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?
The best thing I can think of is my raspi with libreelec. Youtube and Twitch work but its still young. Lots of work to put in for privacy and freedom. Its far better than my newer appletv (legacy) and since my old appletv (1st gen) was declared obsolete by apple, it could not play anything anymore.
Honestly, I would definitely start using SBCs (raspi, bananapi, rock64) and learn to make plugins since they have an awesome api already completely done so you barely need to program. Its far better than running custom janky roms on proprietary shit hardware and probably the same amount of work.