Advice for a newbie please

[GeoffT]

Hi.

I'm in the UK and have just started my Channels DVR adventure. I've ordered a HomeRun Quattro, Raspi4, & WD USB3 Storage for the server side, but keep going round in circles for the best hardware for the client and would really appreciate some advice.

A bit of background

I have a Node Red based Home Automation system and control all of my existing AV gear using IP control for automated tasks. But for "normal" control and for an acceptable WAF it is all controlled using an IR remote that controls nothing directly but has it's commands received and interpreted by Node Red which then sends the appropriate IP commands. Sounds complicated but actually works very well as I can create my own "Harmony" style activities but using a fairly basic IR remote and I have complete control over what each button does - eg some spare buttons on the remote also control lights.

I understand I can control Channels DVR itself using IP, but would ideally also like to control the main client device itself that way (if only to get it to start up in the Channels DVR app when everything is switched on). I do have a backup IR sender that Node Red can access but much prefer IP if possible.

I currently use a Roku to access YouTube and the UK catch-up apps like BBC iPlayer etc.

I know Channels DVR can't run on a Roku, so the idea is to replace that with another device that can, ideally do all of this:

Run Channels DVR client
Has YouTube, and the UK catch up apps like BBC iPlayer etc
Can be controlled by IP (or at the very least IR, not just bluetooth)
Has a LAN connection ( I have a LAN switch directly behind the TV so seems a waste to use Wifi)

I've looked at Apple TV, Fire Cube, Chromecast, Nvidia Shield and Generic Android boxes but so far haven't found one that gives me all of the above. I'm leaning towards an Android box but there are so many of them it is hard to know what quality you are getting and what sellers to trust.

It seems BBC iPlayer is especially picky on what it will run on so it maybe that I end up continuing to use the Roku for Youtube/iPlayer and get a new device specifically for Channels, but if I can find one device that does it all it would be great.

Any UK users with any advice on client devices please?

As a separate general question, does Channels DVR have the ability to go directly to a specific channel from a numeric button press? A lot of the client devices I'm looking at don't even have a numeric keypad on the remote, but I would like to retain the quick and easy "press 1 for BBC1, 3 for ITV" functionality if possible. Is that possible on Channels DVR?

Thanks in advance

Geoff

[bnhf]

@GeoffT

Run Channels DVR client
Has YouTube, and the UK catch up apps like BBC iPlayer etc
Can be controlled by IP (or at the very least IR, not just bluetooth)
Has a LAN connection ( I have a LAN switch directly behind the TV so seems a waste to use Wifi)

Lots of different ways to attack this, but from personal experience I can tell you that all this can be done on a FireStick 4K Max. The FireTV Cube would also work, and so should the Chromecast 4K w/Google TV. Ethernet ports can be added via OTG dongles on the Sticks and is built-in on the Cube.

These Android devices can be controlled by IP using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), and I think you'll find there's support in Node Red for adb. Apps can be opened, and anything you can do with a remote can be sent using an ADB command.

[Fofer]

@GeoffT

As a separate general question, does Channels DVR have the ability to go directly to a specific channel from a numeric button press? A lot of the client devices I'm looking at don't even have a numeric keypad on the remote, but I would like to retain the quick and easy "press 1 for BBC1, 3 for ITV" functionality if possible. Is that possible on Channels DVR?

I'm not sure this helps as your requirements and ingredients are different. But for what it's worth, I accomplished this with an old Logitech Harmony Companion remote:

Universal remotes & numpads

My Sony TV’s CEC works with the numpad of my Harmony 650 universal IR remote, and AppleTV. The Samsung TV in my living room however does not. One alternate idea that worked for me, with my Harmony Companion remote in that room, was assigning those number keys to my top 10 favorite channels. So instead of remembering my 10 favorite channel number assignments and having to type them in manually to jump across channels, I use the 0-9 buttons as sort of a “speed dial” instead. All of this really d…

And here's my even older Harmony 650 remote, in another room:

NEW: Improved Apple TV support for HDMI-CEC and Bluetooth remotes

These are such great updates and I am so impressed with the developer team. Thank you! Here is my beloved Harmony 650 remote in one of my rooms, it’s IR based but lasts for many months on two AA batteries, and controls my setup very well. Easy and reliable. Now I‘ve added channel favorites that I can tune to with a button press, and they work with Channels DVR. Considering all of the ingredients involved and cooperating to make this work so elegantly, this brings me great joy. Again, thank yo…

Best of luck with the rest of your project!