is that some TVs (like Sony) deliver better 4K through the TV app versus streaming boxes.

Lol!

Yes, indeed. I am secretly making piles of money off of you guys, while also getting paid under the table by Google and Amazon. (Apple doesn't pay)

I knew it!
That explains the Two new Porsche convertibles.

And that explains Brent's Miata....

And my 94 Honda Accord.

That was true for a long time. The Nvidia Shield has changed that. Vastly superior 4K streaming box

Kevin, I am going to quote you and make it sound like my idea ... and make ever more money off your commentary!

This