I have a 4K 120Hz TV that I have blocked from internet access on my router (because it is spyware with no way to turn off the built in microphone) and I have a desktop that supports 4K but I don’t want to run my desktop into the ground streaming on it all the time.
I’d like one that isn’t American I guess if that really matters (seems like it kind of does) but I noticed options are limited unless you want to spend $600 on a mini PC which I don’t.
I’d like to spend like $200 max if possible for this if possible.
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You have 3 options:
Android TV/Google: bad for privacy, some devices can be customized for slightly more with tweaks, ADB, etc
Apple TV: pretty private compared to Google, no ads out of the box on Home Screen, nice hardware that lasts awhile.
Wilderness of roll your own on a mini-PC, raspberry pi, etc: no ads, private. But pain in the ass, no 4k, no full HD (720p max), no HDR, no atmos sound because not locked down with DRM for streaming services so not approved. Choose this only if most of your content is self provided Blu-ray’s or yo ho type stuff and/or YouTube. Otherwise miserable experience.
As far as 1) goes there are some better options like Dune-HD (make sure to get a Netflix certified model so you get 4k support from streaming services), and some customization via changing launchers and such for more privacy.
However only options 2 and 3 are really more private IMO and “fixes” for Android TV devices mostly are in the form of blocking ads and allowing side loading of say a custom version of YouTube with ad blocking so don’t and can’t address the under the hood spying Google is more aggressive about.
As to getting away from American. Good luck, both major platforms are American companies. Only other option is Chinese fork of Android and it’s no good for western streaming or use outside China. Otherwise roll your own but also provide your own content and that gets you away from them. A mini-pc is great for that with an air mouse but it’s not the same finely polished experience though can be decent with a little work.
Buy an N100 mini pc from aliexpress and install Stamos on it. SteamOS has a great TV UI, and I figure there are some good app options for kodi/jellyfin/youtube/web browsing on Linux. SteamOS is also bringing support for waydroid Android emulation, which would let you run Android TV apps like SmartTube and Jellyfin without Google Spyware.
Use Kodi to pirate shows and movies. TroyPoint has lots of good articles on how to set it up. Use RealDebrid and the Umbrella addon.
A 2GB RPi5 works great, install LibreElec (Kodi OS that’s FOSS), put it in a Flirc passive case (they also have a Kodi variant that they then donate some proceeds towards), and hook up a small wireless USB keyboard.
Didn’t the pi5 remove some hardware decoders?
I’m unaware of that. It works fantastic for streaming up to 4K and it will play HDR, Atmos, etc. LibreElec it also supports CeC.
I’ve recently bought a Vero V and it’s been playing anything I’ve thrown at it without any issues. That includes 4K, HDR10 and AVI videos.
This is the best media player I’ve had over the decades.
I’ve had a Nvidia Shield before. I was just not happy with the advertising platform it really was. Which is why I upgraded to the Vero V.
I think it’s worth mentioning to OP that Vero is based on Kodi, and streaming platform support there is innofficial on a best-effort basis.
Which, for Netflix, meant I had to log in again every few weeks, the login process involved doing it on a computer and transferring files, then there was a recurring 2GB download of Widevine to be able to play content, and then it sometimes worked.
It’s a problem created by streaming platforms and they should be blamed for that situation, but maybe it’s worth mentioning that in a thread where someone is asking for a streaming box.
Does it have voice to text ?
I went the same path and I second the Vero V, very nice little machine! It can also do Dolby Vision, which is why I chose this one.
Agreed the Nvidia shield in its later updates to the OS really went heavy on the ads.
One way around this is with a OS downgrade and sticking with OS version 8.2.3 and not upgrading the home launcher, or replacing it with another launcher internally.
These were the steps I followed to downgrade all my Nvidia shield around the house.
https://florisse.nl/shield-downgrade/
Definitely on the lookout for a new media box though and the one you mentioned caught my eye as well.
Keep your tv disconnected from the internet completely like you did, and get a dedicated android box like the nvidia sheild for example. You can pick these up second hand for cheap.
Then uninstall any apps you do not require from the Sheild and you should be okay.
Now if you hold your own 4K media collection on a NAS you can install something like Plex and/or Jellyfin and keep your Nvidia Sheild completely offline only to access your local content. Though this really depends on your desired threat level or privacy level.
maybe an android phone with usb-c to hdmi? would be very easy to use for non techie family members too.
If you don’t require DRM maybe a Raspberry Pi and https://konstakang.com/.
I went with an onn4k not logged into a google account because I got one that was patched to keep you from replacing the os with lineage but if you get the right version you can change it to lineage and put the apks for any services you want onto it
I like cloudstream personally and jellyfin is also pretty good
I used kde connect to load the apps onto it by downloading f-droid and loading apk files that way