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.
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.