Hi
Is there any self booting appliance client project for the channels front end
I see there are various Kodi stuff or a Pi backend but what I am looking for is a self boot image that I can install to a small old NUC box or old pc
Something like Libreelec - so a just enough OS for Channels image that I can connect to the TV and use a remote as I would a traditional DVR
Or to expand on this a Just enough OS for Channels box that boots to a front end interface and has the DVR recording functionality as well
So effectively an all in one box solution like a Humax PVR box
From what I have read the Pi image is the nearest but it does not connect directly to TV for watching Channels ?. I only have a Pi 3 so unable to test/check this
Sorry very new to Channels and I hope this all makes sense and I have not missed something that already exists
Thanks
You can do this on the ts4k add a usb c drive install the server and client. Add the start in app to automatically boot into channels client app and you have a pvr.
Hi Tom
Thanks for the info I like the idea and concept
Unfortunately this box/dongle is not available in the UK and importing at the moment is costly (almost doubles the price) and no gtee it will work
I have a fire TV stick, Roku and the new chromecast with google TV
None of them as far as I can tell are able to add a usb drive or have both the server and client installed
Or have the ability to boot automatically directly to channels - As far as I can tell
Thanks again for the reply
You can add a usb drive to the firestick by using a otg usb adapter they run about $5 us on Amazon. However firetv os only supports fat32 format which has a file size limit of 4gb. Most 1 hr recordings are bigger thenthat. I have also used this setup on a generic android devices. Any box running androidtv will work. Here in the US you can get one for under $50 on Amazon. The Google tv device can also use a usb drive with the correct hub but runs a newer version of androidtv that can not run the channels server app.
Yea. I found a Lineage OS based image of Android TV 10 for the Pi4 (just google it you will find it)
It is bare bones, no Google apps, so adb and side load is your friend...lolz.
Also, only software decoding works.
I have not installed gapps, but just sideloaded the apps i use, works ok.
was just a thing to play around with, havn't looked at it again recently since i acquired a CCGTV dongle from a friend.
Is it that you want everything running on a single box?
What is it about running the server on a pi and using a streaming device for the client that you don’t like or won’t work?
Yes that would be nice as the most complete solution
A plug an play box exactly like the standard PVR boxes we have in the UK (Humax, Manhattan etc)
Its all about simplicity for other members of the household
They can just pick up a remote turn on the telly and only have the channels user interface to learn and navigate
I have no issue with this
I am currently using a NAS as the channels server with a 4 channel HDHomerun. Clients on Chromecast, FireTV and iOS. I am happy to navigate and use any UI or device
Other household members struggle with all the different UI. The mess of apps on the home screens that they do not want or use (at least you can use a apps only mode on the chrome dongle)
I managed a little while ago to get some acceptance for the Roku - as the interface can be made clutter free (It also has all the UK catchup services as well as Netflix, Prime etc)
Unfortunately Channels is not available for Roku as noted on the forums
Hence the search for a simple one box solution for TV watching and recording
Thanks @Tom_Leach, @tmm1, @speedingcheetah for the other options I will look into those further