Looks like the new Chromecast with Google TV has an API for liveTV that can be used by apps other than YouTube. Looks like Sling already has that setup. Would be great if Channels had that as well. We have 2 Mi Box running with Anrdoid TV 9 and really like the Up Next and Movie integration with Channels and Android TV, but using the Live TV feature built into Google TV would be even better.
It's probably tied to the new updated TV Input Framework in Android 10.
It's similar to how Live Channels integration worked for Android 7–9.
Yeah I was wondering if that was the case.
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I don't care how it works, I just want it. The closer to a normal tv viewing experience, the better. Which includes ditching all the left right scrolling.
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Is Channels even going to have an app for this?
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Isn't it Android TV ? There is already an APP for android TV. Check the Play Store.
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I thought it was Google tv. The Streamable said it didn’t have The Live Channles app, I figured it is a different OS
Google TV is several things:
- The old Play Movies & TV app is now called Google TV
- The new homescreen overlay that the new "Chromecast with Google TV" uses is called Google TV
- The TV device that Google had before Chromecast and Android TV devices was called Google TV
This new device is a combination of the first 2; the third no longer exists. Think of this as Google's version of the TiVo Stream 4K: an Android TV device with an interface built around aggregating streaming services, and integrating an OTT live TV streaming service (the TiVo device defaults to SlingTV, this device defaults to YouTubeTV).
Under the convoluted interface trying to be too much of everything to do anything great, they're both just Android TV devices. The TiVo device has the advantage of a better remote; the Google device has the advantage of getting regular updates from Google.
In any case, the "Live TV" component of both devices seems to be built upon Android TV's TV Input Framework. Whether the new device's "Live TV" section is as open as Android TV's is yet to be seen, though. It might end up being like Amazon's Fire OS Live TV integration, and will only work with specific whitelisted apps.
Ok, It’s just a new interface for Android tv. Is this the best option besides the Shield? I don’t think I can last another day with my Apple TV.
This is probably a yes, other options would be the Tivo Stream 4k, Airplay TV or Mi Box all of which will regularly be behind on Android updates. For example Mi Box S just got Anrdoid 9 a few months ago.
Shield is the most powerful of them all and Nvidia is good at up keeping up on updates. Obviously anything directly from Google will get the most frequent updates. I would say anyone in the market should get a Shield for any primary locations and Chromecast 4k with Google TV for secondary locations. Bonus on the Shield is that it can run the DVR software well and it works with TVE.
I do have the DVR with TVE running on a Mi Box S right now and it works pretty well, but a Shield would work much better. We will likely be getting Shield soon.
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It completely depends upon your needs. Think of it as the Google version of a Fire TV Stick 4K. The only difference is with this device you get plain Android with fewer limitations, the ads aren't as pervasive and in-your-face (but they're still there), and greater application support; but they both have quite limited storage, as they're meant to be primarily for streaming content, which doesn't require a lot of local storage.
The TiVo Stream 4K is probably a better comparison; and between the two I'd go for the Google option because of TiVo's history with software.
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I use a NAS, so I wouldn’t need storage. How about playing MPEG 2?
Android TV supports mpeg2 as do most of the devices that use it. Shield, Mi Box, Tivo Stream 4k, Airplay TV and FireTV 4Kall have hardware decoders for mpeg2. I would expect the Chromecast with Google TV to support it as well, but have not seen documentation on that yet. Even if it doesn't it will have enough power to decode mpeg2 in software which Channels supports.
Edit: I would say easiest way is to pick one up from the store and try it. If it doesn't work take it back.
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This was in reference to storage for the apps on the device itself. The less storage a device has, the fewer apps that can be installed.
Also, and more importantly for Channels, the live TV buffer is stored on device. So, if your device only has a gigabyte or so of free space, that's going to limit how long your buffer (to pause live TV, etc.) will be. Small amounts of storage may grant you 30 minutes or less, depending on the source. On the other hand, and Apple TV usually has far more storage than an Android device, meaning a much larger live TV buffer.
I got my chromecast yesterday and this morning started using it. Installed channels app and it works great. watched a mixture of OTA and TVE channels and everything was smooth. very happy this is out and for a good price.
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I ordered one as I have some movies in Google Movies/Play in 4K want to see how it performs. I am not really happy with my ShieldTV tube.
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I haven't used shield tv. I bought my apple tv a few years ago before channels was introduced on android so I haven't had a need for it. I usually hear everyone say the shield works very well.
I use A New FireTV Cube as my main device for Viewing ... I only use the Shield to View DRM Channels using HDHomeRun App and Google movies. I prefer the FireTV Cube and my Echo Studios sound is terrific.
The shield works excellent. Protip: look for a Pro model from 2015 or 2017. They have 500GB instead of 16GB. Just becareful someone didnt upgrade the internal drive, which prevents firmware updates. I got one, all original, and its been a great great buy. Gaming, movies, whole home DVR and a Plex/Emby all in one. Plus their is always the adaptable storage which is WAY better when your device storage is more than enough for all of the finicky system stuff that doesnt enjoy adaptable storage.......
This has less memory free then the fs4k or the ts4k with the same apps added. Also the pip don't work with the new os on here. And I can't get the search key to work from the remote shortcuts. No volume control on the device like on the ts4k. Just my first thoughts.