I have been rather unhappy with my smart TV’s functionality as I feel it isn’t smart for me but smart for the manufacturers. I just can’t use it how I want to. I would love to overwrite the existing OS from Android to Linux. I’ve recently converted from Windows and loving Mint.

I haven’t read too much regarding Linux smart tvs as my searches mostly come up with raspberry Pi and overwriting an Android box. I don’t want to connect anything and just want my tv to boot up in Linux when it’s turned on, and get some of my apps going. Is there a way to do this?

For reference I have a Sony Bravia with Android installed on it.

    • EarlGrey@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
      3·
      15 hours ago

      It was abandoned for awhile but a few months back someone has taken up working on it and made a bunch of headway. Looks significantly better than the screenshots on that website.

      That said, I think the UI of choice for Linux machines is going to be Steam Big Picture Mode. I’ve been using it as my SmartTV for awhile now and I really can’t think of anything else I’d want. The excellent controller support just makes it untouchable.

      • CeeBee_Eh@lemmy.world
        1·
        13 hours ago

        How did you get it running? I’ve tried compiling it on a fresh Arch and fresh Ubuntu 22.04 install and the compiler breaks halfway through.

        I only spent about 10 or so minutes each time trying to fix it and moved on.

        • timbuck2themoon@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          3·
          12 hours ago

          I just use bazzite. Baked in, super easy.

          Agree with op- I’ve never used it but man, big picture mode is just amazing. Simple to use and does everything I need.

    • metaphortune@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      1 day ago

      The fact that they mention Mycroft AI (which stopped being properly developed over 2 years ago) on their homepage is a little worrying 😬 They do mention the situation in their FAQs, though.