Old Logitech Revue User

by five_fifths

I'm thinking about getting an ATV box but through all my research I can't find whether the new boxes integrate cable TV as well as apps.

What I loved about the Revue was that it compiled your options from everywhere including what was on live TV.

I already have a Roku and a Chromecast, I don't want to get an ATV box if it is just going to be another way for me to access apps on my TV. I'm looking for something that will overlay a UI over live TV while giving me access to all my streaming apps.

Any suggestions?

Bigsam411

Nvidia shield is the best option but also the most expensive one.

For Live TV You can get an HDHomeRun tuner. These come in two varieties:

  1. OTA with an antenna: HDHomerun Connect
  2. Cable Card: HDHomerun Prime

Option 1 will take an antenna signal and broadcast the channels over Ethernet which can then be viewed on the Shield

Option 2 is the same as option 1 but you get a cable card from the cable company (usually around a $2 fee per month or so) and the cable card picks up cable channels which can then be viewed on the Shield.

HDHomerun has an app called HDHomerun View and Android TV has an app called Live channels and then there is Plex.

HDHomerun View has a DVR (for a fee) which can be installed on the Shield or any Windows, Linux, or Mac computer. The DVR can then be accessed by the view app on any phone, tablet, computer, or streaming box that has it installed (not every streaming Box supports it but Android TV does). Without the DVR you can just stream the channels live if you like just not record them.

Live channels is an app by Google. it is sorta difficult to explain but basically there is an api that other apps can use. Apps that have their own channels can interface with this api and expose their channels to Live channels. That way if you have multiple apps with their own channels they can all be displayed in the live channels app. HDhomerun tuners are directly accessible through the Live channels app and they will also get DVR features for free. The problem here is that you can only access the DVR from the device it is installed on as far as I know and not over the network. Alternatively the HDHomerun view app I discussed above can also expose its channels into the live channels app. You cannot access the HDhomeRun DVR though through this setup.

A third option here is Plex DVR. I am personally not a huge fan of the interface here but the Plex DVR can also access the HDHomerun tuners and use them as a DVR. You can install the Plex server on the Shield, or on any number of other platforms including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.

When you search for content using the Android TV search I believe you will see live TV results for the Live Channels app only. Someone could correct me if I am wrong though. Other apps including Netflix, Google Play, Vudu and more also integrate into the search as well.

One last thing is that Android TV also supports most of the Live TV streaming services like Sling TV, YouTube TV, Tablo, and others as well. Most streaming boxes work with those too.

Anyways I hope that is helpful.

ic0n440

I still have my Revue. No, there is nothing on the market currently that interfaces like that device. Never understood why they killed the project so early. I hadn't to open mine to replace a fan because the bearings failed on it but she still works.

A buddy of mine bought a Sony TV based on the revue. The TV is awesome to this day and the best controller I've ever seen for a TV but it's crippled by the old Android OS it's running. Actually his YouTube app finally died.

syruptape

i'm just here to say that i loved the Revue so damn much.

Ekos640

u need a hdhr prime to use with it for cable tv functionality along with apps

ifixpedals

I don't know if you're going to find what you're looking for. All the options out there are going to require running an app. Even the HDHomerun cable solutions run in an app. Personally, I'd go the route of streaming "cable"-like apps like Sling TV, YouTube TV, Playstation Vue, etc. The experience feels roughly the same as a cable box, but often these services often run about half the price of cable TV service anyway. Just make sure the service has all the channels you watch regularly. Most offer local stations, but check that as well. Also make sure your ISP gives you enough bandwidth on your broadband plan.

allanfarrell

I still use my Logitech keyboard that I got with my revue with my shield. Had a Sony Google TV box as well.

The hdmi passthrough with both were great.

Live channels will allow you to stream channels on Android TV which eliminates the need to switch inputs between Android TV and cable TV if you have it.