HI
I’m a many years user of Kodi on Shield. But now I’m starting to think of going away, if it is possible to almost keep the “same” feel of it.
I use Emby as my “server”, for info.
Is there a way to setup Android TV launcher to act more like Kodi?
This is most important for the movies and series sections.
In Kodi I have menus for Unplayed movies, Wife’s playlist (Emby playlist), new movies, all movies and so on.
Is there a way in the Android launcher to add shortcuts as I do in Kodi for the playlists, and new movies and so on?
I will and can change back to Plex, if this is better for Android Tv launcher and shortcuts, playlists etc.
I really like Kodi, but because of the reason below, I have started the search for other solutions. And Kodi as a launcher would be great, does not look like that is possible without coding an app myself, and doesn't get updates and so on.
I’m using Shield as mentioned over for Kodi and all other streaming apps.
This sort of works well, because there are many possibilities in Kodi for adjustments and so on. But in Android TV on Shield it’s not so good any more. If you use another app like HBO, Kodi almost shuts down all the time. It has to start up again, and that is not a good way to use Kodi, it gives too much waiting time and is annoying.
I think the main problem with this, is that Kodi is not coded to always run in the background, so it always closes. :-(
Petter
I have Kodi running as my launcher.
I used Adb to side load the Launcher Manager (Android TV version) app from this thread and to also disable the stock launcher on my shield.
Namit1994 said:
I have Kodi running as my launcher.
I used Adb to side load the Launcher Manager (Android TV version) app from this thread and to also disable the stock launcher on my shield.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is why I have joined this group!howto ?So far have adb fast boot working,when I ran hide stock launcher It said I or process did not have permission.Could you email me step by step hou you did kodi running as your launcher?please thkscecil
Related
After days of tweaking my brand new Amazon Fire TV to run XBMC. It's finally complete! I just finished installing Google Play Store. I installed a Custom XBMC Gotham 3.2 build. I installed Xbmchub's addons and settings ontop of that. FiredTV launcher. I set XBMC to launch when Amazon Fire TV starts up and by hitting the home button. Custom Splash and Wallpaper backgrounds. I'm so excited!
I'm familiar with XBMC from my pc and my G-Box MX2 android box but I'm loving this new Amazon Fire TV. It took sometime to figure out some stuff because I was not used to using adb and rooting devices so it was new to me.
I might uninstall the FiredTV launch screen. Don't really need it with XBMC starting right up now without having to go through the Amazon menu>Settings>Apps>XBMC.
I was having some buffering issues with running off of wifi so I wired the box last night. Video plays great now with no buffering issues.
Thanks to everyone for all of your hard work in customizing this great little machine!
I read about some people asking about Showbox on Fire TV. I sideloaded the apk for Showbox. The app itself works fine. You need a mouse to use it. Video play isn't working too good. I'm using an external player MX Player.
The app really isn't necessary if you have good add ons for XBMC. It's pretty pointless.
I also sideloaded Vudu onto the Amazon Fire TV. Vudu works great! But only allows you to watch movies in SD quality.
I installed the Chrome Beta web browser from Google Play. This way you can download and install .apks without having to sideload them.
I'm not an expert at this stuff but just sharing my experiences.
bobbym36 said:
After days of tweaking my brand new Amazon Fire TV to run XBMC. It's finally complete! I just finished installing Google Play Store. I installed a Custom XBMC Gotham 3.2 build. I installed Xbmchub's addons and settings ontop of that. FiredTV launcher. I set XBMC to launch when Amazon Fire TV starts up and by hitting the home button. Custom Splash and Wallpaper backgrounds. I'm so excited!
I'm familiar with XBMC from my pc and my G-Box MX2 android box but I'm loving this new Amazon Fire TV. It took sometime to figure out some stuff because I was not used to using adb and rooting devices so it was new to me.
I might uninstall the FiredTV launch screen. Don't really need it with XBMC starting right up now without having to go through the Amazon menu>Settings>Apps>XBMC.
I was having some buffering issues with running off of wifi so I wired the box last night. Video plays great now with no buffering issues.
Thanks to everyone for all of your hard work in customizing this great little machine!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
keep on modifying bro!!
I run tvlauncher, xbmc 13.2, airplay support, allcast installed, firefox, google play, ouya store, modded version of pandora, MLB running through a VPN in Japan so i have no local blackouts and the rest of my apps going through a vpn in europe.
mejdam said:
keep on modifying bro!!
I run tvlauncher, xbmc 13.2, airplay support, allcast installed, firefox, google play, ouya store, modded version of pandora, MLB running through a VPN in Japan so i have no local blackouts and the rest of my apps going through a vpn in europe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am android noob.. which app do you use to have this preferential VPN set.. so that some apps use europe vpn while others japan?
bobbym36 said:
I sideloaded the apk for Showbox. The app itself works fine. You need a mouse to use it. Video play isn't working too good. I'm using an external player MX Player.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use the media player that comes bundled in with EStrongs File Explorer when SB asks which external player to use.. Works perfectly every time.
mkhopper said:
I use the media player that comes bundled in with EStrongs File Explorer when SB asks which external player to use.. Works perfectly every time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ill have to try that. I want to test some emulators next when i get time.
