What's your budget? The Walmart ones might be all you need. Do you really need it to be Android TV? I have both Roku and Google TV clients. I like the Roku one, but not a fan of the closed ecosystem (can't side load or adb).

You shouldn't need anything crazy to play your media, but if you go with Google/Android please replace the default launcher. You will very happy then lol.

[–] Matthew@midwest.social 2 points 2 years ago

You can sideload Roku devices. Hit a button combo on the remote and it enables developer mode and a web page you can upload the package to. It's been a long while since I've messed with it so I don't remember many specifics

[–] SomeBoyo@feddit.de 1 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I am looking for something that's relatively cheap and minimal <50€

[–] pory@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

The Walmart "onn." has been perfect in my household. Dirt cheap at $20, degooglable, good remote (you can use an app to rebind the streaming service buttons to apps you actually use). Supports the Google cast protocol and also SmartTubeNext. No ads of any kind on the home screen, because I'm using a custom FOSS launcher.

[–] SomeBoyo@feddit.de 1 points 2 years ago

They aren't sold where I live :(

[–] 69420@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Does it only use the cast protocol, or can you use the actual jellyfin app? Which launcher do you use?

[–] pory@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

I use FLauncher, and the jellyfin for android TV app works great. You can cast with or without having the app installed but the remote is nice so I rarely use the casting feature for watching my locally hosted stuff. It's just convenient for content on twitch or youtube.

[–] CCMan1701A@startrek.website 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Doesn't Google make a 1080p Chromecast?

[–] Thermal_shocked@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

Yes, it's decent. Used one for almost 3 years, recently upgraded to shield pro and love it. You don't realize how slow the Chromecast is until it's compared to the shield pro.

[–] Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 2 years ago

Using the Chromecast 4K with AndroidTV

Also I'll drop this: https://youtu.be/sdLnieL90d0

[–] Lemmchen@feddit.de 2 points 2 years ago (3 children)

You can install Android TV on a Raspberry Pi 3, 4 and 5: https://konstakang.com/

Maybe you happen to have one and can try it out.

[–] SomeBoyo@feddit.de 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Does it also include 3b+?

[–] Lemmchen@feddit.de 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

It's not specifically mentioned here, but I would assume so.

Edit: Sorry, they don't offer a Android TV build for any RPi3 at all. 4 and 5 only.

[–] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 years ago

Not recommended as you have to trust this guy completely

[–] glasgitarrewelt@feddit.de 1 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Worth mentioning: Android TV is proprietary and developed by Google. As far as privacy goes it is as bad as any wish.com-android-solution.

[–] splendoruranium 2 points 2 years ago

The linked build is based on LineageOS, not stock Android. Should be fully FOSS.

[–] Lemmchen@feddit.de 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

To my knowledge Android TV isn't any more proprietary than standard Android. The only really proprietary code are the Google Play Services (and Widevine).

[–] glasgitarrewelt@feddit.de 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

You will find the source code of Android, you won't find the source code of Android TV.

Just like all the Android-based operating systems on smartphones: if you take a free product and add suckyness, the end product sucks.

[–] Lemmchen@feddit.de 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

If there's no source code for ATV, how can there be (unofficial) LineageOS builds of ATV? Genuine question

[–] glasgitarrewelt@feddit.de 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Do you mean this konstaKang-Image? LineageOS for the RaspberryPi, I tried that and it works quite ok. A bit sluggish maybe. LineageOS is an open source project build around the pure open source Android. And the konstaKang-Image is also an open source project, although with a weird license. But they have nothing to do with Android TV, as far as I know.

[–] Lemmchen@feddit.de 1 points 2 years ago

This one: https://konstakang.com/devices/rpi4/LineageOS20-ATV/

[–] Sh0ckw4ve@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

This house runs on Walmart One boxes

[–] luci_tired@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

I just got one of those a few days ago because the samsung tv app really sucks. Very impressive for $20.

[–] butter@midwest.social 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I like the Google TV Chromecast.

[–] GerPrimus@feddit.de 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Me too. Especially because it supports h.265 10 bit and AV1. With jellyfin you can watch 4K HDR content without transcoding. To be honest, I was a bit impressed.

[–] usrtrv@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

As far as I'm aware, the Chromecast 4K does not support AV1. The newer Chromecast TV does but does not support 4K. So atm you have to pick between 4K or AV1.

[–] GerPrimus@feddit.de 1 points 2 years ago

That's good to know! Thanks. ATM I, and I think others, mostly watch 4K HDR content with a HEVC codec.

[–] sabreW4K3@lemmy.tf 1 points 2 years ago

Take a look at the MeCool boxes. Cheap and modern. If I bought a box today, it'd probably be one of them.

[–] danafest@lemm.ee 1 points 2 years ago

I've used Chromecast, Roku, Amazon fire, and most recently the jellyfin app on my Google tv. My order of preference would be: Android/Google tv app, tie between Roku and fire stick, Chromecast

[–] Kushia@lemmy.ml -3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

A TV box from AliExpress.

[–] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 3 points 2 years ago

Don't do this as it will come with malware preinstalled.