this post was submitted on 10 Sep 2023
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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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.
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?
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.
I use https://www.amazon.com/Rii-Bluetooth-Keyboard-Smartphones-Mac-Black/dp/B07T13GLY3 (Not the best battery or connectivity but seems to be the best option I've found so far)
With a dell wyse mini PC with Gnome.
Kodi for local nas video and Stremio for streaming. (Note stremio is giving me issues on Ubuntu, it worked fine on fedora)
Gnome is great for TV use. I can have kodi, Stremio, Firefox, steam etc on different workspace and switch between easily. Or even just have them on the same work space and alt tab... Using the alt tab coverflow gnome extension makes it feel like android or something.