Plasma Bigscreen: Linux Operating System for Smart TV – Raspberry Pi 4

The Smart TV market has been quite defined and limited for some years. Few new manufacturers and operating systems, except for a few occasional surprises. For example, we have Samsung with Tizen, LG with WebOS and several manufacturers with Android TV. However, a new Linux-based interface for Smart TVs created by KDE has just appeared on the horizon and will be known as Plasma Bigscreen . Among its advantages, the possibility of running traditional Linux desktop applications. We tell you more about this new option for Smart TV after the jump.

One of the main reasons to buy or renew the Smart TV is to be able to access new streaming applications, games and much more. With the passage of time, the developers stop supporting older models and the thing even goes so far as to not have support for many cutting-edge applications on televisions purchased in 2015. This is one of the main criticisms of the manufacturers of Smart TVs, since These are high investments that we are not willing to make in such short periods of time.

plasma bigscreen

This is Linux on Smart TV

In this case, we are talking about Plasma Bigscreen, a new Linux-based interface for Smart TVs that has been created by KDE . In this case, they show us how it works on a Raspberry Pi 4 or alternative , connected to a monitor or television. From application access to voice control, the possibilities of the interface are varied.

Plasma Bigscreen is the Smart TV interface that we can have on a Raspberry Pi 4 with a voice assistant included. In addition to applications adapted to this type of screen, we can also access traditional desktop applications that can work within this experience.

The advantages of Plasma on TV are:

  • Free and open source: The initiative seeks to give users and manufacturers the freedom to build their television ecosystems without the limitations of closed systems. It can be used, changed or redistributed however we want.
  • Innovation: transform the traditional workspace into something we can control with the control of a Smart TV. This is a step forward from KDE.
  • Voice Control: Ability to interact with the interface from the sofa at home using Mycroft’s open source voice assistant.
  • Expansion capacity: Mycroft skills allow adding new capacities. You could incorporate one of the time, recipes or much more. In addition, it allows third parties using Python and QML to develop their own.
  • Community Support: Plasma Bigscreen has been created and is maintained by KDE developers. This implies that the entire community is available to give support.

plasma bigscreen

At the moment, the beta version works on a Raspberry Pi 4 connected to a television, although it should work without problems on a monitor. We have experimental support for HDMI-CEC, allowing the use of existing television controls for its management. We recommend using a USB or Bluetooth microphone to test voice control.

Source> kde