Google Play Movies and TV Gains UHD Content Starting November

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Live Channels Questions

So I'm looking to dive into the AndroidTV ecosystem (impatiently waiting on a Shield TV announcement), and I'm interested in the "Live Channels" feature as a possible replacement for Kodi's PseudoTV Live addon. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a ton of in-depth info on Live Channels out there.


1) What sources would people suggest? Apps? IPTV streams? OTA?


2) Has anyone figured out a way to create channels from local media (ex: a sitcom channel) or from a custom list of Youtube sources a la PTVL?


3) I know there is a "customize channels" option, but to what extend can you customize? Can you rename channels? Can you renumber and reorganize channels?


4) Does it have some sort of EPG data service built in, or does there need to be EPG data forwarded from the backend service (ex: OTA channels)?


5) I know that Puppetmaster.tv exists and has a repo system, however I haven't seen any repos other than "REKODI". Is that the only repo available ATM?


6) How smooth is the interface and channel switching (and what device are you using)?


7) Are there any Canadians here using it and what are your experiences? Is it still worth it with the meager app support in Canada?

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Android TV apps in Canada

Is anyone here from Canada that runs Android TV? Most of the apps that I see on the homescreen of Android TV (from screenshots/reviews) like HBO, Hulu, etc are probably geo-blocked outside of US.

So for someone in Canada, would any of that content work?

3 Answers

Sony 4k built-in Chromecast vs Chromecast Ultra

On an X85 series television will it just be a matter of a software update to make the built-in Chromecast support 4k and HDR - like a Chromecast Ultra: or does it already have these abilities: or will I have to disable the internal Chromecast and buy a Chromecast Ultra?

4 Answers

My Mibox has shipped!

Xiaomi did not send out a shipment email notification. Those that ordered, check your "order details" on the site.

6 Answers

NVIDIA Shield TV Beta Test Sign Up Page

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Has Google forgotten it made a TV OS/Interface? A deeper look at what Google is not telling us.

So the Google event has came and went and I cannot help but think that Android TV was completely forgotten and will be discontinued soon.

There are 3 options today, Nexus player, Shield or builtin.

Google has already discontinued the Nexus lineup and then removed the shield from their online store.

Google today does not carry Android TV in their online store, they even are competing against the new MI box that is coming out this month with their Chromecast 4k.

http://www.mi.com/en/mibox/

So this is a new 4k Android TV device. No Ethernet ports.

https://store.google.com/product/chromecast_ultra

and this is a new 4k Chrome Device, has Ethernet ports.

These devices are priced the same, so ask yourself why is Google releasing two products in a short time span that fill a similar need? It is confusing to end customers. What is chrome v android tv? why are they the same price?

I believe this is clear direction Google is taking their company getting rid of the nexus lineup and not refreshing any hardware on android tv , instead dropping in favor of chromecast because the adoption rate is much higher for chromecast than nexus player.

Thoughts?

12 Answers

Anyone worried about lack of Ethernet on the MiBox?

As the title says, considering internet streaming demands of 1080p video (let alone 4K), is anyone concerned with the hyped MiBox not having an Ethernet port?

Of course theoretically 802.11ac has the bandwidth to support it, but in practice does it work? Signal interference, drops outs, etc

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Xiaomi Mi Box Mobo and case pictures

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Wireless airmouse for nvidia shield

I'm looking for a cheap wireless airmouse to replace the following: https://www.amazon.com/Aerb-Wireless-Keyboard-Multifunctional-3-Gsensor/dp/B00K768DHY

That remote is okay but the back button on it doesn't work on the shield tv. It instead seems to be mapped to a right-click and there's nothing I can do about this (key remap apps don't work for this button). I'm getting around this by mapping the ESC button on the back keyboard to the back button but this is annoying and don't want to have to do this. The back keyboard is also buggy sometimes but I believe I may have just gotten a defective unit.

Any suggestions? I mostly use Kodi, Netflix, and cartoon network/adult swim apps (side loaded so I need the mouse for this). And this goes without saying but the back button should work.

2 Answers

Youtube Live videos quality horrible on Shield Andoird TV

Does anyone else has the issue on youtube live videos where the quality is just horrible? I tried changing the quality up to 720p or 1080p but ti stays at like 240p or 360p quality. I know is my Shield Android TV because I tried at the same time in my phone and tablet and they all worked with 1080p.

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Nvidia shied TV at bestbuy. Does it come with the remote?

Few recent reviews on bestbuy.com mention that there was a remote and the controller inside the box. Is this true?

11 Answers

nothing new to AndroidTV?

so, no news from google about the androidTV? is it the end for it? can we at least expect GoogleCast in 4K on existing androidTV sets?

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Shield TV Users

Do you like your Shield TV? I've been on the fence. Not planning on much gaming (though I might use an emulator or two) and I don't have an NVidia graphics card, so no game streaming from my PC. Primary use is streaming 1080p content from various sources (including network attached storage). Eventually I hope to get a 4K TV and stream 4K content. Thought about getting the Mi Box, but I'm kind of worried about being future proof. Does the Amazon Instant Video app still work if sideloaded? We have a fairly decent size Amazon library...

