There are no android devices listed for server installation that I know of. The Shield was the only one and that is being discontinued in March.
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Because there are none and not supported a Windows/Linux MINIPC draws very little power that is what they recommend for low power.
Sorry, but I just did exactly that...the cheapest minipc I could find that had decent specs was the Beelink S12. That costs $169.00 on Amazon. The average middle class person really doesn't have that kind of money to spend on a dedicated device! What they do have is plenty of android devices attached to their tvs etc. Channels needs to respond more to "everyday people" in my opinion.
Except the mini PC also includes at least 8GB RAM and 256MB, as well as a wired network interface (I would never want to run a server that relies on low latency like a DVR over wireless). Don't forget to include the costs for an external hard drive, USB hub so you can attach the hard drive, as well as to attach your network adapter. Also, you likely cannot upgrade the RAM in your Android device. (The mini PC allows for future upgrades to memory and storage.)
Taking all of that into consideration, the mini PC is a better value/investment long term.
Of course, all of this is mostly moot, as current releases of Android have changed the system that running an always-on server is difficult if not outright impossible.
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You were replying to a 6yr old Feature Request for an Android "Client".
Moved your conversation here where the "server" is being discussed.
See the blog post here Sunsetting Channels DVR Server on Nvidia Shield
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Just to be blunt, I am a 79 year old woman, who happens to be fairly tech savvy! I live in a community of seniors where at least 200 people have antennas. They would gladly run a simple program on their Firestick, google, or even phone or android tablet. They are DEFINITELY not going to run out and buy a minipc just to run channels dvr! I would like to see channels support as much of the population as possible so it successfully continues!
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There is a currently a Beelink s12 n100 on Amazon right now for $139. You can run this 24/7 for a year for just under $5 in electricity. Add an Onn 4k streamer for $20 and your total is $180 plus tax. Just under $200 all in. Now look at the price of a new Shield TV Pro. $199 plus tax and you need external storage for the Shield.
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Ma'am,
Did you miss the reason they gave for no longer supporting Nvidia Shield?
" But due to changes in rules of the Google Play Store, and other technical limitations of hosting Channels DVR Server on an Android system, we stopped officially supporting it"
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No matter the situation, if you want DVR type features, you need a server. As I recall there is a standalone app where you can simply watch TV, no fun stuff like recording. You can pause, rewind, etc. That would fit your stated needs, right?
Link is to that app on the Google Play Store and it costs $$$.
Then again, there are plenty of ways to do it for free.
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I am sad to see the Nvidia Shield to be dropped from support. I built by home system around Channels, Nvidia and homerun. I was totally expecting to be using this set up until ATSC 3.0 pushed me off of it. I am not buying another server just for this interim time. I did pay for a year subscription but not getting a year of support. Good bye Channels, I would have been a lifelong subscriber.
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