Hello guys
EDIT: I have to mention that for some reason it seems Amazon has managed to bypass whatever cleverness Genesis Addon uses to give access to all the movies you want to see... so for people wanting to use FireTV as an XBMC box to watch movies (illegally) you will have big challenges. They have locked it down... so you'd have to try use proxy servers, virtual networks etc to get around that... but it is nowhere near as easy to use as a good Android TV box like the Tronsmart s89.
Having used it for about two hours, I've concluded the device is great if all you want to do is to watch Amazon prime video or netflix... but to run most other android apps, it is simply an awful experience. , these are a few of my least favourite things:
1/ Apps you sideload are not visible on the home screen. It takes you 19 (NINETEEN!!!) clicks to get from HOME to the list of apps you can "manage". From there you click more to scroll down to your app of choice and click to select it then click to load it.
2/ you cannot use the remote for inputting text via voice within an app, so in XBMC if you want to enter "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", you cannot do a voice search, so all input is very clunky.
3/ if you use a usb wireless keyboard/trackpad like the Logitech k400r (superb on an android box) you are limited to what keyboard commands the amazon stranglehold will allow
4/ xbmc is not listed as a recent app. If you press HOME by mistake, it is approximately 35 (THIRTY FIVE) clicks to get back to xbmc (more if you have sideloaded more than 13 apps... which makes me hesitant to sideload any more!) Alt-TAB works on the wireless keyboard to get back to the last app, but XBMC is not listed there - as it is on generic android tv boxes.
5/ on spotify, you cannot use just the remote, pressing Down does not take you to the next song, left and right do not navigate menus etc... so you have to use another device... the Logitech k400r is great, but again, you cannot do everything with that even... down arrow does not move to next songs, there are no keyboard shortcuts to move to the next song etc.
6/ TennisTV android app does not work at all... works on all my android phones, devices, tablets. This seems to be a common theme, extremely poor app support.
7/ apps added to your apps on Amazon.co.uk online do not (mostly) show up on your device after you have "synced amazon content" . Looking for apps on the device in the amazon store is a mystery, voice search does not work... so is one expected to BROWSE the whole library with the remote to find apps you want? Wow.
7/ Go online to get apps for Fire TV and Amazon says: no TED no IMDB no Wikipedia no ES File explorer no Facebook no Ebay no Google apps of any kind, no Dolphin or Chrome, no Box, no Dropbox, no Evernote no BBC Sport, no TVCatchup... the list goes on and on... pretty dismal IMO.
There is probably a LOT more, but Amazon have successfully strangled and suffocated a very nice bit of hardware. The interface is good, the fluidity is excellent... and for xbmc it is great but also censored by Amazon... but if you are used to a generic android tv box like the tronsmart vega s89, the FireTV does not come close, because what you can do with it is extremely limited. The cheap chinese android tv boxes in my lounge and bedroom are going to stay put, I cannot live with this FireTV. Buy this unit if you want a very good Amazon Prime Video / netflix box for £80... but if you want more than that, stay away.
Mark.
fredphoesh said:
Hello guys
Having used it for about two hours, I've concluded the device is great as an XBMC-only box an/or if you watch Amazon prime video or netflix... but to run most other android apps, it is simply an awful experience. , these are a few of my least favourite things:
1/ Apps you sideload are not visible on the home screen. It takes you 19 (NINETEEN!!!) clicks to get from HOME to the list of apps you can "manage". From there you click more to scroll down to your app of choice and click to select it then click to load it.
2/ you cannot use the remote for inputting text via voice within an app, so in XBMC if you want to enter "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", you cannot do a voice search, so all input is very clunky.
3/ if you use a usb wireless keyboard/trackpad like the Logitech k400r (superb on an android box) you are limited to what keyboard commands the amazon stranglehold will allow
4/ xbmc is not listed as a recent app. If you press HOME by mistake, it is approximately 35 (THIRTY FIVE) clicks to get back to xbmc (more if you have sideloaded more than 13 apps... which makes me hesitant to sideload any more!) Alt-TAB works on the wireless keyboard to get back to the last app, but XBMC is not listed there - as it is on generic android tv boxes.
5/ on spotify, you cannot use just the remote, pressing Down does not take you to the next song, left and right do not navigate menus etc... so you have to use another device... the Logitech k400r is great, but again, you cannot do everything with that even... down arrow does not move to next songs, there are no keyboard shortcuts to move to the next song etc.
6/ TennisTV android app does not work at all... works on all my android phones, devices, tablets. This seems to be a common theme, extremely poor app support.
7/ apps added to your apps on Amazon.co.uk online do not (mostly) show up on your device after you have "synced amazon content" . Looking for apps on the device in the amazon store is a mystery, voice search does not work... so is one expected to BROWSE the whole library with the remote to find apps you want? Wow.
7/ Go online to get apps for Fire TV and Amazon says: no TED no IMDB no Wikipedia no ES File explorer no Facebook no Ebay no Google apps of any kind, no Dolphin or Chrome, no Box, no Dropbox, no Evernote no BBC Sport, no TVCatchup... the list goes on and on... pretty dismal IMO.
There is probably a LOT more, but Amazon have successfully strangled and suffocated a very nice bit of hardware. The interface is good, the fluidity is excellent... and for xbmc it is great... but if you are used to a generic android tv box like the tronsmart vega s89, this does not come close, because what you can do with it is extremely limited. The cheap chinese android tv boxes in my lounge and bedroom are going to stay put, I cannot live with this FireTV. Buy this unit if you want a very good xbmc box for £80... but if you want more than that, stay away.
Mark.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i picked one up last night, my impressions:
the UI is horrendous. ever review i read complimented the UI, but, nothing i want to use (plex) is easy to get to from the homescreen. have to scroll down, then over, etc. finding new apps, movies and tv shows is also difficult. i wish amazon allowed us to alter the homescreen to customize it to how we want it.
plex on firetv, again, the ui is just... just... i don't know, i don't use on deck, or que, or whatever. i have to scroll over, then down to get to what i want. again, i wish plex gave us more opportunity to customize how our splash screen is setup.
otherwise, i like the prime video on demand. this is the first time we have subscribed to an on demand stream service, having the content there, my kids like that there's spongebob and other nick shows. otherwise, our last 3 years of cord cutting has been handled through a rather extensive HTPC that i built running XBMC, sickbeard, couch potato and plex. i picked up the firetv to replace this unit because i'm tired of maintaining it.
fredphoesh said:
Hello guys
Having used it for about two hours, I've concluded the device is great as an XBMC-only box an/or if you watch Amazon prime video or netflix... but to run most other android apps, it is simply an awful experience. , these are a few of my least favourite things:
1/ Apps you sideload are not visible on the home screen. It takes you 19 (NINETEEN!!!) clicks to get from HOME to the list of apps you can "manage". From there you click more to scroll down to your app of choice and click to select it then click to load it.
2/ you cannot use the remote for inputting text via voice within an app, so in XBMC if you want to enter "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", you cannot do a voice search, so all input is very clunky.
3/ if you use a usb wireless keyboard/trackpad like the Logitech k400r (superb on an android box) you are limited to what keyboard commands the amazon stranglehold will allow
4/ xbmc is not listed as a recent app. If you press HOME by mistake, it is approximately 35 (THIRTY FIVE) clicks to get back to xbmc (more if you have sideloaded more than 13 apps... which makes me hesitant to sideload any more!) Alt-TAB works on the wireless keyboard to get back to the last app, but XBMC is not listed there - as it is on generic android tv boxes.
5/ on spotify, you cannot use just the remote, pressing Down does not take you to the next song, left and right do not navigate menus etc... so you have to use another device... the Logitech k400r is great, but again, you cannot do everything with that even... down arrow does not move to next songs, there are no keyboard shortcuts to move to the next song etc.
6/ TennisTV android app does not work at all... works on all my android phones, devices, tablets. This seems to be a common theme, extremely poor app support.
7/ apps added to your apps on Amazon.co.uk online do not (mostly) show up on your device after you have "synced amazon content" . Looking for apps on the device in the amazon store is a mystery, voice search does not work... so is one expected to BROWSE the whole library with the remote to find apps you want? Wow.
7/ Go online to get apps for Fire TV and Amazon says: no TED no IMDB no Wikipedia no ES File explorer no Facebook no Ebay no Google apps of any kind, no Dolphin or Chrome, no Box, no Dropbox, no Evernote no BBC Sport, no TVCatchup... the list goes on and on... pretty dismal IMO.
There is probably a LOT more, but Amazon have successfully strangled and suffocated a very nice bit of hardware. The interface is good, the fluidity is excellent... and for xbmc it is great... but if you are used to a generic android tv box like the tronsmart vega s89, this does not come close, because what you can do with it is extremely limited. The cheap chinese android tv boxes in my lounge and bedroom are going to stay put, I cannot live with this FireTV. Buy this unit if you want a very good xbmc box for £80... but if you want more than that, stay away.
Mark.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use something called llama to create a shortcut to the homescreen (so to speak) of all side loaded apps and this is well documented on these forums.
Got my FTV at work so will give it a go when I get home to see if the list of apps is as bad as you say and if so will just use an amazon USA account.
Has anyone tried sideloading the prime video app on one of the tron boxes? They're interesting looking boxes.
As far as the UI goes: if you're able to root your system, you can set it to use xbmc as the launcher and only drop into the Amazon side when you want to watch prime video.
I don't mind the UI too much, either in xbmc or from Amazon, as I have low expectations for what a UI for a TV should be.
