I replaced my Apple TV—with a Raspberry Pi
Video Overview & Insights
Head to https://squarespace.com/redshirtjeff to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code (REDSHIRTJEFF).
This video was temporarily taken down due to a Community Guidelines violation (which I appealed, but was originally denied).
But it's back, now. Go forth, and self-host all the things!
If you want a TV box that's more flexible than Apple TV, Nvidia SHIELD, Roku Ultra, or any of the regular Android-based TV set-top boxes, this Pi build's for you!
I built a Raspberry Pi 5 media center using LibreELEC and Kodi, and I'll show you how you can do it, too. It's good enough for almost any modern content, up to 4K60, but there are a few caveats.
Can make a device that support apple airplay and Samsung smart view
Some of the things I mentioned in this video (some links are affiliate links):
- Blog post with more test results: https://www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2023/can-raspberry-pi-5-handle-4k
Thank you
- LibreELEC: https://libreelec.tv
- Raspberry Pi 5: https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-5/
Or an old pc….
- Raspberry Pi 5 Case: https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-5-case/
- Raspberry Pi 5 27W PSU: https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/27w-power-supply/
all this, or just buy an apple tv and airplay whatever tf you want
- Raspberry Pi micro HDMI to HDMI adapter: https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/micro-hdmi-to-standard-hdmi-a-cable/
- Samsung Pro Plus 128GB microSD Card: https://amzn.to/3R86EVo
What about using old phone
- Rii Wireless mini keyboard: https://amzn.to/3yDPM2v
- Flirc USB IR Receiver: https://amzn.to/3KjQJ2u
I have a mini PC hooked up to my TV to watch films and shows, but I've been using it as a youtube hub and I really want to limit that, so this sollution seems like the thing I need.
- Flirc Skip 1S Remote Control: https://amzn.to/3wUqNr6
- EDATEC Fanless Pi 5 case: https://www.edatec.cn/en/ac/pi5-case.html
Can I use pihole while using this software?
- LG C3 48" OLED TV: https://amzn.to/452bKs2
- Apple TV 4K 32GB: https://amzn.to/4bG7IrC (I have this older generation model)
Pay the same and have it be an entirely worse experience by every single metric?
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/geerlingguy
Sponsor me on GitHub: https://github.com/sponsors/geerlingguy
Love your Poster from the Doctor Who Episode with the 11th doctor
Merch: https://www.redshirtjeff.com
2nd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GeerlingEngineering
Anyone else finding that Kodi playback through Raspberry Pi OS is poor?
3rd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Level2Jeff
00:00 - Introduction
Time to explore other functionalities @JeffGeerling? Of particular interest for me is AirPlay. Any goodies on this especially ease of installation/support for Linux? Thanks
00:09 - Squarespace first mention
00:43 - Necessary parts
Going by MC SKU#, the current price of this build is $193.95 without tax
RPI Wall Wart - $11.99 (no change)
RPI 5 4GB - $109.99 (up 83%)
RPI Case - $9.99 (No change)
HDMI Cable - $7.99 (up 60%)
128GB SD Card - $53.99 (up 135%, Note: The original samsung SD card used is no longer stocked at micro center and has been replaced by the Inland brand, which is owned by Micro Center. SKU: 920231)
While I won't advocate for any side, the prices may swing people in different directions. Some people prefer price while others value privacy, there's something for everyone and some people don't have issues with pre-built cheaper setups. I do think the price surge is like a tide, at some point the tide will lower again and this will be well worth the price.
02:13 - Remote control
03:03 - Assembly
It's not jus about streaming content things like Apple TV provide a better more premium experience which for me personally I believe is worth the extra cost.
05:47 - First boot
06:06 - Red Shirt Jeff (.com)
only 2x as slow and 2x as expensive
07:07 - First time LibreELEC setup
08:53 - Adding content via Samba
Cool…can’t wait to copy over individual video files any time I want to watch something…..
09:36 - Scanning for metadata
12:03 - 4K, AV1, VP9, YouTube demos
Jeff you do love sailing the seas right??😅😅Arrrggghhhh
14:55 - Power draw and auto boot
15:43 - Free as in freedom
Where are you getting Pi5 for 50$? I'm seeing 300$ online
More User Perspectives
This aged poorly. An Apple TV is cheaper than a Pi today!
@cmegensKodi is an application that runs perfectly fine on any Android TV box. Also I'm too lazy to watch such a long video, but does he address the issue of hardware implemented codecs in TV boxes? How does Pi compete with this?
@tennishistoryandresultsdat4540The only thing I use the pi for is adding the Jellyfin addon for my media server since the Roku and Fire stick apps have issues with it. Other than that the pi as any imaginable replacement is pretty off scope.
