this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2024
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Linux

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Mint media centre (self.linux)
submitted 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago) by Bloodyhog to c/linux
7 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Hello world! I am seriously new to the world of linux (fleeing from windows after all the shit they are doing now), so please forgive my ignorance.

I have an old ThinkPad with Mint on it - installing it was about as far as I could get without training wheels. I'd like to use it as a media station with TV as a main screen. Where should I go to do so?

I need to operate it with an airmouse or wireless keyboard if i really have to, and my wife should be able to as well.

Some further requirements:

  • it should support a few subs we have, like Amazon, Netflix, Disney+ and maybe more in the future (I'd rather have less, but the family WANTS IT ALL!!!);

  • ideally it should switch on with that airmouse and load directly into that media shell without OS being visible.

  • the next step would be to have it access media on my old NAS and show it as a separate source. I think this should be easy enough, if the above works.

Ok, now shout at me with all your wisdom and tell me this is the wrong community to ask and I should google it all! ;)

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Take a look at Kodi, this may be exactly what you're looking for

[–] Bloodyhog 2 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

Thanks, will take a look!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 hours ago

Its also got a companion remote app for mobile devices so you may not need the air mouse

[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

You could use this as the DE https://plasma-bigscreen.org/get/ https://packages.debian.org/stable/kde/plasma-bigscreen

Chromium has the ability to install webpages as apps.

A plymouth screen can be used to cover the scary boot messages https://askubuntu.com/questions/2007/how-do-i-change-the-plymouth-bootscreen

[–] Bloodyhog 0 points 4 hours ago

Seems like a list for bed time reading ) Thanks!

[–] jesta 4 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Only problem I see with this, is that at least Netflix limits you to 720p when using linux. I imagine Amazon and Disney might also have similar DRM related restrictions. Other than that, everything on your list should be doable.

[–] Bloodyhog 1 points 4 hours ago

That could be an issue, though given that the TV the system uses is almost as old as the laptop and is 1080p, that becomes less prominent)