I moved back to watching stuff on the browser in my PC
this post was submitted on 07 Nov 2026
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Get a dumb TV, a nice HDMI cable, have it hook to your PC. Watch things from your ad-free browser.
Where do you find a modern dumb TV nowadays?
Just get any TV but don't connect it WiFi or ethernet.
I've heard the only way to get a modern one is to basically get one that's meant for commercial signage. =\
There also one from Sceptre but I guess they're not the best TVs.
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.
Sceptre still makes them. I bought a 50" 4K from walmart under that brand a few years 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
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.
Its all 720p though. No 4k or even 1080p Netflix,Disney+,paramount+,HBO,peacock, Amazon prime etc
You're doing it wrong. Only service I pay for is a VPN.
To quote Gabe, its a service issue
🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🦜🦜☠️
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Plex
Plex has its own slew of issues and is known for enshittification. May I suggest Jellyfin instead?
Otherwise, listening in as well.
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.... 🤷
I see!
always can count on a jellyfin user to shame someone for using Plex.
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!
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.
Is it possible to degoogle an android tv stick so that it's as private as an apple tv?
https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/dopinder/
It supports LineageOS too, if you find the right one.
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.
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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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.
NVIDIA shield
Unfortunately they're now $300.
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
Recommend Jellyfin over Plex if you have the ability to switch.
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.
Good tip for those who don't have the ability to sail. 🏴☠️
FYI it's piracy but Premiumize will keep your ISP off your ass. No VPN needed.
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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.
I've moved completely to Chromecast. They also have some very interesting sideloaded apps (SmartTube).
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."
Looks like he acted quickly and the issue is resolved. But obviously only do what you're comfortable with.
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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Just so you know there are two Fox companies. The one that purchases Roku is not the new company. Research.
The parent of Fox News is Fox Corporation. It was enough to have the developer of a screensaver end his deal with them.
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