Channels app and new tivo streaming stick

Channels Android TV
#115

Got a TiVo stream 4K. so far....its alright.
Remote is smaller than i expected.

Channels does run fine on it. Including the Alpha...so far.

A thing i do notice....the device does NOT support the full band 5ghz AC wifi. (UNII-2-Extended)
My AP and other devices, is using mid band AC, which is channels 100-144.
(Both my Nvidia Shields see my wifi fine, but are hard wired)
So, had to use my secondary AP on 5ghz other bands to use this TiVo Stream.
Would prefer to hardwire it, but it does not have a Ethernet port.
Also, the remote is not backlit.

#116

I now have adds for show/movies by Google on the top part of my tivo 4K all of a sudden. Google Play Staff Picks

It is like a new home screen "Channel" bar was added, but it has no option to remove it.

The only thing I have done to it, was install the new Channels DVR Beta app, and when i went back to the home screen, there was these ads.

Any one else have this show up? How do I remove it?

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I read somewhere that the Android TV Home thing (launcher?) got an update with this, and I DID see that in the update list when i went into the My Apps page, however, my other Android TV devices, 2x Shields, also updated to the same version of that app, and are not showing this.

#117

See https://www.tivocommunity.com/community/index.php?threads/android-tv’s-new-home-screen-will-now-recommend-movies-tv-shows-and-apps.578818/

#118

gave that a read. thing is though, like i mentioned, all 3 devices have updated to the same version of the Android TV Home app (2.1.3-320113730-f).

Only the Tivo Stream 4K is showing this new annoyance.
So, what makes the Tivo different?
It takes up so much screen space.

I did the "Uninstall Updates" for the TV Home, on the Tivo, and that reverted it to version 1.11.2-273432517-f (i assume is the original factory ROM version, so it probably way out of date, no idea what version it had before it updated) That removed the ads.
The only apps I have on the thing, is Channels Beta and YouTube. All other apps are removed/disabled.

I am for sure going to turn off "Auto Update" in the Play store now on my Shields.

That seems to be the only change they made to the launcher?
Not worth the update for the annoyance.

Maybe I can find previous version of the app and sideload it to update from the old factory version, though, i think it is system app, so that may not install.
EDIT: It worked. Got apk from apkmirror, last version 2.0.10-307630529-f (May 4, 2020). Side loaded and updated the built in app fine.

EDIT: Seems this new "Highlights" thing is in more wide spread a roll out now: https://9to5google.com/2020/08/18/android-tv-homescreen-ads-turn-off-staff-picks/

Also, Shields may not be getting the ads, for now:

#119

Yeah, that's the only way to get rid of the ads. At some point not updating will break something important, so you won't have a choice.

Strangely enough I haven't gotten this update on my Shield TVs, so either it won't happen until the next Shield TV update from Nvidia, or Shield TVs are exempted. Hopefully it's the latter.

#120

Not able to see Channels DVR under accessibility-services on new TiVo Stream 4K device. Tried on both public and beta apps. What could be the reason?

#121

Google forced them to remove it for inclusion in the Play Store.

#122

Any workaround?

#123

Get the Button Mapper app and change the DVR button (or any button of your choice) to open the Channels App (you will probably want to also make the same button double pressed bring you home). Once inside the Channels app, all the functions work as normal and expected.

Just a heads up that TiVo screwed a lot of things up and long presses mostly no longer work in Button Mapper, just single presses and double presses. I could take some screen shot of my setup tomorrow if you need additional help.

1 Like
TiVo Stream 4K & Button Mapper for Remote
#124

I'm facing the same issues. I'm only running Channels DVR beta so the Tivo Channels Button Detector is gone. I've got Button Mapper which was set up but now everything is messed up, My Guide button doesn't work (inside the app) for example. Do you have Guide mapped in button mapper? If so, can you share the settings?

ADDED - got the Guide button working inside so that's resolved. Would be interested to see how you have used Button Mapper.. Thanks

#125

Was about to say that in Button Mapper I have Guide set up as "Default" for single click and it just works, so not much to see there!

Saw your other thread about the Guide Channels Collections and replied there for that, but sounds like a different issue.

#126

Channels experience on Tivo Stream is dead. Live/Guide button clicks were awesome with accessibility shortcut.

#127

Digging up this old thread as I'm considering getting either a Tivo Stream 4k or Chromecast 4k for my basement TV. Are you saying ChannelsDVR doesn't work on Tivo at all, or just that the button shortcuts or mappings don't work anymore?

Anyone have a recommendation for Chromecast vs. Tivo Stream?

#128

It still works the same. However, to get the extra buttons to work, you need to use the beta version, and Google will not allow this extra functionality to be distributed through the Play Store.

#129

I see, appreciate the response! How's the tivo stream holding up? Recommend it?

#130

I have both and they hold up equally, but in a new situation I would go with the Google one. The one thing the TiVO device has going for it is a far superior remote. To really take advantage of the TiVO one, though, you need to "de-TiVO" it. It is hopelessly out of date and full of bloatware.

#131

walmart has their 4k Onn box for $20 that has the best of both worlds. Good tivo like remote, and a brand new device that hasn't been unofficially given up on like the tivo.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/onn-Google-TV-4K-Streaming-Box-New-2023-4K-UHD-resolution/2835618394?athbdg=L1100&from=/search

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#132

Thanks for the suggestion! I looked into this as well, but I have a Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos compatible setup, so that seems to be the big downside to the Onn box.

I wonder if I could just grab the Onn box for the improved remote. Anyone ever try using an Onn remote with a CCWGTV? Would be cool if the Channel buttons worked in the ChannelsDVR app..

#133

the channel buttons work out of the box. Both in the guide and while watching a channel.

the button remapping app detects the button to launch live tv but i cant remap without the paid version so that probably works too. no idea what CCWGTV is.

#134

As mentioned, it's on par with the CCGTV. The problem is very few apps make use of the extra remote buttons.

The flaw with both is the small amount of storage. However, that seems to be the standard for Android devices.