I had a Chinese Android box gathering dust in a drawer. It had been sidelined because it was stuck on an outdated version of Android, with no updates in sight from the manufacturer. I started considering alternatives like a Raspberry Pi or a budget x86 mini PC to set up a PVR with TVheadend. But before placing an order, I wondered if I could repurpose the Android box as a Linux server. After all, it had decent specs: an Amlogic S905X2 chip, 4 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of internal storage.

A quick search revealed that it was possible to boot Linux on the box using a microSD card or USB stick. Within an hour, I had CoreELEC up and running. One of the great things about CoreELEC is the ease with which you can install Docker and TVheadend. This meant that my forgotten Android box was now transformed into a functional Linux server.

I hooked up a TV tuner (yes, I’m aware it’s not exactly cutting-edge, but I need OTA TV for work) and installed TVheadend. It essentially turned the box into a budget-friendly HDHomeRun. I even set up AdGuard Home and configured my router to use it as a network-wide ad blocker.

Once you have Docker running, the possibilities are endless. To my surprise, I even discovered that you can boot Armbian on these inexpensive boxes and use them as a lightweight desktop. Or turn them into a router or pihole box using openwrt.

  • just_another_person@lemmy.world
    491·
    1 month ago

    The first step into the world of owning your tech is knowing what can actually run on it. It’s not just Linux. Just not Windows or MacOS.

    If you’re super into what you’ve just accomplished, have a look at the ESP32 ecosystem and behold.

  • N0x0n@lemmy.ml
    34·
    1 month ago

    I had a similar experience with a “wow the Linux community is beautiful” feeling after booting into Debian on an old rockchip CPU TV box !

    Have a look at the armbian community. Those guys are on another level 😁.

    Edit

    To my surprise, I even discovered that you can boot Armbian on these inexpensive boxes and use them as a lightweight desktop

    Oupsi ! It’s late here so I didn’t read till the end ! Sorry about that 😅

  • masterofn001@lemmy.ca
    16·
    1 month ago

    I use old android phones for WiFi on some of my desktops.

    Shizuku to be able to do privileged, shell, and hidden api stuff.

    Termux to set up an sshd proxy/server to be able to access the machines.

    InviziblePro for anonymized DNScrypt and tor socks proxy.

  • interurbain1er
    13·
    1 month ago

    You don’t technically need docker though. It’s just a convenience layer.

  • GustavoM@lemmy.worldEnglish
    11·
    1 month ago

    …and that is why I love Linux as well! Gotta love my little potato Orange pi zero 3.

  • Mwa@lemm.eeEnglish
    4·
    1 month ago

    i wish i can do the same i have a tv tuner running android 4 sadly its a huawei with a HISILICON CPU and i cannot find some adb option and i cannot find a project that supports HISILICON cpus its a old one i found it in my uncles house closet i even tried asking lemmy they said just get a new device mine is obescure i tried some chinese forums the system refused to see the files and download them is a pain i gave up