I’d like to switch from a smart TV to an HTPC, but trying to navigate a standard desktop enviroment regularly with no desk is a royal pain. Is it realistically possible to set up an HTPC that won’t require this for regular use? I expect it’d have to be controlled with a game controller, given that there is probably better (or the same) support compared to using a remote, but thats just a guess.
In particular, I’d like to be able to use a few of the larger streaming services, my own video files, and YouTube. Are there apps with controller (or remote) support for these? I’d also like to be able to browse the web when needed, or better yet, be able to cast to the TV from a phone.
For reference of my own skill level, I’m not tech illiterate by any means, I’ve worked in low-level IT jobs, but when people start talking about recompiling software or that, I tend to start getting lost.
Edit: After extensive testing, it isn’t viable. Almost nothing has support for non-mouse control, so I’ll have to just get a Roku or something.
I just use an Nvidia Shield Pro. Runs all the streaming stuff, plus Jellyfin client. Use Jellyfin server on the PC.
You can still stream games and the desktop to it (sunshine on pc and moonlight on the shield), but they’ll need mouse keyboard controller etc to be useful.
Mythtv, Kodi… there are GUI’s designed for this task.
I am using Kodi on an Androidtv box as a frontend, and a bluetooth mini keyboard/remote. Most times it is just start/stop/pause/ffwd, and sometimes text input - every two weeks or so.
I use one of those $20 keypad controller things. Works really nice. Its wireless. You can tuck it away somewhere and you get full keyboard and mouse functions on a small controller.
Yes, the keyboard wont require regular use but you should still have one. You can use a frontend like I do, but there will always be little quirks or issues with updates so youll have to keep a mouse and keyboard handy, but you dont need to have it always visible or to use for the system, just for correcting problems.
I set up an HTPC for emulation and gaming. LaunchBox is my frontend of choice. Set up the PC to autoreboot every day at 3am. It only occasionally has an issue where LaunchBox crashes and needs to be manually restarted or something needs an update.
I like to keep one of these tucked away: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/logitech-k400-plus-tkl-wireless-membrane-keyboard-for-pc-tv-laptop-tablet-with-built-in-touchpad-black/7575039.p
It is great for video games. Other content can work with it but that would be more finnicky. I have successfully got movies and downloaded TV shows to appear in it but you have to set them up like emulated games. The neat part is for older content, you can actually load it up in Retroarch and gain access to Retroarch’s screen shaders like the CRT shaders, which can add a nice touch to older 4:3 content.
Do you know if it works anything like the Steam Deck’s game mode? For example, could I potentially add shortcuts for Chrome with specific launch options, or maybe even Kodi? I tinkered with setting up shortcuts for non-Steam items on my SteamDeck and had a some success before, so if its similar, that would probably work well.q
I use Kodi, and then install Kore as the remote.
Plus Xmouse as a second remote.
This enables HTPC usage from a phone.
If you have any experience with using Kodi with streaming services? I’m seeing a lot of recommendations for it, but testing it out, I didn’t really see a good way to integrate it with things like Netflix or YouTube - not even a good way to launch the Windows apps for them.
