this post was submitted on 07 Nov 2026
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What other devices can serve the same purpose? I only really need to be able to run Playlet, Netflix, and Plex.

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[–] yessikg@fedia.io 3 points 1 day ago

I moved back to watching stuff on the browser in my PC

[–] Necrifyre@piefed.blahaj.zone 14 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Get a dumb TV, a nice HDMI cable, have it hook to your PC. Watch things from your ad-free browser.

[–] jomal@lemmy.world 12 points 3 days ago (5 children)

Where do you find a modern dumb TV nowadays?

[–] CanIFishHere@lemmy.ca 14 points 2 days ago

Just get any TV but don't connect it WiFi or ethernet.

[–] MonkeMischief@lemmy.today 10 points 2 days ago (2 children)

I've heard the only way to get a modern one is to basically get one that's meant for commercial signage. =\

[–] Professorozone@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

There also one from Sceptre but I guess they're not the best TVs.

[–] lemmyng@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago

Yeah, I bought a Samsung Hospitality 65" TV and a Samsung Q-Series Soundbar. I like it, but I wish I didn't have to spend the money I did to get it.

[–] finalarbiter@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 2 days ago

Sceptre still makes them. I bought a 50" 4K from walmart under that brand a few years ago

[–] tipicaldik@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

I bought a 32" Westinghouse dumb TV for $149 from walmart several months back. I use it in my workshop where I don't have wi-fi. I use an over-the-air antennae and wanted to just have it come on and play without having to go through menus and shit...

you can't at any reasonable price and quality

[–] The_v@lemmy.world 44 points 3 days ago (9 children)

I ended up getting a mini computer with Linux and getting a Rii keyboard remote. Then I can browse to any streaming service with a browser or kodi.

[–] CMDR_Horn@lemmy.world 11 points 3 days ago (3 children)

Its all 720p though. No 4k or even 1080p Netflix,Disney+,paramount+,HBO,peacock, Amazon prime etc

[–] NathanDerWeise@feddit.org 38 points 3 days ago (1 children)

You're doing it wrong. Only service I pay for is a VPN.

[–] CMDR_Horn@lemmy.world 28 points 3 days ago

To quote Gabe, its a service issue

[–] lena@gregtech.eu 7 points 3 days ago

🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🦜🦜☠️

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[–] Allero@lemmy.today 3 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Plex

Plex has its own slew of issues and is known for enshittification. May I suggest Jellyfin instead?

Otherwise, listening in as well.

[–] CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Jellyfin

I'd probably switch if I was the only one using Plex. I'd have to move quite a few users. I paid for lifetime long ago, so.... 🤷

[–] Allero@lemmy.today 2 points 2 days ago
[–] GreenKnight23@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

always can count on a jellyfin user to shame someone for using Plex.

[–] Allero@lemmy.today 5 points 2 days ago

Nah, no shame, it's just that Jellyfin as a noncommercial solution is less mainstream, so if someone isn't a permanent Lemmy resident, they may genuinely not know of its existence.

If Plex works for you, yay!

[–] yukichigai@kbin.earth 28 points 3 days ago (3 children)

Android TV boxes are the way to go IMO. Lots of replacement launchers and ways to remove all the baked-in ads and the like, even if you can't root the device.

If you're stateside, Walmart's ONN brand devices are the absolute best bang for your buck you can find. They're not locked down, so you're able to get into the proper Android system menu and disable apps and so on (including telemetry). You can even activate ADB and tinker that way, though you don't need to if you just want to install a more simple (read: ad-free) home screen and turn off all the tracking garbage.

[–] IanTwenty@piefed.social 1 points 2 days ago

Is it possible to degoogle an android tv stick so that it's as private as an apple tv?

[–] unitedwithme@lemmy.today 11 points 3 days ago (2 children)
[–] tiramichu@sh.itjust.works 8 points 3 days ago (1 children)

This is what I was looking in the thread for.

A simple launcher replacement and debloat is not enough for me to feel like I actually own a device, I still wouldn't trust it.

[–] yukichigai@kbin.earth 7 points 3 days ago

Yeah, fair. That's how I feel about most of my devices. If I don't have root access at a minimum I don't feel comfortable.

Even for the units you can't install a CFW on though you can still get in via ADB and exercise a lot of control. You can't run apps as root but you can disable and purge any of the even remotely undesirable apps and block any of the paths used for forced updates and the like.

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[–] radieschen@feddit.org 2 points 2 days ago

I'm running a thin client with Waydroid and Android TV images. It's not perfect, but works pretty well with an existing BT remote control (PlayStation or some HDMI stick). Running the Jellyfin and some TV station's Android apps and for everything else I'm using the browser with a bt keyboard.

[–] Malica@lemmy.zip 9 points 3 days ago (1 children)
[–] roofuskit@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

Unfortunately they're now $300.

[–] neomachino@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 3 days ago

I have a pi 4 running lineageos TV and primarily using nuvio and smart tube. It's great, consistent, and for the most part just works.

Although with the current price of them it probably only makes sense if you have an extra pi laying around

[–] victorz@lemmy.world 13 points 3 days ago (7 children)

Recommend Jellyfin over Plex if you have the ability to switch.

[–] Psythik@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Or if you want an instant streaming option similar to Netflix/Hulu/etc. try Nuvio instead (or Stremio). It takes some configuration but it's not difficult to figure out. I'll give you a hint: sign up for Premiumize then install these plug-ins to get yourself started: Comet + Watchly + Streaming Catalogs.

Edit: And BTW it's definitely worth it because everything is on there. And I mean everything. I have yet to find a single show or movie that wasn't immediately available to stream on Nuvio.

[–] victorz@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Good tip for those who don't have the ability to sail. 🏴‍☠️

[–] Psythik@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

FYI it's piracy but Premiumize will keep your ISP off your ass. No VPN needed.

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[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

it will be FOX ads, mostly shoveling thier propaganda at smart tv owners. Fox newscorp, and not the DISNEY owned fox(the cinema side of FOX). murdoch was pretty smart in seperating the 2 companies.

[–] CanIFishHere@lemmy.ca 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I've moved completely to Chromecast. They also have some very interesting sideloaded apps (SmartTube).

[–] mojofrododojo@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

SmartTube

tempting but... https://smarttubeapp.github.io/

"My development environment was infected by unknown malicious software, as a result of which a few builds may have been affected. Once the issue was detected, I secured everything with a full disk wipe, restored a clean setup, and now all builds are scanned with VirusTotal. The F-Droid version will also be verified before release."

[–] CanIFishHere@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 days ago

Looks like he acted quickly and the issue is resolved. But obviously only do what you're comfortable with.

[–] wiltrvls@lemmy.zip 14 points 3 days ago (9 children)

I'm on an Onn 4k plus with projectivy launcher which itself is so much better but also with a few remote buttons remapped, some sideloaded apps like smarttube and it's such a better experience from my old Roku.

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[–] westingham@sh.itjust.works 14 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Apple TV. Though I admit I'm unfamiliar with playlet

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[–] ComradeMiao@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Just so you know there are two Fox companies. The one that purchases Roku is not the new company. Research.

[–] CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

The parent of Fox News is Fox Corporation. It was enough to have the developer of a screensaver end his deal with them.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/11/artist-pulls-popular-screensaver-from-roku-os-because-of-fox-acquisition/

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