[Q] nVidia Sheild TV... not quite ready for the TV - Miscellaneous Android Development

So the unit is a power house no doubt. But I have found it to be very lacking and frustrating when it comes to available streaming media apps.
First it had to update to get Netflix. Then in order to get Crunchyroll I had to side load it from my PC. The option to sideload things like Amazon Instant Video, HBO GO, Disney XD (me and the kids got to get our Rebels) either aren't there or this device is listed as incompatable even after I have set it to allow "Unknown Sources". I did find an apk for AIV here on XDA but haven't installed it yet. Also, when you do get apps installed via apk they don't show on the main screen and there is no option to add it. You have to go through 3 or 4 screens to find it. Does any one have any advice for getting these streaming services on this box and making it less frustrating to use? Thanks

The store only shows apps that are leanback apps but if you go to the store on a browser you can install most apps to your shield from there and use a sideload launcher to launch them on the shield. Not every app works with a controller but i've had good luck for the most part.

I did try doing it via a browser, Chrome even, and they still do not install. I also have the remote for it and that works.
No worries. I've decided to return it anyway. Will just wait for Roku 4 or maybe the next version of Nexus TV.
Thanks

Im a little disappointed too but what else do you expect from google smdh

I'm not dissapointed at all. This is probably the new benchmark that all future android devices will be measured against. I accept that the play store is limited because it has only been out for about 6 weeks and this device is a little more work right now. But it will get better, I'm sure.
Go ahead and get that next generation roku, and i hope you can enjoy that locked-down experience. I know I wouldnt like it.

It's new, apps and streaming services will be added as time goes on. Roku is the king of streaming channels, but no Kodi, essentially no games, locked down, and it's future doesn't look very bright unless they jump on the Android bandwagon.
Amazon FireTV is a better option, a bit more locked down than nSATV/AndroidTV, but as it's been out longer than Android TV it does support more streaming apps as well as a fairly decent selection of casual games. I'd say it's probably the best option today if nothing else was ever released for any device ever.
nVidia Shield Android TV has the best hardware of any microconsole streaming device, and IMHO AndroidTV holds the most promise of the OS options. It's new but off to a good start. I can understand being disappointed, but maybe expectations area bit unrealistic. Patience, give it some time. The exception of course is games. There really are no other options for using a streaming media microconsole to replace a dedicated gaming console, and for some people this device can do just that.

Related

Netflix ???

Well i always wanted to have netflix on my phone but is it possible???
Sent from my Liquid using XDA App
i don't get this whole wanting to get netflix thing. i mean all they offer is movies that have been released to dvd's. i have already seen movies such as sanctum,the mechanic,the next 3 days, etc.. all on my evo. so what am i missing. can someone please explain??
eluno said:
i don't get this whole wanting to get netflix thing. i mean all they offer is movies that have been released to dvd's. i have already seen movies such as sanctum,the mechanic,the next 3 days, etc.. all on my evo. so what am i missing. can someone please explain??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have you ever used netflix?
lots of TV shows, feature films, documentaries. Sometimes you're on the road and want to watch something (I don't have a laptop).
As to the OP, the only solution right now I believe is to use a streamer like playon found here: http://www.playon.tv/
you get a trial, just download the server, put in your credentials for netflix or any other service you use then download the player from the android market, have it connected via wifi to the PC running the server, find it, pair it then you're golden. You only need to have it on the same network the first time you connect to the server. Used this a few weeks ago in a completely different state on my wife's atrix and it worked wonderfully!
Future phones will likely have improved DRM capability but existing phones (like my captivate) will probably never get a true netflix app.
Playon is awesome though, I stream to my phone and my HTCP running XBMC (which also cannot get netflix normally!)
Lots of other stuff on there too like NHL gamecenter, Hulu, and various other digital media sources (including files on the PC running the server)

Google TV downsides?

Hi all,
I'm considering buying a logitech revue to avail of Google TV.
I'm having trouble getting opinions on it.
Is it worth getting?
I see it run's on Eclair does it mean that If I want to stream a video that I cant watch it as it wont have full flash player?
I suppose what i'm asking is can you watch pirate copy's of TV shows?
I have the logitech revue. There are several ups and downs, mostly with the fact that there's not an app store or market on the GTV builds yet. You're basically stuck with the netflix/pandora apps you have. The streaming interface is pretty nice if you wanna stream from a computer to the device (I personally run from an external HD, cuz I love me some 1080p and the router I have just can't keep up). Flash wise, you're running 10,1,107,198 unless they've done some further hacking. I was reading some forums where developers were pushing honeycomb onto GTV, so read up. Overall, a very nice setup.
ok, So maybe if you can clear this up for me.
If I was followed a TV show and for whatever reason it wasnt on this week on TV would GTV support me on searching for a set season & episode?
Or if I seen an advert for something thats coming out on DVD soon that I could search around one of the many video sites to find a copy someone has uploaded?
Sorry for all of the questions but I don't want to spend that sort of money on something that is to save me time when Its not going to do that.
Also will this work with Sky Digital set top box?

