(I cross posted this on Plex too)
I’m looking to create an easy solution that is child/wife friendly. I’m hoping to get a set up going without internet. I however would like it to run like a Chromecast with plex.
I was thinking of a
Dell Optiplex 3020M Mini PC USFF, running windows 10
An external hard drive with content.
From here is where I have gaps. Could I set up a plex server offline on the device, with plex media player and use an Flirc remote with pre-programmed buttons?
Essentially, I’m trying to create the experience of watching Netflix on a Chromecast but with plex and a pc remote control of some sort (with pre-programmed buttons that load up content so kid and wife only have to press one or two buttons to get to their shows)
Thanks!
You might have better luck with Jellyfin, than Plex. Plex uses online authentication tools, which is used for not just user, but server management. In contrast, Jellyfin can be ran completely locally.
Now one thing to note is that neither solution will properly detect your media files properly. You’d need to manually input file details. Usually these servers would do a quick online search, to detect that your movie is what it is. You could import this data, but you’d need an internet connection to acquire it. If you do not mind all that busy work, then you should be fine.
Now the remote… honestly, no idea. I’m pretty sure Android TV has a button remapper app, which might help… Do modern Chromecasts use Android TV? I haven’t used them since their second generation. Best do some research yourself, or wait for another reply.
Seconded, Jellyfin runs completely offline which I know from the practical test when my internet provider had lots of issues for a few days. Could not access anything online but locally Jellyfin was fine.
If only one device is involved, Kodi is still pretty solid I think.
It would only be one device. I essentially want an all in one solution. Computer+content drive would be the equipment, use remote to watch tv.
I would take the drive home with me and update it periodically with other shows.
All in one pieces of equipment tend to be mediocre, unintuitive, and/or or bad at many things instead of very good at one thing.
Your plan is not currently to get an “all in one” device in any case. It is to have a computer plus a smart remote and try to get them to interact. The smart remote will cost more than just getting a proper android TV dongle with a remote and work worse for your family and take way more time for you to keep working.
Would +1 this, if your after a Chromecast style setup off grid then Kodi is your best bet.
Osmc is an image you could use to have everything setup
To simplify my setup using Google TV, I installed a custom launcher and set that as the default one. This removed the horrible home screen and now I just see Jellyfin when the TV turns on. From there, it’s a Netflix like experience. Also, the TV remote is able to control the volume of the AVR, so it’s a single remote experience. I tried the button remapping route, but abandoned that. The custom launcher is the way to go.
A long time ago I used to use a PC with a remote and Kodi and it was nice, but you’ll still need two remotes to get it all working.
What launcher did you use? I’m about to throw my Google tv in the trash with how slow the home screen is
Flauncher I didn’t care to setup the background so it’s a solid color. Soo basic and perfect. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.efesser.flauncher
Jellyfin on a debian box (more resiliant en no forced updates bs)
Then maybe setup the Arr suite, so they can request any movie on Jellyseerr and it will get downloaded automagically and added to the Jellyfin library
And they just interract with the Jellyfin chromecast player
+1 for Debian. It is much easier to maintain.
The best way (but not the cheapest) to emulate an android TV with Netflix is to buy a Chromecast for the existing TV and then access a service with that Dell Optiplex you were thinking of.
Then you can do this:
Jellyfin on TrueNAS. Super easy to install and administrate and will not break or complain like windows without prolonged internet access. Jellyfin will have 0 problems without internet where Plex will eventually have some authentication issues because they are closed down and proprietary.
Then you would just install the jellyfin app on the Chromecast (or any Android TV box), add a few accounts for whoever wants a seperate watch list, and off you go: Netflix without Netflix.
How you get content is still a hole though. Workflow of ripping Blu-Ray is very different than torrenting. For the latter you will have a harder time without internet, but setting up radarr/sonarr/prowlarr/bazarr is worth it.
Honestly you should buy blurays anyways as its always good practice to own your media.
Never thought about the idea of an remote for a pc. Nice idea! Definitly more free than the usual options like shield, fire tv and so on.
I guess the way you suggested would be really nice :D
I use a Chromecast with Google TV, but any Google TV device would work. Run Plex on my computer and it just works.
Are you in the US? If you are you could pickup a onn TV box. It requires a google account but you can install the Jellyfin app.
