I gave up on HTPCs after a decade or more of trying because I never found a good way to control it that was practical for everyone in the house. I ended up with a Roku Ultra (even though my feelings toward Roku are lukewarm) because it has a simple remote, or can be controlled/automated by home assistant, or can be controlled from Alexa (via a custom skill I wrote), or it can be screen casted to, or it could be controlled by a Harmony Hub (RIP Harmony).
But separate smart box together with a dumb TV is the the way to go.
I put Kodi on a raspberry pi, and my TV supported CEC, so I was able to use the TV remote to seamlessly control Kodi. It was as close to a native interface as I could wish for. And that was all the way back in 2016
CEC is such a nightmare of a technology though. I have problems with it constantly to the point where it’s just expected it won’t work 50% of the time, and it’s impossible to troubleshoot
Harmony was how I controlled my HTPCs. But once I moved from MythTV to Plex, I just started using Roku or Google TV frontends. They just worked so much more reliably and were super cheap.
I tried to get the the HTPC working with Harmony. Even got a flirc to extend it’s capabilities, but never found a decent way to get good mouse control with it.
Amazon’s lowest-end “smart” TV is $119. It’s really hard to compete with that. They aren’t making money on the hardware, they’re making it on the advertising.
It’s still cheaper than a “normal” TV + Roku or whatever.
I mean, the goal here is to stop being so inundated with ads. There is a cost associated. The cost can be in a more expensive TV, privacy nightmares, or a cheap TV with a cheap setup.
A $200 setup sounds ace to me and perfectly feasible. You could probably lower than by using a Raspberry Pi setup instead. A “decent” TV is going to run into the $400 range once you get 55” or larger, and your laptop/Pi setup can be used on any TV for as long as you want.
Heck, it doesn’t even need to be a new-to-you laptop. I’ve repurposed my last 3 computers to do just this; I was buying a new desktop or laptop anyway, so the old one became my streaming device.
Idk…my mother’s in her 60s and she can figure out this stuff. And plumbers have a fair amount of general know-how. 🤷♀️
Obviously, the TV-to-laptop option isn’t for the general masses, which is why these devices exist. I’m just offering that there are alternatives available to those who are willing.
Im not familiar with issues like that. Ive been using my pc to stream things an watch tv shows without issue. I am using windows atm though so that may be why. Not sure if this is an issue on Linux or if you’re refering to a different OS.
The main problem is most streaming services will only allow 1080p in browser, some even only allowing 1080p in Edge and will downgrade the resolution in other browsers. You basically have to use a smart TV app to get 4k… So you’re basically down to physical media or sailing the high seas if you want to be able to take full advantage of your TV.
Nah, sticking my GTV into my big ass cheap dumb TV I got on sale at a Fry’s while they were going out of business. Im even considering buying another big ass dumb TV soon from my local big box store.
Pros: remote that functions with the TV, ability to side load forever (Google aint gonna kill android on their sticks), pretty much plug and play, is way cheaper than a small streaming box, works natively with my NAS library
Never had an issue with it being slow other than Peacocks absolutely dog shit app, which also doesn’t work right on my phone so I’m guessing the issue isn’t the TV.
Smartification devices rule on dumb TVs, Amazons has always been bottom tier one though
I do understand the appeal but as a power user i just like having control. Last i used a fire stick it was slow and annoying to use but things may have changed since then.
Me personally i find a pc for streaming and whatever else i wanna do just makes more sense but to each thier own.
I just hooked up my desktop PC which is on another floor to the TV, 30 mt HDMI cable, shielded. I control it via Unified Remote on my Android phone. It’s perfect.
May i recommend just buying a small form factor pc and hooking it up to your tv instead?
Smart tvs and things like this suck anyways. Super slow and bloated with crap i dont need or want.
I gave up on HTPCs after a decade or more of trying because I never found a good way to control it that was practical for everyone in the house. I ended up with a Roku Ultra (even though my feelings toward Roku are lukewarm) because it has a simple remote, or can be controlled/automated by home assistant, or can be controlled from Alexa (via a custom skill I wrote), or it can be screen casted to, or it could be controlled by a Harmony Hub (RIP Harmony).
But separate smart box together with a dumb TV is the the way to go.
I put Kodi on a raspberry pi, and my TV supported CEC, so I was able to use the TV remote to seamlessly control Kodi. It was as close to a native interface as I could wish for. And that was all the way back in 2016
CEC is such a nightmare of a technology though. I have problems with it constantly to the point where it’s just expected it won’t work 50% of the time, and it’s impossible to troubleshoot
I have to unplug my docked Steamdeck anytime I want to watch any other input because screws with the CEC functionality so much. It’s a hot mess.