The Future

So what does everyone see for the future of the Nexus Player? I'm hoping custom ROMS I'm not really liking how it wants to show everything Google first. Would be cool if it could see okay this guy has Netflix and Plex let's give him recommendations on those and also I'm not a fan with how it is laid out. Maybe I'm just to adjusted to how the Roku works.
I am hoping (but not holding my breath on the first one) for amazon video, hbo go, and a few others support. That or maybe google should adapt a subscription service like prime instead of paying to buy or rent everything. I would also like to see more support for it on here as well.
djwyman said:
I am hoping (but not holding my breath on the first one) for amazon video, hbo go, and a few others support. That or maybe google should adapt a subscription service like prime instead of paying to buy or rent everything. I would also like to see more support for it on here as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i havn't tried it yet, but you can probably install hbo go thru play.google.com or by sideloading it. same is prob true for amazon video app
thecrunked said:
i havn't tried it yet, but you can probably install hbo go thru play.google.com or by sideloading it. same is prob true for amazon video app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried side loading amazon...it was a no go. HBO won't install from the play.google.com onto it but I have not yet tried it side loaded though. Which for me it wouldn't matter until HBO does their new subscription thing next year, it was more of a hey these things would make it more useful and competitive with other tv boxes out right now.
To clairfy amazon would install just fine however it would force close when trying to play a video right after it warns you about the device not using davilk (probably misspelled but that cache we all used to have to clear before installing new roms and such)
You can cast HBO Go w/ your mobile device. Not the same as a full blown app, but it works just like chromecast.
I got Amazon Instant Video and Amazon Prime Music to work.
First you will need to have sideloaded chrome and es file explorer.
Also, you will need to have a usb otg cable and a wireless keyboard and mouse.
Once you have those things you can navigate to apkmirror.com and download the amazon apk's.
I used es file explorer's downloader to download them.
Once installed, you can open them by using Chainfire's sideload launcher or from settings.
bbb0487 said:
I got Amazon Instant Video and Amazon Prime Music to work.
First you will need to have sideloaded chrome and es file explorer.
Also, you will need to have a usb otg cable and a wireless keyboard and mouse.
Once you have those things you can navigate to apkmirror.com and download the amazon apk's.
I used es file explorer's downloader to download them.
Once installed, you can open them by using Chainfire's sideload launcher or from settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had them installed but for me the video one would crash as soon as I would try to play a video. Are the ones on apkmirror.com different than the ones on the amazon appstore?
djwyman said:
I had them installed but for me the video one would crash as soon as I would try to play a video. Are the ones on apkmirror.com different than the ones on the amazon appstore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nevermind, I just tryed played a video and had the same problem.
jtboyz01 said:
So what does everyone see for the future of the Nexus Player? I'm hoping custom ROMS I'm not really liking how it wants to show everything Google first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The relative lack of posts here on XDA tells me that Nexus Player is not (yet) popular among "Android enthusiasts".
I think enthusiasm will grow, but many people may wait for a 2nd or 3rd generation device. Currently, there are complaints that it doesn't have an ethernet port, among other shortcomings at present.
I don't know if interest will pick up from "regular people". If Google had a good ad/commercial (on "normal" TV of course, LOL), sales could be good.
At present, custom ROM etc. development is slow/stalled. What other Nexus device came out that hasn't been properly rooted yet ? I hope and assume Chainfire will get us going better soon.
So far we can unlock bootloader and get a root adb shell. I'm not sure if the default popups for SuperSU work OK on TV yet. And x86 and 64 bit support ?
So,... I'm not sure that current NP will have much commercial success. But IMO there is very good potential for the future.
I am personally interested in "testing the waters" of app development on this Player. I have no interest at this time in any non-Android devices, simply because I have "hitched my wagon" in the 100% Android development camp.
It will be popular imo. Just not enough out there...
volwrath said:
It will be popular imo. Just not enough out there...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the platform will be a little more wide spread once it starts getting used in other boxes and tvs. Right now these and the adt-1 (which only a hand full of people have) and hopefully once these other devices get out there it will make more developers get interested in it.