@guyger“An investigation by the State of Missouri in 2019 found accusations of sexual abuse against 163 clerics over the past several decades and recommended the prosecution of 12 individuals. At least nine priests and one religious brother were convicted of sexual abuse crimes in the archdiocese. The charges included possession of child pornography, sodomy and sexual assault to rape. The sentences for these crimes ranged from probation to ten years in prison. The male victims ranged in age from 11 to 14.”
@acmotifsPrime, Netflix, Disney+ ?!
@964cuploveOnn Google TV $19 same performance level
@wemustquestioneverythinghey jeff geerling can this do ntdtv
@engineer48-s31"I replaced my streaming box with something that can't run streaming services". Self hosted content is cool and all but this is awful clickbait
@EthanWasHereOr you could just stick with the Apple TV… Simple easy and sometimes some things in life don’t need to be more complicated than it necessary… And how old is that Apple TV you were using in your video? it appears to be a 2015 or 2017 model just by the appearance of the remote
@ScottGreg-w7hI use a Google Chromecast with "Projectivy Launcher". This way, I get the benefits of AndroidTV and all the apps I need from the Play Store, but with a really clean, ad-free user interface.
For the remote control, I use "Button Mapper: Remap your keys" to remap special buttons like the Netflix button. Since I don’t have a Netflix subscription, I’ve reassigned it to Plex.
Pi
@Liam-b9o7gI hate Apple, so ty for the video.
@johnnykeener3727I just went to the St. Louis Micro Center about 2 weeks ago and picked up a Pi 5. 4gb It was almost $90!!!!
@Jamaal1230Sorry to disappoint you, but no, you did not replace the Apple TV. You installed a completely different device with completely different functions.
@BogdanTimofteJust buy 17 dollars Roku. 😂😂😂
@Ryanryan-p5dThe Raspberry PI has gotten so expensive, that now you need the follow up to this video, "I replaced my Raspberry Pi - With An Apple TV"
@Chuck824But does this have apps? Like Hulu or Max? if not, then i will just use apple tv with infuse to my jelly server.
@MrSweetmanjIf you have a Raspberry pie and want to output Dolby Atmos to your supported soundbar then you need to connect the Pie to the soundbar HDMI input port directly and then run the HDMI 2.1 output to the TV (applicable if your TV doesn't have HDMI eARC). This will let Kodi passthrough the audio to the soundbar for decoding, rather than software process it through Kodi. Otherwise if your TV support eARC then you can connect your eARC HDMI to the Dolby supported soundbar and connect the Pie to the HDMI2 port on the TV.
@XaeroQuakeIIIBut Apple TV is available for purchase and it’s cheaper (at least here in Canada). Mb orange pi or other analogue would work though
@СтаниславДмитриев-ы5бHi Jeff, I just found your channel. Interesting but mostly over my head. But I have a question. I have been using a plex media server on an Nvidia shield pro but lately it is anything but cooperative. Many problems I won’t bore you with, but I have been looking for someplace else to have a media server for my videos and CDs, that doesn’t cost as much as most NAS units I’ve seen. Could a raspberry Pi be used for that, and then use a video and music player app for mobile devices and TV? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
@bretthollenbeck812All these streaming devices are like trinkets when compared to Nvidia Shield TV Pro. Unfortunately, the new Nvidia Shield TV Pro is much awaited. Trust me, once it releases all new device, end-game for all these tiny toys. Frankly, few devices in this category more of "Ecosystem" gamblers rather than pure streaming devices, shameless indeed... 🤭🤫🤣🤣🤣
@HARISHKUMAR-m7cIf my Apple TV ever dies I’ll look into this but at 10 years strong it’s looking immortal.
@parashootingI would rather install Android TV on my Raspberry Pi, those KonstaKANG LineageOS builds.
@superomehoGreat video Jeff! I'm considering doing this but while I know Kodi supports .iso DVD files, but I'm curious if this setup would support .iso files for both movies and tv shows - thanks!
@mtascavage$0.20/G 😂 I remember buying a HDD (350Mb) for $350 ($1.00/Mb) back in the day.
@sidneyblondellFor Streaming you are better off using Odroid C5 or Orange Pi 5, you actually get AV1 decode capable dealing with 4k and 8k respectively, GPU that is twice the powerful than most 4K streamers.
I currently use Orange Pi 5 8 GB and it feels better than my Shield TV Pro 2019
Is this better that using a raspberry with Jellyfin?
@sergiomcI tried a Kodi box for a while, but my wife hated the UI and getting any DRM streaming services to work was way too much of a pain and broke constantly.
I've settled for a self hosted Plex and a Roku on the TV. She gets the simple UI and access to streaming apps, no issues.
minidlna is the best way to go with modern tvs
@JatinKumar-vm5nyWhat if I like Apple's remote? Would one be able to make that work with something like this?
@kazikiksrugim1780What's in the box? Looks like the rest of the couch to me....
@GeorgesC-u3rI don’t understand why Google won’t allow Google TV or Android TV to be certified so it can have Netflix run natively on it.
@Pub2k4