I have been rather unhappy with my smart TV’s functionality as I feel it isn’t smart for me but smart for the manufacturers. I just can’t use it how I want to. I would love to overwrite the existing OS from Android to Linux. I’ve recently converted from Windows and loving Mint.

I haven’t read too much regarding Linux smart tvs as my searches mostly come up with raspberry Pi and overwriting an Android box. I don’t want to connect anything and just want my tv to boot up in Linux when it’s turned on, and get some of my apps going. Is there a way to do this?

For reference I have a Sony Bravia with Android installed on it.

  • MangoCats@feddit.itEnglish
    2·
    3 days ago

    They do draw more power than a Pi-5 even, but they are still practical in fanless mode and interfaces are significantly smoother and quicker. Of course, if all you care about is the streaming video you can get a PiZero to do that for you.

    • muhyb@programming.dev
      1·
      3 days ago

      Currently we don’t need any until this current setup breaks or become obsolete thanks to TCL or Google (also old netbook does the job for Jellyfin), but when the time comes I’m actually more interested in this whole living room PC setup, of course will need to find a compatible remote controller.

      • MangoCats@feddit.itEnglish
        2·
        2 days ago

        a compatible remote controller.

        I use VNC on my phone… it’s not as “clickable” as a traditional remote, but then I hate that form of TV browsing anyway. That’s one of the strengths of using a real PC: more direct and powerful search capabilities. We have a couple of others setup (Family room, one bedroom) which use touchpad keyboards as remotes.

        • muhyb@programming.dev
          1·
          2 days ago

          I wouldn’t mind touchscreen but apparently there are remotes with keyboard on it and not that expensive (don’t know about the quality though). They supposedly work on any PC related setup. I guess I know now what we’ll get next time.

          • MangoCats@feddit.itEnglish
            1·
            23 hours ago

            My kids are occasionally rough on their bedroom “remote” keyboard with touchpad. I got a stack of 4 of them from AliExpress for under $15 including shipping (same thing from Amazon sells for $20 each, still not too bad but why pay extra?) Of course, now that I have the stack of spares, the first one has lasted over a year…

            • muhyb@programming.dev
              1·
              21 hours ago

              The one I saw was also ~$15, probably Chinese then. Good price I think.

              Of course, now that I have the stack of spares, the first one has lasted over a year…

              Heh, it seems they were even rougher on the remote. :)

              • MangoCats@feddit.itEnglish
                2·
                20 hours ago

                You may have misunderstood - I got all four of the devices for a total cost of $15 including taxes and shipping (I think they were $2.99 each, including USB-C port rechargable batteries.) Direct from China prices aren’t always that good, but for some stuff they become mind-bogglingly cheap.

                • muhyb@programming.dev
                  1·
                  19 hours ago

                  Yeah, I misunderstood. $15 for all 4 of them? That’s great. I’m surprised they can make it that cheap.

                  • MangoCats@feddit.itEnglish
                    1·
                    18 hours ago

                    I don’t know if they’re really making them that cheap or this is some overstock / loss leader situation, but a lot of simple electronics are priced like that.