17 Answers

Mi box underpowered compared to other android boxes

It appears after looking at the specs, reading technical data, seeing test results and watching reviews that the new Mi Android TV box is under powered compared to stock android boxes released earlier this year at the same (or lower) price point. The Mi box price point and performance puts it at the low end of the general android streaming box spectrum.

So why all the hype for the Mi box? Can it really be simply because of the Android TV operating system? Is the community steering end users towards lower quality devices? Are end users really buying an underpowered low-end device simply as a status symbol when better devices are available?

Most other android boxes offer much more functionality and end user customization with the stock Android operating system. And most of the best such devices are manufactured by respected electronic device makers with excellent customer support.

12 Answers

Consistent Issues with WatchESPN on Nexus Player

As I attempted to watch Monday Night Football last night, I grew increasingly frustrated with both the WatchESPN AndroidTV app and the ability to cast it from my phone.

The app on ATV wouldn't even play the game, continually saying "Sorry, but an error has occurred". I'd close the app, try again, same deal. I restarted my NP, as that usually does the trick, and then the app wouldn't even open up. So I attempted to cast it from my 6P. Which worked, expect the audio was about two seconds ahead of the video, and that lasted for about 30 minutes, until it finally seemed to sync up.

This isn't the first time I've had issues with WatchESPN, and if anything, it's just seemed to have gotten worse lately. I'm running the NP completely stock, have done nothing expect the usual updates.

Has anyone else been having as frustrating a time with ESPN as I have? The mobile app works fine if I'm watching on my phone, but the moment I cast, I have no idea what will happen. WatchESPN support is a joke as well, they can't help besides saying to reinstall the app.

5 Answers

Mi Box flagged as Do Not Sell until October 11th.

Just got done stopping by my walmart on the way to work. Employee on duty was the manager for electronics and informed me that they are not to be sold until October 11th and he is about to remove them from the floor until then. Direct notice from corporate.

12 Answers

4K Facebook

How can I enjoy 8MPx photos on a 4K TV? Using miBox should be possible? I guess if a 4K AndroidTV cannot 3840x2160 photos on a 4K TV then, for me at least, it should not be considered a 4K AndroidTV BOX!!! so, first thing I will do is sideload and check if facebook will show 4K photos on it

2 Answers

"unfortunately network storage settings has stopped"

Has anyone had issues with this error - its driving me crazy? Up until recently my synology NAS mounted perfectly on my Nvidia Shield. Then recently its all gone to hell.

I've previously had my TV shows, Movies mounted fine all under the one smb share "\NAS" (with TV and Movie subfolder). Recently its stopped working - I can manually add "\NAS\TV" and that works but trying to mount "\NAS\Movies" crashes the network storage application with the above error.

I don't know whether its because there's a lot of files in my movies folder or perhaps some screwed up permissions?

2 Answers

What are my Android TV options?

So I'm looking to buy an Android TV device for myself/my parents, and I have a few questions before I buy.

Currently we have a OUYA with XBMC plugged into our TV, however the controller is cumbersome, and the UI is clunky with the OUYA getting slower as time goes on, from its beginning less than stellar speeds.

What I am looking to do, is basically replicate our current setup with the device, however I don't even know if it's possible. Currently we have our lounge, with the OUYA plugged in (via HDMI) to our TV. Plugged into the OUYA we have a 2TB externally powered HDD, and this has multiple movies, TV shows and other types of files on it. We use Kodi to play the files from the hard drive, and whenever we want to update the files on the drive, or remove them we just unplug the hard drive, and plug it into a computer and make the neccesary changes.

That is the key limitation to this, my parents live off their mobile hotspot with no home internet/Wi-Fi, and so the Android TV would be offline for the majority of its life, we have access to multiple internet connections that I can set things up on, but as for at home they don't have a constant Wi-Fi network. To my knowledge this removes the ability to use something like Plex and so fourth, as... there is no wireless.

We live in Australia, which also brings forward another problem of availability. The movies that we are playing are a maximum of 1080p (mkv or mp4), and are all on the external hard drive.

Is there some app that I can download on the TV, that is going to be able to read off an external hard drive and play the files off of it (preferably not Kodi, but it would be fine if I had too..).

And the final question of what Android TV device would be the best to use, a Nexus Player, or something like the new Xiaomi Mi Box etc?

8 Answers

Anyone that can share HueVue TV apk?

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I'm thinking of buying an Android TV box. I also want a good remote. Are there any decent cheap options for me?

I don't know where to start. What are some things I should be aware of or look for?

6 Answers

First sighting of Xiaomi Mi Box AndroidTV on Ebay

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Update help

[deleted]

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Anyone know how to add missing Freeview channels for the Sony Sideview app for those in Australia?

I'm based out of Brisbane am only using Freeview. I recently got on of the Sony 2015 smart TVs and noticed that there are missing channels in the Sideview app when I'm using the guide in it. One example is the Food Network. I've tried using the Freeview channel list, Brisbane, and Brisbane Extended but no luck in any of those.

Has anyone successfully set up their guide on Sideview?

2 Answers

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