Using number buttons on remote not fully compatible with Channels

Channels Android TV Troubleshooting
#1

Hello,

Loving Channels so far on my Bravia 8 and it's meeting almost all my expectations.

The one small issue I'm having is with how Channels (and my TV) seem to be treating numbers on the remote control.

If I input numbers from the remote on the guide, Channels behaves as I'd expect. I can input any number combination and it will scroll to that channel. However, if I input a number during live TV, Channels begins to change the channel but the built in Android TV apps instantly rip control away and open up instead.

My TV comes with two ways of watching OTA freeview here in the UK (the Youview app and the stock Android TV "TV" app), and if I disable them both, Channels will flawlessly switch channel during live TV when I enter a number. The problem is, disabling the built in TV apps remove major functionality from the TV (can't change input and other built in apps that depend on them cease to function).

Since I'm able to input numbers from the remote on the guide without these other stock apps interfering, is it possible there's some way to fix it so I can also enter numbers during live TV, without these other apps thinking I want to use them? Unfortunately button remappers don't fix the problem, and using numbers on a keyboard also still end with the same result. CH+/CH- and other shortcuts on the remote all work fine and don't switch to another app.

Thanks

#2

We can't control the behavior of system apps unfortunately

#3

Buckle up everyone because this is the very silly solution I found to my problem. @tmm1 is right. Channels almost certainly can't be fixed to work around this. Instead I had to make a macro which disables Youview whenever Channels is playing content.

Here's how I went about it:

  • Install tvquickactions pro.
  • Enable developer mode on your TV by going to System > About > and tapping the Build number a bunch of times until it says developer mode is enabled. Go to Developer options under System and enable USB Debugging.
  • Open up tvquickactions pro. Go to Settings > ADB > enable "Use ADB for some actions".
  • Create a Custom action > ADB commands
  • Name the command "tvdisabled" and give it an icon
  • Under action put "pm disable-user --user 0 package_name" where package_name is replaced by the TV app interfering. Mine for example: "pm disable-user --user 0 com.youview.poa"
  • Repeat this step but call the next one "tvenabled" and for the action put "pm enable package_name" Mine is: "pm enable com.youview.poa"
  • Now go to Trigger Actions and Macros and add a Trigger
  • For the Action, select "tvdisabled" under the adb tab
  • For the Trigger Add one and select Playback State Changed. In the next menu select Channels and select the option media is playing
  • Make another Trigger but this time select "tvenabled" for the action, and for the trigger, Add a new one > Playback State Changed > select Channels > media stopped playing

From this point on, If Channels is playing media, Youview (or whatever package you desire) will be disabled in the background and when you stop playing media whether it's exiting the app or just returning to the guide, Youview will be re-enabled. This will allow you to use the keypad on your remote during live tv on channels without another app in the background thinking you want to use it.

I'm doing this from memory so sorry if any steps aren't clear.