I have an older Sony TV which has (what I can only guess to be) Google’s Android TV app installed on it. I’m sick of getting new recommendations from Amazon and Disney+ and all those services. Is there a way to strip it down bare bones and get everything I need from another app repo - kinda like with Graphene vs Android?
You must log in or # to comment.
Skipping the smart in TV and connecting my own box on a HDMI was a godsend. My current TV has never had network connectivity.
What kind of box are you using?
I use one of those beelink / minisforum boxes with kodi installed. Never seen an ad in forever.
do you have to set it up yourself or does it come pre-configured? i ask cause i just got out of setting up my own server and as a non-tech native, it was EXHAUSTING (rewarding, yes - but time intensive).
You can setup Kodi using libreelec but setting up YouTube and Netflix and all is a bit of work, not as much as setting up a server but it’s definitely not plug and play entirely. Once it’s set up tho it just works.
okay, thanks for this - gonna have to do some research
It would be DIY
Just a heads up about this approach, non approved boxes are limited by stream providers such as Netflix to 1080p HD:
https://androidpcreview.com/netflix-hd-android-tv-box/
So if you have a 4K TV and a 4K Netflix plan but plan to use a “custom” box your service will be limited to 1080p HD. Not entire bad but can be a frustration point if you get all built and realize it later.
Yes, tho apparently the Netflix plugin does support it
But it is a bit tedious but once setup should be a non issue
Do you have a Netflix plugin 4K setup working?
I ask because even in the plugin page there are a few indications contradictory that indicates otherwise:
First is the warning in the main page: “DUE TO CHANGES TO THE WEBSITE THAT PREVENT THE PROPER PLAYBACK OF VIDEOS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ADD-ON HAS BEEN SUSPENDED. THE VIDEO PLAYBACK, WHEN IT WORKS, IS LIMITED TO SD QUALITY AND ONLY ON SOME LINUX/ANDROID DEVICES.”
Second in the section “Reference table of high resolution” there is a footnote saying the following: “*4 Hardware decoding and 4k are supported only to devices with Netflix certification, Widevine Security Level L1 and HDCP 2.2 hardware.”
Third in the list of 1080P 4k Android tested devices we see basically only Netflix approved devices: https://github.com/CastagnaIT/plugin.video.netflix/wiki/List-of-1080P-4k-Android-tested-devices
I’ve stopped using netflix so I can’t verify and am speaking exclusively based on the documentation
Basically, the only way is to disconnect the TV and use it as a dumb screen. Lineageos supports a few set top boxes (see here).
I heard (take it as hearsay) that some smart TV periodically capture screenshots of what’s on screen and upload it, so it actually disconnecting the tv from the network could (again, hearsay) make a real difference.
If you buy “digital signage” or “commercial display” monitors, they won’t have built-in ad-tracking; some models have a recent version of Android built-in that makes it easy to load Jellyfin, Kodi, and other such apps; and they’ll be built to commercial specifications, meaning they’ll last longer. They can also have better screencasting features.
On the downside: they are more expensive, you’ll need to check their specs for things like bluetooth, wifi, HDMI, and other things you need; the built-in speakers are not good. The TV of course doesn’t stop any particular app from serving you ads on its own, unless you load in another app to block them.
I have a setup like this, connected to a seedbox with transcoding, and it works great.
Factory reset it and don’t connect it to the network.
If you want to stream, use a Chromecast. I’ve been using the same one for like ten years now, never an issue. Pick the media on my phone, hit cast, done.
I wonder which company makes these Chromecasts 🙃
Buy a used one
I dont think any smart TV’s even allow you to unlock the bootloader, even if you did somehow find a way to unlock it there arent any custom roms for smart tvs. Apparently some smart tvs have unofficial bootloader unlocks through exploits but unless you want to fiddle with a GSI its useless.
deleted by creator
deleted by creator
