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Alternative to GoogleTV - AndroidTV (lemmy.ml)
submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by isgleas@lemmy.ml to c/degoogle@lemmy.ml
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Do you know if there is an alternative to GoogleTV or AndroidTV as the OS on the TV set? I've seen one or two projects but those are more oriented towards TV boxes rather than the television device itself.

I would like to replace the one that comes preinstalled, as as far as I have detected is turns on on low power every now and then to, and this is a guess, phone home for updates. I have connected it once to my wifi, and after that it updated itself and started to lag.

I would like it to connect to my network and play my local media streams, but I don't like the idea of it going to the vendor's cloud. I have it now disconnected from the network, but it would be nice not to depend on another device just to enjoy my arrchives

Edit: I am not looking for some solution to connect to the tv and stream, I have that covered. I am asking to replace the preinstalled OS on the tv and use it without needing external devices.

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[-] MajorHavoc@programming.dev 11 points 2 weeks ago

I typically solve this by:

  1. Factory reset the Smart TV to take it offline.
  2. Install Android TV on a Raspberry Pi and connect it.
  3. Mount the Raspberry Pi to the back of the TV with some Velcro tape.

The result is most of the convenience of a Roku with none of the privacy concerns.

And as others have said, JellyFin is a great addition for watching home movies, or any other Mp3 or MP4 files.

But also, the most Android streaming apps just work.

As of when I posted this:

  • Disney+ works now.
  • DropOut.tv works now.
  • Netflix worked last time I tried it.
  • Amazon Prime worked last time I tried it.
  • Paramount Plus doesn't work no matter what I try. (But I'm not willing to add Google Framework Service, which would likely work.)

Paramount Plus also has more trackers in it than any other Android app I've used, so I tend to avoid sending them money anyway.

[-] superglue@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 2 weeks ago

Did you get hardware decoding working on it? Last I tried the Konstakang build it was laggy and couldnt play 4k video.

[-] isgleas@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 weeks ago

My setup is quite similar, I currently have my tv disconnected from the network and stream via another device. What I would like to achieve is to use the tv capabilities to play my local streams, as I don't use cloud streaming services, but I would need to connect it to the network.

I may look into setting a non-internet routed vlan and access point, so I can connect the tv to the network but not to internet, althought it may later become cumbersome as I would need to update the Jellyfin or Kodi apps

[-] jlow@beehaw.org 3 points 2 weeks ago

Interesting, but isn't Android TV on the Pi still phoning home to Google?

[-] haverholm@kbin.earth 4 points 2 weeks ago

Konstakang has made a ROM based on LineageOS. I've only eyed it myself, but it should be Google-free (unless you install G apps).

[-] MajorHavoc@programming.dev 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

That's probably the one I'm running. My vision isn't good enough for 4k video, so I never tried.

Edit: I think my TV is too cheap anyway actually. Lol.

[-] haverholm@kbin.earth 2 points 2 weeks ago

Meh, I'm just thrifty. 4K is for people with high bandwidth or too much storage space 😉

[-] MajorHavoc@programming.dev 3 points 2 weeks ago

There are de-googled builds for Raspberry Pi TV Android without Google's stuff.

[-] SidewaysHighways@lemmy.world 11 points 2 weeks ago

LibreELEC!

once you get past the idea that everything needs to look like a square icon it's absolutely amazing.

i love kodi!

[-] EngineerGaming@feddit.nl 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

I wonder: would the 1GB Raspberry Pi 3 be okay for this? The more powerful ones are very expensive, $60 is already kind of a lot, so would hope maybe it could work for 1080p video (or 720p m3u streams)?

Edit: have tried by now, and it is indeed just enough for my needs.

[-] fossisgodlyngl4472@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 week ago

i have a 1gb raspbryy pi 3b, 1080p 30fps would be its max

[-] Dave@lemmy.nz 1 points 2 weeks ago

I run LibreELEC on an old laptop strapped to the back of my TV, with a PC connected remote to control it. It works really well but I always get the feeling it can do so much more than I use it for.

I sync with Jellyfin using the addon, but don't do much other than that. And must have things I don't know exists?

[-] Know_not_Scotty_does@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago

Adb.tv and projectivy launcher will make a sizeable difference as will rooting and disabling the telemetry/tracking/ other bullshit. I went that route on my current hisense tv and its been great so far. Not as good as a true dumb tv but its pretty close and it is easier for my family to use without babysitting them.

[-] isgleas@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 weeks ago

Thanks, I will take a look at those

[-] badlotus@discuss.online 4 points 2 weeks ago

Jellyfin

[-] isgleas@lemmy.ml 6 points 2 weeks ago

Yes. As I implied, my local arrchives are streamed via jellyfin

[-] badlotus@discuss.online 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Maybe take a look at CanI.RootMy.TV. Seems to be mainly focused at LG WebOS but I’m not sure what vendor, model, and firmware you’re running. If you provide some more specific information you might get some more helpful answers for the situation you described. I totally respect that you might have left some detail out for privacy.

[-] huquad@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 weeks ago

Whats your favorite Linux ISO to watch on jellyfin?

[-] smeg@feddit.uk 3 points 2 weeks ago

I doubt most Android TV boxes are open enough for you to replace the OS, I know my Android TV with Google TV with Chromecast HD 4K Streamer Box Stick™ (or whatever it's called) isn't.

[-] PriorityMotif@lemmy.world -1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

The $20 walmart ONN google tv box is the closest to a stock experience you can get. There's a guide on reddit on how to use adb to remove stock apps, change the dns to an addblocker. Then you can switch launchers and permanently disable the stock one.

It's a newer version of android, so the retroarch on the play store won't work. You have to download the current version from their site and download it. You can use an app to remap the remote buttons. Get a micro usb otg adapter and plug in a usb stick for extra storage.

I had a firestick, but they started puting ads on the screensaver. Now we don't have any ads and just a nice grid of the apps we want to use.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidTV/comments/12rya0t/change_launcher_debloat_the_new_onn_4k_streaming/

Edit: just realized what community I'm in

this post was submitted on 14 Mar 2025
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