I like setting up my SteamDeck docked on my big TV. Newer games look rough at 720p, but playing older/indies at 1920x1080 + 4 controllers is a great experience.
Let’s say I want the option to boot into a frontend that makes it easy browsing a local collection of shows/movies on a USB. What are my options? So far Kodi seems to do exactly that, but I’ve heard of Jellyfin/etc.
I use the Plex app
OP is talking about local content! Attached to the dock. Plex App is not the right solution for that. Kodi is probably their best choice.
Plex would still work. It can still browse and play media, but it’s a little overkill. I personally wouldn’t trust that laggy mess they call Kodi.
Are you seriously suggesting running a Plex server on the Steam Deck in addition to the Plex media player? Because last I checked, the Plex media player can play (I think) but not index them. I’m a happy Plex user with lifetime Plex pass, but that’s just stupid.
Kodi is a solid standalone solution for exactly what OP is asking, with controller support. Kodi wouldn’t be my first choice for networked media playback, but it’s brilliant for exactly OP’s use case. And it really isn’t laggy unless you overload it with plugins.