This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.
Can't we just have small Linux boxes with Plasma Bigscreen or something with cec support setup so the tv remote still works already :sob:
I've been using Pi 4s with a lineage OS build that has the Jellyfin Android TV client on it and thats been a pretty sweet setup.
Links?
You can!
You’ll just be limited in your app selection and then there’s DRM.
Browser shortcut/PWA, and also DRM isnt a problem because google offers linux its DRM services for free.
I did also not rule out expandable local storage for offline media. Or connecting to a jellyfin instance.
MSI cubi fanless with KDE Neon autologin to Plasma Bigscreen with Vacuumtube, steam big screen mode, jellyfin... Remote controller is a Rii F8 mini which has a few programmable IR buttons for the old dumb TV.
The future is now...
OK gang my point is not that this is impossible to DIY. In fact we really enjoy you all sharing your setups and appreciate everyone taking the time :3
We just like for something like this as a cheap (enough) commercial product to finally catch on. At the end of the day folk just want to have a TV, plug something into it, and have it work.
We were already tired of the overpriced TV boxes that shady broadband companies forced into everyones livingroom. Nowadays that horrible experience comes physically fused to every TV further out in the markey than a sane person could reasonably be expected to look.
It just super sucks to see so many pay for devices that actively fight you in general. Most electronics already inherently feel like an accesability issue simulator to most people anyways. It being deliberately opaque, confusing and facilitating dark patterns on top of that is such a PITA. Not to mention if you already have inherent accesability difficulties from any number of conditions.
I've been using Flauncher as the replacement dash for years on all my android TVs and Chromecasts
https://gitlab.com/flauncher/flauncher
It makes a massive difference and I strongly recommend it
What do you see that makes a difference? Lack of ads or is performance also better?
No ads, better performance, customizable
I also tried Projectivy in the past but I don't remember why I switched away from it. I think there was a performance bug that was causing it to crash. Both may be good options now
I recently swapped back to FLauncher after using Projectivy for a while. Projectivy uses a lot more resources (cache + RAM) and my TV only has like 4GB of storage.
All of that. Lack of ads, more performant etc. Plus (and depending on the device), you can set it up in such a way that you don't need to sign into your google account, yet still have ability to watch YouTube (Smartube), install apps (side load plus use the Fdroid TV store ... name escapes me at the moment... Flicky I think?).
Even if you need to be signed in for some reason, it's a smoother experience.
Its just...better. You'll lose some of the prettiness (for some reason, mine no longer displays backgrounds from upsplash, only solid colours) but its more than worth it.
EDIT: Yes, it IS Flicky
https://f-droid.org/packages/app.flicky/
Blocking ads usually helps performance, most ad networks are trash
i use Flauncher on my Nvidia Shield Pro and have for years
Is there something similar for Linux people like? I have an old computer hooked up for freetube but would like it to be the default input for my Frame TV.
Would I be able to watch Plex with this? (Haven't made the switch to jellyfin yet)
Yes - it replaces the launcher (your home page, I guess you could say), but you can still download apps from the Google App Store and use them (such as Plex).
I have used FLauncher and now use Projectivity, and it is a great way to get rid of all the ads and bloat while keeping the TV fully functional.
I want this, but for the roku box I got as a gift.
Fortunately Roku is still not that bad. 3 rows of items to choose from, select and go.
It basically is a dump app launcher if you go into settings and make it one. Even more so once you use a network adblock to stop the single ad they display on the right.
They overload after a while I find and then often I press the arrow, nothing happens, I press again, it moves twice. Like all smart TVs. Apps take longer and longer to open, etc.
Mine don't do that, they are pretty snappy. But then again, mine are not TV's.
I want to make my TCL Roku Smart TV dumb.
Projectivity is another great option, especially if you want a few more options without anything you don't want.
Lol, just when I said I was going to take a break from tinkering, you tell us about this. Oh well! 😆
I also use Projectivity on my NVIDIA shield. No ads, no recommendations, just the apps I want. Everyday I'm glad I installed it.
Thanks for sharing this!
++Projectivy, it's top tier software. It's so clean by default, has lots of customization options, and no ads whatsoever. It's so good that I worry Google will try to take away the option to use a third party homescreen on Android TV.
Man, this article is full of ads infections.
I'd love a stick that has Hoopla support, but of course that's going to be hard to come by because Big Entertainment doesn't make billions of dollars off of it.
