Is there a linux distro (or just a DE) that can be used like a Smart TV
I don't want to use Osmc or LibreELEC. What I'm going for is something like Android TV (tried using LineageOS but that didn't work out for me).
I was interested in something like Plasma Bigscreen but most of the tutorial is about 4 years old and point to using an old image.
I installed the Debian package. After that, I logged in and set Automatic login, and switch the session to Plasma Bigscreen (x11). After applying and a reboot, it launched Plasma Bigscreen but some widgets (like the audio, KDE Connect) froze when clicking on them.
What do you recommend? I prefer to use a Raspberry Pi.
I run an HTPC that works fully with my AirMouse Remote I bought for it for ~$15USD. It uses Flex Launcher running on Debian.
Basically, I use it for Plex, some Netflix, retrogaming, and Steam.
I was in a similar boat to you were I looked at Plasma Big Screen, LibreElec, etc. Plasma BigScreen was too buggy or unmaintained. LibreElec is great if you want to play local stuff, but terrible for streaming things like Netflix. In the end I said "screw it. I'll make my own". Now it's the center of my living room.
If you look at the repo, the very first line in the readme links to an issue that briefly explains why you should care.
Unmaintained software comes in two categories:
The software is done. It does exactly what it was meant to do and it was written in a language and in such a way as to be pretty future proof. Examples are some basic code libraries or command line utilities.
The software had to be updated all the time to keep up with changing environments and security problems, so the dev got sick of it and dropped it. Or a better solution came along so the developer felt free to finally drop the burden.
Nativefier falls in the second category and the second clause. Don't use it.
Do you get high def Netflix? I’ve read in multiple places that Netflix limits streams to 720p in web browsers, which has always stopped me from straying from my chromecast. Not sure if that’s what I’m seeing in your photo, though. (basically I have the same question as OP)
No DRM for desktop Linux supports 4k Netflix. IIRC Netflix doesn't even support 4k on Windows for anything except Edge, at least that was the case for many years.
According to Netflix documentation, they only support 720p on Linux, regardless of the browser.
Chrome officially supports 1080p on Windows and macOS, while 4k is only available through Edge on Windows and Safari on macOS.
In the past I've used a Firefox plugin to enable 1080p playback on Linux, but the bitrate was lower than the 1080p bitrate on Windows (with Edge, iirc).
Aside from Edge, the Netflix app will also work. Basically, Netflix doesn't send you a 4k stream without PlayReady or an equivalent level of DRM, which native apps typically also will (though your experience may vary on Android if you buy cheap Chinese phones).
There are addons that will get you 1080p on Linux instead of the 720p that you get by default. They break every now and then, but at least full HD is possible without too much effort.
Same boat here. RaspberryPi running LibreElec, which is okay but can be unstable and lacks power. Been looking at an AMD 4x4 pc to boost performance and run some form of full Linux distro.
May I ask: did you write the config on your own and did you create the neccessary icons? Or is there a sample config somewhere, with some icons as well (jellyfin, youtube etc would be nice).