Best TV box for connecting to streaming services? - eviltoast

We currently have Roku’s on our tvs to connect to streaming services and servers but they are infested with advertisements.

Some other comments mentioned Walmart’s $20 ONN 4k boxes, but these are android and I don’t have the time or knowledge/patience to go through the flashing process on one of those; if there is even a working custom ROM.

Basically we just want a functioning (libre) streaming box. The closest I could find was OSMC’s Vero V (just released a few months ago), although it’s a little pricey at $160 usd. Are there any other options out there or does anyone have any experience with the Vero V?

  • nexusband@lemmy.worldEnglish
    41·
    9 months ago

    If you want things to just work: Chromecast with Android TV, plus PiHole or Adguard to pull out of all the telemetry and advertising (except maybe Amazon Prime’s new stuff).

    Also, Google at least gives you the possibility to pull out of the personalized stuff and doesn’t work much with 3rd party advertiser’s. And those they work with are being taken care of with PiHole and Adguard.

    • JustEnoughDucks@feddit.nlEnglish
      2·
      9 months ago

      I have that setup. The entire front page of Chromecast is baked-in advertising with a small row of your apps and pihole with a good list still doesn’t get rid of them, sadly.

      Chromecast is built for and of ads. That being said, it definitely does “just work”. Jellyfin + Chromecast is a great streaming experience. I don’t have to deal with skipping and stuttering like on the android app.