I'm new to Linux and am planning to switch soon. I recently moved and would like to buy a television, but genuinely "dumb" TVs are difficult to find. I'm concerned about built-in tracking and companies collecting data about what I watch.
Would it be practical to hack a modern smart TV and install a Linux distribution on it instead? Ideally, I'd like to browse the web, create shortcuts to sites on the home screen, and play older video games. I'm not looking for anything especially advanced, so I'm open to beginner-friendly alternatives if replacing the TV's operating system isn't realistic.
4 Answers
A large monitor or TV used purely as a screen is probably the best route. Connect a small Linux computer—such as a mini PC or similar device—and use that for browsing, shortcuts, media, and older games. This also gives you much more control over updates, software, and privacy than trying to modify the TV itself.
Replacing the operating system on most smart TVs usually isn’t practical. The hardware and boot process are often locked down, and compatible Linux support is uncommon. The simplest privacy-friendly option is to leave the TV disconnected from the internet and use it only as a display.
You can keep the television offline and attach a separate computer or media box for everything online. A small Linux machine can be controlled with a wireless keyboard and mouse, or with a compact air-mouse remote such as a mini keyboard remote. That way the TV manufacturer doesn’t get network access, while the computer handles the features you actually want.
If you want a TV-style interface rather than a regular desktop, Linux projects with big-screen interfaces are available, including media-center systems and desktop environments with TV-friendly modes. They can work well for local media and retro gaming, though ordinary web browsing may still be easier with a lightweight desktop and a wireless keyboard.
That sounds like a much more manageable solution than modifying the TV itself. I was wondering whether people normally use a keyboard and mouse or some kind of remote to control the computer.