After spending the last few days, tinkering and trying to put together an HTPC for my family, I wasn’t able to get a smooth enough experience to match even our old, ad-filled, laggy, Roku. In particular, every streaming service I tried needed to be controlled almost exclusively by mouse, as everything has been reduced to electron apps/websites with little-to-no keyboard or controller navigation support. As such, I’m looking for other options, although considering how quickly these platforms change and how outdated a lot of the information available on them is its hard to single out the best options.

In particular, I’m looking to be able to:

  • Use Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. Ideally other services too, since we tend to juggle subscriptions.
  • Control it with a remote, controller, or similarly simple device
  • Be able to cast to it from a phone

Does anyone have much experience with options for this - esspecially if you’ve tried multiple and can compare?

  • Jeena@piefed.jeena.net
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    21 days ago

    I am using a Chromecast ultra 4k and I replaced the launcher with one which doesn’t shown anything but the apps I want it to show in a grid: FLauncher

    And then I can use it with the remote as usual for Netflix and all the other apps. It’s quite nice doesn’t stutter or anything.

    I also replaced the YouTube app with the SmartTube one to get rid of sponsors and advertisements in videos.

    • Otter@lemmy.ca
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      21 days ago

      Nvidia Shields are another option, and there are some Bluetooth keyboards with trackpad that could work for these options + the PC

      What I’d love to see is a Wii remote style interface. It would be much easier than trying to snake your way over to the thing you want to select

      • Telstarado@lemmy.world
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        21 days ago

        I have a shield connected to a projector through an av receiver. I love the setup for its audio visual fidelity, but I love the simplicity of operation almost as much. The shield remote turns everything on and off and handles all my streaming services + steam link flawlessly. Wonderful user experience.

    • Robin@lemmy.world
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      21 days ago

      Does your FLancher start up by default? I have a similar setup on a Shield, and the home button does go to FL. But whenever it comes out of standby it still goes into the Google launcher with ads on it…