A huge plus is that even though I’ve blocked all the junk with the firewall, every app still works. On Android, they all just stop working immediately.
I also think a small form factor (mini PC) with Linux OS is the best option. Freedom of apps, browsers; larger storage options, easy firewall and ad blocking options etc.
This is what I use and find it convenient. I also bought a bluetooth TV-Remote-like controller to use with it.
Took a long time to research and review differences between amazon stick, android boxes and decided on an old mini PC and have no desire to change.
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You won’t find anything better than the Apple TV remote and tvOS user experience.
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Likely true for most, at least for a use case that only involves streaming. But even then you do give up some things. I don’t believe there’s a good way to watch YouTube without ads on the Apple TV unless you subscribe to YouTube Premium, which is definitively less private than an option like FreeTube. And while Apple is pretty good with long term software support, in my experience things tend to get buggier and slower over time as their engineers focus their time on newer devices, whereas linux devices will generally only get better. “User experience” is not black and white.
And from a privacy perspective, no Apple OS can compete with linux.
I currently use a mini pc with bazzite installed and I’m quite happy with it.
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I’m not arguing against it. However, I don’t personally use YouTube, and I subscribe to practically all the streaming services, even though I’m well aware that it doesn’t make much sense.
Nevertheless, below is an image from the last 6 hours showing NextDNS and HaGeZi Multi Pro. Pretty good results.
I use the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro. As far as UX & UI is concerned it is, IMO, the best TV Box by far. As far as privacy is concerned it’s Android TV so make of that what you will. That being said, the Shield TV Pro is supposed to be a premium TV Box, and should have far less if any bloatware from Google.
However, a couple of years ago, a lot of users were angry because Google/NVIDIA introduced ads in the menu, and many people thought the reason you pay a premium for NVIDIA is to not get that.
I use a VPN 24/7 on my box, but obviously that is not enough for privacy. I really wish we had a private TV Box and one with great UI & UX, but I feel like we’re gonna have to wait a long time for that.
There are still a lot of products and services that don’t have a good private version.
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Thanks. I will be ignoring that table above.
The Nvidia Shield TV Pro is still recommended after re-reviewing this:
and a couple of videos:
https://invidious.nerdvpn.de/watch?v=BmyLXhPvj2c
https://invidious.nerdvpn.de/watch?v=rV-uwDQkdvs
However, my goal is to de-Google. The projector device I bought already have the features the Nvidia Shield TV Pro provides and comes with Google TV instead of Android TV. I was thinking of buying the Nvidia Shield TV Pro to avoid logging in to a Google account (or any account).
Is this doable with the Nvidia Shield? Do you need an account?
I also saw that side-loading app would eventually be blocked in 2027:
Considering the Shield is 6 years old and that I might only be able to use it for 2 years, I’m thinking of just connecting to Google TV for now with the intention to switch to a HTPC when I have time to understand how it works.
Unless there is an easy plug and play device that is not based on Android TV, but is as good? I’m pretty sure the answer is no, but just in case.
Thoughts?
I had no idea Mozilla recommended the NVIDIA Shield. Originally, I wanted the Apple TV, which seemed better for privacy, and also has a great UI & UX for navigating their menu. However, the Apple TV has one major flaw for me. It doesn’t have a USB port to read content from an external hard drive or USB key. That’s why I went with the Shield, which IMO, is the only good Android TV Box from a UI & UX standpoint.
Another advantage that I discovered later is that, like any Android TV box with USB ports, the NVIDIA allows you to install modded apps. I have one for YouTube that block ads. Moreover, the USB port allows me to install official apps from other countries. With Apple being so locked, you can only download apps that are available in your country’s app store. With Android TV, there are loopholes you can exploit, like using a VPN or your USB port.
It should be possible. I have no idea if there are alternative app stores specifically for Android TV. My guess is there aren’t, but you should research it to be sure. I really hope all alternative app stores like Aurora create a version for Android TV because unless you’re using modded apps, you’ll probably need a Google account for updates.
As you might have guessed, I do have a Google account linked to my TV Box, but it was created specifically for that purpose. It’s not my personal Google account. I don’t use it for anything else.
