Yes, I’m fully aware that the best way to have a streaming box is to run Linux on a Raspberry Pi, and if anyone has a guide for how to best set that up, connect to various streaming services, and allow casting from a phone then I’m very happy to check it out. However, I’ve heard Android TV boxes/sticks are still relatively customisable so I’d really just like something I can run SmartTubeNext on and cast YouTube to the TV without any ads. I’m not going to be putting much in the way of personal data on it so it’s obviously doesn’t need to be the most secure/hardened thing in the world, but I’d still rather avoid the dodgiest of boxes. Any recommendations for something cheap-ish and private-ish?
Just stay away from Chinese made Android Boxes. Linus did a good video covering those here
Here is an alternative Piped link(s): https://piped.video/watch?v=1vpepaQ-VQQ
Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.
I’m open-source, check me out at GitHub.
Yeah that was the main reason I posted here, so I can get some recommendations to avoid the full-on spyware!
As far as I’m aware, the only way to get a private streaming box would be to use a RaspberryPi. You could use Google Chromecast but then you get Google, Nvidia have Nvidia Shield but that costs a lot and I’m not familiar enough with it to know if it has spyware.
With RaspberryPi, all you really need is to just install the Raspbian OS (they have detailed instructions on their website) and you basically have a mini PC with an Internet browser and all that. So you could just do that?
There is also this Chromium DRM compliant browser which supports Hulu, Amazon Prime, Netflix, etc. Which you can install on the Pi for streaming support. Here’s the link
I already have a Chromecast and being able to cast to it from your phone is very convenient, however the unblockable YouTube ads are not. Is it possible to cast from a phone to anything running on a RPi?
If you’re asking for a cheap Android TV box that is private, they do not exist, to my knowledge. Not enough people care I guess.
I’m just using a cheap mini PC and accessing services via the browser.
Here is the actual answer you were looking for: The Dynalink TV Box (4K) for $30.
- Unbeatable price
- One of 3 TV boxes supported by LineageOS for best privacy. Only other ones are the Nvidia Shield devices ($100+) and the Google ADT developer devices (can’t be easily purchased)
- Possible to use without GAPPS or with GAPPS and a root firewall
- Can use VPN or custom DNS despite regular Android TV limitations
- Full DRM/Widevine support for UHD content even with LineageOS flashes
I’ve personally used one for months now for GApps-free, Widevine compatible streaming on Netflix, Prime, Newpipe, etc. I used LOS + Mullvad VPN + AFWall + several Xposed modules to hide root and it all works just fine.
As the other commenter says there doesn’t seem to be anywhere that sells it. Where did you get it from?
Ok so I took a look at XDA forums and I found this thread for TV box devices. Seems like there is an unofficial build of LineageOS for the Google Chromecast with Google TV which should be available worldwide https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/official-unofficial-lineageos-19-1-for-amlogic-g12-sm1-family-devices.4313743/
The Google Chromecast one is really good
As in the “Chromecast with Google TV”? Looks like it’s full customisable (side-loading, custom launcher, etc), is that the case?
That’s the one, I’ve side loaded SmartTube on it for youtube, but haven’t done much else. I would imagine it’s customizable since it’s a google product, and their pixel phones are very good for that too.
