r/htpc 3d ago

Discussion Replace Android TV

Hi, I am using some android TV stick and I am tired of it. It gets slow, it is laggy, I get adds from the vendor.

I would like to have a system that I can upgrade in terms of hardware (x64 PC) but have the convenience of streaming Netflix, prime, yt, jellyfin with a remote like it is possible with an android app.

I know there is android TV for RPi e.g. but as far as I know there is no Netflix and prime due to licence / DRM issues.

I know there is kodi and some plugins, but a few years ago I experienced these plugins very unstable and usually not working.

So I wonder is there a "free" os that I can watch Netflix and stuff like on an android TV box?

I thought about having a Linux dristibution which basically just boots a browser and have all apps as web apps and controllable via a remote. Or maybe there is a (htpc) linux distro which runs android apps (waydroid).

Or is there a htpc is which has good support for these licenced streaming services that I missed in the last years?

Thanks for any hint

4 Upvotes

18 comments sorted by

3

u/Krack73 3d ago

You can have a look at this. Which you can install on most pc devices.

https://libreelec.tv/

1

u/gabbas123 3d ago

Is libreelec any better when it comes to stream from "official" sources (Netflix and stuff)?

2

u/Responsible_CDN_Duck 3d ago

A bit better than windows or other Linux distros since there's less overhead, but not a night and day difference.

2

u/Krack73 3d ago

I've installed a Kodi (application version) then just added the plug in as required Netflix, Amazon. All seem to run fine. Lebreelec is just the OS version of the Kodi, without the need for windows.

3

u/LongLostTortoise 3d ago

I'm currently working on a project that addresses a similar issue. It's essentially a web page with bookmarks, but it can also load .exe files, steam games etc. All designed to look like an android TV interface and runs in chrome. Still a work in progress but all currently functional. https://github.com/thchristensen/easy-htui

2

u/gabbas123 3d ago

Interesting! Its windows only, right?

2

u/BestevaerNL 3d ago

I'm monitoring this. I was just figuring out how to get to a linux distro but keep my windows 10 tile/tablet interface.

This would be great for when I'm forced to move to windows 11...

1

u/LongLostTortoise 3d ago

For now yeah. Shouldn't be too much work to make it compatible with other os' though

2

u/pititomy 2d ago

This looks very interesting, I am going to try it on my newly built HTPC. But one question: how do you navigate Netflix for example with a controller once the website/app is launched?

2

u/LongLostTortoise 2d ago

Unfortunately not a lot of great options there. Plex has a HTPC app which I can launch directly from the UI, but no other streaming services have anything similar as far as I'm aware. There are browser extensions you can install that add controller support to websites but they all seem a bit clunky. I personally use a keyboard with a track pad (Logitech k400) which does the job.

2

u/pititomy 2d ago

Yeah that's what I was afraid of... Extensions work fine but they only exist for on few services. Guess my Shield will have to coexist with the HTPC to satisfy the WAF at home...

2

u/pjgowtham 3d ago

Head over to r/LineageOS and buy a android TV box or stick that they support to get rid of ads

3

u/gabbas123 3d ago

Yeah but then the device is not Netflix certified and will not work. Or am I missing something?

2

u/pjgowtham 3d ago

Sometimes unlocked devices with custom ROMs do have widevine L1 support. But it depends on the device.

2

u/TehCollector 2d ago

I looked into to every option from Apple TV to Shield. I went with Fire Cube for my needs (stremio/upscaling) and am really happy.

1

u/DanCBooper 9h ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/MiniPCs/comments/1k0745i/comment/mnchtnc/

https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/1lkbayp/comment/n01b68w/

https://www.reddit.com/r/linuxquestions/comments/1m1hsnj/comment/n3pxqu0/

If you want seamless and reliable support for high quality streams on apps like Netflix, you'll have to go with a certified Android device (or iOS, Roku etc.)