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.
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.
Am I missing something? Kodi doesn’t seem to have any support for any streaming services, nor any good way to launch the relevant apps from the home screen?
If you can get a UI set up, like Kodi or something, I liked using my Flirc receiver on my htpc. You can use any IR remote, and completely map the buttons to functions. It was sweet.
If you have experience with Kodi, how did you use it with streaming services (if you did)? 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.
Honestly, I haven’t used Kodi in a lot of years. There are add-ons for things like Netflix and YouTube, and I vaguely recall using those.
I found this, for example: https://howtomediacenter.com/en/install-netflix-kodi-addon/
As best as I can tell, the addon recommended there has been discontinued as a result of having to fight Netflix’s DRM. Most recent posts report frequent issues with it. I was looking at other services, and unfortunately it seems the same or worse. I might try launchbox as another user suggested, and just use it to launch Windows apps, but I haven’t tested it yet.
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
I have the same one. Works well for what I need it for.
Thanks for the recommendation. Ill look into Launchbox more.
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
It is similar to Steam Big Picture Mode, yeah. Its got a special mode called BigBox mode, its designed to mimic console UIs. There are a lot of community made themes that change up how it looks.
You could probably use something like autohotkey or some gamepad mapper to link Chrome into LaunchBox. I have never tried it, but you can technically add any executable with a field for launch arguments.
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.
I also use an air mouse with keyboard Like this
I run a linux HTPC that runs Kodi so once it’s configured, you can just use the arrow buttons to navigate, not just the air mouse.
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.
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.
I’m pretty sure those are possible. YT only works with a user logged in IIRC.
I use it mainly for local files, or for our local-channel’s ‘catchup’ streaming service.
Get an air mouse remote. Theyre like 20 bucks on amazon and you just point the remote at the screen to control the mouse cursor. Mine also has media controls on one side and a full keyboard on the other, and only one set of buttons works at a tim3 based on which side is pointing up so you dont have accidental button presses. It makes it way more functional if you want to do even casual web browsing and the media controls are great for htpc apps. You can also use in browser streaming services this way too though. Honestly one of my favourite peripheral devices that ive ever bought, and super cheap and works way better than i wouldve thought for the price.
I’d just run a web server on it and operate it from a phone.
As in just purely screen mirror from a phone?
No I was thinking more like a web front end for command line media player programs, mplayer or whatever. There must be such scripts available.
Gamepad support for kodi is pretty sweet, if you got any of those to spare.
You could try finding a steam controller with the big touchpad circles. Using the keyboard with it isn’t great but doable
