I want to try to set up a Raspberry Pi I have as a smart TV box and I was hoping I could find some advice.

My main requirements are:

  • can run Moonlight
  • can be controlled from a Bluetooth game controller (that should also work in Moonlight)

What would be nice:

  • can run VLC or Plex or something
  • can support AirPlay
  • can be used for some actual streaming services like Netflix

Any suggestions?

  • chronicledmonocle@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    I considered this, but ended up going HTPC instead. The Shield is just too old and now they’re loading it up with more ads you can’t get rid of. Screw that.

    • just another dev@lemmy.my-box.dev
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      6 months ago

      I bought one last year, and even though I was hesitant because of its age, it can handle all the content I throw at it (4k 10 bit hdr h265, etc). As for the the ads, I solved that by installing a third party launcher.

      The only issue I have with this setup is that I haven’t found a good replacement for YouTube yet. A revanced for android TV would be amazing.

      • Scrath@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        6 months ago

        This is what I use for youtube on my android tv. Works mostly great although I recently had some stuttering during playnack that I have yet to find the cause of

      • chronicledmonocle@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        One of my requirements was Steam (either locally or Steam Link) and EmulationStation. The Shield cost nearly the same money as the AMD Ryzen mini-pc I’m using, so I just decided to go with the more powerful device so I could run light to moderate Steam games at 1080p in addition to In-Home streaming. I use my gaming PC for WFH, so on days I work my kids wouldn’t be able to play games from Steam unless it was local.

        I think out the door I spent about $230 for a Ryzen 5000 series APU machine with 512GB of SSD and 16GB of RAM. With the shield at ~$199, I went for the more DIY solution, which isn’t for everybody, but I’m an tinkerer.