Recommended mini linux device for streaming to TV

https://lemmy.world/post/35531726

Your old laptop & a generic bluetooth keyboard/mouse combo unit.

That is my setup. :)

Are there any better options for keyboard trackpad combo than the Logitech k400 yet?

Looks at lap

Logitech K400 still kicking it! (No clue if there is a better one, but it’s going to be hard to beat the classic)

Cool, using this setup now.

Thinking of ways to make it more friendly for my SO and guests coming to visit or babysit etc, who are not used to linux (gnome). Any tips there?

Top of mind is auto open browser on startup with fixed tabs for relevant streaming services. But could also be a simple wrapper of some kind, with UI similar to kodi, plex, jellyfin etc - but for accessing content on web.

The problem with a wrapper as you put it, specifically one running on Linux, is DRM. The only way I know of to achieve the desired Widevine encryption level is running the service in a tab in Chrome. Not any other browser, not even Chromium.

Of course you could just bypass all that nonsense by pirating your media, and have a nice easy interface consolidating titles from all streamers - even retaining a network badge so they can see where a given popular show is airing - like what I’ve set up in Kodi for myself as well as boomer relatives.

Other than that I’d recommend Flirc for input via remote (or LIRC if you have a supported remote already and don’t mind some extra configuration)

Of course you could just bypass all that nonsense by pirating your media

And this is precisely why piracy is on the rise. People will pay for convince/features, as we see with steam and music streaming.

The video industry has yet to figure this out.