Hi,
I'm interested in getting a MI BOX or similar Android TV OS device, but all the ones I've seen have minimalist remotes. This is not good for live TV which I would want to use with the box (Kodi frontend, TVheadend backend with DVB-S2 card). Is there any way to add an IR remote control and to remap buttons? I'm not interested in using a flirc btw, bad experience with the device.
A usb 2.4 dongle remote will work on any Android box with usb port. Button mapper app by flar2 makes it simple to remap buttons. This is my favorite remote and most of the buttons are reprogrammable and i think you could create the buttons you mentioned.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B074W87CZ2?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd_title
What about Yatse remote on android?
I don't know if it will be update with Oreo yet, but I can say there is no IR codes for numbers. So you would have to go a different route than an IR remote.
There are 4 IR commands that I have yet to figure out, page up/page down button commands, - and + button commands, Android Menu button command, and the standard buttons on the Bluetooth remote.
You can add your own IR commands to the Mi Box, but that is a pain in the ass. Hoping that the Oreo update will also come an IR update from Xiaomi.
Of course CEC IR works though.
If your TV has HDMI-CEC you can use the number buttons in Live Channels with the TV remote on the Mi Box. That's really it without the FLIRC.