It's nice to see that if this dies, there may be other fairly competitive boxes which I can get Netflix and Prime on as well as xbmc.
roustabout said:
Has anyone tried sideloading the prime video app on one of the tron boxes? They're interesting looking boxes..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Actually there was a recent change by Amazon, making the Prime Video app (supposedly) work with Android, but AFAIK it has not been achieved yet. When I tried last a couple of months ago, it would look like it was going to play, then crash. See the thread on Freaktab:
http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?17026-Amazon-Instant-Video
Mark.
fredphoesh said:
Hi
Actually there was a recent change by Amazon, making the Prime Video app (supposedly) work with Android, but AFAIK it has not been achieved yet. When I tried last a couple of months ago, it would look like it was going to play, then crash. See the thread on Freaktab:
http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?17026-Amazon-Instant-Video
Mark.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazon video works on my phone and tablet pretty well. I did need to sideload the app from my phone to my tablet, but once I did so it was good.
I wonder if some of the issue being described in the thread above is like the one that some folks have with xbmc on the fire: XBMC won't 'let go' of the video hardware easily, so launching a video app from within the Android Apps menu of XBMC results in video not playing. I deal with it by killing XBMC once firetv launcher or netflix are running.
fredphoesh couldn*t summarize it any better. The hardware is great but the software does indeed cripple and limit the use beyong anything. This device is entirely made to only exist in the Amazon world and makes you buy Apps from their own App store and pay for instant video. Nothing else should and could be done with it flawless. See how hard the locked it. Unfortunately there are some more examples of locked down hardware in past time: Apple TV 3rd gen, Surface RT & 2 etc.
Thats why I put this useless brick on ebay as long as people go crazy for it - for whatever reason I don't know. For the same money you can get a very decent Android Box without and restrictions and full root access!
sebr said:
Thats why I put this useless brick on ebay as long as people go crazy for it - for whatever reason I don't know. For the same money you can get a very decent Android Box without and restrictions and full root access!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem that a decent Android box alternative, with the possible exception being the new Android TV, is they do not get Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu type apps to go along with XBMC. This is the very reason why people are going crazy for it. It is nice to have everything I need and that Amazon provides it all in one OTT box.
Might take a bit of effort but if you set it up right the fire TV can work very well. Mine is being used not only as an XBMC box but also as my download center and NAS. Couldn't be happier with it.
Nedle said:
Might take a bit of effort but if you set it up right the fire TV can work very well. Mine is being used not only as an XBMC box but also as my download center and NAS. Couldn't be happier with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am guessing rooted. The problems is that the folks doing the reviews now have never had the option to root. UK & GER shipped with rooting blocked.
Clearly out of the box the AFTV is not the most open/flexible experience. It is really easy to mod though. Root, install custom recovery, flash latest rooted rom, install Xposed (Fire TV Mods), alternate launcher, Google framework/play store and it's a completely different experience.
It is fine to complain, or give a bad review about a stock interface, but not here. XDA is a modding/tweaking community, I don't know why you are giving a review on a stock rom's nearly out of the box interface. A bit of work and most (if not all) of your complains are moot.
At least look around first to see if there are solutions to your complaints before just whining about them. :laugh:
Don't count this box out yet...now that someone has the ability to write custom kernels and we have a custom recovery I can only hope someone brings out an amazing AOSP build for the box or someone is quick to port over Android TV to it. Unfortunately I am not one of those capable of but would donate
goggles99 said:
Clearly out of the box the AFTV is not the most open/flexible experience. It is really easy to mod though. Root, install custom recovery, flash latest rooted rom, install Xposed (Fire TV Mods), alternate launcher, Google framework/play store and it's a completely different experience.
It is fine to complain, or give a bad review about a stock interface, but not here. XDA is a modding/tweaking community, I don't know why you are giving a review on a stock rom's nearly out of the box interface. A bit of work and most (if not all) of your complains are moot.
At least look around first to see if there are solutions to your complaints before just whining about them. :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps you have not read much of what's being said about the newest Firetv boxes... Unrootable and heavily censored blocking movie streaming sites on xbmc, and dismally poor app support too.
As it is now, it is useful for two things only, Amazon prime video and netflix... Neither of which I want or need.
fredphoesh said:
Perhaps you have not read much of what's being said about the newest Firetv boxes... Unrootable and heavily censored blocking movie streaming sites on xbmc, and dismally poor app support too.
As it is now, it is useful for two things only, Amazon prime video and netflix... Neither of which I want or need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was this confirmed outside of just one person's experience?
Also, devices get updates that prevent root all the time. Often, the devs figure out a way to root them. I'm waiting on my Fire TV I ordered from eBay, hoping it's rootable. But even if not XBMC and Netflix is all I really wanted it for anyway (and not to use the crappy streaming add-ons but my own collection)
If Android TV is somehow ported to the Fire, then this box will become a great device. Right now it's worth the 100 bux alone just to play around with imo.
fredphoesh said:
Perhaps you have not read much of what's being said about the newest Firetv boxes... Unrootable and heavily censored blocking movie streaming sites on xbmc, and dismally poor app support too.
As it is now, it is useful for two things only, Amazon prime video and netflix... Neither of which I want or need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think your having more of an "operator error" than anything.. amazon isnt messing with xbmc. The fireTV has been working fine for everyone else for like 6 months now. if you dont like it send it backm sucks theres no root for UK people yet.. but no need to whine about it on here..
From a new UK Fire TV user - I totally agree "DISMAL EXPERIANCE" :¬(
Spent a lot of money on Plex only to find it has to use fire tv sdk and so no 5.1 DD surround sound over HDMI - if you have MKV content :¬(
I can sideload xbmc which works! and is the reason why it cant be on the amazon store - But I cant find a skin that is nearly as nice as plex)
Blocking root is way annoying too
I sideload'ed chrome and firefox and they seem to have patched it so that the remote does not work - nice one fire tv peeps (the browser in ES file manager works better - grr)
Sometimes I think they try to PISS people off on purpose
guess it makes them chuckle all the way to bank
at least it only cost 49£ so im going to ritually destroy it and jump up and down on it till I get blisters
AND also bye bye amazon prime!
Did anybody do any research before pre-ordering & before & after the German launch (around 9/16/2014) to know what to expect. The majority if not all of this "issues" where known weeks or a month ago.... And some of this are not real issues at all. Like demanding not promise features. Or "operator error" issues... There is usually a FW update shortly after a launch to deal with true issues that arise from it. So be on the lookout for one.
fredphoesh said:
Perhaps you have not read much of what's being said about the newest Firetv boxes... Unrootable and heavily censored blocking movie streaming sites on xbmc, and dismally poor app support too.
As it is now, it is useful for two things only, Amazon prime video and netflix... Neither of which I want or need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I can see, you are the only one to have experienced this. Perhaps the dns servers for these sites are being recently blocked by your UK ISP (Your other devices may have the dns entries cached for a while). In any case, one person having this problem is not much proof of this, thus is hearsay.
Why go on a long tirade when your real complaint is that you cannot obtain root? Why post a non-modded devices shortcomings on a modding site that has solutions to all but one of your problems? join one of the other "rant because I can't root" threads.
goggles99 said:
Why go on a long tirade when your real complaint is that you cannot obtain root? Why post a non-modded devices shortcomings on a modding site that has solutions to all but one of your problems? join one of the other "rant because I can't root" threads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually i dont care about root
i want to have the apps I can have on my android tv working on this box.
they dont
it is a giant fail largely due to facist isp's in the UK and control freakery by amazon.
fredphoesh said:
actually i dont care about root
i want to have the apps I can have on my android tv working on this box.
they dont.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do for me
fredphoesh said:
it is a giant fail largely due to facist isp's in the UK and control freakery by amazon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong forum/web site then. This is what I have been saying all along.
Related
Long time reader, first time posting.
Install requires root.
Squirrel LLC just released an android version of their app Reflector ($7). This app can be installed fairly simply on the FireTV, turning it into an airplay receiver for screen sharing and display extension, not just video or audio playing.
This requires root (instructions here) and the google play store (instructions here- they are for kindle, but work) before you can install this program.
Once you have the play store installed and you are signed in, you will be able to install apps remotely. This is much easier, as the play store is somewhat difficult to navigate on the Fire TV itself. However, Google will think the Fire TV is not compatible with Reflector.
To circumvent compatibility restrictions, download Market Helper and install on your FireTV (sideload instructions here). This will allow you to spoof your device type and install the app. I used the Nexus 7 as the device type. Make sure you've run google play services and signed into the play store before you run this, so it can read your id. The activate buttons are invisible until you are selecting them, so just press down and over until you find what you want.
After setting up your Fire TV to look like a Nexus 7, head back to the play store and set Reflector to install remotely.
From here, you can use any airplay device to broadcast to the Fire TV!
Couldn't you use snappea instead of google play?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I wasn't able to get this to work in Extend Desktop mode with my Mac. Since there's only a 15 minute refund period, I already got the refund, so it's possible I was doing something wrong, but the Play description didn't mention Extend Desktop mode. I don't see how I was doing anything wrong though, since the only settings in the app is the Name and the Password (and I didn't set a password). I did remember to turn off AirPlay in my other AirPlay app before trying Reflector.
Prior to this, I was already using AirReceiver to handle IOS mirroring. If all you want is IOS mirroring, I believe it was less expensive. Since it was bought through the Amazon store, it shows up with an icon on main screen (in my Apps and Recent sections). I don't recall if you can buy it on the FireTV or not, but I think so. A Voice search for Air Receiver brings it up.
Thanks!
Hey Guys,
Sid from Squirrels here!
Thanks for the walkthrough and the instructions. We're glad you got everything working!
We've actually submitted Reflector to the Amazon Fire TV store. The approval process is a bit more lengthy and involved than normal Google Play submissions.
As for extended desktop from a computer. It should work alright. I'de be interested in seeing logs from this to see why it didn't work for you. You can email our support team and they'll be happy to get it working!
Thanks again for the instructions.
