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“TV streaming” can mean subscription apps, a library of local or network-stored video, or over-the-air broadcast TV. A Raspberry Pi can serve as a media player for supported content, and a TV HAT can receive certain terrestrial broadcasts, but neither guarantees that a particular paid service will work. If a specific subscription app is essential, check its current Raspberry Pi and DRM support before buying a board.
Choose the kind of TV you want to watch
| Use case | What the Pi does | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Local or network media | Plays supported files from storage connected to the Pi or available on your network. | Playback depends on the media format and player support. |
| Internet media and subscription services | Runs a media player such as Kodi, which supports internet media in general. | General internet-media support does not establish compatibility with Netflix, Disney+, or another named service, especially where DRM is required. Verify the service directly. |
| Terrestrial broadcast TV | A Raspberry Pi TV HAT can tune DVB-T/T2 broadcasts and make them available to devices on the local network. | It does not support ATSC, the digital TV standard used in North America; reception also depends on a suitable aerial and local signal. |
What you need for a media-player setup
- A Raspberry Pi model compatible with your intended software and connections. Raspberry Pi’s beginner setup resource recommends Raspberry Pi 5 for most people; this general recommendation is not a guarantee that any particular streaming app works on it. Raspberry Pi beginner setup resource.
- A model-appropriate power supply. Requirements differ by board; see the table below.
- Boot media, such as a microSD card.
- A display cable that matches the Pi’s connector. Check whether your board uses full-size HDMI, micro-HDMI, or mini-HDMI before buying.
- A network connection. Ethernet is a practical choice for a fixed installation beside a router or switch; Wi-Fi is also possible if supported by the board or adapter and your network.
- For direct first-time setup: a display, keyboard, and mouse. Headless setup is also supported through Raspberry Pi Imager.
Raspberry Pi’s getting-started documentation covers setup equipment, imaging, and first boot. The supply figures below are official recommendations, not measurements of streaming power use.
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| Board | Recommended supply | Official supply guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 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 recommendations come from Raspberry Pi’s getting-started documentation, current as accessed in 2026. Do not assume one supply is suitable for every Pi model.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsSet up Raspberry Pi OS
- Install Raspberry Pi Imager on a computer, then use it to write Raspberry Pi OS to the boot medium.
- Choose whether to configure the Pi in advance. In Imager, you can set a hostname, user, Wi-Fi details, and remote access where appropriate. Alternatively, leave those settings for first boot and use a display, keyboard, and mouse.
- With the Pi powered off, attach its peripherals. Insert the boot medium and connect the display, input devices, and Ethernet cable if using one. Raspberry Pi’s setup instructions say to unplug power before attaching peripherals and connect the supply last.
- Connect power and complete first boot. Follow the on-screen steps if you are using a display, or connect over the network if you configured a headless setup.
- Confirm network access. Use Ethernet if a wired connection is convenient, or configure Wi-Fi in Imager or during first boot. Supported wireless bands depend on the board or adapter. The official sources do not provide a measured Ethernet-versus-Wi-Fi streaming reliability comparison, so a wired connection is a practical installation choice, not a performance guarantee.
See Raspberry Pi’s official setup guide for the documented direct and headless paths. Wireless settings and capabilities are covered in its wireless and network configuration documentation.
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Install a player and check service support
Kodi offers an official download for Raspberry Pi. The Kodi Foundation describes Kodi as a media player with a TV-oriented interface for local and network storage and internet media. Start at the Kodi Raspberry Pi downloads page for the available download and its installation guidance.
Kodi’s general internet-media capability is not proof that a particular commercial service, its login flow, or its DRM-protected video will work reliably. Confirm current support with the service before choosing a Pi for that purpose. Do not treat unofficial add-ons as an officially supported or dependable substitute.
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Fix power problems before diagnosing playback
If the Pi reports low voltage or behaves unpredictably, check the power path first. Raspberry Pi identifies an inadequate supply, voltage loss through a cable, and demand from USB peripherals as possible causes of low-voltage detection. A poor-quality supply can also contribute to unpredictable behavior or storage corruption. Its hardware documentation explains these risks.
- Confirm that the supply meets the recommendation for your exact Pi model.
- Check that the cable and connectors are suitable and secure.
- Disconnect nonessential USB peripherals to see whether they are drawing more current than the supply can provide.
- Resolve low-voltage warnings before treating stuttering or instability as a player or network fault.
Use a TV HAT for DVB-T/T2 terrestrial broadcasts
A TV HAT is a separate route for broadcast television, not a way to add subscription apps. Raspberry Pi’s TV HAT documentation describes an onboard DVB-T/T2 tuner that receives terrestrial broadcasts on a Pi and can serve them over a network. Raspberry Pi recommends TVHeadend to decode and view the channels.
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- Install current Raspberry Pi OS.
- Fit the TV HAT and connect a suitable aerial.
- Install TVHeadend, then open its web interface from a device on the local network.
- Configure access and the transmitter or multiplexes for your area, scan for channels, and map the services found.
- Watch through 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.
Check that DVB-T or DVB-T2 is used where you live, that an aerial can receive a signal, and whether your country requires a viewing licence or other approval. The TV HAT product page notes that a licence or approval may be required. The documentation 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 board because performance can vary. North American viewers should note that the HAT does not support ATSC.
Quick Recap
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