I have an older Sony TV which has (what I can only guess to be) Google’s Android TV app installed on it. I’m sick of getting new recommendations from Amazon and Disney+ and all those services. Is there a way to strip it down bare bones and get everything I need from another app repo - kinda like with Graphene vs Android?
Skipping the smart in TV and connecting my own box on a HDMI was a godsend. My current TV has never had network connectivity.
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I use one of those beelink / minisforum boxes with kodi installed. Never seen an ad in forever.
Just a heads up about this approach, non approved boxes are limited by stream providers such as Netflix to 1080p HD:
https://androidpcreview.com/netflix-hd-android-tv-box/
So if you have a 4K TV and a 4K Netflix plan but plan to use a “custom” box your service will be limited to 1080p HD. Not entire bad but can be a frustration point if you get all built and realize it later.
Yes, tho apparently the Netflix plugin does support it
https://github.com/CastagnaIT/plugin.video.netflix/wiki/FAQ-(Audio%2C-Video%2C-Subtitle%2C-Other)#my-android-device-supports-4k-but-does-not-playback-at-4k
But it is a bit tedious but once setup should be a non issue
Do you have a Netflix plugin 4K setup working?
I ask because even in the plugin page there are a few indications contradictory that indicates otherwise:
First is the warning in the main page: “DUE TO CHANGES TO THE WEBSITE THAT PREVENT THE PROPER PLAYBACK OF VIDEOS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ADD-ON HAS BEEN SUSPENDED. THE VIDEO PLAYBACK, WHEN IT WORKS, IS LIMITED TO SD QUALITY AND ONLY ON SOME LINUX/ANDROID DEVICES.”
Second in the section “Reference table of high resolution” there is a footnote saying the following: “*4 Hardware decoding and 4k are supported only to devices with Netflix certification, Widevine Security Level L1 and HDCP 2.2 hardware.”
Third in the list of 1080P 4k Android tested devices we see basically only Netflix approved devices: https://github.com/CastagnaIT/plugin.video.netflix/wiki/List-of-1080P-4k-Android-tested-devices
I’ve stopped using netflix so I can’t verify and am speaking exclusively based on the documentation
do you have to set it up yourself or does it come pre-configured? i ask cause i just got out of setting up my own server and as a non-tech native, it was EXHAUSTING (rewarding, yes - but time intensive).
You can setup Kodi using libreelec but setting up YouTube and Netflix and all is a bit of work, not as much as setting up a server but it’s definitely not plug and play entirely. Once it’s set up tho it just works.
okay, thanks for this - gonna have to do some research
It would be DIY
Pretty much the same for me except I use a pc to run the tv, with a wireless keyboard and mouse.