So why root?? Why not just side load reflector??
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
1975jamie said:
So why root?? Why not just side load reflector??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reflector is a paid app, and I have no experience sideloading paid apps / getting a signed apk out of one. I found it to be easier to root and install the play store than to bother with that. If you are aware of an easy method to get the APK out of a paid app, I'd love to hear it- I always pay for my apps, but sometimes I need to install them in a dev environment where the play store isn't available, and I'd like to know.
If you're concerned about rooting, I'd consider the advantages. Rooting is a piece of cake now thanks to Towelroot, and it gives you uped duper more functionality than you have without it, especially if you are using this device to run XBMC primarily.
sidneykeith said:
Hey Guys,
Sid from Squirrels here!
Thanks for the walkthrough and the instructions. We're glad you got everything working!
We've actually submitted Reflector to the Amazon Fire TV store. The approval process is a bit more lengthy and involved than normal Google Play submissions.
As for extended desktop from a computer. It should work alright. I'de be interested in seeing logs from this to see why it didn't work for you. You can email our support team and they'll be happy to get it working!
Thanks again for the instructions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the good customer support. I figured it was the Amazon store's lengthy submission process that was holding things up and not an actual compatibility issue, which is why I decided to hack this together.
I own no other Amazon devices (and probably won't), so it's to my advantage to keep all my purchases within one ecosystem. You may consider adding a little walkthrough on how to use the google play store to run your app on the firetv to your page, if you guys aren't fearful of the wrath of Bezos. I'm sure there are a lot of people like me who bought the firetv for the android, not the amazon.
Taige said:
I wasn't able to get this to work in Extend Desktop mode with my Mac. Since there's only a 15 minute refund period, I already got the refund, so it's possible I was doing something wrong, but the Play description didn't mention Extend Desktop mode. I don't see how I was doing anything wrong though, since the only settings in the app is the Name and the Password (and I didn't set a password). I did remember to turn off AirPlay in my other AirPlay app before trying Reflector.
Prior to this, I was already using AirReceiver to handle IOS mirroring. If all you want is IOS mirroring, I believe it was less expensive. Since it was bought through the Amazon store, it shows up with an icon on main screen (in my Apps and Recent sections). I don't recall if you can buy it on the FireTV or not, but I think so. A Voice search for Air Receiver brings it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure what happened there for you. Extended display was the default for me. That being said, the other app could have interfered, or maybe your settings in OSX weren't correct. I wish I could help you more, but Airplay is finicky enough as it is, without adding third party software. Maybe get in touch with Sid about that.
If anyone else is interested in this, my brother managed to get airsquirrel to work with reflector on the firetv, but it seemed to be more laggy than with true airplay. I'm not sure if that was the fault of his laptop or the software, so that might be worth looking into if you're a diehard windows user like I used to be.
hotterpop said:
Reflector is a paid app, and I have no experience sideloading paid apps / getting a signed apk out of one. I found it to be easier to root and install the play store than to bother with that. If you are aware of an easy method to get the APK out of a paid app, I'd love to hear it- I always pay for my apps, but sometimes I need to install them in a dev environment where the play store isn't available, and I'd like to know.
If you're concerned about rooting, I'd consider the advantages. Rooting is a piece of cake now thanks to Towelroot, and it gives you uped duper more functionality than you have without it, especially if you are using this device to run XBMC primarily.
Thanks for the good customer support. I figured it was the Amazon store's lengthy submission process that was holding things up and not an actual compatibility issue, which is why I decided to hack this together.
I own no other Amazon devices (and probably won't), so it's to my advantage to keep all my purchases within one ecosystem. You may consider adding a little walkthrough on how to use the google play store to run your app on the firetv to your page, if you guys aren't fearful of the wrath of Bezos. I'm sure there are a lot of people like me who bought the firetv for the android, not the amazon.
I'm not sure what happened there for you. Extended display was the default for me. That being said, the other app could have interfered, or maybe your settings in OSX weren't correct. I wish I could help you more, but Airplay is finicky enough as it is, without adding third party software. Maybe get in touch with Sid about that.
If anyone else is interested in this, my brother managed to get airsquirrel to work with reflector on the firetv, but it seemed to be more laggy than with true airplay. I'm not sure if that was the fault of his laptop or the software, so that might be worth looking into if you're a diehard windows user like I used to be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an android phone that I download the google play app to and then use Es file explorer to back up the app. Then sideload it to the firetv.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I always try on not to be a party p**per but also would like to make this debate as civilized as possible so no need to bash me if you found my doubts in a negative way.
But after spending all this time with the Nexus Player of Google, I found myself with the conclusion, why is worthy my time for any root for the device.
At least I have a goal on showing my step-dad that paying DirecTV (Nothing against DirecTV BTW, just want to save money) is not 24/7 cost-effective versus Google Play Service and popular streaming services.
Heck, I didn't even felt left out in terms that versus Apple TV, the Nexus Player is still short without service like WWE, Amazon, NFL, etc. I was happy with the service available as of the writing of this.
To tell you the truth, the exact moment when I read all the possibility for free TV and streaming needs with Kodi (XBMC), I realized that was exactly why I bought the Google Nexus Player on the first place, beside having an alternate set-top box instead of my lovely Playstation 3 and except for improvement on hardware level for Android TV (reboot capacity WILL BE so WELCOMED!) I don't see how rooting the device can be compared as rooting a Smartphone.
Also some needs that we find regularly on Android Smartphone can be requested to Google either by AOSP or direct feedback (I realize that Google might just ignore anyways) and I am pretty sure that future Android 5.0.x or 5.x version will be synonymous of improvements.
No, this is not ignorance and definitely not naive-ness, perhaps I need another point of view to better understand or see more benefits for rooting the device.
Again, please I created this thread as a informative and debatable spot for this topic, do not flame me and not flame each other if you don't agree with an specific opinion.
TheGeeZus said:
I always try on not to be a party p**per but also would like to make this debate as civilized as possible so no need to bash me if you found my doubts in a negative way.
But after spending all this time with the Nexus Player of Google, I found myself with the conclusion, why is worthy my time for any root for the device.
At least I have a goal on showing my step-dad that paying DirecTV (Nothing against DirecTV BTW, just want to save money) is not 24/7 cost-effective versus Google Play Service and popular streaming services.
Heck, I didn't even felt left out in terms that versus Apple TV, the Nexus Player is still short without service like WWE, Amazon, NFL, etc. I was happy with the service available as of the writing of this.
To tell you the truth, the exact moment when I read all the possibility for free TV and streaming needs with Kodi (XBMC), I realized that was exactly why I bought the Google Nexus Player on the first place, beside having an alternate set-top box instead of my lovely Playstation 3 and except for improvement on hardware level for Android TV (reboot capacity WILL BE so WELCOMED!) I don't see how rooting the device can be compared as rooting a Smartphone.
Also some needs that we find regularly on Android Smartphone can be requested to Google either by AOSP or direct feedback (I realize that Google might just ignore anyways) and I am pretty sure that future Android 5.0.x or 5.x version will be synonymous of improvements.
No, this is not ignorance and definitely not naive-ness, perhaps I need another point of view to better understand or see more benefits for rooting the device.
Again, please I created this thread as a informative and debatable spot for this topic, do not flame me and not flame each other if you don't agree with an specific opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dunno, i rooted mine because i really needed to have expandable storage. So i rooted for chainfires stickmount. So i could have all my movies on my external hard drive run through xbmc natively.
↑This!↑
I have not rooted mine but if i do it will be for the ex-storage as well.. i am at the point of not storing a lot of movies because they are almost all online for a fee or free if you go that way.. We watch a movie once or twice and that is the end of it.. So to add to your debate i don't at this point see why you would root this device.
Would like a reboot function..
Im sure someone will come up with some nice ways to use root.. give them a week or so lol..
The main current use for rooting in my home is support for PS3 & 4 controllers wirelessly, using stick mount & folder mount to store game data and kodi data on an external drive and the ability to modify xml to re-arrange the order of programs in the NP's leanback interface (kodi gets top billing). My daughters now have immediate access to over twenty very large installed games so far thanks to folder mount. I also store all my kodi fanart, cover art, cd art, etc on the external as it takes up so much space internally for my large media collection that kodi accesses from my nas.
There will be future uses for root as well, of course (there always is), but these were my immediate needs.
Elrondolio said:
The main current use for rooting in my home is support for PS3 & 4 controllers wirelessly, using stick mount & folder mount to store game data and kodi data on an external drive and the ability to modify xml to re-arrange the order of programs in the NP's leanback interface (kodi gets top billing).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently rooted my NP, and I'm completely new to android and rooting. My main desire is to be able to get all of my sideloaded apps into the leanback interface, and to be able to rearrange the order and hide app icons I don't use. I've noticed by default Kodi RC2 appears in the leanback interface.
Do you have any tips for modifying the leanback interface in the way I've described?
kaess said:
I recently rooted my NP, and I'm completely new to android and rooting. My main desire is to be able to get all of my sideloaded apps into the leanback interface, and to be able to rearrange the order and hide app icons I don't use. I've noticed by default Kodi RC2 appears in the leanback interface.
Do you have any tips for modifying the leanback interface in the way I've described?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since things are so new with the leanback launcher there hasn't been much time for any semi-automated tools/apps to be coded to accomplish what you want. Manually, however, is very doable depending on your desired time investment.
You can modify select sideloaded apps to make them show up on the leanback interface by uncompressing its apk, editing its manifest then re-compressing and re-sideloading. See this post: How to sideload XBMC/Kodi on Nexus Player. See also this helpful post from @zlexy : [Q] Launching Netflix From Within Kodi.
You can re-arrange the order of apps listed in the leanback interface by editing leanback launcher's database. See this post by @ariful : [Q] Rearranging Apps on Android TV Nexus Player.
