Hello OzBargain community, I am new to this forum so please be gentle.
I want to connect a cheap computer (instead of using inbuilt app and inbuilt browser) to my non smart TV. I looked at a Raspberry Pi. I think it should serve my purpose. I want something preferably less than 100 bucks. I am not a technical person.
Can I request you to suggest me some options?
Thanking you in advance.
If all you want is to turn your non-smart TV into a smart one these options cost you under a $100.
The Raspberry Pi doesn't come with an operating system preinstalled and isn't ready to use out of the box. It also doesn't come with any remotes, keyboards or mice, or even an enclosure (those are all BYO)
Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite (https://www.bigw.com.au/product/amazon-fire-tv-stick-lite-wi…) is good if the tv support 1080 HD only. wait for them on sale for $24 again… :)
I am not a technical person.
Don't get RPI. You need technical skills to set it up.
Instead use Chromecast or similar devices, plug and play.
Due to chip shortages RPI will not be available for about a year. The Amazon fire stick is probably the best value for what you're looking for.
I have the same setup usin an Rpi 3, works fine but as others have said you need to set it all up first with libreelec which has Kodi. PLenty of insturctions on the web if you don;t mid learning new stuff. Or an Amazon firestick seems to be an easier option and cheaper that is mostly plug and play but you can sideload a lot of other things that might not be on there if you need them. Not sure how it works as a local streamer as that's what we use the R-pi for.
Gawd, I really shouldn't post straight out of bed…and now I can't fix the typos.
What are you trying to achieve?
If it’s a smart TVs to access streaming services (YouTube, iview, Netflix, etc), then refer @scrimshaw post. If it’s for Internet browsing, social media, etc., a Pi will work, but there’s a fair bit of learning ahead of you. If it’s for ‘office’ applications, like word processing, spreadsheet, etc., a Pi on a TV is unlikely to work well.
Agree Pis are fantastic, and lots of flexibility in the ways you can set it up and things you can do with it .
But as a result it does require some fiddling to set up.
And good luck getting one…no one seems to have the 4GB model in stock
I
RPI is for technical end users or companies doing IOT…..
Unless you get a NOOB image for what you want forget about and get a media player.
I had the same problem. Got sick of my Chromecast and wanted something that guests/old people, etc could use. I bought an XBOX One off Gumtree for $110 with a controller. The GUI and overall experience is very good, much better than any actual TV GUI tbh.
Mmm raspberries.. but no - not if you’re not technical. Buy a firestick or chromecast and call it a day. AppleTV if you can stretch the budget.
I wouldn't even eat a raspberry pie if I am not technical. Let alone using a pi.
Have you used a Raspberry Pi before? It's not ready to go as-is and will need accessories and operating system setup.
What purpose do you want it connected to your TV? To get streaming apps? If so an Amazon Firestick or Google Chromecast would be better plug and play option.