jtboyz01 said:
So what does everyone see for the future of the Nexus Player?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This turd...
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
jtboyz01 said:
So what does everyone see for the future of the Nexus Player? I'm hoping custom ROMS I'm not really liking how it wants to show everything Google first. Would be cool if it could see okay this guy has Netflix and Plex let's give him recommendations on those and also I'm not a fan with how it is laid out. Maybe I'm just to adjusted to how the Roku works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will go in the dust bin... I have already gone back to my Roku 3 due to issues that I am having with NP and also Plex. This will also be the last "nexus" product that I buy. The things that Google pushes out seem to be in perpetual beta and I can't have that any more.
When You Don't Know What You Doing You Suppose To Get Turd Results
When You Don't Know What You Doing You Suppose To Get Turd Results For Real
Evidently, either you don't know what are doing or you don't know how to set the Nexus TV Player for best results!
Come on now, game knows game, I get top quality from ALL my Android TV boxes ... Know why, because I know how
to set up a Android TV box for best results ... First of all, ALL my connections and switches are GB Speeds, game knows game!
Enjoy your Roku box dude, it's made for you, plug-N-play with a million apps nobody wants!
AndroidTVTech1 said:
When You Don't Know What You Doing You Suppose To Get Turd Results For Real
Evidently, either you don't know what are doing or you don't know how to set the Nexus TV Player for best results!
Come on now, game knows game, I get top quality from ALL my Android TV boxes ... Know why, because I know how
to set up a Android TV box for best results ... First of all, ALL my connections and switches are GB Speeds, game knows game!
Enjoy your Roku box dude, it's made for you, plug-N-play with a million apps nobody wants!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You seem a bit mad. Does the truth hurt? Roku is doing something right. They have sold 10 million units. Nexus player? No idea, but I can guess it's nowhere near that. You also have articles coming out like this for the NP: Google’s Nexus Player: More prototype than finished product
Nexus player can't even connect to 5.0ghz wireless (RT-N66U). ALL other devices on my network (including this PC) work fine on 5.0Ghz. I assume you don't use Plex at all on NP as the video pauses every 20 minutes or so. I even saw someone on the Plex forum that was using MediaBrowser 3 (on NP) having the same issue. It makes me think that this is not an issue with Plex and MediaBrowser, but something with the NP itself otherwise why would two different apps have the same issue on the same platform?
I don't know about you, but I want a device that simply works. NP has a very nice UI, but not everything is working nicely. This has nothing to do with not knowing what I am doing. NP is meant to be a plug and play device not something you need to tinker with in order for it to work. Other issues I have with NP are: Wi-Fi disconnects for no apparent reason, voice search is hit or miss, recommendations are a mess (maybe this is app related I am not sure), and casting sometimes stops working for no apparent reason.
The point you are trying to make about Gb speeds. Doesn't really make sense. Are you implying that NP works better if I go spend more money to get the OTG cable and a LAN port? NO THANKS! If you need a LAN port to make the device work properly it should have been included with the device.
I will be the first to admit that Roku has a pretty crappy UI, but it WORKS! I don't care how many apps Roku has. My main ones I use are Netflix, Plex, and Youtube. I sometimes load up MediaBrowser 3 to see how they are progressing with the product, but that's about it.
The last thing that doesn't seem to look good in regards to the NP is the lack of new apps coming out. There was even a recent post in this forum somewhere about it. Will developers get on board? Developer support will make/break the product. Right now the NP and ATV in general is lacking in that department. Google will need to get off of their collective asses and fix the bugs in their product and push this platform hard or it will fall flat on it's face (much like Google TV did).
Enjoy!
{lol} Enjoy your Roku made for you plug-N-play!
The next Android TV box you should be getting http://armdevices.net/2015/02/04/ge...op-android-tv-on-amlogic-and-shares-strategy/ ! Monster specs!
EcPercy is right. I own several rooted Chromecasts, a roku 3, a roku 1, and a nexus player. This is by far the least user friendly of all of them, when used normally (not casting to np). I'm still waiting on Amazon instant video. It works on my phone, why not on this? Seriously, Amazon, get on it. I don't want to end up with a paperweight, but Pluto TV and YouTube don't work right either. Buffering every 20 seconds is hardly worth my time and energy. I'm an RD here and know my way around android. I know well what I'm doing, and this device as it sits is simply not a good investment. You shouldn't have to fix something right out of the box to have it simply function as intended. I'm hoping the bugs get ironed out soon, both with Google and the individual app devs. A lot of it has to do with adding in support for lower bitrates.