Again, these methods are a bit labour intensive... it'll have to be that way until more devs start/finish coding for this brand new interface/device and/or for Google to release more customizable updates. Good luck.
Elrondolio said:
Since things are so new with the leanback launcher there hasn't been much time for any semi-automated tools/apps to be coded to accomplish what you want. Manually, however, is very doable depending on your desired time investment.
You can modify select sideloaded apps to make them show up on the leanback interface by uncompressing its apk, editing its manifest then re-compressing and re-sideloading. See this post: How to sideload XBMC/Kodi on Nexus Player. See also this helpful post from @zlexy : [Q] Launching Netflix From Within Kodi.
You can re-arrange the order of apps listed in the leanback interface by editing leanback launcher's database. See this post by @ariful : [Q] Rearranging Apps on Android TV Nexus Player.
Again, these methods are a bit labour intensive... it'll have to be that way until more devs start/finish coding for this brand new interface/device and/or for Google to release more customizable updates. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The last thing you said is exactly why I am resisting the temptation.
I am being fair with the fact that this is the first face of Android Tv and there is yet more to see and I am faithful that most feature that needs root for now, Google might have something on their sleeves, but they are waiting to see how many Nexus Player gets sold, specially after the holidays.
My mom and my step-dad were impressed with the Nexus Player so great, that my step-dad sold me the Google Chromecast as he wanted to have an experience on his own and he really didn't find the Cast environment hard but he liked the more controlled environment of the Nexus Player, so we are buying a second one for me and I will let him take the first one after the second arrives.
I think that is another example that rooting (again, my exception is that a proven restart method gets developed) for now is not needed in base of a normal usage and still haven't got the problem of storage (yet, I know the day will come).
I was lucky enough to purchase a rootable Amazon Fire TV and have customized it to be quite the awesome device, thanks in part to the wonderful XDA community for providing all sorts of hacks. I wanted to show off what this little device can do so here is a video showing my setup, including the hardware I use and all the customizations I've done.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1nf2ffZT3s
HARDWARE
-----------------------------------
First off, I want to discuss hardware. Here is what I have connected to my FTV.
Insignia Powered USB HUB
(http://www.insigniaproducts.com/products/computer-speakers-accessories/NS-PCH5431.html) - Without a powered USB, I wouldn't be able to do much. This one was cheap at Best Buy and is working flawlessly.
Logitech K700 Wireless Keyboard (http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Keyboard-Controller-Google/dp/B004VD4F1W) - I bought this several years ago to use with my old HTPC. It works well with the FTV, but not all the buttons function as it was designed for the Google TV. The keyboard itself works great, as does the trackpad and the navigation controls. This does function in CWM to, so I don't need a wired keyboard.
Motorola Bluetooth Mouse - Just a simple BT mouse that works.
Logitech F710 Game Controller (http://gaming.logitech.com/en-us/product/f710-wireless-gamepad) - I've had this for use on my PC games, but it works well for the FTV. More about game controllers below.
Ouya Game Controller (http://shop.ouya.tv/products/ouya-controller) - This works well with the FTV, both as a controller and as a touchpad. More about game controllers below.
MODIFICATIONS
-----------------------------------
I followed many guides on http://www.aftvnews.com/ to modify my FTV and get it to do what I wanted. Here are a few. I won't go into details about them, you can get that on AFTVNews. But I wanted to list what I've done.
Root (http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-root-the-amazon-fire-tv/)
Custom Boot Menu (http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-install-a-kernel-boot-menu-on-the-amazon-fire-tv/)
ClockworkMod (http://www.aftvnews.com/recovery/)
Pre-Rooted Stock Update (http://www.aftvnews.com/roms/)
Customized Menu Items (http://www.aftvnews.com/menu-item-remover-mod-updated-with-51-1-4-0-compatibility/)
Mount System and Data to USB Drive (http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-use-a-usb-drive-as-the-fire-tvs-internal-storage/) - This was a must for me. Once I was able to have virtually unlimited memory, it allowed all the customizations and extras to happen.
APPLICATIONS
-----------------------------------
SPMC [XBMC/KODI] (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.semperpax.spmc&hl=en) - An awesome media player with tons of addons. There is plenty of discussion over this on the XDA forums.
Google Play Store Install (http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-install-the-google-play-store-on-the-amazon-fire-tv/)
Google Plays All Apps! (http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-trick-google-play-store-into-allowing-all-apps/) - Make the FTV more compatible with apps on Google Play
OUYA Framework (http://www.reddit.com/r/ouya/comments/2d6byk/turn_any_device_into_an_ouya_tutorial/) - Turn your FTV into an OUYA.... sort of. Once installed, this sort of messes up the home button, taking you to a messed up OUYA system screen instead of the Amazon Launcher. I found a work around to allow the OUYA games to still function, but not mess up the system. Install this alternative OUYA launcher then disable the OUYA Launcher using Titanum Backup. (http://ouyaforum.com/showthread.php?4436-BAXY-Custom-Launcher).
NOVA Launcher (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher&hl=en) - My launcher of choice. It works well with the remote.
Wallpaper (http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/themes-apps/background-t3029985) - The FTV has system wallpaper turned off, making most custom launchers only have a black background. This hack turns it on.
ISSUES
-----------------------------------
Game controllers - The short, not all controllers work with all games. This is a hit or miss area with some buttons not working on certain games. One issue I did find was that having my keyboard connected seems to mess up certain games. For example, Shadowngun. When it's connected, the L2 and R2 buttons do not work on either of my controllers. I do not know if this would be the same with the Amazon Controller. If I unplug it and reboot, the L2 and R2 works. My suggestion, if you have a wireless keyboard, test games without it plugged in first. A BT keyboard might not have this issue though.
OUYA - Having the OUYA framework is wonderful for increasing the available games. It's downfall is that it screws up the home button functionality. A work around is to disable the OUYA Launcher using Titanium Backup, and have the alternative OUYA Launcher (BAXY) installed. This gives games access to the OUYA framework without screwing with the default launcher.
I hope this helps people see the capabilities of the Fire TV and unlocks it for those lucky enough to have a rootable FTV. My future goals are to mess with the game controllers to see if I can figure out why some games work and others don't. I want to get an Amazon controller and see how that works with the OUYA framework. unfortunately they're on backorder at the moment.
Lots of useless junk too. You even point to the fact that a lot of the games you have installed do not work, so why not uninstall them? It just seems like your setup is over doing it. Not tryin to be rude just stating my opinion. The thread is good and I like that you would point people to where they can find tweaks, but the video is horrible.
xm41907 said:
I was lucky enough to purchase a rootable Amazon Fire TV and have customized it to be quite the awesome device, thanks in part to the wonderful XDA community for providing all sorts of hacks. I wanted to show off what this little device can do so here is a video showing my setup, including the hardware I use and all the customizations I've done.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1nf2ffZT3s
HARDWARE
-----------------------------------
First off, I want to discuss hardware. Here is what I have connected to my FTV.
Insignia Powered USB HUB
(http://www.insigniaproducts.com/products/computer-speakers-accessories/NS-PCH5431.html) - Without a powered USB, I wouldn't be able to do much. This one was cheap at Best Buy and is working flawlessly.
Logitech K700 Wireless Keyboard (http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Keyboard-Controller-Google/dp/B004VD4F1W) - I bought this several years ago to use with my old HTPC. It works well with the FTV, but not all the buttons function as it was designed for the Google TV. The keyboard itself works great, as does the trackpad and the navigation controls. This does function in CWM to, so I don't need a wired keyboard.
Motorola Bluetooth Mouse - Just a simple BT mouse that works.
Logitech F710 Game Controller (http://gaming.logitech.com/en-us/product/f710-wireless-gamepad) - I've had this for use on my PC games, but it works well for the FTV. More about game controllers below.
Ouya Game Controller (http://shop.ouya.tv/products/ouya-controller) - This works well with the FTV, both as a controller and as a touchpad. More about game controllers below.
MODIFICATIONS
-----------------------------------
I followed many guides on http://www.aftvnews.com/ to modify my FTV and get it to do what I wanted. Here are a few. I won't go into details about them, you can get that on AFTVNews. But I wanted to list what I've done.
Root (http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-root-the-amazon-fire-tv/)
Custom Boot Menu (http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-install-a-kernel-boot-menu-on-the-amazon-fire-tv/)
ClockworkMod (http://www.aftvnews.com/recovery/)
Pre-Rooted Stock Update (http://www.aftvnews.com/roms/)
Customized Menu Items (http://www.aftvnews.com/menu-item-remover-mod-updated-with-51-1-4-0-compatibility/)
Mount System and Data to USB Drive (http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-use-a-usb-drive-as-the-fire-tvs-internal-storage/) - This was a must for me. Once I was able to have virtually unlimited memory, it allowed all the customizations and extras to happen.
APPLICATIONS
-----------------------------------
SPMC [XBMC/KODI] (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.semperpax.spmc&hl=en) - An awesome media player with tons of addons. There is plenty of discussion over this on the XDA forums.
Google Play Store Install (http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-install-the-google-play-store-on-the-amazon-fire-tv/)
Google Plays All Apps! (http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-trick-google-play-store-into-allowing-all-apps/) - Make the FTV more compatible with apps on Google Play
OUYA Framework (http://www.reddit.com/r/ouya/comments/2d6byk/turn_any_device_into_an_ouya_tutorial/) - Turn your FTV into an OUYA.... sort of. Once installed, this sort of messes up the home button, taking you to a messed up OUYA system screen instead of the Amazon Launcher. I found a work around to allow the OUYA games to still function, but not mess up the system. Install this alternative OUYA launcher then disable the OUYA Launcher using Titanum Backup. (http://ouyaforum.com/showthread.php?4436-BAXY-Custom-Launcher).
