Android Live Channels (Just for Discussion)

Channels DVR Server
#1

Please delete if this is distracting or too off topic…

I have both an Apple TV and Shield, and while I love what Channels provides on TVos, I feel like android offers a better platform for live tv (universal voice search, ability to change channels with voice using the channel number/name or show name, background video, grid guide, parental controls, and ability to hide channels).

I’ve given up on Silicondust and would love to see someone make an app that takes full advantage of the Live Channels app API. Is there any possibility of the GetChannels guys working on something like this in the future using the DVR backend? I don’t care about having a full blown android app, just a basic app that that provides instructions to the Live Channels framework.

#2

While not Android fans generally, this is definitely one of the things that’s nice about the platform. They have these cool areas that you can just HOOK in to. The universal search is nice too.

The biggest issue right now with Android TV, is that it seems that the only people using it are Shield users (and they love them). What are the other popular Android TV boxes out there? The market is just kinda small right now (yes the irony of us supporting only the Apple TV 4 has not been lost on me :slight_smile:

So yeah, while it’s super interesting having the ability to just wire up support from the eventual Channels DVR server, its just one more thing that would take time away from our main goals. So it’s definitely not something we’ll be doing any time soon. But if/when we were to ever support other platforms, slipping into the Shield through the Live Channels framework is definitely intriguing. It makes it more “native” to the platform too.

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#3

I’d be interested to see the sales #'s of the nexus player after they went on fire sale, and hopefully we will see a new “box” at I/O (not holding my breath though). I think the past failure of Google TV really crippled adaption along with the success of the Chromecast. Most people are satisfied with their Chromecast and don’t see the benefit up upgrading, and even major apps like WatchESPN don’t offer native support since the casting ability is already available.

The “native” experience however is amazing, I would gladly replace every STB in my house with a $50 Nexus Player if a DVR app took full advantage of Live Channels. With CEC controls it is an easy transition, even for a guest, to pick up the remote and press in the channel #'s. Another feature of the API that I’ve seen the Pluto app take advantage of is categories, when you have the guide open you can select something like “movies” and have the guide narrowed down to only channels now playing movies.

Ya’ll have my support even if you never branch out from TVOS.

BTW the categories feature would be great on AppleTV as well, depending on the guide provider could you actually filter out channels based on the type of content now playing?

#4

Sony TV’s have android baked in as a native OS. However the processor and ram kinda suck. I installed the HDHR view app and couldn’t get a stable picture as the TV just couldn’t handle the volume of information coming in from the connect. Might work with an Extend though due to the H.264. But who uses Android anyway, not when there’s Apple :grin:

#5

It’s not a processor issue, HDView app just doesn’t utilize the HW decoder on Sony TVs yet. I’m not a fanboy of any OS (Windows Desktop, Apple phone, and Chromebook are my daily drivers) but Android TV is a better platform for Live Tv and DVR use due to the features I previously mentioned.

If Apple ever offers framerate switching, HD audio passthru, a wide range of video codec support, and a native live tv interface I’ll make the switch full time. For now my Apple TV gets used solely for Channels and WatchESPN.

#6

Oh what I would do for 24 fps.

#7

Submit a feature request to Apple as outlined in https://firecore.com/forum/topic/15026

#8

I know the HDView app will eventually get DVR inscriptions for Live Channels TIF, but I would rather not run two record engines and have much more faith in the abilities of you guys. Would y’all be open to creating a survey to gauge interest in an Android app (no GUI just TIF instructions) that integrates all the new DVR features of Android N talking to the record engine?

Also, I don’t have any copy once protected channels (yet) but do you plan on having DTCP-IP certification?

#9

Sorry for bumping an old topic, but is there any future potential updates on whether Channels DVR will be compatible with Live Channels on Android TV/Nvidia Shield? This app is one of my favorites on the Shield, and I'm hoping that one day Locast and Channels DVR would be compatible with it, because I have no intention of getting an antenna, HDHomeRun, or other expensive equipment to go with my shield when I already have all of the streaming I need, just would rather have an integrated channels menu in one app with PiP and DVR capabilities. Perhaps it is too much to ask, but I am very curious to know if there is potential for cross-compatibility in the future. Thank you.