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Comment by groby_b | Hacker News Reader

Except... some of us like to stream content on TVs. And some of us really don't like the idea of maintaining yet another extra piece of hardware for that.

And so your TV does need Internet access.

The same holds for many other devices, in different shapes. Sure, you can opt out of civilization completely to avoid all the side effects of late stage capitalism, but maybe it's worth applying a bit more nuanced thinking to find a balance that doesn't throw you back to the 1800s. (Unless you like the 1800s, in which case, enjoy)

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If the TV only plugged into the wall for electricity and showed the video that was fed into it via one of its inputs, does that TV qualify as "yet another extra piece of hardware that needs to be maintained"? The only reason it needs "maintenance" is because it does all this extra "smart" stuff. A separate device that has the "smarts" and treats the TV as a bare monitor screen would still be only one device to "maintain".

> Except... some of us like to stream content on TVs.

Linux mini-PC running Bigscreen Plasma. No, it can't be used to stream Netflix at native resolution because of DRM. But if you can't live without Netflix content, you can use alternative sources and save money in the process. VacuumTube for YT instead of the official app.

Yes, this is an additional device, but it is not unlike a streaming stick or Android shitbox.

classic linux advice lol. disable the smart features on your TV and then buy a whole computer so you can ... not be able to watch netflix and youtube on your TV

disclaimer: i run a whole variety of home media stuff, so i am one of you - but it's just a funny example of exactly the kind of thing that makes people not do this stuff

That's the famous dropbox comment right there.

> 1. For a Linux user, you can already build such a system yourself quite trivially by getting an FTP account, mounting it locally with curlftpfs, and then using SVN or CVS on the mounted filesystem. > 2. It doesn't actually replace a USB drive... This does not solve the connectivity issue. > 3. It does not seem very 'viral' or income-generating."

Normal users don't care about running an extra mini-PC. If you do shoulder it, it becomes part of your attack surface as well, so it's non-trivial work.

And sure, you can find content anywhere - ordinary people won't.

I self host a lot, including jellyfin, but I've never tried to do the Linux HTPC. Whenever I look into it everything has changed from a few years ago, it all sounds difficult to get working and keep working, and I give up. I didn't know we had a whole new set of software. It was once MythTV, then XBMC, then something else I can't remember, and now I've lost track.

> I self host a lot, including jellyfin, but I've never tried to do the Linux HTPC.

I think now is the right time to revisit the Linux HTPC, mostly because Plasma 6.7 integrated the new Bigscreen interface. This is a genuine 10-foot desktop environment optimized for TV remotes and controllers. Previously, most Linux HTPCs simply used GNOME/KDE, with the scaling cranked up to 200 or 300%. In terms of apps, I suggest Kodi for local files, VacuumTube as a Youtube TV/Leanback substitute, and Steam or SteamLink for gaming, depending on hardware. With an airmouse remote you can also simply use Firefox or Chromium and stream from pretty much anywhere, subject to resolution restrictions for Netflix and some other services.

How is this different from Kodi (which was XBMC, right?)? Why do I need both?

Why would I want to futz around with a web browser on my TV? How am I going to type in my passwords?

Kodi is essentially a media player; it's not a general purpose TV UI like Plasma Bigscreen. Yes, there are a couple of distros out there like OSMC designed to use Kodi for everything, but in my experience they are way too limited. And you really do want a Web browser for streaming, because you are unlikely to find dedicated Linux apps for whatever streaming platform you intend to use. You could presumably run Waydroid and use Android apps, but using the Bigscreen virtual keyboard or a remote with a keyboard on the back is much easier.

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