NOVA Launcher (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher&hl=en) - My launcher of choice. It works well with the remote.
Wallpaper (http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/themes-apps/background-t3029985) - The FTV has system wallpaper turned off, making most custom launchers only have a black background. This hack turns it on.
ISSUES
-----------------------------------
Game controllers - The short, not all controllers work with all games. This is a hit or miss area with some buttons not working on certain games. One issue I did find was that having my keyboard connected seems to mess up certain games. For example, Shadowngun. When it's connected, the L2 and R2 buttons do not work on either of my controllers. I do not know if this would be the same with the Amazon Controller. If I unplug it and reboot, the L2 and R2 works. My suggestion, if you have a wireless keyboard, test games without it plugged in first. A BT keyboard might not have this issue though.
OUYA - Having the OUYA framework is wonderful for increasing the available games. It's downfall is that it screws up the home button functionality. A work around is to disable the OUYA Launcher using Titanium Backup, and have the alternative OUYA Launcher (BAXY) installed. This gives games access to the OUYA framework without screwing with the default launcher.
I hope this helps people see the capabilities of the Fire TV and unlocks it for those lucky enough to have a rootable FTV. My future goals are to mess with the game controllers to see if I can figure out why some games work and others don't. I want to get an Amazon controller and see how that works with the OUYA framework. unfortunately they're on backorder at the moment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I really liked it and I envy that screen! It looks pretty clear even from the camera.
Just 2 random things I noticed...I used nova launcher with xposed but probably wouldn't have reverted back if I got it looking the way you did. I played around with it on my phone awhile until I tried Google now with a few exposed tweaks. But I'm always on the lookout for a good launcher. Lots of people using nova but haven't found many good tutorials.
The other was fast reboot. I had this installed but the one persistent bug I have dealing with cec wasn't fixed by fast reboot. It needed an actual reboot. Then I read that those types of apps aren't always good for android. They included other "memory boosting" type apps as well. It didn't scare me but since it didn't help much I just uninstalled it. Then again, at the time I wasn't using a launcher so getting to the app was too tedious to make it worthwhile. Do you have any thoughts on that? Heard it might not be good for the device?
I enjoyed the video. Very impressive setup! Thanks for sharing!
porkenhimer said:
Lots of useless junk too. You even point to the fact that a lot of the games you have installed do not work, so why not uninstall them? It just seems like your setup is over doing it. Not tryin to be rude just stating my opinion. The thread is good and I like that you would point people to where they can find tweaks, but the video is horrible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is because many of them I have not tested out yet to see which work well and which do not. Sort of a mass install of games over the last two weeks and I've not had the time to sort through them all. Many will be uninstalled I'm sure, but frankly, that doesn't concern me at this point. They don't take up resources beyond hard drive space and I have 320 gigs worth. I've not even touched 10% of available space yet. The point of the video is to show what the FTV is capable of, not to show a well polished and final system.
The video isn't great because I'm on a projector, lighting is difficult. Too much light and the screen is washed out. Too little and the camera sensor suffers.
KLit75 said:
Well I really liked it and I envy that screen! It looks pretty clear even from the camera.
Just 2 random things I noticed...I used nova launcher with xposed but probably wouldn't have reverted back if I got it looking the way you did. I played around with it on my phone awhile until I tried Google now with a few exposed tweaks. But I'm always on the lookout for a good launcher. Lots of people using nova but haven't found many good tutorials.
The other was fast reboot. I had this installed but the one persistent bug I have dealing with cec wasn't fixed by fast reboot. It needed an actual reboot. Then I read that those types of apps aren't always good for android. They included other "memory boosting" type apps as well. It didn't scare me but since it didn't help much I just uninstalled it. Then again, at the time I wasn't using a launcher so getting to the app was too tedious to make it worthwhile. Do you have any thoughts on that? Heard it might not be good for the device?
I enjoyed the video. Very impressive setup! Thanks for sharing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the support. I've been using both NOVA Launcher and Fast Reboot for about three years now and on multiple devices. I like how simple NOVA can be, yet is very customizable. Having it work well with the FTV remote was a big reason I went with it though. A more graphically pleasing look would be nice, but this does what I want it to do. I've read up a lot on the various memory clearing apps. Fast Reboot is simple and doesn't muck around in the weeds. I've been nothing short of happy with using it for several years now. It doesn't fall into the "memory boosting" apps, that try to tweak the system. Simply a quick way to clear memory cache.
xm41907 said:
That is because many of them I have not tested out yet to see which work well and which do not. Sort of a mass install of games over the last two weeks and I've not had the time to sort through them all. Many will be uninstalled I'm sure, but frankly, that doesn't concern me at this point. They don't take up resources beyond hard drive space and I have 320 gigs worth. I've not even touched 10% of available space yet. The point of the video is to show what the FTV is capable of, not to show a well polished and final system.
The video isn't great because I'm on a projector, lighting is difficult. Too much light and the screen is washed out. Too little and the camera sensor suffers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was not talking about the quality of the video, I meant that the video in general was horrible. The video capures what a lot of people do wrong when they post video of their devices. For one, you have too much going on in the video. If you wanna show us your setup, fine, but why do you have to show us every gadget you have? I for one think people that post videos about their device and for no reason show us 20 other devices are laughable. It takes away from what you are supposed to be showing us. Plus you have a lot of apps that you make no mention of. Like when you open up your utilities folder, you show the folder and do not say the names of any apps inside or what you have them installled for. I am not trying to say you did a bad job, cause like I said, the thread is nice, maybe you could go through your apps and tell us what they are and why you have them. You opened some games and showed off your launchers, but you should have gave us some more info on what your installed apps are. I will use the utilities folder as an example again, I like utility apps so I am sure others do too, but you have an awful lot of utility apps to not give us a simple rundown of what some of them are. Its different if you have a folder full of games that we can identify by looking at the icon, but when you have a folder full of apps that we cannot recognise then you should give us some input. Also, not everyone uses their Fire TV to play games or play with XBMC, so maybe you could show us something else besides launchers, SPMC and gaming. You have the important stuff listed on this thread, which is awesome, so you probably could have just made a video sayin to visit your thread for all info on the mods you have installed, maybe even showed them off a little, then got to the other less graphical non cool type of apps you have installed. Like I said its just an opinion, but the video really did seem like it was for show and nothing technical. Maybe you can make a part two and show us some of the other apps you have, and tell us what they do. People are into discovering new apps so maybe you can help someone discover something new besides something media or graphic driven. The video kinda reminds me of the unboxing videos where someone spends more time focusing on the cool accesories they have rather than the device itself.
porkenhimer said:
For one, you have too much going on in the video. If you wanna show us your setup, fine, but why do you have to show us every gadget you have? I for one think people that post videos about their device and for no reason show us 20 other devices are laughable. It takes away from what you are supposed to be showing us. Plus you have a lot of apps that you make no mention of. Like when you open up your utilities folder, you show the folder and do not say the names of any apps inside or what you have them installled for
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I humbly disagree with your take on my video. My intention was to show you what modifications I have done with my system and I did just that. The specific devices I have are key to these modifications. I will give you that showing both a bluetooth mouse and a wireless keyboard/trackpad are slightly redundant, but if you're going to nitpick something like that, then just move on. I did not show every installed app, because again, it was to show you what modifications I have done, not to show you recommended apps I have installed. I believe you have completely missed the spirit of my post.
porkenhimer said:
You opened some games and showed off your launchers, but you should have gave us some more info on what your installed apps are. I will use the utilities folder as an example again, I like utility apps so I am sure others do too, but you have an awful lot of utility apps to not give us a simple rundown of what some of them are.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The vast majority of apps in my Utility folder are stock apps on the FTV that I put into the folder because I have no need for them. Such as the Game Circle, Superuser, etc. If you want a video of me explaining what apps I have, I can do that, but that does not fall in the spirit of my post. The apps I mentioned were the key apps necessary for my mods. Others are insignificant to the modifications.
porkenhimer said:
not everyone uses their Fire TV to play games or play with XBMC, so maybe you could show us something else besides launchers, SPMC and gaming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, I did not post this for people to copy my setup, but to show functionality of mods.
porkenhimer said:
but the video really did seem like it was for show and nothing technical.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. If I were making a tutorial video on how to accomplish these mods, then it would have been a totally different type of video. It was simply to show some of the mods that can be used on the FTV with a little bit of personal experience using them.
porkenhimer said:
Maybe you can make a part two and show us some of the other apps you have, and tell us what they do. People are into discovering new apps so maybe you can help someone discover something new besides something media or graphic driven. The video kinda reminds me of the unboxing videos where someone spends more time focusing on the cool accesories they have rather than the device itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did spend a fair amount of time today weeding through the apps I have installed and maybe I will do an app video to accompany my setup. In a sense, you are right that this video is more of a unboxing video. My intention was to provide a glimpse into the modifications available for the FTV. A "modifications of" type of of unboxing video. I provided the links to many of the various modifications so that if someone wanted to achieve a function that I have, they would have the means to follow the tutorials that I followed.
Your setup is soooooo decent...thanks for the share!
Do I install Titanium and kill the AFTV launcher to use Nova as my main launcher? how do you go from Nova to Aftv back to Nova so easy? Now that i can do backgrounds I'll certainly like to use Nova instead of another custom one i'm using
nickyb003 said:
Your setup is soooooo decent...thanks for the share!
Do I install Titanium and kill the AFTV launcher to use Nova as my main launcher? how do you go from Nova to Aftv back to Nova so easy? Now that i can do backgrounds I'll certainly like to use Nova instead of another custom one i'm using
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, it's been a little while so I don't recall exactly how I got it functioning. I was toying around with lots of things and stumbled upon getting it working. Here's what I believe got it to work right. There isn't a function to set NOVA as the default launcher like on most android devices. Instead, you have to do some fiddling. Here is basically what I did.
