Adblocker for TV - AdGuard is available for Android TV: here is how it works
AdGuard for Android TV is a new solution to block advertisement and other unwanted content on TVs.
For everyone without a AdGuard subscription who wants to watch YouTube without ads and without integrated sponsor bullshit on the TV I'd recommend SmartTube. Don't forget to remap your YouTube button on the chromecast remote to SmartTube.
I'm paying YouTube Premium but still use SmartTube on the TV because of its integrated Sponsorblock.
Yep, as much as I love adguard (and I'm SO happy I bought a lifetime android subscription ten years ago when it was just a few dollars), smaettube is probably enough for most
SmartTube is amazing.
How does one remap buttons on the remote?
I used this app for my Sony Bravia: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=flar2.homebutton
If you're using google chromecast (not sure if applicable to other remotes), try https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=flar2.homebutton&hl=en_US&gl=US
If you're going through all that work, try an alternate launcher.
Yeah, this doesn't seem to provide anything a better launcher + Pi-hole don't already provide. At least on mobile, the ad blockers help when I'm away from home and not going through the Pi-hole for DNS queries...but my tv doesn't leave the house much.
Another option is to use adb to change the DNS to any adblocking DNS of your choice. Here's how: https://yamen.dev/configuring-private-dns-on-android-tv
IIRC that doesn't help YouTube since the ads are served from the same servers as the streaming content.
That's right, YouTube ads will not be blocked using this method.
Looks like I have a fun Saturday project. Thanks!
honestly, i'm just gonna hook my TV up to a thinkcentre or some shit, my android TV is horrible to use. if they're gonna make it difficult to use their product the way i want, i'm not gonna.
Since it's android you can make it work how you want it to.
Install a different launcher, like Projectivy and you can make your homescreen exactly what you want, no cluttered mess of ads
Get SmartTube for youtube
change what your buttons do with TVQuickActions
My dirt-cheap $20 walmart Android TV box now looks nothing like it did when I first booted it. Completely customized to how I want it to work. I even have it set up so my Disney button makes my livingroom lights dim for movies.
i still need to purchase an extra device, since my tv runs on version 4 or something like that.
might as well use something that's REALLY customizable. but i will definetely consider an ATV box.
Try SmartTube first
Smarttube is amazing....my wife thought I was nuts when I deleted YouTube.
the sponsor-block feature is so dang nice if you watch a lot of podcasts. Sometimes it's like 30 min of ad-reads total
It won’t Adblock anything inside apps, just like on phones … there is no magic.
So why would I use it over Firefox + uBlock?
How often are you using Firefox on your TV?
Or run Android TV (Lineage OS) on a Jetson Nano with RethinkDNS to get a high quality experience you actually have control of.
Seems more work than running a pihole on whole network and forcing all dns to it via firewall rule catch all port 53/853
I like the per-application fidelity that you get from RethinkDNS. You're definitely right though, PiHole is a great solution! Personally I run PfSense in a VM and PiHole in a container on the same hypervisor so there's roughly no latency.
The Jetson solution on the other hand is perfect for hotels/dorm rooms/etc. Both options are excellent when used well!
Can someone recommend me a cheap 1080p android tv with app sideloading available? I've been looking for options in europe but they seem to cost 60€+
Edit: android tv DONGLE, not a whole tv
Walmart's Onn 4k Android TV box is perfect IMO. Costs $20
You can't game on it, but I never had one issue streaming video
I'm looking exactly for one such thing, but in europe. We don't have walmarts and shipping costs are too high