this post was submitted on 04 May 2026
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[–] mabeledo@lemmy.world 2 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

Most people don’t have a PC laying around, just so it can be hooked to a TV.

Even more true, most people don’t know how to do what you just described.

[–] jaybone@lemmy.zip 1 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago) (1 children)

Also some people don’t want a keyboard and mouse sitting on their coffee table. They want a remote control they can use from the couch.

Though it does surprise me such a solution doesn’t already exist. I was looking at something similar using an rpi, but u couldn’t seem to find anything with a remote.

Edit: I see all these people making open source mice for 3D printers. Someone should make a very generic open source remote, and whatever receiver (probably usb, which would plug into an rpi nicely) and then not sure what you would need to do to modify emby/jellyfin clients.

[–] masterofn001@lemmy.ca 1 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago) (1 children)

Phones...uh, can be used as keyboards.

And remotes. And as a touchpad.

I use kde connect on my phone for my 3 10+ year old linux pcs that others would have thrown away. And to control 7 devices in total. Imagine trying to do that with a remote.

It's literally as simple as install app on phone and devices and pair.

Done.

You can get a good enough pc on amazon or walmart or a local garage sale for like 100$

You're just capitulating.

There is always another way.

[–] jaybone@lemmy.zip 1 points 4 hours ago

lol no I legit just want a classic tv style remote.

I’m aware that a phone can be used as a keyboard. Or whatever app. I could write an app that just has channel up/down volume up/down, number buttons etc. still wouldn’t be the same as a remote. Different tactile feel. Phone goes to sleep, or I’m using a different app. Or I have to use an old phone as a dedicated app. Which will need a charge more frequently than a remote would need AAA batteries. And whatever media client I’m running should have a user interface that accommodates such a device rather than just saying “fuck it, you need a mouse and keyboard to operate this thing.” The Roku emby and jellyfin apps work pretty well with a standard remote. I’m looking for something similar I could run on an rpi with a small Linux distro. Not sure how I am “capitulating” as you say.