Holidays are approaching and I'm considering how to assemble a DIY Streaming device for gifting to friends and family. Continues How to prepare a self-hosted machine I gift to remote friends
What they are doing now...
Using a mouse and keyboard on an old Windows desktop connected to a TV. Sometimes plugging the same HDMI cable into a laptop.
- Note, there are spare HDMI connections available on the Television.
- Users are non-technical. Setup has to be grandmother proof. As few steps as possible.
What will be included?
- Odroid C2 or C1+, because I have some laying around unused. More recent models available from Ameridroid include upcoming C5 and the C4.
- Might even make sense to downgrade to a Pi 3b+.
- Maximum resolution of 1080, using Kodi interface.
- Serving local media on the network from webdav (Nextcloud)
- VPN routed access, most likely as split tunnel, to reach remote media
- KDEConnect as media controller using existing phones over wifi.
- Open to dedicated remote control suggestions; let me know.
What I'm unsure about
- Should I get them a dedicated IR remote control?
- Which distribution to use, ideally something that makes it easy to setup and run Kodi by default.
- Split tunneling possibilities, to maintain:
- Jellyfin app on Kodi through VPN to Server A
- Alternative Jellyfin app on Kodi through second VPN to Server B
- Kodi theme and configuration to make the experience as obvious as possible.
The goal is for this to be as set-and-forget as possible. It will be running in a remote location, but accessible over VPN in case of emergency. If you've done this, any tips appreciated.