Not sure a good discussion place to post this. I just want some brainstorming.

Looking for ideas on how to set up a faux-TV in the living room using a computer. I want to put an entertainment center across from the couch and have a place to watch media. But I have no interest in paying for cable/satellite/public broadcasts. (Why pay to be advertised to?)

I have a good collection of shows and movies on external hard drives. I figure I could buy a big monitor and plop it up there with a laptop attached. I could do a makeshift mouse using a game pad and Steam.

I just wanted to check if anyone had alternatives in mind. The mouse situation is suboptimal. Having to get another laptop is also suboptimal. But I can’t think of any other way! Any ideas or have I pretty much figured it out?

  • DABDA@lemm.eeEnglish
    0·
    10 hours ago

    I also endorse the RPi+OSMC route. Another thing to mention about controlling Kodi [the underlying software used by things like OSMC or LibreElec] is that you can generally use any input method you prefer.

    • it supports a directly connected keyboard, mouse or controller
    • when using a RPi and connected to a television via HDMI, usually CEC will allow you to use your normal remote control - but if your particular TV isn’t supported there’s also things like Flirc you can plug into a USB port and then customize for your remote
    • you can use a web browser from any computer on the network
    • there’s a bunch of different apps for your mobile phone. On Android the official (free) one is Kore, I prefer the extra features provided by Yatse but after migrating away from using Google Play Services I’ve had issues keeping the purchased “pro” features unlocked; but it’s still a better experience even without them.

    And it’s not an either/or scenario, you can use all of the above simultaneously without changing any settings.