Yeah, Kodi was slick when I had it first on my HTPC, then on the OG Kodi Box. That was about 40% of what I used the HTPC for at the time, though.
Never knew about CEC, learn something new everyday! Thats pretty neat.
Harmony was how I controlled my HTPCs. But once I moved from MythTV to Plex, I just started using Roku or Google TV frontends. They just worked so much more reliably and were super cheap.
I tried to get the the HTPC working with Harmony. Even got a flirc to extend it’s capabilities, but never found a decent way to get good mouse control with it.
Oh I never tried using the mouse with Harmony. I’m not even sure I knew that was possible.
Valid point, not everyone likes to use a mouse and keyboard for watching shows in the livingroom.
My tv is “smart” but ive never setup any internet for it effectively making it dumb.
You could not have described my exact scenario any better. I’m in the same boat.
Amazon’s lowest-end “smart” TV is $119. It’s really hard to compete with that. They aren’t making money on the hardware, they’re making it on the advertising.
You can find small form factor used office pcs for around that price rn.
https://www.amazon.com/HP-ProDesk-Desktop-i5-6500T-Professional/dp/B0868Z5ZHB/ref=mp_s_a_1_8_maf_1?crid=2KBF8MBVTTI4U&keywords=hp+small+pc&qid=1699561331&sprefix=hp+small+p%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-8
There is something to be said about being plug and play though. I understand the appeal.
Yes, but you would also have to buy the TV. So it’s still more expensive.
My bad i misread your comment. You’re correct it would be less expensive to buy a smart tv only.
Yeah, but if you hook up a refurbished laptop that costs like $100, you could still use that via the HDMI rather than the Fire TV “part”.
Take their cheap hardware and then not use what they hope you’ll use it for.
Amazon TV - $119.
Your solution - $100 plus the cost of the TV.
Do you see the issue?
It’s still cheaper than a “normal” TV + Roku or whatever.
I mean, the goal here is to stop being so inundated with ads. There is a cost associated. The cost can be in a more expensive TV, privacy nightmares, or a cheap TV with a cheap setup.
A $200 setup sounds ace to me and perfectly feasible. You could probably lower than by using a Raspberry Pi setup instead. A “decent” TV is going to run into the $400 range once you get 55” or larger, and your laptop/Pi setup can be used on any TV for as long as you want.
Heck, it doesn’t even need to be a new-to-you laptop. I’ve repurposed my last 3 computers to do just this; I was buying a new desktop or laptop anyway, so the old one became my streaming device.
You really expect some 60-year-old plumber who just wants to watch Netflix to figure all that out just to watch it?
Idk…my mother’s in her 60s and she can figure out this stuff. And plumbers have a fair amount of general know-how. 🤷♀️
Obviously, the TV-to-laptop option isn’t for the general masses, which is why these devices exist. I’m just offering that there are alternatives available to those who are willing.
You would have problems with widevine and other similar DRM sh!t
Im not familiar with issues like that. Ive been using my pc to stream things an watch tv shows without issue. I am using windows atm though so that may be why. Not sure if this is an issue on Linux or if you’re refering to a different OS.
The main problem is most streaming services will only allow 1080p in browser, some even only allowing 1080p in Edge and will downgrade the resolution in other browsers. You basically have to use a smart TV app to get 4k… So you’re basically down to physical media or sailing the high seas if you want to be able to take full advantage of your TV.
Piracy thrives when they make it harder to get the same thing legally.
Fuck their bullshit :)
I supoose that is a drawback if you want to view content in 4k. 1080p still being the standard is good enough for me but i do see your point.
Netflix is 720p if running completely without widewine AFAIK. Netflix 4k needs a special hardware certification
Waiting for the tutorial then… So my parents and grand parents can use it with a remote…
Nah, sticking my GTV into my big ass cheap dumb TV I got on sale at a Fry’s while they were going out of business. Im even considering buying another big ass dumb TV soon from my local big box store.
Pros: remote that functions with the TV, ability to side load forever (Google aint gonna kill android on their sticks), pretty much plug and play, is way cheaper than a small streaming box, works natively with my NAS library
Never had an issue with it being slow other than Peacocks absolutely dog shit app, which also doesn’t work right on my phone so I’m guessing the issue isn’t the TV.
Smartification devices rule on dumb TVs, Amazons has always been bottom tier one though
I do understand the appeal but as a power user i just like having control. Last i used a fire stick it was slow and annoying to use but things may have changed since then.
Me personally i find a pc for streaming and whatever else i wanna do just makes more sense but to each thier own.
I just hooked up my desktop PC which is on another floor to the TV, 30 mt HDMI cable, shielded. I control it via Unified Remote on my Android phone. It’s perfect.
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