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Linux TV Options (lemmy.zip)
submitted 3 days ago by to c/linux@lemmy.world
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With the recent GN video I'd been wondering about turning an old mini PC from eBay into a little Linux TV box for streaming. I'd need access to Android apps (I guess through Waydroid).

After a brief look, it seems that the two options are some form of LibreElec system running Kodi or Arch running Plasma Big Screen. Any thoughts / advice? And if I went for Big Screen, does anyone know of any distros that ship with it or will I have to spin it up myself on Arch?

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[–] 27 points 3 days ago (10 children)

I would recommend considering Plasma Bigscreen as an interface option.

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  • [–] 7 points 3 days ago (7 children)

    What we need now, and maybe it exists, is a proper remote for this. In not keen on the idea of using hand held or full keyboards/mice. Or phones.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 days ago (2 children)

    I bought the Flirc Skip remote and an using it on steam big picture mode. It's not perfect, and I had some issues configuring it in Linux, but once I did it works pretty well. Can even navigate the steam ui. Fails on browser things though like YouTube in Firefox kiosk mode.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 days ago (1 child)

    Same. I bought the Flirc USB + Skip 1s remote and they work okay... Their configuration apps are rough around the edges. The biggest hurdle I've had, though, is apps not supporting remote/keyboard input very well.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 days ago (3 children)

    This is the best one I've found that works well with a proper PC like one running KDE ≥6.7 with Plasma Bigscreen, and I've tried a few. The only thing I miss is no voice control, but it has controls you'd want for Bigscreen

    https://www.pepper-jobs.com/collections/smart-remote

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  • [–] 2 points 3 days ago* (2 children)

    Seems neat but this is what I want to avoid. I like being able to jam the big pause button without thinking. Training people in the family to hit space bar, or escape, or whatever and use the arrows 2 handed is not ideal.

    Edit:

    Something like this is actually good:

    https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Wireless-Keyboard-Control-Raspberry/dp/B07PHPSC95?tag=addtips-20&linkId=abdfcbe60a4a95aa805132b6166fe045&language=en_US

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  • [–] 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

    Oh shit, I didn't know this was a thing. I've just been running Plasma on a used mini PC, but Bigscreen seems like it could make for a more comfortable experience. Neat!

    EDIT: Aaaand it's not available in Debian 13. Well, that's unfortunate.

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 3 days ago

    It feels like Plasma Bigscreen needs someone to spin up a distros for it to be easy. I know KDE Neon has a spin so I guess that works, but ideally I think it'd be:

    • Arch (lightweight, rather than Ubuntu)
    • immutable (probably best that it's fairly idiot-proof)
    • set up with some basic apps and functionality set up (VacuumTube, Waydroid)

    If anyone feels like making a distro like that then that'd be amazing...

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