My nearest way is using my steam controller but isn’t comfy to navigate Netflix or other streaming websites.

  • throwawayish@lemmy.ml
    20·
    2 years ago

    On the software-side of things; Kodi is cool. As for remote control, consider referring to Kodi’s Wiki-page on the matter for options.

    Btw, honestly your query is way too vague. If possible, please provide us with more info so that we can better help you 😉.

    • Danileonis @lemmy.mlOP
      6·
      2 years ago

      I just probably need to buy a fire stick a software with a tv-like UI, where I can use a remote to visit streaming websites in an easiest way.

      • throwawayish@lemmy.ml
        3·
        2 years ago

        Thanks for enlightening us! Fortunately, the answer in my original comment should still satisfy your needs.

      • ccunix@lemmy.world
        2·
        2 years ago

        Kodi is what you are looking for.

        Run it on Pi 4 or a NUC. We use Disney+ and Netflix on ours, although Prime video does not work (although it should, I just have not made any effort yet).

        • Vittelius@feddit.de
          1·
          2 years ago

          And Libreelec provides preconfigured images for the pi. You still need to jump through some hoops to get streaming services running (html5 encrypted media extensions and all that) but it streamlines the process of getting started with kodi a lot.

          Another project to keep an eye on is plasma big screen. It’s not quite there yet, but it will eventually provide a more familiar smarttv experience. (Currently it’s missing a lot of apps, that kodi has)

  • kuneho@lemmy.world
    10·
    2 years ago

    I’ve built a 2nd/3rd generation Intel PC out from a Small Formfactor HP machine.

    Put 8GB of memory into it and a 500GB HDD. The whole thing costed me around… 35-40USD and got a remote for that machine for 20USD. It’s under my TV, in sleep mode so the remote can wake it up any time and the Power button on it puts back to sleep.

    Running libreELEC, which is a Linux system built around Kodi, and for Kodi there are lot of streaming plugins available - Netflix too. It can pretty much play back 1080p without issue, and maybe even 4k, but I couldn’t test it properly because I have a Panasonic plasma TV and that’s only full hd.

    Had some stuttering issue with Wayland, but with x11 it runs perfectly. If I set up the video player to synch framerates at the beginning and end of the video, it runs smoothly.

    These plugins use Kodi’s UI, so they are easy to navigate. It can’t get more comfortable than that, Kodi is way better than any shitty Smart TV system out there, especially those Android TV abominations.

    So yeah, a 2011ish PC, a DVD/Blu-Ray drive, USB remote, libreELEC and you never need any other media player equipment.

    One thing needs to be done, tho… I have to use DisplayPort <-> HDMI for video out and the adapter doesn’t really communicate with the TV so have to build an USB/LPT-CEC interface for it (Arduino or Pi Pico) and with that, the TV would turn on/off, change to AV or back to TV when the power state changes of the PC and also would be able to control Kodi with the TV remote too.

    • root1@lemmy.worldDeutsch
      2·
      2 years ago

      Could you please get a little bit more in detail with the USB/LPT-CEC interface and the wake up and put to sleep mode with the remote control?

      • kuneho@lemmy.world
        1·
        2 years ago

        I now have a simple USB remote control. Since it’s USB, it can wake up the PC from sleep when I press a button on it.

        The USB-CEC would basically emulate a keyboard and send keys for the PC accordingly the CEC message the TV sends. If the PC is in sleep, the USB adapter could wake it up.

    • AssPennies@lemmy.world
      2·
      2 years ago

      I’ve been using mine for 10+ years, maybe changing batteries once.

      I currently use it with a NUC loaded with linux mint, and have the UI HD scaled (it’s an out-of-the box option).

      The only native functionality of the actual smart tv that I use, is the power button.

  • Holzkohlen@feddit.de
    53·
    2 years ago

    Smart TV experience? As is tons of ads in any app? Crappy user interfaces, out of date apps and plenty of tracking? You want to replicate that?

    • Molecular0079@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      2 years ago

      …isn’t the point of OP’s question to look for alternatives to that sort of experience? Personally I am also looking for a way to make my Linux PC usable for TV use because navigating with a keyboard and mouse is annoying when sitting on a couch tbh.

    • sajran@lemmy.ml
      1·
      2 years ago

      FWIW I never experienced any of the above besides the tracking, that’s there for sure.

  • PuppyOSAndCoffee@lemmy.ml
    2·
    2 years ago

    So what you could do is get one of those wireless gyro mice. Then just point it at the TV like a magic wand and move your wrist around to control the on screen cursor.

  • Quack Doc@lemmy.world
    1·
    2 years ago

    With Bliss you can fairly accurately replicate the smart tv experience, Google play store is a bit if an issue atm, but hopefully that will be resolved soon. sadly one if the biggest issues is opengapps. is fairly slow, so when major updates happen you are stuck for a while

  • sajran@lemmy.ml
    1·
    2 years ago

    Off topic but I’m surprised by the amount of smart tv hate in this thread.

    I have a Philips TV with Android TV. I use it for YouTube, Twitch, Spotify and occasionally for other streaming services. I actually really like the experience. Everything is a few clicks on a remote away, the UI is clean, it works reasonably fast.

    I’m not going to argue about privacy though, that’s definitely terrible.