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Substitutes for a TV? (lemm.ee)

submitted 10 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago) by TimewornTraveler@lemm.ee to c/techsupport@lemmy.world

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Not sure a good discussion place to post this. I just want some brainstorming.

Looking for ideas on how to set up a faux-TV in the living room using a computer. I want to put an entertainment center across from the couch and have a place to watch media. But I have no interest in paying for cable/satellite/public broadcasts. (Why pay to be advertised to?)

I have a good collection of shows and movies on external hard drives. I figure I could buy a big monitor and plop it up there with a laptop attached. I could do a makeshift mouse using a game pad and Steam.

I just wanted to check if anyone had alternatives in mind. The mouse situation is suboptimal. Having to get another laptop is also suboptimal. The "TV" would also be about 200cm (6.5ish ft) away from the seating area, so I wonder how expensive an appropriately sized monitor would be. But I can't think of any other way! Any ideas or have I pretty much figured it out?

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[–] tophneal@sh.itjust.works 7 points 9 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago) (2 children)

Since you've mentioned you want a single computer to play media you already have, forget Plex. Sure it can be used in this manner but it's overkill. Plex, and other software like it, are best used for streaming from server to client(s).

Building on the Ras pi suggestion, I'd say take a look at osmc on an rpi. (If you go the rpi route, I'd also suggest dropping a lil more cash to have it boot/run from something other than an SD card, ext hd and nvme SSD are both better boot drive options. SD cards have a tendency to bite the dust after a while in single board computers)

Also, since you mentioned being unaware of the steps you should follow to get something like this running, here's a quick guide on how easy it is to get osmc running: https://learn.littlebirdelectronics.com.au/guides/create-a-htpc-media-centre-with-raspberry-pi

[–] DABDA@lemm.ee 3 points 8 hours ago

I also endorse the RPi+OSMC route. Another thing to mention about controlling Kodi [the underlying software used by things like OSMC or LibreElec] is that you can generally use any input method you prefer.

it supports a directly connected keyboard, mouse or controller
when using a RPi and connected to a television via HDMI, usually CEC will allow you to use your normal remote control - but if your particular TV isn't supported there's also things like Flirc you can plug into a USB port and then customize for your remote
you can use a web browser from any computer on the network
there's a bunch of different apps for your mobile phone. On Android the official (free) one is Kore, I prefer the extra features provided by Yatse but after migrating away from using Google Play Services I've had issues keeping the purchased "pro" features unlocked; but it's still a better experience even without them.

And it's not an either/or scenario, you can use all of the above simultaneously without changing any settings.

[–] TimewornTraveler@lemm.ee 1 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

oh that looks like a great guide, thank you! man, something about reddit wikis, i wish they could speak on this level

[–] tophneal@sh.itjust.works 1 points 7 hours ago

I wish I could say I was surprised. I remember several great, extensive wikis on various subreddits but no one ever used them, and a lot of others that for which wikis should've been a great feature failed to utilize them properly, if at all. .