Linux for streaming web

[CDN_Merlin]

Hi,

So is it worth it to install Linux on a PC that will be connected to my TV just to stream hockey?

[vision]

Yes. Linux runs great on old hardware so if you have any lying around it could be a great media server for your home network. There are even custom distributions like LinuxMCE that are designed for media management.

[CDN_Merlin]

This would only be for streaming from the web and not any movies from my personal library. I'll check it out.

[vision]

You can probably do it all with a Raspberry PI. I have a PI 3 and it has an HDMI output. Those things are cheap, you can probably mount it to your TV and use a bluetooth keyboard to control everything. It will be less like having a Linux PC and more like a mod for your TV.

[CDN_Merlin]

Would Ubuntu not work for me? All I'll be doing is going to a web site and streaming video. The PC currently has Windows 10 on it but was just wondering if I should go to Linux. Haven't touched it in a decade or more and yesterday I looked into Ubuntu and it has many flavours to choose from.

[vision]

I think literally any version of Linux would work. Debian / Ubuntu / Mint would probably give you the best out of box experience. I mentioned using a Raspberry PI because it uses less power and is super small. There is a Debian based OS made for it: Raspbian (now called Raspberry Pi OS).

[CDN_Merlin]

Since I already have the PC, I'd rather not buy anything else. Thanks