EcPercy said:
You seem a bit mad. Does the truth hurt? Roku is doing something right. They have sold 10 million units. Nexus player? No idea, but I can guess it's nowhere near that. You also have articles coming out like this for the NP: Google’s Nexus Player: More prototype than finished product
Nexus player can't even connect to 5.0ghz wireless (RT-N66U). ALL other devices on my network (including this PC) work fine on 5.0Ghz. I assume you don't use Plex at all on NP as the video pauses every 20 minutes or so. I even saw someone on the Plex forum that was using MediaBrowser 3 (on NP) having the same issue. It makes me think that this is not an issue with Plex and MediaBrowser, but something with the NP itself otherwise why would two different apps have the same issue on the same platform?
I don't know about you, but I want a device that simply works. NP has a very nice UI, but not everything is working nicely. This has nothing to do with not knowing what I am doing. NP is meant to be a plug and play device not something you need to tinker with in order for it to work. Other issues I have with NP are: Wi-Fi disconnects for no apparent reason, voice search is hit or miss, recommendations are a mess (maybe this is app related I am not sure), and casting sometimes stops working for no apparent reason.
The point you are trying to make about Gb speeds. Doesn't really make sense. Are you implying that NP works better if I go spend more money to get the OTG cable and a LAN port? NO THANKS! If you need a LAN port to make the device work properly it should have been included with the device.
I will be the first to admit that Roku has a pretty crappy UI, but it WORKS! I don't care how many apps Roku has. My main ones I use are Netflix, Plex, and Youtube. I sometimes load up MediaBrowser 3 to see how they are progressing with the product, but that's about it.
The last thing that doesn't seem to look good in regards to the NP is the lack of new apps coming out. There was even a recent post in this forum somewhere about it. Will developers get on board? Developer support will make/break the product. Right now the NP and ATV in general is lacking in that department. Google will need to get off of their collective asses and fix the bugs in their product and push this platform hard or it will fall flat on it's face (much like Google TV did).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. I've got about 3 weeks to toy with it before off back to Amazon it goes. I kind of figured the return shipping would be worth a shot to see if it had any potential but as it sits, I don't know.
I absolutely LOVE the Plex interface with lollipop for TV's its easily the nicest of any Plex app including the Plexbmc with Amber, which doesn't work with the puck either I might add. Google has been disappointing me to no end lately, the N9's quality issues, the N6's availability issues, now this. Grrrr.
I just can't fathom how the Android TV "team" can release a device that can't play video nearly as well as their own $25 Chromecast dongle! I have two of those and they play everything I throw at them without a hitch.
What's telling as well is that the Fire stick has issues with Plex playing 1080 content too. I wonder if the new Razer box will be any better?
AndroidTVTech1 said:
When You Don't Know What You Doing You Suppose To Get Turd Results For Real
Evidently, either you don't know what are doing or you don't know how to set the Nexus TV Player for best results!
Come on now, game knows game, I get top quality from ALL my Android TV boxes ... Know why, because I know how
to set up a Android TV box for best results ... First of all, ALL my connections and switches are GB Speeds, game knows game!
Enjoy your Roku box dude, it's made for you, plug-N-play with a million apps nobody wants![/QUOTE
I respect your knowledge of Android,many people do not have your abilities . But if Google was to depend on the average customer to have your abilities I'm afraid it would be short lived? Most people expect a product to function out of the box, if you wish to modify thats your choice. It should not be a requirement? Please remember that some monitor this forum to learn from developers such as yourself. A little patience and respect goes a long way :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing nice about the nexus player is the UI and it's potential. KODI is nice. I am hoping for a remote-friendly popcorn time to satisfy me, but development for NP is so weak. If it had hbo go, and showtime anytime, those are basic apps it should have just to be on the same level as it's competitors. But since it has come out, how many new apps have you seen show up in the play store? 2? 3? I always go to the device play store in hopes they finally get their shhit together. Android always has a habit of releasing something new and amazing and then neglecting it.

