I’ve been looking for something to replace the google chromecast that is attached to our TV.

I’ve tried Kodi out, but the main use case for the TV set is a 70+ yo person watching netflix and there is just no way they will be better off with Kodi than with the stock netflix app.

Besides supporting netflix, being easy to use, and providing significantly better privacy than the chromecast does, the device would ideally:

  • support other mainstream streaming (amazon, disney, …) for when my people get tired of netflix
  • support a DVB-T2 usb stick (directly, or through IPTV: I can put the stick in a different machine)
  • support youtube without ads (through an adblocker and possibly sponsorblock, or maybe using invidious)
  • possibly, support local public TV streaming (eg. BBC)

I have a PC set aside that should be more than capable enough (intel N100), but I’m open to getting new hardware if needed. Also, it doesn’t matter if the system is not very user friendly to setup (eg. if it needs to be nixos), but once it’s setup it should be easy to use and relatively straightforward to update/maintain.

I guess a FOSS android TV would be ideal, but… is there any? (I see Lineage supports the Google ADT-3, but that is basically unobtanium, at least where I live).

  • Froyn@kbin.social
    101·
    9 months ago

    Take your PC that you set aside, install the Stremio FlatPak, sign up for a Debrid Service, and use the Torrentio plugin for Stremio.

    • LWD@lemm.ee
      6·
      9 months ago

      Would an actual boomer using that service end up receiving a cease and desist letter?

      • Froyn@kbin.social
        41·
        9 months ago

        No, for the same reason they would not get a C&D using a VPN+usenet/torrent.
        The ISP can’t see the contents of the data stream.

        • LWD@lemm.ee
          3·
          9 months ago

          Does Torrentio have a VPN built in, or would you recommend adding one? Because otherwise torrents will expose your IP address to all peers…

          • Froyn@kbin.social
            3·
            9 months ago

            ??
            I think you might have been reading too fast.
            Torrentio is used to link Stremio to a Debrid Service.

            Or maybe I’m not understanding what you’re seeing?
            Why would you want/need a VPN when you’re using a debrid service?

            • LWD@lemm.ee
              2·
              9 months ago

              I’m not familiar with the string of services you mentioned… At what point does this become accessible like Netflix with your average set-top box? Because it seems like more of a piracy thing than a privacy thing

              • Froyn@kbin.social
                12·
                9 months ago

                Riddle me this. How exactly does one achieve “Privacy” when engaging with Disney? Netflix?

                Presently, no streaming company knows what content of theirs I have consumed. Is that not privacy?
                A data breech at Netflix will not reveal any of my personal information as they have none of my information. Is that not privacy?

                You see, there’s a great big blob where privacy and piracy intersect. Some might say it’s a circle.

        • library_napper@monyet.cc
          11·
          9 months ago

          These companies sometimes list their own movies on torrent sites and then record everyone who downloaded it from them. So, yes, they can see what you download if you don’t mask your IP through some proxy.