First decide what you mean by “TV streaming”: watching a subscription service over the internet, playing local or network-stored media, or receiving terrestrial broadcast TV. A Raspberry Pi can serve as a media player, but Kodi’s general support for internet media does not establish that a particular paid service or its DRM will work. For broadcast reception, the separate TV HAT route is limited to DVB-T/T2 and does not support North American ATSC.
Choose the right streaming setup
| What you want to watch | Suitable route | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Local files or media on a network drive | Raspberry Pi OS with Kodi, which offers a TV-oriented interface for local and network media. | Make sure your files and media sources are accessible on your network. |
| Internet video or a paid streaming service | Kodi is a general media player with support for internet media. | Confirm that the specific service supports your intended Pi, operating system and playback method, including any DRM requirements. Compatibility with named subscription services is not established here. |
| Terrestrial broadcast TV | TV HAT and TVHeadend, where DVB-T or DVB-T2 broadcasts are used. | Check broadcast standard, local signal coverage, aerial suitability and whether a viewing licence or approval is required. TV HAT does not support ATSC, the digital TV standard used in North America. |
Raspberry Pi’s beginner setup resource recommends Raspberry Pi 5 for most people, but that general recommendation is not a guarantee that a subscription app will work. Check the service’s current support before choosing a board for that purpose. See the Raspberry Pi beginner setup guide and Kodi’s Raspberry Pi downloads.
Gather the hardware and choose a power supply
You will need a Raspberry Pi, boot media such as a microSD card, a model-compatible power supply and a network connection. For setup directly at the television, also have a display cable, keyboard and mouse. Check the board’s HDMI connector before buying a cable: Raspberry Pi models can use full-size HDMI, micro-HDMI or mini-HDMI.
Use the supply recommended for your exact board. These are official supply recommendations, not measured streaming power consumption:
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
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- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
| Board | Recommended supply |
|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 5 | 5V/5A; Raspberry Pi recommends a 27W USB-C supply. With a 5V/3A supply, peripheral current is limited to 600mA. |
| Raspberry Pi 4 Model B | 5V/3A; Raspberry Pi recommends a 15W USB-C supply. |
| Raspberry Pi 3 | 5V/2.5A; Raspberry Pi recommends a 12.5W Micro USB supply. |
These figures are from Raspberry Pi’s current getting-started documentation, accessed in 2026. Do not assume one supply suits every model. The official getting-started documentation lists the recommendations.
Install Raspberry Pi OS and connect the Pi
- Prepare the boot medium. Use Raspberry Pi Imager to install Raspberry Pi OS on the microSD card or other boot medium. In Imager, you can set a hostname, user, Wi-Fi details and remote access before first boot.
- Choose direct or headless setup. For direct setup, connect a display, keyboard and mouse and complete first-boot setup. For headless setup, configure the required network and remote-access settings in Imager, then connect remotely after the Pi boots. Raspberry Pi’s getting-started documentation covers both paths.
- Connect peripherals while the Pi is off. Insert the boot medium, attach the display and input devices, and connect Ethernet if you plan to use it. Connect the power supply last; unplug power before attaching or removing peripherals.
- Bring up the network. Ethernet is a practical choice for a fixed media player near a router or switch. Wi-Fi can be configured in Imager or at first boot, but supported bands depend on the board or adapter and performance depends on local network conditions. The available official documentation does not provide a measured Ethernet-versus-Wi-Fi playback comparison, so a wired connection should not be treated as a quantified guarantee of better playback.
For wireless setup details and board-specific network configuration, consult Raspberry Pi’s wireless and network configuration documentation.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Install a playback option and check service compatibility
Kodi has an official Raspberry Pi download and is designed as a media player with a TV-oriented interface for local and network storage, as well as internet media. Install it using the current instructions on the Kodi Raspberry Pi downloads page.
That general capability does not confirm support for Netflix, Disney+ or any other named subscription service. Service access can depend on the service’s own support and DRM requirements. Before buying hardware for a paid app, check the service’s current support information for the exact Pi, operating system and playback method you plan to use. Do not assume an unofficial add-on is supported, stable or authorized.
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Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Use TV HAT only for compatible terrestrial broadcasts
The Raspberry Pi TV HAT receives terrestrial DVB-T and DVB-T2 broadcasts; it is not a subscription-streaming adapter. Raspberry Pi’s TV HAT documentation describes using TVHeadend to scan for channels and make them available on a local network.
- Install current Raspberry Pi OS.
- Fit the TV HAT and connect an aerial suitable for your local broadcasts.
- Install TVHeadend and open its web interface from a device on the local network.
- Configure access and the local transmitter or multiplexes, scan for channels, and map the services found.
- Play the resulting stream using a local media player or compatible client. Browser playback can be jerky depending on the browser’s decoding and the stream type; Raspberry Pi recommends a local media player in those cases.
TV HAT supports DVB-T/T2, not ATSC, so it is not suitable for receiving North American over-the-air broadcasts. Reception depends on local signal coverage and an appropriate aerial. Raspberry Pi says the HAT can be used with any 40-pin Pi as a server, but recommends Raspberry Pi 2B or later for receiving and viewing directly on the same Pi because performance can vary. A licence or approval may be required in the country where it is used; check the TV HAT product page and local rules.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Troubleshoot power before playback
If playback is erratic or the Pi reports low voltage, check the power path before treating the symptom as a network or media-player problem. Raspberry Pi warns that an inadequate supply, voltage loss through a cable, or the demand from attached peripherals can trigger low-voltage detection; low-quality supplies can also cause unpredictable behavior or storage corruption. Check the supply against the recommendation for your board, use a suitable cable, and reduce peripheral load if needed. See Raspberry Pi’s hardware documentation.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
