If I can cast to it using the cast button this would be perfect, but I know google has done a lot to lock that down 😕
Casting to Google Cast devices is pretty locked down, but most things that can cast support a handful of different standards, so casting to other things is usually possible.
Plasma Bigscreen doesn’t have the functionality natively, but jellyfin-mpv-shim and Kodi can be cast to.
Never could get Kodi to work for me. Guess I’ll try out the jellyfin one, thanks for the suggestion. But also, if this is possible, why can’t I figure out an easy way to just cast from my phone to my desktop?
From what I can gather, the little cast button is implemented via a google-specific api, and in the interest of DRM, all apps and OSes that show it will only cast content to specific “blessed” devices that are locked down.
If I could run a program on my PC that behaved identically to a Chromecast as far as my and my guests phones are concerned, I would be sooooo happy. Because then I can put that on a raspi and hook it to my TV without having google MITM everything I do.
The jellyfin shim may only be for Jellyfin clients, not for arbitrary clients. I thought it used a generic standard but now I’m not sure.
Kodi is the closest that I know of to what you’re asking for but it definitely won’t work for everything even if you do get it behaving.
Sick, I’ve been checking in on this project periodically
Right now I’m using GNOME and antimicroX for mouse control via a gamepad quite happily, but the option of a dedicated interface for a controller would be rad!!
Anyone used this?
Other than the dev, probably not.
As of right now, Plasma Bigscreen isn’t available for public use yet. This is due to not being developed for so long. The project has been revived, but it might take a while until it becomes stable and is available for public use. You can check the status of Plasma Bigscreen on the Matrix channel or the KDE Invent repository. https://plasma-bigscreen.org/
But I want to know, when it is available, what TVs will it run on, what will the install/upgrade process look like, etc.
I think it is just a desktop environment for linux. So it probably wont work on TVs by themselves.
EDIT:
Reading the article now, and I can see why you thought that. I was getting ready to eat my words.
it aimed to turn regular television sets into smart, Linux-powered devices
But on the project page it says:
Plasma Bigscreen is a user-friendly, open-source interface designed for devices like HTPCs and SBCs connected to TVs and projectors. It provides an intuitive experience that allows for easy navigation from a distance using remote controls. Discover an engaging environment that adapts to your preferences, offering the safety and privacy protection that come with the Free and Open Source Software.
That would make sense, but, directly from the website…
Plasma Bigscreen is an open-source user interface for TV’s. Running on top of a Linux distribution, Plasma Bigscreen turns your TV or setup-box into a fully hackable device. A big launcher giving you easy access to any installed apps and skills. Controllable via voice or TV remote.
Using the multi-platform toolkit Qt, the flexible extensions of KDE Frameworks plus the power of Plasma Shell, Plasma Bigscreen is built with technology which feels equally at home on the desktop, mobile devices and TV.
I would highlight the following from that…
TV or setup-box
Controllable via voice or TV remote
feels equally at home on the desktop, mobile devices and TV.
But I don’t know anything other than what I’m reading on the website, so 🤷. I’ll be eagerly waiting to see what happens.
It does say that you’re right.
I’m using this on my HTPC. It’s currently anemic but functional. I’ve got high hopes
