we replaced a tv on a mini box a couple of months ago. it happens to be a vizio "smart tv." recently we have started getting a message on screen about "tracking." it wants us to respond "agree" or (i forget the other choice). the screen will not clear until you do well, since the cox (think fisher-price) remote does nothing but turn on/off, change channel, or change volume...and has rendered the remote that came with the tv useless... how can we respond? my husband says there's nothing to do but turn the tv off & back on again...interrupting the show you are watching...and then you're good for a day or two & it happens again. considering the ridiculous prices we are all paying for cox, we shouldn't have to live with this annoyance too. (the tiling is bad enough.) can cox put a stop to this? i wish we'd known before we bought the tv. we would have avoided any thing "smart!"

Perhaps "tracking" is SoCal's term. It's her interpretation of what's within the dialog box...or perhaps "tracking" is used within the tiny details. It's hard to know without a screenshot. I wouldn't think a marketer would blatantly ask, "...can we track you?" I think it's Vizio Smart Interactivity: From their website at https://www.vizio.com/viewingdata: 1. What is Smart Interactivity?Answer: Smart Interactivity is a new feature on your VIZIO Smart TV that can intelligently recognize linear television and other content shown on the screen and in the future may display accompanying interactive features such as bonus features related to the content you are viewing, the ability to vote in polls, or advertisements that match your interests. They make it sound like...being involved with others...see stuff other viewers wouldn't...have fun with your TV! But it's just snooping and selling your viewing habits to third-party vendors.

sounds like a tv issue not a cox isue

Could you take a picture of the message and upload it? If not, could you describe the message verbatim? It sounds like some kinds of request to accept Vizio's Terms of Service(TOS) for using the TV. Was it something like this? If so, then you need to use the NEW Vizio remote to agree to the terms of service by checking off the little box. This has nothing to do with the Cox remote or service.

but once the tv is on the mini box, does the tv's own remote work? i did't think it did. and without the mini box i can't get a picture to see the message. i have been wondering why people who shelled out for a fancy set with PIP, etc., haven't been more upset. do those things still work with the cox set up? through the tv's remote? this isn't the message..and it didn't show on set-up like it seems this would. the message is definitely about tracking. i'll try to be more precise the next time it comes up. god. i never thought i'd need a technical degree just to use a tv!

socal transplant said:but once the tv is on the mini box, does the tv's own remote work? It won't work to change the channel, but it will still control all aspects of the TV; volume, menu up/down, input select, etc. The whole point of a smart TV is it has a computer inside it to run apps like Netflix or Pandora. You need the TV remote to control these aspects. A remote control is just a infrared flashlight that blinks. It blinks invisible light in a code that your TV detects.The TV doesn't care which remote the light is coming from.

thank you so much! we'll dig that sucker out & the next time it comes up...we'll try it. if it works, i'll close this thread. i knew one of you out there would be of help.

how do we get rid of smart tv "tracking?"

22 Replies

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Andrew_Wees
Contributor III
sounds like a tv issue not a cox isue
Tecknowhelp
Valued Contributor II
Could you take a picture of the message and upload it? If not, could you describe the message verbatim? It sounds like some kinds of request to accept Vizio's Terms of Service(TOS) for using the TV. Was it something like this?

If so, then you need to use the NEW Vizio remote to agree to the terms of service by checking off the little box. This has nothing to do with the Cox remote or service.
socal_transplan
Contributor III
but once the tv is on the mini box, does the tv's own remote work? i did't think it did. and without the mini box i can't get a picture to see the message.

i have been wondering why people who shelled out for a fancy set with PIP, etc., haven't been more upset. do those things still work with the cox set up? through the tv's remote?

this isn't the message..and it didn't show on set-up like it seems this would. the message is definitely about tracking. i'll try to be more precise the next time it comes up.

god. i never thought i'd need a technical degree just to use a tv!
Tecknowhelp
Valued Contributor II
socal transplant said:
but once the tv is on the mini box, does the tv's own remote work?

It won't work to change the channel, but it will still control all aspects of the TV; volume, menu up/down, input select, etc. The whole point of a smart TV is it has a computer inside it to run apps like Netflix or Pandora. You need the TV remote to control these aspects. A remote control is just a infrared flashlight that blinks. It blinks invisible light in a code that your TV detects.The TV doesn't care which remote the light is coming from.
socal_transplan
Contributor III
thank you so much! we'll dig that sucker out & the next time it comes up...we'll try it.

if it works, i'll close this thread.

i knew one of you out there would be of help.
Andrew_Wees
Contributor III
why wouldn't itcontrol a tv if it came in the same box as the tv? only thing might dead batteries in the remote
socal_transplan
Contributor III
dear andrew,

now i feel stupid. thank you.

please note there is no "techno-" anything in MY user name!

i did not think a tv would respond to two remotes at the same time. that could make for war with the Mr.!
Tecknowhelp
Valued Contributor II
socal transplant said:
please note there is no "techno-"

"Don't you know? Nobody listens to techno.."

I think where the communication difficulty comes in is some people, and naturally so, think that all other users are as frustrated with Cox as they are. It's like someone yelling out the window at a traffic light because they think everyone is mad at the light. However it's that same frustration that makes those people NOT want to hear the other people complain, even if they feel the same way. Sometimes misery does NOT love company.
Andrew_Wees
Contributor III
The tv wouldn't be responding to 2 remotes unless the mini boxes remote was able to control the tv which I am not sure if it can or not.
Tecknowhelp
Valued Contributor II
The mini box remote controls (or should control) the TV's power and volume and sometimes input depending on your TV. It also controls the mini box's channel and power. The main difference between the mini box remote and older remotes is the mini box remote doesn't have the ability to change the channel lock, which is the ability to change the channel (not input) on the TV. It can only change the channel of the mini box. Some TV use the Channel up and down button to move through their menu, and for that, the mini box remote won't work.