I’m currently looking to buy a new TV. While I do use Jellyfin to watch movies and shows stored locally in my network, I still want to allow the TV to go on the internet, because I (and my girlfriend) like to watch YouTube, Netflix and such on the TV as well.
My main issue is that I’m looking to buy a Google TV, mainly because I think it’s easier to sideload apps like NewPipe or F-Droid. This is one thing that absolutely sucks on my current Samsung TV with its Tizen OS. However, like any Google service, giving it access to the internet is just asking to have your data exfiltrated.
So, I’ve been thinking about whether I can get a Google TV, but restrict its internet access enough to still use it normally, while blocking all telemetry. I don’t have an OpenWRT router or Opnsense firewall (and currently I don’t have the capacity, nerves and time to set one up), but I do have a pi hole. I was wondering whether a Pi Hole is enough to block any data exfiltration attempts of my TV? I could restrict the TVs DNS capabilities in my router, so it is forced to use the Pi for name resolution. Are the blocklists good enough for this?
I’ve also looked into de-googled Android TV builds, but I couldn’t find anything conclusive about their capability to display DRM’d media. Do apps like Netflix still run on those OS’s? Is a RaspberryPi enough to display 4K media, or would a more advanced mini PC be needed?
I’m a bit exhausted from my research into this topic, tbh, so excuse the rambly post. I just want help
Thank you, I see this is probably the best approach. I still hate it, and the Smart TV market is completely fucked, but it’s probably the best compromise between privacy and comfort
No that’s dumb. Just get a PC. It’s 2025, you can use your phone as a remote control if you don’t want a keyboard. They even sell little remotes with the keyboard included (search tv remote for htpc on Amazon, I’m talking about the Rii i8 model).
The fire stick phones home and won’t let you do what you want with it either. It’s the exact same thing as a smart tv.
why yes of course, thank you, I will just enjoy my movies in potato quality then! I’ll tell my gf to just cope and enjoy the 720p netflix experience!
No, Tortenring isn’t the solution because again, I don’t live alone and my gf wants to watch Netflix. Easy as that.
The poet explicitly talked about Android TVs and TV boxes. A PC is not the solution to that, it’s an alternative that compromises on too many things
Bee link mini s12 pro, there’s obviously other options. It will cost more then a fire stick because it’s actually protecting your privacy and giving you control of the device.
Am I in the wrong sub?
tf is your problem, that’s just another PC. I already said multiple times that an Android TV is a hard requirement for me. If you’re not gonna suggest anything valuable, then don’t suggest anything at all.
Your OP mentioned a PC. My point is basically that android tv boxes and even worse, commercial ones that lock you in, aren’t good solutions. You might as well get something that you can ssh into and do whatever you want with.
You will get a better experience if you treat your tv as a desktop instead of a phone imo. You can also easily get a UI that feels like an apple tv, but still be able to access your desktop or access it from a laptop if needed.
If you want to do fancy stuff, you will be stuck running around trying to find an app that doesn’t bombard you with ads while 10 lines of python would have done the job if you had something properly open and easy to use. There’s a bit of a learning curve I guess, but it’s nothing difficult.
Ed: that last one wasn’t my down vote btw, I was kind of being a dick and I can understand the mirrored tone.
Glad you mention that 3 comments down the chain. I’ll look into it.
No, just an annoying prick