I’m looking for the simplest form of UI to launch multiple different programs, including some games.

Currently running Windows 10 and using a FLIRC Skip 1S for launching Jellyfin and watching shows. Anything beyond those basic functions requires the wireless keyboard.

My goal is to not need the keyboard for anything and to launch games and all with the remote *or controller.

  • SpatchyIsOnline@lemmy.worldEnglish
    5·
    20 days ago

    I’ve found Android TV to be the most usable TV OS tbh. I use Konstakang’s LineageOS Android TV 15 image on a Pi 5 which is source available (non commercial only licence). And Projectivy Launcher (closed source but is by an indie dev and better than the stock Google one). The Pi is CEC compatible so I can control it with my TV remote no problem, and I use Moonlight to stream games from my PC.

    If you already have hardware, there may be an Android x86 TV release somewhere but I haven’t personally tested any, and you have to make sure the apps you want support x86 (all the open source ones like Jellyfin should)

    Edit to add: I also personally haven’t found a need to install GApps as all the apps I use are either open source, or were made to work also on FireTV so don’t rely on GApps APIs. (Use SmartTube instead of YouTube, it’s a better experience anyway)

    • felbane@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      20 days ago

      I can attest to projectivy and smarttube, they are great. I went with the internet’s recommendation on the $20 Walmart/onn Google tv 4k box, with projectivy as the launcher instead of the default.

      My only gripe so far is that the remote doesn’t seem to consistently turn the box on, I have to go unplug the box every so often to reset it. probably some misconfiguration that’s making it not wake from sleep correctly.

      Despite that issue, 10/10 experience: ad free YouTube, fast jellyfin in 4k, fully customizable ui…

  • Riskable@programming.devEnglish
    4·
    20 days ago

    I use Kubuntu with KDE Connect. It lets me control everything using my phone 👍

    I can play/pause whatever from my lock screen and can use my phone’s keyboard like it’s connected to the computer. It’s fantastic 👍

    • jws_shadotak@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      21·
      20 days ago

      Wife would not approve of this because she loses her phone all the time. Also the kids don’t have phones.

      I am looking for a solution that can be controlled by my remote

  • DigDoug@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    20 days ago

    It’s still in active development, but you might want to keep an eye on Plasma Bigscreen. I’ve been looking for a similar setup to you, and it seems to tick all of the boxes, at least for me.

    I only learned about it recently, and I’ve been too busy to try it in that time, but I’ll edit this post with my impressions once I get the time to have a play with it.

  • t3chskel@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    20 days ago

    This isn’t an operating system, but I’ve been playing with Flex Launcher recently and it’s been working really well for my needs. From their Github page:

    Flex Launcher is a customizable application launcher and front end designed with a TV-friendly 10 foot user interface, intending to mimic the look and feel of a streaming box or game console. Flex Launcher allows you to launch applications on your HTPC or couch gaming PC entirely by use of a TV remote or a gamepad. No keyboard or mouse required!

    i use it as a lightweight launcher for my gaming PC as well as my HTPC. It does include gamepad support (needs to be enabled in the config file) and works really well with a USB remote.

    https://github.com/complexlogic/flex-launcher

  • AmazingAwesomator@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    20 days ago

    i am currently setting one up so i have no input as far as ease of use, good/bad/etc. yet, however i have a

    raspberry pi, flashed

    libreelec to the sd card, and plan to get

    castagnaIT to run some proprietary streaming services alongside

    jellyfin that i host on my home server. i just ordered a

    SofaBaton U2 remote for BT and IR commands; i hope to not really need k&m after setup