this post was submitted on 09 Jul 2024
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Suggestion of distro for TV/server combo? (lemmy.nz)
submitted 4 months ago by Dave@lemmy.nz to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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I have a server that is also plugged into my TV. It's running Ubuntu server, but then I installed the DE when I started trying to use it with the TV as well.

For the TV I'm using Kodi synced with Jellyfin. Unfortunately it's not very stable. Most of the time it's fine, but with specific files Kodi will crash, often bringing down the whole system. I expect this is at least partly because the DE was an afterthought and it's not running a full DE.

I'm looking at doing a full refresh of the server, and am wondering if there is a distro that is particularly good for this use case. I also want to be able to play games on occasion with xbox controllers.

TL;DR: Can you suggest a distro to run on a PC connected to a TV, used mainly to run Kodi and as a server via docker containers, but also for games via wine/proton with controller support?

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[–] bsergay@discuss.online 7 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Bazzite, ChimeraOS and LibreELEC come to mind as distros fit for HTPC/console experiences.

[–] SidewaysHighways@lemmy.world 4 points 4 months ago

LibreELEC all day if you're just watching/listening (minus a little emulation support (OH and moonlight docker addon))

Just enough os for Kodi with a little more sizzle

ChimeraOS? digging in now

[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Thanks for the suggestions! With these, do you get a full desktop environment or are they quite specific to being that home entertainment experience, more like a smart TV?

[–] bsergay@discuss.online 2 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

Thanks for the suggestions!

It has been my pleasure 😊!

With these, do you get a full desktop environment or are they quite specific to being that home entertainment experience, more like a smart TV?

So, if intended as a HTPC, both Bazzite and ChimeraOS are 'meant' to be used with Gamepad UI; i.e. the one found on the Steam Deck. Of course, this is your console experience. However, just like the Steam Deck itself, it offers access to its so-called "Desktop mode". Which, as you'd expect, is a full desktop environment. For Bazzite, you get to choose between GNOME and KDE Plasma. While ChimeraOS currently only offers GNOME.

LibreELEC, on the other hand, is a distro that merely functions as a wrapper for Kodi. Hence, there's no desktop environment (by default).

[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 2 points 4 months ago

Thanks! From a suggestion from someone else, I'm thinking of separating out the machine that runs Kodi and the rest of the stack. I have an old laptop that's currently running Kodi + server, and a desktop machine that is used for games.

I'm thinking of installing Linux Mint on the desktop machine and using that for games and for the server, and then using LibreELEC on the laptop to run Kodi.

That makes it a bit easier if I decide LibreELEC doesn't work and I want something else.