Installed FiredTV Launcher - I used this for awhile before using the Llama app
Installed Nova Launcher - Froze KFTV Launcher using TB. This worked but I lost Amazon movies
Froze FiredTV Launcher and unfroze KFTV. This seemed to do the trick. I also have the Ouya framework installed, but with the Ouya launcher frozen or else it takes over.
Thanks for the video. I had given up on FiredTV and never got any launcher working right but you showed it could be done, so I went looking and found my answer.
Through the Xposed framework, I loaded a module which intercepts the "home" key and lets you define a launcher. I still use the fire tv stock launcher when absolutely required, but I launch it from within nova and when I press Home, I'm back to Nova.
I wanted to ask you about the USB drive. I had a flash drive and used the hack to mount data (or whatever it was) to the flash drive. Everything was SLOW -- unbearably so. I have a USB hard drive coming, so wanted to ask if you find the speed acceptable with the hard drive. I believe some of the tweaks from tvaddons.ag for xbmc were actually part of the problem. I ended up just starting over at one point.
ractar28 said:
Thanks for the video. I had given up on FiredTV and never got any launcher working right but you showed it could be done, so I went looking and found my answer.
Through the Xposed framework, I loaded a module which intercepts the "home" key and lets you define a launcher. I still use the fire tv stock launcher when absolutely required, but I launch it from within nova and when I press Home, I'm back to Nova.
I wanted to ask you about the USB drive. I had a flash drive and used the hack to mount data (or whatever it was) to the flash drive. Everything was SLOW -- unbearably so. I have a USB hard drive coming, so wanted to ask if you find the speed acceptable with the hard drive. I believe some of the tweaks from tvaddons.ag for xbmc were actually part of the problem. I ended up just starting over at one point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome! That is why I wanted to post a video and provide links. Are you refering to Rbox's Xposed module? I installed that too, but completely forgot about having it.
As for the flash drive, I tried one at first, it was horribly slow. Many others have had similar experiences. It's reference in one of the guides I posted. After switching to my external hard drive, it was just about as fast as stock. I was actually surprised, because my drive is a WD Passport, no external power supply. I simply used a powered hub and it works great. I would like an SSD, but not going to spend the money on one now.
The tweaks from tvaddons would only affect XBMC. They shouldn't have any affect on the FTV itself.
Yes, the addons only impacted kodi, BUT, kodi was the app I used the most at the time. I know kodi has a pretty small footprint for an android app, so for it to become painstakingly slow, pretty much ruined my fire tv experience. Of course, I was also using gotham "customizations" on kodi, which was also possibly a contributing factor.
Is a powered hub required for an external hard drive? I had purchased one powered hub and tried it with fire tv and it could no longer see my flash drive through the powered hub. With a powered hub, can the fire tv (via stickmount) see multiple storage devices?
ractar28 said:
Yes, the addons only impacted kodi, BUT, kodi was the app I used the most at the time. I know kodi has a pretty small footprint for an android app, so for it to become painstakingly slow, pretty much ruined my fire tv experience. Of course, I was also using gotham "customizations" on kodi, which was also possibly a contributing factor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still doubt it was anything with kodi. FLash drives are known to be very slow for this.
ractar28 said:
Is a powered hub required for an external hard drive? I had purchased one powered hub and tried it with fire tv and it could no longer see my flash drive through the powered hub. With a powered hub, can the fire tv (via stickmount) see multiple storage devices?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I first tried using it without a hub and the FTV didn't even register it was connected. Once I got a powered hub, all was well with the world. I just picked one up at Best Buy.
xm41907 said:
I was lucky enough to purchase a rootable Amazon Fire TV and have customized it to be quite the awesome device, thanks in part to the wonderful XDA community for providing all sorts of hacks. I wanted to show off what this little device can do so here is a video showing my setup, including the hardware I use and all the customizations I've done.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1nf2ffZT3s
I hope this helps people see the capabilities of the Fire TV and unlocks it for those lucky enough to have a rootable FTV. My future goals are to mess with the game controllers to see if I can figure out why some games work and others don't. I want to get an Amazon controller and see how that works with the OUYA framework. unfortunately they're on backorder at the moment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im glad to see two of the modifications that i posted to good use. The Ouya Framework that i pulled from my madcatz mojo and freezing kftv launcher using titaniumbackup. the way that i got ouya to boot was i used autopilot to launch it at startup and when i need to exit i would simply hit the home button.
mejdam said:
im glad to see two of the modifications that i posted to good use. The Ouya Framework that i pulled from my madcatz mojo and freezing kftv launcher using titaniumbackup. the way that i got ouya to boot was i used autopilot to launch it at startup and when i need to exit i would simply hit the home button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you looked into the BAXY launcher for OUYA? Withe the normal OUYA launcher, it was hijacking my home button. I couldn't play the OUYA games unless it was active, but freezing it and running BAXY worked.
xm41907 said:
Have you looked into the BAXY launcher for OUYA? Withe the normal OUYA launcher, it was hijacking my home button. I couldn't play the OUYA games unless it was active, but freezing it and running BAXY worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not used baxy, matter of fact i only own one fire tv left, i mostly changed to nexus player and im slowing getting rid of all my legacy boxes and making room for the razer forge tv.
i loaded the tv launcher so once autopilot booted into the ouya launcher i would install all the ouya apps and just go back to the tv launcher and launch the apps from that screen instead. im not really a gamer so all this was more for a proof of concept.
BTW, have you seen my thread of configuring IPTV on your fire tv? if not i would really look into it.
mejdam said:
i loaded the tv launcher so once autopilot booted into the ouya launcher i would install all the ouya apps and just go back to the tv launcher and launch the apps from that screen instead. im not really a gamer so all this was more for a prove of concept.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That works too, but the OUYA framework would still hijack my home button at times, no matter what launcher I was using. Perhaps I might be able to keep that from happening with autopilot. I've just not taken the time to bother with OUYA stuff much once, games are installed, I haven't needed to go into the OUYA menus.
mejdam said:
BTW, have you seen my thread of configuring IPTV on your fire tv? if not i would really look into it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I played with it and have it working some. I have been really busy with a different project, until last Saturday. Now I've got some free time to fiddle more. I have some controller things I'm going to fiddle with first.
Awesome customization.. but wud be great if you could post some instructions to newbs like me on how to setup the NovaLauncher/Live Wallpaper and the external
HD for storage. I know it's a long list but hoping you could put some instructions down. (Or) @aftVNEWS if you happen to look at this post please try to put something if you can.
Cheers !
ncube2 said:
Awesome customization.. but wud be great if you could post some instructions to newbs like me on how to setup the NovaLauncher/Live Wallpaper and the external
HD for storage. I know it's a long list but hoping you could put some instructions down. (Or) @aftVNEWS if you happen to look at this post please try to put something if you can.
Cheers !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Did you not see all the links I posted below the video? They're there. Well, minus the Nova Launcher setup, but look at post #9.
Nice video, thanks for the info, checking out setting up the live wallpapers & nova launcher.
I have an Amazon Game Controller for the AFTV and I don't have a problem with compatibility with any games like I did using my Xbox 360 controller & a PS3 controller i have. Glad I picked one up.
Shadowgun HD 2.5 is what I have and it works great with the AGC. You can program which keys are what and it works with the shoulder buttons (tops ones, didn't try the bottom ones).
I do want to point out that the 2 shoulder bottom buttons don't work with many games unless they are program to use an analog steer & analog break (or at least something like that, forget what the games that see them call it).
And as for loading up a ton of games to check out later, I'm down. I've done the same thing. Most are crap or the ones the would be fun just don't work, but you know, it's the journey, right?
Hello!
I've been looking around the web and it seems that not all Android devices can utilize the Amazon Instant Video App (Prime Video). What a bumper for me since I don't use Netflix/Google Video.
Getting the app to work was a whole issue by itself. I'm only limited to browse through the movies selection. Every time I try to play a title, the app crashes.
I was wondering if anyone was able to find a fix to make it work on their M.O.J.O?
I have tried to stream videos through different browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Dolphin) not to avail. Amazon really seems to not like competition to its own devices.
F.Y.I
Same thing happens with Crackle app.
I know Google Video works (tested), not sure about Netflix.
Here are some snapshots of what happens in the attached files.
AndroidSupaFan said:
Hello!
I've been looking around the web and it seems that not all Android devices can utilize the Amazon Instant Video App (Prime Video). What a bumper for me since I don't use Netflix/Google Video.
Getting the app to work was a whole issue by itself. I'm only limited to browse through the movies selection. Every time I try to play a title, the app crashes.
I was wondering if anyone was able to find a fix to make it work on their M.O.J.O?
I have tried to stream videos through different browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Dolphin) not to avail. Amazon really seems to not like competition to its own devices.
F.Y.I
Same thing happens with Crackle app.
I know Google Video works (tested), not sure about Netflix.
Here are some snapshots of what happens in the attached files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was going to try on CM12 lollypop, but it's not on my google play store.. I'm guessing due to region.
gwaldo said:
I was going to try on CM12 lollypop, but it's not on my google play store.. I'm guessing due to region.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the try. Well Amazon makes it hard to find it. You first need to download their own AppStore app through their website, then download Prime Instant Video via the app.
AndroidSupaFan said:
Thanks for the try. Well Amazon makes it hard to find it. You first need to download their own AppStore app through their website, then download Prime Instant Video via the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, it didn't occur to me that the app would be in Amazon's own app store.
I'll try it out sometime this week.
