For most of the Samsung TVs with the dogshit Tizen OS, you can use TizenTube to block YouTube ads within the TV OS and not requiring any new hardware.
this post was submitted on 14 Sep 2024
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Privacy
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How "big" are your movies and tv shows? If they are 4k UHD remuxes then Nvidia Shield Pro or Apple TV 4k behind a firewall to block external internet is your best option for performance, usability, and privacy. You will want to ocassionally allow it internet for software updates. Kodi, a mini pc, raspberry pi, etc. would be more private but you trade off a seamless remote, easy interface, and streaming codecs (e.g., dolby vision).
RPi with minidlnad, all devices at home from computers, phones, tablets, video projector, even VR HMD, can play content with e.g VLC.
Very quick to install (basically have a media directory with your videos inside) and still very flexible, e.g new content is added simply by copying from any other device with access, e.g scp which itself can be a script after downloading something.
Use the jellyfin kodi addon works very smoothly. I've been using it for two years and love it. I replaced all my chromecasts with kodi. It even has the approval of my wife.
It isn't bad but it does leave something to be desired. Mostly a UI that doesn't require going though submenu after submenu. Also my remote control doesn't work with kodi as it can't handle key codes greater than 255
It even has the approval of my wife.
He is the chosen one! Hail him!
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I've been using a Chromecast with Google tv, and have deprived my tv my WiFi credentials. 90% of what I watch is from my Plex server, 9% other streaming services, 1% digital antenna.
It's not an ideal situation but as you know because you asked the question, the privacy situation in TVs is dire. Otherwise you're doing ridiculous shit like plugging computers into it or whatever.
I've heard an nvidia shield with lineageOS is really quite good!
I use a steamdeck with jellyfin installed. It's not its main purpose but works well enough
even though Microsoft clearly wants to push Windows 10 users to Windows 11
does it still require a pointless hardware upgrade? then no, they clearly fucking don't.
Because they want to make money. The get a licensing money for big OEMs. It probably was the OEMs who were pushing Microsoft to make everyone upgrade. They want to continue selling computers at a high rate.
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Cheapest TV you can find that has the specs that you are interested in combined with a $50 pawn shop laptop and an inexpensive wireless keyboard and mouse.
Linux is optional but highly encouraged.
Connect that to a USB dac which is then piped into an amplifier for 2.0 sound.
I could probably rig up a subwoofer for a little extra oomph but none of the amplifiers I found at the thrift store have a way to turn off a powered amp or power an unpowered one.
I have a portable USB/Bluetooth DAC with jack, that get's me high quality music if rigged to my pc and can switch to phone/tv-box with a tap.
Doesn't annoy my neighbors and is a better DAC than those built in wireless earbuds.
Recently got this for my laptop/TV in the bedroom, this thing is awesome.
It's a keyboard/touchpad/basic IR remote
Another option would be one of the t95 Android boxes. There are some really great tutorials on how to replace their stock firmware with a Linux and get all of the activity and availability that you would typically need as a media box out of them for just you know $25 and 3 to 8 hours of your time depending on how tech savvy you are and what your luck of the draw is.
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Nvidia shield is an option you should check out.
I have recently switched a second tv to kodi and I‘m very happy. I had an appletv but it is just so limited and reminds me that I dont really own that device. Now I can play retro games, watch all my movies, listen to music and see my favorite pictures without having to use apples ecosystem or paing them for being able to use my device.
I use a raspberry pi with LibreElec/Kodi. It works with the HDMI-CEC, meaning I control it with the TV remote.
Jellyfin can be used as a source for movies and stuff with a plugin.
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Any offline or disconnected smart TV, pi 4 with Kodi (LibreElec), Steam Link, blu-ray player, AVR, and a Logitech Harmony remote to tie it all together. We have a huge disc collection that we've ripped and we also grab media from the library.
I really dig my tcl roku tv. Ultra cheap and has plex/jellyfin. Has 1 ad on the main screen that can be easily blocked but can also be setup to insta launch an app on boot. These tvs also have decent latency in game mode too (my most important requirement).
I remember that roku TVs refuse working until you connect it to the internet. their values/intentions are clear, I wouldn't give money to them
edit: they also require registering a roku account
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Personally, I just use a raspberry pi with flex launcher. Not sure about remote though
Thank you for sharing this, it looks really promising
I'm tired of only hearing of Kodi suggested in threads like this. I don't get why it's so popular, it's confusing for non-tech oriented people, you can't stream, YouTube functionality is questionable, the interface is dated looking and IMO an eyesore...
Some people like Kodi and that's great but it sucks balls for other people and there's barely ever any mention of any sort of alternative (like your comment)
These threads are usually just:
"I need a device or software for watching tv that works with a remote"
Kodi Kodi Kodi jUsT uSe A lApToP Kodi Kodi Laptop + HDMI cable
Yeah, as much as I love Kodi it is simply not meant for what I want to do, streaming that is.
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It should be feasible to get the remote working under Wayland
I use an amazon fire tv 4k, I only use it to start jellyfin. It's perfect.
If you don't want it to phone home, put it behind a firewall, and block all but your domains
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Hdmi cable to a laptop
+1 that's what I do at home with my desktop and what is IMHO the best solution.
Yet on vacation I use an old android box with Android Tv (SlimTv) and I have to say it's nice to have a dedicated interface allowing use of a remote.
Okay, but then the TV is still running all the same spyware.
Update: just disabling wifi doesn't guarantee 100% privacy anymore on a densely populated area. Nowadays you've stuff like Amazon Sidewalk and who knows who's partner and what devices are in it.
Pihole is your friend.
Deny it wifi credentials and it has nowhere to send the stuff it's spying on
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Do you need an in-remote microphone? If not, I'd suggest a degoogled nvidia shield tv (i.e flash it with lineage OS or similar)
Not a bad option. However, apps are lacking and I don't want Google
Lineage OS doesn't include google apps or services. Jellyfin works though.
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You can debloat an NVIDIA shield android tv box, replace the default launcher, then install whatever else you want. It’s probably not perfect but it’s pretty darn good. That’s what I use and it can be updated without losing any of my customization.
I don't own one but I agree, it ist very good. But it's too expensive for what it is nowadays. A second hand one or maybe the next generation might be worth it again
Yeah we looked into a shield recently because we know someone who has one and we really liked it, plus I've heard it can be locked down and side loaded decently
But then we saw the price of one and are not willing to spend more than half the cost of a brand new 4k tv on a little box to stream from our media server and Netflix...
Jellyfin + Apple TV + Infuse = Bliss
Apple TV only works on Apple hardware and isn't great for privacy or freedom. No thanks.
The "Apple TV" is Apple hardware.
Exactly. It is locked down and does not respect your freedom
Put them behind a firewall in the guest network.
Who?
I'm looking for a TV desktop environment
We've been using an Apple TV. From memory, there's a Jellyfin client.
Apple isn't exactly my go to company especially for privacy and freedom