I have a raspberry pi 4 hooked up to a projector with Kodi. Replaced my Chinese android tv box, which is reportedly stuffed full of spyware these days. It was an easy setup once I had an SD card writer.
Sideloading is installing an app through means other than the official storefront provided by an OS. Android has always let you do that, and Android TV is no exception.
As for the ad-free YT experience? Look up SmartTubeNext.
I’m a fan of Android TV / Google TV. The Android TV we bought didn’t have enough memory and had problems catching up but we stuck with the brand and bought a Chromecast with Google TV. It was a good decision.
I recommend replacing the default launcher. Google has packed so many fucking ads into their paid-for devices that it blows the mind to see. A good replacement launcher removes all that junk and the device runs faster too as a result. I did it on my nvidia shield pro (runs Android TV) and a google tv/chromecast I have too. Made the shield basically flawless and the best entertainment experience and the google tv it made much more useable.
The launcher I’ve been using is called “projectivy launcher” for the google tv. There’s a giant post over on XDA with specifics if interested. It’s made my google tv much better and I’d recommend the small asspain to try it. (I’m not affiliated with the launcher team or anything I just like it a lot)
Idk Hisense recently updated their TVs and it’s been fucking with my Shields pretty bad. Going to try downgrading to the oldest, dumbest OS the TV will allow and keeping it disconnected from the internet. Still love the Shield
I came here to say “none of them” because they all suck gigantic balls and I just use a NUC instead. I also just use unified remote on my phone to control it with a track pad keyboard as a back up.
Another thing that seems overlooked is that these smart tvs spy on your activities very much. Try installing pihole and you will see your TV chatting constantly and calling home.
Anything that can load videos from my NAS. Preferably with software like Kodi. Streaming services come and go but my media library has been growing for years.
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