Just noticed that lineage is has an android TV build for the odroid c4, which is USD $54 (way cheaper than a pi) and you can get an ir remote for $5 and a case for $5.
Couple that with f-droid and the jellyfin android TV client, and that seems like it should be good, no?
That is for the feedback, I will give the jellyfin plugin a go.
Reading their reply reminded me:
When you first install Jellyfin’s repo, and then addon, the initial setup starts. It will ask you if you want to use it Native mode or Plugin mode. Chose Plugin, Native has been deprecated and won’t work. Plugin mode now basically just points Kodi to where the video files live on the server with Jellyfin. For me it still eliminates ALL transcoding, including HDR, subtitles, and Dolby Atmos/DTS-X.
Then the extra addon Kodi Sync makes Kodi play nicely with Jellyfin’s internal database, and makes progress and newly added media sync instantly and in the background.
Their documentation is very good, just remember Native Mode is deprecated and Plugin Mode now does the same thing.