I have been rather unhappy with my smart TV’s functionality as I feel it isn’t smart for me but smart for the manufacturers. I just can’t use it how I want to. I would love to overwrite the existing OS from Android to Linux. I’ve recently converted from Windows and loving Mint.

I haven’t read too much regarding Linux smart tvs as my searches mostly come up with raspberry Pi and overwriting an Android box. I don’t want to connect anything and just want my tv to boot up in Linux when it’s turned on, and get some of my apps going. Is there a way to do this?

For reference I have a Sony Bravia with Android installed on it.

  • MangoCats@feddit.itEnglish
    2·
    3 days ago

    a compatible remote controller.

    I use VNC on my phone… it’s not as “clickable” as a traditional remote, but then I hate that form of TV browsing anyway. That’s one of the strengths of using a real PC: more direct and powerful search capabilities. We have a couple of others setup (Family room, one bedroom) which use touchpad keyboards as remotes.

    • muhyb@programming.dev
      1·
      3 days ago

      I wouldn’t mind touchscreen but apparently there are remotes with keyboard on it and not that expensive (don’t know about the quality though). They supposedly work on any PC related setup. I guess I know now what we’ll get next time.

      • MangoCats@feddit.itEnglish
        1·
        1 day ago

        My kids are occasionally rough on their bedroom “remote” keyboard with touchpad. I got a stack of 4 of them from AliExpress for under $15 including shipping (same thing from Amazon sells for $20 each, still not too bad but why pay extra?) Of course, now that I have the stack of spares, the first one has lasted over a year…

        • muhyb@programming.dev
          1·
          1 day ago

          The one I saw was also ~$15, probably Chinese then. Good price I think.

          Of course, now that I have the stack of spares, the first one has lasted over a year…

          Heh, it seems they were even rougher on the remote. :)

          • MangoCats@feddit.itEnglish
            2·
            1 day ago

            You may have misunderstood - I got all four of the devices for a total cost of $15 including taxes and shipping (I think they were $2.99 each, including USB-C port rechargable batteries.) Direct from China prices aren’t always that good, but for some stuff they become mind-bogglingly cheap.

            • muhyb@programming.dev
              1·
              1 day ago

              Yeah, I misunderstood. $15 for all 4 of them? That’s great. I’m surprised they can make it that cheap.

              • MangoCats@feddit.itEnglish
                1·
                1 day ago

                I don’t know if they’re really making them that cheap or this is some overstock / loss leader situation, but a lot of simple electronics are priced like that.