We currently have Roku’s on our tvs to connect to streaming services and servers but they are infested with advertisements.
Some other comments mentioned Walmart’s $20 ONN 4k boxes, but these are android and I don’t have the time or knowledge/patience to go through the flashing process on one of those; if there is even a working custom ROM.
Basically we just want a functioning (libre) streaming box. The closest I could find was OSMC’s Vero V (just released a few months ago), although it’s a little pricey at $160 usd. Are there any other options out there or does anyone have any experience with the Vero V?
The best thing I can think of is my raspi with libreelec. Youtube and Twitch work but its still young. Lots of work to put in for privacy and freedom. Its far better than my newer appletv (legacy) and since my old appletv (1st gen) was declared obsolete by apple, it could not play anything anymore.
Honestly, I would definitely start using SBCs (raspi, bananapi, rock64) and learn to make plugins since they have an awesome api already completely done so you barely need to program. Its far better than running custom janky roms on proprietary shit hardware and probably the same amount of work.
I have a roku, and I gotta ask… what ads? I think they run one on the side at the menu screen but I never even notice it. Because the only time i am on that screen is to get to a channelm
Then when something isn’t playing it just goes to the aquarium screen saver.
What are you doing that had so many ads?
If you want to talk about how chatty the damn things are with their servers, yes that is an issue.
If you have a smart TV you can use stremio, don’t even need a box.
You did not say what kind of streaming services.
For anything self-hosted or torrents/debrid, just get a Raspberry Pi with LibreELEC.
If you use Netflix and the likes, you will likely want something officially supported. My partner likes Netflix for some reason and after years of using the unofficial addon by CastaginaIT, I gave up and got her a Firestick this winter (having set up a separate VLAN for it and ripped out the microphone, of course).
The unofficial Kodi addon is an amazing piece of reverse engineering work, but it’s not really great that you have to log in using your computer every month or two, and occasionally download a 2GB binary, before you can watch a movie on Netflix half-asleep.
I know it’s not a popular option around here and expensive but I absolutely love my Apple TV.
Besides the set up plug for Apple TV+ I never get any ads from the OS outside of the specific apps. Yeah, you go into Amazon or something you get their ads all over but not sure you can do anything about that. Even without a pinhole it’s a much better experience compared to my TV (when I allowed it online) or a friend’s Roku with piholes.
Overall though it’s an unobtrusive OS, has apps that are updated well, supports high quality output (4K/atmos etc.). You just have to pay up front for it, but of all the Apple stuff it’s the best bang for the buck. I love to tinker with my tech but for TV, me (and especially) the family need something that just works nicely without needing to fiddle with it.
I’ve been wondering about that, since my Firestick became so shitty that I actually prefer streaming apps on my TV. Most of my devices are already on Apple, so how about this one?
- I like fewer ads
- if it’s like the Apple TV app, there’s too much pressure to buy stuff I’m never going to buy.
So, on the home screen, can you tell which Videos are to purchase without clicking into them? Are things you subscribe to easily distinguishable from god forsaken ad infested ones?
It is basically like a basic iOS device so the apps are separated and by each developer. You can rearrange the Home Screen and do folders in the same way. The App Store is similar and just has the tv specific apps.
The Apple TV app is exactly the same as the app on other Apple devices, but you don’t have to use it. (You may have to change a setting so the home button goes home and not the tv app but I forget)
The third party apps are pretty much like using Netflix/youtube/whatever on an iPad. So if you hate them they’re you’ll not like this.
If you can try one I’d give it a shot.
Also: some people don’t like the remotes (especially the older one), but I really like it. It’s nice that it charges with usb and I only charge it like one a year.
