DirecTV Osprey/Gemini Boxes

[mackid1993]

My 60233 boxes got the update as well.

[krazijoe]

Do we have a fix for the Ad screens that pop up about 1x a week and always seem to be when I want to record something.
I use AH4C.

[Shaggylive]

@krazijoe

Do we have a fix for the Ad screens that pop up about 1x a week

never seen such a thing. what directv package do you have? (freeview / genre pack / choice, ultimate, ect..)
have you changed all these settings?

@spammedeeper

Here are a few recommendations, all found in settings (somewhere, doing this from memory):

1. Disable HDMI CEC
2. Disable HDR
3. Set Preference on Wake to return to Last Channel, not Home Screen.
4. Disable Surround Sound, set to Stereo
5. Set to automatically select your DirecTV profile (if you have multiple) on reboot.
6. Disable Deep Sleep or sleep after four hours if you intend to let them run all the time.
7. Use ADB to disable DOZE setting, to avoid deep sleep, especially for the DirecTV app (launcher on the Osprey)
8. Tune a Channel with sports, turn off sports mode, or score mode (forget what it's called)
9. Advanced: Remove any unnecessary apps using ADB shell. This speeds things up.

I also disable Location, and Usage & Diagnostics

[spammedeeper]

Osprey Details updated:

• Dealing with a used Osprey that is attached to an existing DTV Account - The Auto Login Challenge

• Quick Cleanup of Unwanted Apps using Windows Batch File

[mackid1993]

I personally like to disable the cast receiver and katniss, which is Google Assistant. I don't like all my Ospreys polluting the cast devices on my network and someone potentially casting to them. And I also don't like someone potentially trying to talk on one of my Google speakers and stopping one of my Ospreys from streaming.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.mediashell
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.katniss

[mutebutton]

This is immensely helpful @spammedeeper & @mackid1993 - thank you very much for putting this together. Just to add another resource here, I came across another post from @spammedeeper from back in December which included some more config examples.

Linking here for reference

ADBTuner: Create Channels, Custom Config and CDVR Custom Channels for DirecTV

I shared the following with @mackid1993 yesterday, prep for an Osprey setup like I have. As there seems to be some interest, at least for a reference document, sharing publicly. ADBT+DODL - Using ADBT with DirecTV Osprey Devices and Deep Links DirecTV offers a branded Android/Google TV Hardware. The original was released as the Osprey in late 2018/early 2019. They are out of production, but are relatively cheap and still supported. I have six of them total, some for production, some for t…

[spammedeeper]

Osprey Details updated:

• ADBTuner Setup Sample

[spammedeeper]

Happy to help. Started with Ospreys back in 2023. I've written many guides, shared lots of my challenges and solutions over the years. I'm slowly migrating all my info into this thread for future members of Team Osprey. Let me know how I may assist (which will be most likely on weekends when I have more time).

[mutebutton]

Anyone aware of how to get past the remote pairing step? I was able to use a keyboard to get into the Android TV device settings by mashing random Function keys (somewhere between F7-F11) so I was able to force firmware updates from the remote pairing screen... but I'm not sure how to get past remote pairing.

Edit: oh interesting, remote setup seems to get skipped after installing the latest firmware. just took me straight to the QR code login page.

[spammedeeper]

Glad you got it working. IIRC the remote setup will eventually time out and you can continue with a keyboard. I will need to test this theory and add to my notes.

[mutebutton]

Adapting the bloatware uninstall script slightly for folks on unix-based systems. Here is an example assuming you have adb installed in /Applications on macOS. Linux would be the same, just update the path to the adb install location. Unix users can copy this into a new text file, chmod +x <filename> to make it executable, and then run it like any other shell script ./<filename>

#!/bin/bash
apps=(
    com.peacocktv.peacockandroid
    com.pandora.android.atv
    com.espn.score_center
    com.playworks.freegames
    com.amazon.amazonvideo.livingroom
    com.discovery.discoveryplus.mobile
    com.hulu.livingroomplus
    com.wbd.stream
    com.glance.tv.directv
    com.disney.disneyplus
)
for app in "${apps[@]}"; do
    echo "Uninstalling $app..."
    /Applications/adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 ${app}
done
echo Done.

[spammedeeper]

Excellent. Added to the Osprey Details page!

[kprice]

In case this comes up again, it's 'Press and hold 'Fast Forward & Rewind' at the same time for 5-10 seconds. Should get a message - remote is ready to use.

So glad to find this thread - hope we can keep it updated. I've 4 of these for over 2 years -thanks to @spammedeeper's recommendation back then. Just received 5 more and setting them up. Nice to everything in one place.

[spammedeeper]

Glad to help. Just curious, with the five additional Ospreys you will have 9 total!?! If so, I applaud your dedication!

[mackid1993]

I would definitely recommend getting like a file holder for them.
https://www.staples.com/tru-red-7-compartment-wire-mesh-file-organizer-matte-black-tr57552/product_24402449

[krazijoe]

No, this is just a D* ad to purchase their services like HBO MAx or Peacock or they are advertising for the Super Bowl or March Madness or Free Showtime weekend. It's usually a static screen you just click through after you turn the Osprey on.

[mackid1993]

I also thought I was a little overkill with six 60233 models! I'm surprised anyone has more than me at this point.

[Shaggylive]

@kprice

I've 4 of these for over 2 years -thanks to @spammedeeper's recommendation back then. Just received 5 more and setting them up. Nice to everything in one place.

@mackid1993

I also thought I was a little overkill with six 60233 models! I'm surprised anyone has more than me at this point.

still not organized, or clean, but I figured i'd share

no not all are working, yes i have more than i need.
if anyone is looking DM me, i got them cheep, will get rid of extras cheep too

[mackid1993]

I would definitely consider a laptop cooler below those and also spacing them out a little bit more if you can.

[kprice]

With the rate TVE is disappearing, trying to get future proof. I record a ton of sports, throw in family members - not sure what I'll end up with. Time for an upgrade anyway. Switching from Uray to Linkpi's adding more Ospreys, along with trying to get rid of my rat's nest I've had for 3 years.

So far, I have 2 Ospreys with LinkPi running and testing has been good. I even switched to Poe to get rid of the power bricks, using a Kitchen cutting board rack to standup the Ospreys to help with the heat & my rat's nest issue. I've got my eye on a laptop cooler I'll add if needed. It's all still on my bench for now. Fun stuff...