Hbo go now available on the nexus player!!!

As of today, you can now download HBO GO directly from the Google Play store on the Nexus Player! No more side loading and having to use a mouse / keyboard-track pad combo. I have tested it out already and it is working great so far!
I know this isn't a huge deal but it is much more convenient being able to download it on the playstore and use the original remote.
Awesome, can't wait til I get home to fire this up.
Only missing Amazon Instant Video now....
Lolento said:
Only missing Amazon Instant Video now....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We probably have a better chance of winning the lottery than Amazon releasing an official remote compatible app for the nexus player...
Unless I'm missing something, it appears HBO GO for Android TV is not supported by Comcast. Won't let me activate.
I found that it works much better on the NP than the AFTV. Just a smoother, quicker experience.
Now if we can just get WatchESPN I'll have everything I need.
Sent from my XT1096 using Tapatalk
northend999 said:
Unless I'm missing something, it appears HBO GO for Android TV is not supported by Comcast. Won't let me activate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ouch! I did read that actually. For some reason, Comcast subscribers can not currently log into HBO Go on Android TV. I have no idea why either. Luckily I use my parents Dish Network / Netflix login for all of my app needs. (HBO GO, FX Now, Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS, etc etc) I pay $40 a month for 60mbps Internet from Charter and that is it. I will never subscribe to cable!
What on earth is going on with comcast again. So tiring of getting tangled up in a new controversy of theirs every month. Last month was the introduction of data caps, now android tv blocking. Can't comprehend how google allowed this. I am speculating we got in the middle of whatever animosity and rivalry they have with Sony. Playstation 3 as well exhibits same issue and doesnt allow activation of the hbogo app if comcast is the provider. I am thinking since sony comes with android tv, they ended up blacklisting the whole platform at its totality.
this also works on my razer forge but I had to sideload APK.
ps. anyone else just getting black screen when playing video/s ? audio works fine. HBO GO is only app that behaves this way.
Arstechnica had a good article on net neutrality with a link to FCC to post your complaints.
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/06/the-fcc-will-now-take-your-net-neutrality-complaints/
I'll be filing one for the hbo blocking across many different streaming devices.
Well not sure why but a standard VPN can't bypass the Geoblocks maybe some special location checking going on?
Haxxa said:
Well not sure why but a standard VPN can't bypass the Geoblocks maybe some special location checking going on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can confirm that: DNS solution doesn't work either, but the normal Android apk I sideloaded works as usual.
Regards to the comcast problem, Fire TV had the same issue initially where comcast was the hold out. They joined later on but not sure what made that happen.
as of 03/19/2016, comcast is still not allowing activation on nexus player / android tv for HBO GO or HBO NOW. unbelievable! I cant wait for Google Fiber to end the Comcast Xfinity Reign of Terror.

Play Store UI Update for Nexus Player! (Android TV)

Hello Everyone,
It appears that very recently Google finally updated the Google Play Store for the Nexus Player (Android TV in General). I really like the updated UI! It is much more visually appealing and is not redundant like the original was. I also feel it is much easier to navigate and search seems "better". The Play Store icon was updated as well. You can wait for the OTA update if you would like but it could take weeks I'm sure. I actually downloaded and installed the APK directly on my Nexus Player using Google Chrome.
If you have Chrome sideloaded to your Nexus Player, a wireless keyboard, and ES File Explorer, you can install it directly on your Nexus Player. (The APK will show in downloads on ES File Explorer and install just fine) Here is the link to the article and the APK link is at the end of the article. Compliments of Android Police.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2015/1...lined-look-in-the-latest-update-apk-download/
Awe Im still waiting on it on mine, i really like the new look seems more stream line.
I noticed it yesterday, must have auto updated.
Still nothing in there as far as new apps. HBO and PBS being the most recent, but since I'm a comcast subscriber, HBO useless for me as well as all the other channel apps.
I was honestly starting to think that Google was abandoning Android TV. It still doesn't even compare to Apple TV as far as app selection. Seeing HBO GO official support added recently and now a Playstore update gives me hope!
I ditched my iPhone 6 for a Nexus 6 and my Apple TV for a Nexus Player. I'm done with Apple / IOS. The phone switch felt like a hella upgrade software and hardware wise. The TV switch honestly felt like a downgrade though...
I don't believe they'd abandon it. Google just partnered with several TV manufacturers to use ATV as their smart TV platform. As the install base for ATV gets higher, the apps will come.
Rektifying said:
I was honestly starting to think that Google was abandoning Android TV. It still doesn't even compare to Apple TV as far as app selection. Seeing HBO GO official support added recently and now a Playstore update gives me hope!
I ditched my iPhone 6 for a Nexus 6 and my Apple TV for a Nexus Player. I'm done with Apple / IOS. The phone switch felt like a hella upgrade software and hardware wise. The TV switch honestly felt like a downgrade though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Play Store doesn't show many apps, but you could access the Play Store through a web browser and see that there are other apps that are compatible with the Nexus Player or Shield TV that you can install on them. Once installed access them through the Sideload Launcher.

Categories

Resources