Android TV is FOSS, but given Google's recent announcement I wouldn't take it's future openness for granted.
That said, I think it's the best FOSS OS for TVs.
this post was submitted on 01 Oct 2025
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Thanks, I found a LineageOS build of Android TV I'm currently trying to get it up and running. CEC seems like it might be broken however which would sadly be a dealbreaker.
I use mythtv (FOSS) and it's fine as a PVR (schedule, record and playback broadcast TV) with a SiliconDust HDHomeRun network-attached tuner. It also has playback for downloaded files but I prefer to use mpv for that. Mine is still connected to the internet and I use firefox/transmission for youtube and other functions.
No idea about plex or jellyfin.
Lineageos I have several of these and they work great for the price. It is still android TV if that's an issue, but they run fine without Google services for jellyfin, kodi and smartube.
Oh cool, thanks, it works with hdmi-cec? Android is not an issue exactly, I basically just want something to replace my TV "apps" but without ads and more private.
EDIT: did not fully read the comment. I have a raspbnerry pi.
Yeah, they're different devices, roughly $30.
there are decent lineageos builds for rpi btw
I never tried it but, LibreELEC is focused for mediastreaming usage.
You just need to get confy with Kodi and it's plugins.
I mentioned in the post that I did try LibreELEC but the Plex plugin is very buggy and there is no functioning youtube plugin.
I wasn't going to reply, but when I thought about it, you can install wayland on top of linux.
The kind of benefit you're getting out of this is better driver support (from the kernel) & less resource usage (lightweight distro + wayland on background = 2GB~ish ram usage).
Also it'd be easier to get Gapps running (if you need it) on waydroid rather than rooting lineageOS TV to do so.
I tried it once & it was more than enough for light gaming, IDK about plex but hardware acceleration is supported since there's no VM tech utilized (nividia isn't supported tho).
Most linux distros with wayland should be enough, but check Wayland install page just to be sure it's well supported (by distro), I see void-linux & ether configured labwc or KDE plasma should fit your needs better.
You're saying wayland is an interface that works with tv remotes and hdmi-cec? I looked it up and it seems to be not that.
???
No?
I said you can run way waydroid on a Wayland Desktop to natively run streaming apps on your RPI5. (Plex, Youtube, netflix or whatever service you're on)
This has nothing to do with your TV remotes nor hdmi-cec.
(reads description again) oh...
No, IR input support is now integrated into the linux kernel [BPF] & can be manually done with LIRC,
Well I don't have a RPI to test this nor use my TV remote to control media, just for volume;
Can't say for sure if Rasbarian supports most remotes ether, but LineageOS TV Does (Scroll),
Sorry, I can't help with that, however, a budget, 2.4GHz, wireless mouse was enough for me, maybe KDE Connect or Unified Remote (non-free) can help if you wanna use your phone instead.
CEC support is up to the (media) software &or OS you're using, waydroid is a container-like "runtime" to boot android on linux without virtualization, it's not a an OS that supports IR input or shutting your TV with your TV Remote, I don't think most desktop enviroment does support it nor must, KDE Bigscreen might but it's a DE tailored for such use...
So, if launching plex with your TV remote is a priority, then here's Android(TV) & a Custom Recovery (Gapps & Root Flashing) for RPI5 so you can treat it as an android box.
(unoffical tho, seems like LineageOS team into the BananaPi instead)
Ah ok I got it thanks, yes the goal is to replace the apps on my TV as seamlessly as possible.
KDE bigscreen says it supports CEC but there is no official release yet. I still might give it a shot. I actually tried the Android TV you linked to (which also says it supports CEC) but it doesn't work. I know the hardware supports it because Libelec was seamless.