Until the browsers I use axe ad-blocking, it's as simple as a HDMI cable and watching through PC tunneled to TV.
I've given stream sticks an honest try, but they're all abysmal. It feels like I'm caged in an advertisement ecosystem.
this post was submitted on 17 Jun 2026
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Pretty soon I think I'm going to try using a Raspberry Pi as a streaming box. As long as it can play 4K content from Jellyfin and Youtube then it'll work great
For real, a long HDMI cord from my PC to my TV with a wireless keyboard & mouse is the peak couch setup. I love it.
It feels like I’m caged in an advertisement ecosystem.
It is a caged advertisement ecosystem
currently looking at using older laptop motherboards to build a Linux based streamer box. be it native Linux or ASOP, I'm getting the fuck out of this bullshit.
What do we do with existing TVs that have the Roku OS? I imagine alternative FW isn't an easy option since so many different HW brands use Roku
As reddig33 mentioned, reset the TV and don't connect it to the internet. Buy a Google TV or Apple TV device of some kind, set the TV to that HDMI channel and use it instead of what's built-in.
Some recommended options for Google TV devices:
- Best:
- Nvidia Shield TV Pro
- Google/Android Ecosystem
- Although released in 2019, this is still the king and top option to get
- Nvidia Shield TV Pro
- Better:
- Google TV Streamer (4K)
- Google/Android Ecosystem
- Walmart onn 4K Pro Streaming Device, Google TV with Gemini (NEW 2026 Model)
- Google/Android Ecosystem
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus (newest model)
- Amazon Fire Ecosystem
- Apple TV 4K
- Apple Ecosystem
- Google TV Streamer (4K)
- Good:
- Walmart onn 4K Streaming Device, Google TV with Gemini (NEW 2026 Model)
- Google/Android Ecosystem
- Walmart onn 4K Streaming Device, Google TV with Gemini (NEW 2026 Model)
- Bare Minimum:
- Amazon Fire TV Stick HD (newest model)
- Amazon Fire Ecosystem
- onn 4K Streaming Device
- Google/Android Ecosystem
- Amazon Fire TV Stick HD (newest model)
Hope this helps.
I can vouch for the quality of the Shield TV Pro, except they did put some ads on the home screen in the past couple years when they had their first big update in a long time if not ever. It does come with a steeper price tag, but for me it was worth it.
Projectivvy Launcher is your new best friend.
I'll have to give this a try. Honestly, I watch 90% of my media on my computer these days, but I do get to the TV occasionally, and my wife uses it. This looks nice and clean.
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I want to know what I can do with an existing Roku Ultra box I have. I've been using it in my office lounge ever since I was gifted it by a recruiter, but only have experience hacking Fire TV devices.
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I haven't watched network or cable TV in years, so Stremio (properly "Arrr-ified") is all I need. Works on Android, Win, Apple...
Music? Any media player, though Bluetooth, to my Bluetooth receiver connected to my awesome 80's Kenwood receiver, and I'm set. Music through the TV is a non starter for me. Discrete components, and good speakers. I don't want my music processed 4 times before I hear it.