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[-] glimse@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

The best OS for your HTPC is whatever OS you're comfortable with

[-] hardaysknight@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I don’t think Windows 3.1 supports .MP4

[-] Max17@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

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

[-] LifeInOregon@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year 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…

EDIT: Also, I use this setup in a spare room, but use an Apple TV in my living room for identical purposes. Though I use Infuse and the actual Steam remote play application.

[-] Max17@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

OH! I didn't know i could use moonlight from within Kodi! Thanks!

[-] ares35@kbin.social 3 points 1 year 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 1 points 1 year ago

Thanks for the thorough explanation! So you just use windows on the old laptop, no Kodi or anything else?

[-] ares35@kbin.social 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

yup. just windows (or linux) desktop applications and networking. i don't need a '10-foot' ui; and don't (atm, anyway) need the remote streaming capabilities or other features of a jellyfin or plex.

the keyboard i have is an original logitech k400. it's really the piece that makes my setup usable, otherwise i'd have a full-sized separate kb and mouse sitting on the 'coffee table' (it's really just a low-standing tv shelf on wheels) instead.

[-] Max17@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Yeah that's a nice keyboard, maybe i'll think about it because it seems really useful and compact at the same time! Thank you again for everything :)

this post was submitted on 02 Dec 2023
815 points (98.7% liked)

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