Amazon offers no support for "Tablets" outside of their Kindle/fire line. That's not saying it can't be done I have it up and running on both of my MOJOs. Problem is I don't remember exactly what I did. I know I had to get the Amazon Phone (not the tablet) .apk from Aptoide. If you Google "Amazon Prime for Tablets" you should find what you are looking for. If not I will see if I can't recall exactly how I did it.
Found Workaround!
Found Workaround!
1. Install Flash Player and the Dolphin browser
2. Steps found on: www (dot) the-digital-reader (dot) com/nates-reviews/stream-amazon-instant-videos-android-tablet/
Press the dolphin icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen (see image one below).
Select the settings icon (see image two below).
Choose the customize option (see image three below).
Select the user agent option (see image four below).
Set the user agent to desktop, and then press the back button. (Don't leave the settings menu)
Scroll down and select the Web Content option (see image six below).
Find the Flash option and select it (see image seven below).
Change it from off to either Always On or On Demand
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish it could work directly via the Prime Instant Video, but this makes my MOJO more useful than just playing ASPHALT 8: AIRBORNE.
http://the-digital-reader.com/nates-reviews/stream-amazon-instant-videos-android-tablet/
Good link:good:
Best advice, it's too soon to shell out a ton of money for this technology.
I spent hours on end sniping a Android ADT-1 on eBay. I opted for this model because of the specs. Yes it runs Amazon prime video, but you're stuck using the dolphin browser. It works perfectly... But I already have a computer or laptop or tablet that I can connect to my TV. It makes no sense to not have the lean back experience.
To you video streamers out there and want for sure access to all the headline apps, just get the Amazon Fire TV or the stick. I own the stick and it's great. But wish I had the usb port for more flexibility.
Sent from my LG-VS985 adorned w/ Illusion ROM
You're not wrong. The device becomes an extra load if you end up using your computer most of the time to access Prime.
However, I got my MOJO while it was selling on Newegg for $99.00 couple of months ago. This was a bargain worth the purchase.
I am setting up a media streaming device for someone who isn't tech savvy but wants to use NP for movies/tv/Netflix.. What are the best basic settings/config for using NP with Kodi and Netflix? They may or may not use external usb or mouse/keyboard.
5.1.1? Android M preview 3?
Rooted?
TWRP?
Custom Rom? CM12 / other??
**UPDATE**
Here is what I did which seems to work great:
- Unlocked Bootloader
- Flashed TWRP
- Flashed 6.0 firmware (fugu) from Google's site
- Kodi installed from google play.
- Used “http://fusion.tvaddons.ag” addon to help with installing/updating streams. Selected "hubwizard" and "addoninstaller" under "start-here" directory to get basic addons/content/features working.
- Saw an issue with constant buffering. Used: Programs > Maintenance Tool > System Tweaks > Zero Cache (Yes when menu popped up). This expands the space where the download is stored, allowing a longer buffer than default. So you can pause a slow loading tv show/movie and let it load so you dont have viewing issues.
- Enabled Autoplay option on Genesis settings which is easier than searching thru the links provided.
- Added the xml file shown here so that I could use the Play/Pause button as a "right-click" option when content isn't playing.
Let me know if there is anything else I can change to make things run smoother. Otherwise, I'm pretty happy with the set up.
didn't see any response so I kept digging and came up with this...
- Using stock 5.1.1 from the standard update. Waiting until M preview is in a more final state.
- Kodi installed from google play.
- Installed “http://fusion.tvaddons.ag” addon to help with installing/updating streams. Help link here.
- Installed Genesis and Phoenix right away for basic content.
- Saw an issue with constant buffering. Used the TV Addon program to "Clear Cache" and enabled "Zero Cache". This expands the space where the download is stored, allowing a longer buffer than default. So you can pause a slow loading tv show/movie and let it load so you dont have viewing issues.
This seemed to get content streaming pretty good, but I could use any additional tips to make it better.
mmgill said:
didn't see any response so I kept digging and came up with this...
- Using stock 5.1.1 from the standard update. Waiting until M preview is in a more final state.
- Kodi installed from google play.
- Installed “http://fusion.tvaddons.ag” addon to help with installing/updating streams. Help link here.
- Installed Genesis and Phoenix right away for basic content.
- Saw an issue with constant buffering. Used the TV Addon program to "Clear Cache" and enabled "Zero Cache". This expands the space where the download is stored, allowing a longer buffer than default. So you can pause a slow loading tv show/movie and let it load so you dont have viewing issues.
This seemed to get content streaming pretty good, but I could use any additional tips to make it better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm currently searching for some options as well. I will let you know what I find.
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
I used TVAddons for a long time, on Ouya, an HTPC, and the Nexus Player. But I have recently been using The Beast by Chris B http://chrisbkodi.uk
I installed on my NP with this method: Install Kodi from the Play Store. Go to System>File Manager>Add Source type http://spartanpixel.net/repo click OK
Go to System>Addons>Install From Zip , select repo as the source, then select the zip and click OK. Wait about 10-15 seconds, you should see a message that the wizard has been installed.
Go to Programs, and select the config wizard. You should see the option of installing two different builds: The Beast or Spartan. I have tried both, I don't know what the major differences are other than the skin for Spartan is pretty cool. It's going to take a few minutes to install, so don't worry if it's slow and you will see another install progress bar after the first one finishes. After the entire process is done, you will get a message saying that installation is complete. So click OK, now THIS part is VERY important: The next message will say that you need to force shutdown Kodi, DO NOT click the button saying to go ahead and shut down. You will need to actually pull the power cord out from the back of the Nexus Player, and then plug it back in. Wait for it to boot up, go to Kodi and you should now see The Beast splash video. Everything will be configured for you, but you may want to go in and disable the adult stuff if you dont want it, and get rid of anything else that you dont want. I find some of the IPTV stuff is a little difficult to work with so I dont use much of it.
The only other thing I have done is go into Video settings, and set it to sync to my display refresh rate. You will also want to use ES File Explorer to upload a keymapping xml for the remote. https://www.dropbox.com/s/c1r944j93oj8sq6/nexus_remote.xml?dl=0
mmgill said:
didn't see any response so I kept digging and came up with this...
- Using stock 5.1.1 from the standard update. Waiting until M preview is in a more final state.
- Kodi installed from google play.
- Installed “http://fusion.tvaddons.ag” addon to help with installing/updating streams. Help link here.
- Installed Genesis and Phoenix right away for basic content.
- Saw an issue with constant buffering. Used the TV Addon program to "Clear Cache" and enabled "Zero Cache". This expands the space where the download is stored, allowing a longer buffer than default. So you can pause a slow loading tv show/movie and let it load so you dont have viewing issues.
This seemed to get content streaming pretty good, but I could use any additional tips to make it better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guys, I follows this and went with the xbmc repo, a lot of the channels are dead.
How do I install Genesis?
Also, how do I undo what I did? Uninstall fusion and start from scratch. I'd like to try some other builds above.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
mmgill said:
I am setting up a media streaming device for someone who isn't tech savvy but wants to use NP for movies/tv/Netflix.. What are the best basic settings/config for using NP with Kodi and Netflix? They may or may not use external usb or mouse/keyboard.
5.1.1? Android M preview 3?
Rooted?
TWRP?
Custom Rom? CM12 / other??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mmgill said:
didn't see any response so I kept digging and came up with this...
- Using stock 5.1.1 from the standard update. Waiting until M preview is in a more final state.
- Kodi installed from google play.
- Installed “http://fusion.tvaddons.ag” addon to help with installing/updating streams. Help link here.
- Installed Genesis and Phoenix right away for basic content.
- Saw an issue with constant buffering. Used the TV Addon program to "Clear Cache" and enabled "Zero Cache". This expands the space where the download is stored, allowing a longer buffer than default. So you can pause a slow loading tv show/movie and let it load so you dont have viewing issues.
This seemed to get content streaming pretty good, but I could use any additional tips to make it better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cadillax02 said:
I'm currently searching for some options as well. I will let you know what I find.
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wendellc said:
Guys, I follows this and went with the xbmc repo, a lot of the channels are dead.
How do I install Genesis?
Also, how do I undo what I did? Uninstall fusion and start from scratch. I'd like to try some other builds above.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to your Programs section in Kodi, there is a Fresh Start option that the fusion installer should have added. Run that and it should put you back to vanilla Kodi.
If you are able to side load, and you want the TV Addons build, maybe try side loading TVMC you should be able to put the APK on a thumb drive and access via ES File Explorer, be sure to enable Unknown Sources in Android.
One combo that worked well for me was side loading SPMC and then running the fusion installer.
wendellc said:
How do I install Genesis?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow the instructions above for Fusion.
Select Lambda repo zip for Genesis
Select XBMChub zip for TVAddons (Phoenix)
Setting up the pirate side of Kodi for somebody else with no knowledge of the world you are getting them into is a bad deal for you. These pirate addons are not for the uninitiated. They are unreliable at best. Make sure you are willing to be their continual tech support. In the past 45 days or so everything mentioned in the thread have undergone some catastrophic failure or complete relaunch. Make sure you teach your friend how this stuff works so there are no unrealistic expectations of availability or reliability.
pawdog said:
Setting up the pirate side of Kodi for somebody else with no knowledge of the world you are getting them into is a bad deal for you. These pirate addons are not for the uninitiated. They are unreliable at best. Make sure you are willing to be their continual tech support. In the past 45 days or so everything mentioned in the thread have undergone some catastrophic failure or complete relaunch. Make sure you teach your friend how this stuff works so there are no unrealistic expectations of availability or reliability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe with the Live TV feeds they are. But Genesis is fairly rock solid. I can do without the others (for the most part).
Loaded THE BEAST.
I really like the interface (large fonts; cool backdrop images) for KODI.
I just had to turn off every other section but the main MOVIES/SPORTS/LIVE TV sections though because it's so laden with adult content links.
