Can Android TV navigate 'normal' tv channels?

by Tetrylene

Hi,

I have a 94 year old grandmother, who's hard to hearing, that I'm trying to teach how to use Netflix. I thought the best way to do this was to get her a Amazon Fire TV cube but the process of trying to explain to her how to navigate AV channels / HDMI inputs, and how to use the UI is extremely painful. I love her dearly but she can barely use any piece of technology and this whole process has required Buddha levels of time and patience. She couldn't figure out how to change the channel for the entirety of yesterday and didn't tell me until I phoned to check in.

I was thinking of getting this for her: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-BRAVIA-KD43XG81-43-inch-Android/dp/B07P8W43C8/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=sony%2Bandroid%2Btv&qid=1589427597&sr=8-3&th=1

If I were to get an android TV, can it navigate 'normal' TV channels with voice commands (e.g "okay google, go to channel 1 / BBC 1")? Or is it just locked to apps?

Thanks.

ktaliana

If you use the Live Channels built-in app you will be able to navigate to different channels using voice command.

You just need to make sure that your "normal" channels are supported by the app. Cable, satellite and DTT channels can be added if Android TV is built in your TV, or your box should support these signals.

IPTV channels can be added using a free 3rd party app that you download from the play store.

tthinker

The live channels app in Android TV is typically the closest thing that resembles a navigation interface in android tv. There’s a fair amount of apps out there that feed into it (including over the air channels if you have an antenna) that mix it all into one app. Which could pretty much be the only app they would open for live content.

Other than that am not familiar with Sony TV’s but generally in many Android TV branded devices like MiBox and ShieldTV they have a dedicated button (Usually will be Netflix, Vudu, and possibly LiveTV). But many of these also have a voice recognition button to trigger it too.

Princeolivier

I have a sony with sony you can use the live channels app its preloaded with sony with a diff name you can also install the original from google so basicaly its a tv navigation system you can input by typing numbers or you can go up and down or go or bring up the the menu of the last view channels take a look at my app its works with the live channels you dont have to download it just look at the youtube vid to have an idea of the live channels app. free iptv

Princeolivier

I forgot you can also use your antenna on it

elister

Using a HDHomerun Device and Live Channels or Kodi (PVR Plugin) you can channel surf (channel up / channel down) much like you do now with cable TV. While you can sideload Kodi onto a FireTV device, Live Channels is strictly an Android TV only thing.

This setup would eliminate the need to switch HDMI input.

Princeolivier

Lol no its a tv u can do whatever you want with it if its android then u have apps some apps are free some apps are not free and you have normal tv you plug in your antenna 🤣

Princeolivier

Just checked there is no voice on the remote , but if you get a diff remote that has voice might work coz voice its integrated but i cnt check ...

this is the model that i have its 2015

abdhjops

For my kids I ripped out all the BS apps on my Bravia. We have TV, Netflix, and PBS Kids apps on the Home screen. The kids know how to hit Home\TV\ or Home\Netflix. You could try that for her.

The Bravia also has the Android voice assistant but I don't know if that can navigate TV channels.