Anyone using Linux as a HTPC?
Posted by debonairebanana@reddit | linux | View on Reddit | 19 comments
I’m setting up a HTPC, and I was wondering if anyone is using Linux for a HTPC, and if so what distribution? I’ve recently started using Mint, and I was going to use that, but then I’ve read posts where others have used cinnamon. Any help/clarity will be greatly appreciated!
FortuneIIIPick@reddit
Yes, for years now. We use Ubuntu Linux but with KDE Desktop instead of Gnome Desktop and have Snap and Flatpak disabled. We stream everything in Chrome.
For traditional TV, we have an old 2 tuner Tablo DVR which receives free OTA broadcasts in high quality. We mainly use it for The Voice, AGT and DWTS when it was on, also ninja Warriors and occasionally something on PBS.
We have Netflix but watch more movies on YouTube Premium, the free ones and also on Tubi. We used to use Prime but got tired of the new model having to watch Ads. We would ditch Netflix for the same reason but we get it for free on T-Mobile.
We use an Air Mouse we got on Amazon to control the TV in our MBR and in our LR we use the Air Mouse to change audio and a real mouse to control the "HDTV", using it like a remote.
gargravarr2112@reddit
I gave both my parents USFF PCs running Debian/Ubuntu and Kodi, using an external 8TB HDD for media. Both are on my Tailnet and I can push new media to them remotely. Turns out that Debian is better for Kodi than Ubuntu, as Debian provides it packaged while Ubuntu doesn't. My dad has a Gigabyte Brix and my mum has a Dell Wyse 3040. Both have USB remote controls. Super low power when not in use.
markyb73@reddit
I have a self built machine, RAID 1, running Debian Linux, no GUI, docker with Plex, Sab etc running great on it. Was a good learning experience putting it all together with the software.
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ClownInTheMachine@reddit
Mint and Kodi.
sharkeymcsharkface@reddit
I miss windows media center
hampster_toupe@reddit
Been running a PC with Ubuntu as a media server with Plex for probably 15 years.
SuAlfons@reddit
I had HTPC in the Windows XP era.... I wanted DVB-S support for live, timeshift and recording.
Because of software and driver availability for Satellite cards, it was "Mediaportal" on Windows.
Ceased to do it when we had our first TV that could record to a HDD (although limited, it was much more reliable).
fallenguru@reddit
I've been running one since Ubuntu 16.04 was current, mostly an Xbmc (Kodi) session. Nowadays it's up to 20.04, used more for streaming stuff without Chromecast support, that and Steam games. Cyberpunk is nice on a 256 cm wide screen.
Don't see why Mint shouldn't work just as well.
tofu_schmo@reddit
I'd check out r/htpc as well, I am pretty sure they discuss linux there too.
the_j_tizzle@reddit
I have terabytes of movies and TV shows on my openSUSE server running Plex. My smart TV has the Plex app and connects to it flawlessly. It functions like Netflix, Hulu. etc.
m1k3fx@reddit
I have jellyfin running on my Ubuntu server.
quadralien@reddit
I used to have a projector as the third monitor on my desktop and a gyromouse+keyboard and would sit on the sofa and use mplayer in the terminal to play movies. This was on Ubuntu or Mint but these days it would be Debian.
Hrafna55@reddit
Yes. Just Debain 13 with GNOME on an old corporate SFF HP.. The desktop is set to auto-login and then for Firefox to open full screen (requires a GNOME extension).
Firefox opens a bunch of tabs for all my commonly used streaming services. That's it. Very simple.
msanangelo@reddit
I have a pc behind my tv running kubuntu but I don't use it much anymore. all it was for is streaming content from sources my roku couldn't do and maybe a little bit of web browsing. it's a small dell optiplex usff with a 2nd gen i3. it can barely handle a single 1080p stream. lol
sublime_369@reddit
Haven't stuck it in the living room yet but I've set one up using Kubuntu / Jellyfin player.
Mint is a distribution and Cinnamon is the desktop that runs on the flagship edition of Mint. In other words, Mint and Cinnamon are not alternatives.
SpectralUA@reddit
Yes. Debian + Kodi.
slickyeat@reddit
If by HTPC you mean running a media server then yes.
It shouldn't matter which distro you use so long as you stand up docker containers.
shikkonin@reddit
Kodi / OpenELEC have been a thing for quite a while now.