I wish it would come more like stock (without all the adult) and a wizard to add on the adult stuff if people desire.
Otherwise, it has been stable.
The LIVE TV links are still very hit and miss with THE BEAST.
S4F4M said:
Maybe with the Live TV feeds they are. But Genesis is fairly rock solid. I can do without the others (for the most part).
Loaded THE BEAST.
I really like the interface (large fonts; cool backdrop images) for KODI.
I just had to turn off every other section but the main MOVIES/SPORTS/LIVE TV sections though because it's so laden with adult content links.
I wish it would come more like stock (without all the adult) and a wizard to add on the adult stuff if people desire.
Otherwise, it has been stable.
The LIVE TV links are still very hit and miss with THE BEAST.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
still debating on rooting the nexus player, I downloaded the kodi app, and installed kodimaster? (not sure of exact repo) but I did read about the the beast repo being pretty solid as well. I think for the most part I'm happy with the nexus player at $24.98 and the kodi app does pretty much everything I need it to do with movies & shows. I still have more to learn with live tv, nfl network, and what else itll provide
osugsxr said:
still debating on rooting the nexus player, I downloaded the kodi app, and installed kodimaster? (not sure of exact repo) but I did read about the the beast repo being pretty solid as well. I think for the most part I'm happy with the nexus player at $24.98 and the kodi app does pretty much everything I need it to do with movies & shows. I still have more to learn with live tv, nfl network, and what else itll provide
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting is a toss-up.
If you want to keep 5.0, then you need to root.
If you want Marshmallow, then do not root right now.
Root and flashing to older images (if needed for whatever reason) is pretty straight-forward.
Tons of guides on the internet/Youtube.
Live TV is hit or miss.
With movies and shows on Genesis, play is fine unless I pick a bad stream. Then, the data feed is too slow to keep up and the show/movie pauses/buffers.
Last night, though, I wanted to check the score of the game, so I loaded ESPN from cCloudTV. It was buffering every 5 seconds. Basically unwatchable.
Not sure if it was due to the stream (# of people streaming = low data feed) and/or my connection speed (20 mbps). But live TV does not really "buffer" like movies/shows as it is not a DVR, so when it buffers, the live action wants to catch up, so you get skips/stutters, etc.
Likewise, I do not know if I'm missing addons or the streams are not reliable, but channel surfing is not really reliable. I get error messages that I need to check the log.
I got Kodi setup with all the 'free' stuff = thanks to this thread.
I am trying to add my own local content, but when I go to add the SMB share, I can see all the computers on my network, I can select my home server (windows 8.1), but after I select it, I get an error and I cannot connect to the share.
My windows based Kodi setup finds my server just fine and I can add the seperate shares with no issues. Anyone else experience this issue on the NP?
i definitely need to do the play/pause right click mod
I was able to setup a SQL server and one HTPC a firetv and my new nexus player are able to connect. no issues.
I gave up on garbage Kodi, everyone tells me how great it is well, if you mean about 30 minutes searching through dozens and dozens of stupid streams to get one that will actually play and not buffer, then yeah works great. I was told, use autoplay then you won't have that issue, well, I turned on autoplay and stupid POS still didn't work, either the video wouldn't play/buffer/stutter, or it just wouldn't load any streams at all. Also kept getting cache was full errors constantly so I gave up and went back to simple easier torrents.
S4F4M said:
Maybe with the Live TV feeds they are. But Genesis is fairly rock solid. I can do without the others (for the most part).
Loaded THE BEAST.
I really like the interface (large fonts; cool backdrop images) for KODI.
I just had to turn off every other section but the main MOVIES/SPORTS/LIVE TV sections though because it's so laden with adult content links.
I wish it would come more like stock (without all the adult) and a wizard to add on the adult stuff if people desire.
Otherwise, it has been stable.
The LIVE TV links are still very hit and miss with THE BEAST.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Start out with a fresh copy of Kodi 15.2 then add all the sources for repos(srp.nu, tvaddons.ag, etc.). Then install all the repos. And Then install all the add-ons from the repos you just installed. Then load elmerohueso' s repo from fusion so you can use his helix ++ skin (it allows you to use "any" 7 icons under "any" of the main screen sections (pictures,videos,music,..etc). This way you have access to all the addons add-ons you want without any of the stuff you don't.
S4F4M said:
Rooting is a toss-up.
If you want to keep 5.0, then you need to root.
If you want Marshmallow, then do not root right now.
Root and flashing to older images (if needed for whatever reason) is pretty straight-forward.
Tons of guides on the internet/Youtube.
Live TV is hit or miss.
With movies and shows on Genesis, play is fine unless I pick a bad stream. Then, the data feed is too slow to keep up and the show/movie pauses/buffers.
Last night, though, I wanted to check the score of the game, so I loaded ESPN from cCloudTV. It was buffering every 5 seconds. Basically unwatchable.
Not sure if it was due to the stream (# of people streaming = low data feed) and/or my connection speed (20 mbps). But live TV does not really "buffer" like movies/shows as it is not a DVR, so when it buffers, the live action wants to catch up, so you get skips/stutters, etc.
Likewise, I do not know if I'm missing addons or the streams are not reliable, but channel surfing is not really reliable. I get error messages that I need to check the log.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alternatives to ccloud: You need to install dextertv(plays live tv really well even on 3mbs time warner connection but you need to sign in with a valid email- I just use a temp email generator easily found on google search), and UFO stalker clone(youtube kraz inabox) or i4ATV which are both stalker clones and play over 800 channels really well without buffering. Google search, DexterTV, Kraz inabox, newtechevotution, Joenobody010101, husham memar, soloman for awesome turorials on the latest greatest add-ons
Shftup said:
I got Kodi setup with all the 'free' stuff = thanks to this thread.
I am trying to add my own local content, but when I go to add the SMB share, I can see all the computers on my network, I can select my home server (windows 8.1), but after I select it, I get an error and I cannot connect to the share.
My windows based Kodi setup finds my server just fine and I can add the seperate shares with no issues. Anyone else experience this issue on the NP?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get a micro usb to regular usb hub and insert a zip drive with the content you want and then transfer it from the zip drive to kodi by using file explorer you can download from the play store. With the hub you can also install a keyboard/track pad combo like the logitect k400 keyboard (ususally on sale for 19.99) and its makes using/navigating kodi or the nexus player much easier.
ninerpride said:
I gave up on garbage Kodi, everyone tells me how great it is well, if you mean about 30 minutes searching through dozens and dozens of stupid streams to get one that will actually play and not buffer, then yeah works great. I was told, use autoplay then you won't have that issue, well, I turned on autoplay and stupid POS still didn't work, either the video wouldn't play/buffer/stutter, or it just wouldn't load any streams at all. Also kept getting cache was full errors constantly so I gave up and went back to simple easier torrents.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree about kodi being garbage. It's awesome software. If you were Genesis...make sure to clear cache and sources from within genesis tools section. Autoplay does work but you need to configure the streams you prefer from the information section of genesis. Also make sure you're on version 5.1.4. Some of rhe other great add-ons: phoenix, primewire/one channel, SALTS, projectfreetv, navix, movie night, movied hd, ...etc. With a decent connection all of these addons feature great content and have search functiions to find whatever you're looking for. STAY away from torrents. They provide way less anonymity than you might think...
ninerpride said:
I gave up on garbage Kodi, everyone tells me how great it is well, if you mean about 30 minutes searching through dozens and dozens of stupid streams to get one that will actually play and not buffer, then yeah works great. I was told, use autoplay then you won't have that issue, well, I turned on autoplay and stupid POS still didn't work, either the video wouldn't play/buffer/stutter, or it just wouldn't load any streams at all. Also kept getting cache was full errors constantly so I gave up and went back to simple easier torrents.
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Don't despair. I've some good news for you. Unlike cable companies, which you are obliged to subscribe to if you live in a certain area (Laissez-faire at its best), no one has to use the POS called Kodi. And no one will do bad things to you if you don't. You always have the choice of forking out a hundred bucks or more a month for the rubbish that would stream flawlessly on your tv (Freedom at its best - where you consistently get 15 minutes of consumerism-driven "information" out of a 25-minute program) if you can't stand the minimal work one has to put in for the stuff you get for free and whose content you totally control.
I'm sure the people who designed the POS (your opinion) did the best they could, and do not get justly compensated for it. What you said don't sound really appreciative of it to me.
Maybe can help
I using this ROM pure nexus 6.0 from dhacker29 http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-player/development/rom-pure-nexus-t3260232
As well after all done, download kodi from the play store and them follow this threat http://www.geek.com.do/mejores-fuentes-repositorios-kodi-xbmc/ ah sorry its is Spanish, use Google translate
I just did the whole Kodi install thing with the repos that the kids are selling these days on Ebay for like $80+ installed on a Amazon Firestick. Pretty funny that they are making money off of doing that. I only found out about that from my friend who actually paid $$ for one of those and decided to research it and attempted to do it on my NPlayer.
I agree with @ninerpride somewhat. While I don't think it's Kodi that is "garbage", its more the streams fault. It DOES get annoying attempting to go down the list to try and find a stream that actually plays. @graphdarnell, I concur with you, my Time Warner cable bill is over $100 USD and I get nothing for it. I'm always looking for ways to cut the cord and get out of this because the bill just keeps going up every year.
I heard that Genesis, etc is no longer being supported because the DEV found out about the "hacker kids" selling his work on Ebay pre-loaded onto those Amazon Firesticks. Anyone hear the same? Someone suggested to instead install "SALTS" but while it's much better, it's still annoying trying to find a stream that works.
Using the BEAST build installed from AresWizard.cok.uk/zip and it's been great so far. Phoenix based and most of the content is decent. Live TV is pretty good. Best I've used for KODI so far