As I wrote on the other comment, I was looking for something easy and fast to use even if I’m on the couch. Something that i could set to almost look like a smart tv but that could also work with steam link/moonlight. So honestly I’m comfortable with windows but don’t think it would be the best OS to use for my case
Comment on Amazon is now automatically playing fullscreen video ads on Fire TV
glimse@lemmy.world 9 months agoThe best OS for your HTPC is whatever OS you’re comfortable with
Max17@lemmy.world 9 months ago
LifeInOregon@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Kodi on a Raspberry Pi 4 is pretty good, and you can run moonlight from within Kodi. Of course, you have to find a reasonably priced Pi…
Max17@lemmy.world 9 months ago
OH! I didn’t know i could use moonlight from within Kodi! Thanks!
ares35@kbin.social 9 months ago
i mostly use windows on the tv, an old laptop and a wireless kb/trackpad. runs cool, even with the lid closed all the time. reliably wakes up outputting to the external 'monitor' as long as it hasn't 'lost' its connection to the tv (can't unplug that input temporarily for another device--would have to flip open the laptop lid later to re-enable the external-only setting), and it's new enough (skylake) to have decoding in hardware for the formats i've been using.
the other hdmi is a linux sff desktop set up similarly, but i haven't got all the kinks worked out yet.
use firefox (with addons and some userscripts|styles) for online sites, and usb externals or lan connection for 'saved' content. shortcuts on the desktop (to web sites, playlists, lan shares) function as the 'home screen' or 'launch' page.
i do have the tv 'online' atm, though, because a lot of pluto 'live' tv get watched here, and the tv 'app' is faster and more reliable than their web site. the remote has a hotkey for it, too, which goes directly to the last 'channel' it was on.
Max17@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Thanks for the thorough explanation! So you just use windows on the old laptop, no Kodi or anything else?
ares35@kbin.social 9 months ago
yup. just windows (or linux) desktop applications and networking. i don't need a '10-foot' ui.
hardaysknight@lemmy.world 9 months ago
I don’t think DOS 3.1 supports .MP4