I have a semi-decent Intel NUC that got decommissioned from being a game server, so it’s not really in use.
Do you have any recommendations for a Linux distro or home media OS that I could set it up in the living room to play some emulators, watch Plex off my NAS, maybe some adblocked youtube or spotify, etc?
Pick up and play would be key. A wireless keyboard would be fine but a remote would be ideal
I actually just answered this question on another post in this forum. I’ve been using a KVM to use my living room TV as another screen that I can play games / stream video / generally use my PC which is in my bedroom.
It works great in a max resolution of 4K/60hz and zero latency as far as I can tell on the USB ports for gaming controllers and mouse & keyboard. I use KDE big screen to easily navigate & open programs, emulators, steam, whatever with a controller so I don’t have to try to read tiny 4K text from the couch. I generally find disabling my monitors and enabling my TV works best.
Basically how it works is:
PC (HDMI & USB) -> transmitter -> Ethernet (CAT 6 or better) -> receiver -> TV (HDMI & USB)
The Ethernet wire only connects from the transmitter to the receiver. It does not connect to your network at all.
This is the particular one I got:
Basicolor HDMI KVM USB Extender 4K@60Hz KVM Extender Over Cat5e/Cat6 Up to 60m (196Ft), 4 Ports USB,Lossless or Zero Latency, Plug&Play(Point to Point KVM Extender) https://a.co/d/8Ki2lzw
Other option, if everything is in the same room you could just run some long HDMI or displayport and USB cables.
No, this only really serves one purpose which is utilizing your TV or other distant monitor as another screen for your laptop or desktop.
The Ethernet wire does not connect to the rest of your network. It only goes from the transmitter to the receiver.
What you’re describing is possible however, via some self-hosted services on a server for instance.
Best way to describe it:
PC (HDMI & USB) -> transmitter -> Ethernet -> receiver -> TV (HDMI & USB)
I use the receiver’s USB connections for connecting controllers and wireless mouse & keyboard. I don’t notice any latency whatsoever.
This is the particular one I got:
Basicolor HDMI KVM USB Extender 4K@60Hz KVM Extender Over Cat5e/Cat6 Up to 60m (196Ft), 4 Ports USB,Lossless or Zero Latency, Plug&Play(Point to Point KVM Extender) https://a.co/d/8Ki2lzw
FWIW, I have an old steam link. I can’t remember what video settings I was getting. But I know they weren’t 4K/60hz. I ran one additional cat 6A Ethernet wire to a dedicated KVM from my desktop to my living room OLED TV. I’ve been very impressed by the result. I’ve mostly played a lot of my old favorites on various emulators. It’s been very nice playing through the metal gear solid series in upscaled 4K and avoiding that crap collection that was just released by Konami.
The steam link is cool and I’m glad to see Valve still supporting it all these years later. But the flexibility of a KVM is really nice. I watched a Steelers stream today just using my TV as another monitor basically. And KDE big screen is very nice for navigating things with a controller and not trying to read tiny text in 4K resolution lol
Get wrekt
I post as I still have problems with Wayland on Arch lmao