God, I forgot about this. I really hope we find a way around this because I sideload modded apps and official apps that are exclusive to certain countries.
IMO, the fact that the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro hasn’t been updated in so long speaks to its quality, but I hope they release an upgrade and that they continue to include 2 USB ports.
You’re probably right to wait.
Have you considered getting the regular NVIDIA Shield (not the Pro)?
Unfortunately, I don’t know any. 
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I might actually just take that route.
Thanks for your reply!
I haven’t considered the regular Nvidia Shield, but I figure if I went the Nvidia Shield route, might as well get the Pro.
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That’s what I’m doing, with regular keyboard and mouse. I was thinking of buying one of those mini keyboards with trackpad, but then I realized KDE connect is good enough 
And bonus is - I use the same PC for games as well (older/indie, as IGP is not that good), with a gamepad.
To be honest, none of those smart TV remotes and UI is good for me, Apple included. I hate that type of menus and navigation, it’s slow and anoying. But my TV is used for (internet) radio and YT for 95% of time
I can’t really argue with that, since I only listen to music from my computer, and I can imagine that it’s more convenient to use YouTube on a PC, even though I don’t use it myself.
Bought so-called smartTV, degoogled it and asses from G can literally fuck themselves: not getting even tiny bit of my data.
It seems I can’t create a “fake” google account without a phone number.
@PurpleDime I’m presuming you used something like smspool.net ?
I am currently in the process of using Waydroid on Ubuntu to be installed on a mini pc, to boot up straight into Waydroid and use that for watching, That way, i can have full control 
Anyone tried this? I dont think there will be an issue with HD content, but not sure how it would handle 4K video tbh
Why don’t you just use Ubuntu as it is? Make webapp shortcuts for services you need and that’s it. Or use Kodi or Stremio if you want more smarttv like interface
I did not know about services like SMSPool when I created the Google account for my Android TV box. From what I remember, I used a real phone number from a country that doesn’t require ID to buy or register a prepaid SIM card. I just happen to be in that country at that moment. After I created the account, I immediately enabled 2FA via authentication app, so I wouldn’t need the number anymore.
If you are in a country where ID registration is not required for repaid SIM cards, I recommend you try that first. If you live in a country that requires ID, then yes, I recommend SMSPool or another service like it like JMP Chat.
That being said, if you do use those services, I highly recommend that you:
- Keep the number for at least a month.
- Enable 2FA via authentication app right after you created your account.
- Keep logging into that account multiple times a week for at least a month.
I described my experienced with SMS Pool here.
Don’t make the same mistakes I made.
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Sigh.
Back to square one lol! Logically, if I’d want to use JMP Chat or smspool, I’d have to learn how Monero works. I’d also have to pay for a semi longterm temp phone number. And I’m always at risk that if I give up on that number, say after 3-4 months, Google asks me about it 6 months later. I would then lose both this fake account and the $ invested 4 months into smspool.
I guess I’ll go with the easy solution and buy a Nvidia Shield Pro. Then, I’ll eventually switch to a mini-pc. However that works 
I can recommend the ‘Lossless Scaling’ app, that is available on Steam, for doing some of the video processing that would otherwise be handled by the smart tv for streaming low quality content, which is almost all streaming platforms when you look at fps. I am not sure if you can get it without Steam though.
I do need to play 4K videos, would a mini-PC work for this?
How does a mini-PC work exactly? Is it just the form factor that changes?
Does a HTPC = mini-PC?
There seem to be a lot of people going with that solution.
Yes, as long as the mini PC supports that resolution out (it would be hard to find a modern one that doesn’t) but most streaming services make it difficult or impossible to play 4K or even 1080p video from their streaming services on linux due to DRM and other issues. I primarily use Jellyfin so this isn’t an issue for me.
Not sure exactly what you mean. I just use a minisforum mini PC with Bazzite GNOME installed, along with a wireless USB remote to control it from the couch.
HTPC (home theater PC) is a general term for a PC you use with your home theater/TV setup. It can be any computer. It could be the upcoming Steam machine or a mini PC or a custom built gaming rig or something else.
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