Honestly I'd start looking for ssf/tiny PCs being sold off by local businesses. I'd be putting some sort of Linux distro on it. I've been meaning to check out a few projects like KDE Big Screen and others. Unless there is some sort of killer Android app you can't live without.
What is the reasoning behind this suggestion? im ok with that but its not really the same thing to normal people (theyre using built in smarttv ad hellscape atm)
Are you suggesting that because price or because what I'm asking about doesn't exist the way I'm imagining?
The reason is choice and support. On an arm android device you have to wait for the manufacturer for updates or to publish source, so someone can support the device for you. With x86 it's just a normal, standard pc, you can do whatever you want.