LG TV- Hidden Cameras and Microphones in Bevel? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jim_griff
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2025, 01:26:22 pm
content: Apologies in advance that I've not posted on this forum for a very long time, and if my post doesn't quite fit with the EEVBlog community. Anyway, now that's said, I'll stick on my tin foil hat!I know it's not technically "dodgy technology", but more "potentially dodgy technology", but I was curious why the bevel on my LG C4 OLED TV was so wide. I got the macro lens out and found some stuff I wasn't expecting, that was probably mentioned somewhere in the smallprint I skipped through. Who reads the smallprint, right? Oh yeah, Louis Rossman does.I'm wondering if any of you seasoned EEs out there could tell me what each thing is? Obviously the two black round thingies are IR sensors for the remote control, but the ones on the edge (one with an open hole and one without) looks eerily like a stereo mic/camera setup. There's also something in the middle to the left of the two IR receivers. Looks like it has some gold plating on the circuit in the middle. Some kind of diodes for emitting IR back to the remote control?I'd do a teardown but would probably damage the panel and it's still technically in warranty, so yeah, no teardown unfortunately.Cheers, Jim.EDIT: P.S. Feel free to roast me. All comments, including negative ones are welcome. I do enjoy the negative ones more!

author: DavidAlfa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2025, 01:39:05 pm
content: The big round spiky thing is just a threaded brass insert.

author: jim_griff
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2025, 01:45:49 pm
content: Quote from: DavidAlfa on June 28, 2025, 01:39:05 pmIt does look like one, but then there's the smaller hole in the middle of it. I can't imagine them using a brass insert in a TV, though. They can clip the bevel in with plastic clips.I'm thinking it might not actually be a camera because I can't see a lens, and the plastic is scratched up. Can't imagine it being a very effective camera seeing through that, unless it's IR or some other wavelength where the plastic is invisible.

author: DavidAlfa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2025, 04:31:24 pm
content: Of course they use clips, but screws are still required, probably holding the mic board.I think you can put the aluminium foil hat and start thinking about why Trump's ear doesn't have any scar...!

author: SteveThackery
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2025, 05:22:40 pm
content: My old Sony from 12 or 13 years ago has a camera looking into the room. It isn't secret, and is mentioned in the handbook. One of the things it does is detect if someone (aimed at children, I think) is sitting "too close" to the TV. It might have other functions, I can't remember. EDIT: Oh, maybe something to do with auto power down?I've decided I don't care. If someone wants to watch a fat, hairy, farting slob gazing slack-jawed at the telly with a beer in one hand and a doner kebab in the other, they are very welcome.

author: jim_griff
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2025, 05:37:21 pm
content: I'm an absolute numpty. It's right there in the manual!Guess my post is worthless after all. I do feel rather stupid, as per usual.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2025, 06:40:15 pm
content: Yes, it's a Telescreen.

author: jim_griff
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2025, 07:56:00 pm
content: Quote from: SiliconWizard on June 28, 2025, 06:40:15 pmHa! I shall write in my secret book to the side of the screen so Big Brother can't see.