I’ve been looking for something to replace the google chromecast that is attached to our TV.
I’ve tried Kodi out, but the main use case for the TV set is a 70+ yo person watching netflix and there is just no way they will be better off with Kodi than with the stock netflix app.
Besides supporting netflix, being easy to use, and providing significantly better privacy than the chromecast does, the device would ideally:
- support other mainstream streaming (amazon, disney, …) for when my people get tired of netflix
- support a DVB-T2 usb stick (directly, or through IPTV: I can put the stick in a different machine)
- support youtube without ads (through an adblocker and possibly sponsorblock, or maybe using invidious)
- possibly, support local public TV streaming (eg. BBC)
I have a PC set aside that should be more than capable enough (intel N100), but I’m open to getting new hardware if needed. Also, it doesn’t matter if the system is not very user friendly to setup (eg. if it needs to be nixos), but once it’s setup it should be easy to use and relatively straightforward to update/maintain.
I guess a FOSS android TV would be ideal, but… is there any? (I see Lineage supports the Google ADT-3, but that is basically unobtanium, at least where I live).
What about one of the Chinese TV boxes? For example = https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005533473983.html
Most don’t support HD streaming due to lack of certification, the UI is mobile not AndroidTV, and many can include malware
I have a box (X96 Max+), with a custom ROM, comes with only the essencial, but AndroidTV itself is not FOSS, the launcher and other services are proprietary, without it is just AOSP.
You can check the supported devices on the site
https://slimboxtv.ru/
Aren’t most of those at best vulnerable as a leaf in the wind; and at worst literal hacker gateways to your home?
