How to get Live TV in an AndroidTV player?

by AleHoju

So I've been reading about this and I'm a bit confused.

First I want to clarify that I live in EU and use DVB-T2 (digital TV is broadcasted to an antenna in my house and that signal is decodified by the built in tuner in the tv. So no cable nor satellite.)

--> Now, it seems like the only/best option to get live TV in AndroidTV is connecting the device to an existent server (you get a tuner like Tablo or HDHomeRun that connects to your router and sets a network that distribute live tv to every device in the house).

But if you only want to watch live TV in one TV and already have the antenna connection next to it this option seems like a waste.

--> Other option is live tv via the internet but it's not as convenient and a waste of bandwith. Besides, many of this web streams are not legal so this isn't reliable.

--> So my question is, why isn't this easier? Why can't you just connect a DVB-T2 tuner to an AndroidTV device and just watch live TV? Or you indeed can? Is the software part missing?

My understanding is the tuner would give the device the decodified signal and it just have to play it (I think in Windows at least is this way, no need for software if you don't want fancy things, it's plug and play in whatever multimedia player).

Thanks.

Andrroid

Why can't you just connect a DVB-T2 tuner to an AndroidTV device and just watch live TV?

USB Tuner support is coming with Android 7.0 Google recently announced support for 3 or 4 USB tuners (no EU ones yet I believe). Additionally, the only Android TV device that I know of that is on Android 7.0 is the Nexus Player.

Your best bet for now might be a back end pc of some kind with the dvb tuner plugged in running some sort of OTA software that then feeds a Kodi install on your Android TV over your local network.

puzl

I have a Linux sat box/dream box clone with 2x dvb-t2 and 2x dvb-s2 tuners in it.

On android I run kodi.

Kodi can tune from the enigma2 and stream content, access recordings, set timers etc. All with a full and short EPG interface.

Now IMO the interface is poor enough, but it works well once you get used to it.

The main TV in the house uses the sat box directly, the second TV has a fire TV.

And any PC, phone, tablet etc that can run kodi can also be used to access broadcast TV.

Edit: I'm in Ireland and have FTA terrestrial broadcasts and satellite broadcasts. I don't pay for sky or anything like that.

Bodycount9

If you want to watch live TV with an android box, you have to wait for 7.0 Android TV.

Wetek makes a normal Android box that has DVB-T2 ports in the back so you can watch your live tv plus get the android shell. Wetek Play 2 it's called. It was released a couple months ago.

Balderick

Install TVPlayer app?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tvplayer

No tuner! Live channels free. Internet channels, Catch up and on demand tv all are available for modest subscription.