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Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)
51–60 of 113 posts
Re: Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)
#52Earlier quoted context omitted.
I always thought that SoC was wildly popular.
It is, because Broadcom had a surplus of them and couldn't get anyone to adopt it for a streaming device. So an enterprising Broadcom FAE decided to turn it into an "educational" Linux desktop device. The "wildly popular" part came when people realized BRCM was dumping these boards cheaper than any existing Linux SBC at the time. The educational angle is long gone.
The educational angle is far from gone. The Raspberry Pi Foundation handles that part of it now.
I would agree that most of the Pis sold are not used for education, but that doesn't diminish their importance in that area.
Re: Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)
#53I struggle to think of what purpose a device that wasn’t meant to be a Linux computer would realistically serve beyond nefarious goals.
less e-waste. If you cared enough about our planet, you'll know that
Re: Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)
#54I love this article so much for some u known reason. Hacking should be praised! Amen
Re: Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)
#55Vendors of STBs should unlock them so that we don't get so much e-waste. These boxes are most of the times locked, whereas they could be repurposed for many interesting uses (linux machines, android boxes, educational devices...), now they will be thrown away, remain in closets/garages or at the best be recycled. Tried to unlock my Vodafone TV box (Sagemcom DIW387 if I'm not mistaken), but with no luck since there is…
It must be a low. Like self unlock after 513 boots
Re: Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)
#56Almost all my friends in France have a old ISP modem router that their former ISP did not bother getting their hands back onto when they changed providers. I would love to repurpose them. Where do I start with ?
This is a good article that covers the basics of looking for a UART debug port that could be used as a way to get some low level access to the router and go from there:
Re: Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)
#57Vendors of STBs should unlock them so that we don't get so much e-waste. These boxes are most of the times locked, whereas they could be repurposed for many interesting uses (linux machines, android boxes, educational devices...), now they will be thrown away, remain in closets/garages or at the best be recycled. Tried to unlock my Vodafone TV box (Sagemcom DIW387 if I'm not mistaken), but with no luck since there is…
We aren’t going to modify our security protocols so a handful of people can mod their STB, sorry :P
Re: Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)
#58Vendors of STBs should unlock them so that we don't get so much e-waste. These boxes are most of the times locked, whereas they could be repurposed for many interesting uses (linux machines, android boxes, educational devices...), now they will be thrown away, remain in closets/garages or at the best be recycled. Tried to unlock my Vodafone TV box (Sagemcom DIW387 if I'm not mistaken), but with no luck since there is…
What about game consoles?
Re: Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)
#59It is impressive that that they were able to run linux without making permanent destructive changes. Had a pogoplug that I was able to repurpose as a linux server for some odd cron jobs and occasional backups. Assuming there are no such constraints to revert, what other general purpose consumer devices are hack friendly and can be turned into low powered linux boxes ?
Take a look at https://www.armbian.com/download/?device_support=Supported as well
Re: Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)
#60Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's an Android TV box. It was running Linux already. The main difficultly is usually unlocking the bootloader.
Getting an updated kernel is also an issue - the article describes the device tree hacks they had to go through before the machine was usable.
That's my issue with PostmarketOS and the Pocket Chip and the 7" Android Netbook.