In the midst of tweaking mine I found having moviebox on my ipad and just airplaying it solved all my content needs with nary a tweak. I don't even really need to keep root now.
Great brother...keep it going. I have a question. I am trying to get an app apk working on FireTV but not having any luck. would you know why? It works on tablets and any other android tv box, just not on firetv. let me know if you can help me in anyway. The app is on Google Playstore. It's called YuppTV. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xoom&hl=en
quick question
mejdam said:
keep on modifying bro!!
I run tvlauncher, xbmc 13.2, airplay support, allcast installed, firefox, google play, ouya store, modded version of pandora, MLB running through a VPN in Japan so i have no local blackouts and the rest of my apps going through a vpn in europe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you tell me where you got your modded version of pandora so i could put that on mine as well...
willie2409 said:
Could you tell me where you got your modded version of pandora so i could put that on mine as well...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even better is to put Spotify on it and then use rotation manager to make it play in the right orientation
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spydiko.rotationmanager
and the tablet metrics xposed module to make it play in tablet mode
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/27-tabletmetrics-report-screen-7-v2-2-t2596603
soulassasin187 said:
Great brother...keep it going. I have a question. I am trying to get an app apk working on FireTV but not having any luck. would you know why? It works on tablets and any other android tv box, just not on firetv. let me know if you can help me in* anyway. The app is on Google Playstore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do u have google play store on your fire tv? u trief installing the .apk file? I read that some apps from the play store just arent compatible with the fire tv. Not sure whar else you can do?
I tried to install Pandora as an Xbmc add on but it wouldnt work for me. iheart radio worked fine. Spotigly is a good one.
soulassasin187 said:
Great brother...keep it going. I have a question. I am trying to get an app apk working on FireTV but not having any luck. would you know why? It works on tablets and any other android tv box, just not on firetv. let me know if you can help me in anyway. The app is on Google Playstore. It's called YuppTV. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xoom&hl=en
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Righ now, It's available on Amazon AppStore
http://www.amazon.com/YuppTV-for-fireTV/dp/B00L1C3300/
Thank you. It's a new app posted on 9/8/14. But the problem is that is asks you to activate with a code and I already have a couple of devices activated so I can't activate firetv. Anyway to modify it or install the tablet apk?
Sent from my iPad with XBMC
mejdam said:
keep on modifying bro!!
I run tvlauncher, xbmc 13.2, airplay support, allcast installed, firefox, google play, ouya store, modded version of pandora, MLB running through a VPN in Japan so i have no local blackouts and the rest of my apps going through a vpn in europe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried to load a modded version of Pandora a while back but I remember I had some problem with it. I don't remember if it would force close or if I couldn't get past the login screen.. Could you provide more info on what you have loaded?
When would you guess we should start to see more programming added with Android TV? You should think soon as Sony starts selling next month? Also, what programs would you like to see added? I've been patiently waiting for HBO Go.
I'm waiting for Amazon instant video... I pay for it, and have been considering a third roku to replace my nexus player, simply because my Rokus have so much more going on right now. Plus, my nexus player buffers like crazy when my Rokus don't.
ClearD said:
I'm waiting for Amazon instant video... I pay for it, and have been considering a third roku to replace my nexus player, simply because my Rokus have so much more going on right now. Plus, my nexus player buffers like crazy when my Rokus don't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazon instant video works for me on LolliRock
I may root and rom. Is it leanback enabled? Or just the regular app?
I just installed lollirock today. Amazon instant video is not leanback enabled. Lollirock runs just like a standard stock AOSP android. Works great with a keyboard & mouse but not really well with the remote. I haven't had any luck getting the leanback launcher working. yet. Right now, I installed a different launcher to get around. I kind of miss the leanback launcher.
Leanback works just fine on LolliRock (and is in the 3rd post in that thread), however not all apps are Leanback enabled. Realistically if you run Leanback you'll also need to install Sideload Launcher which makes a separate folder for any installed apps that aren't Leanback compatible.
I've bailed on using the remote and instead use a logitech k400 keyboard, though I understand that isn't going to work for everyone.
I wonder what I am doing wrong. The launcher installs but when I try to launch an app, they all seem to give me an error
Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk
The solution is simple. And experimental, but I spoke to their dev team and they're actively testing it.
Playon.
If you've got it, sideload the playon app to your nexus player and run the server from a pc and you've got Amazon instant video, history channel, A&E, MTV, etc. Everything they've got on roku also works on the nexus player. I'm watching pawn stars right now.
Hi everyone, just got done setting up my new Shield TV with Kodi to stream media files from my unRaid NAS! I purchased the Shield because my old WDTV Live was dying and there did not appear to be many options for media boxes that could stream network content without transcoding with Plex or similar. My unRaid server uses a very old Atom CPU and doesn't have the horsepower to transcode 720p video or above.
Setting up Kodi was pretty easy, although it wasn't able to install it from the Play store. I had to go the route of loading the APK from a USB stick. All of my networked media seems to play flawlessly!
So now onto my question, what is everyone using their Shield for? I've got mine in the bedroom and I'm curious to see what else I can do with it. Out of all my Android games (I have a lot because I've gone through 3 android phones and 2 android tablets) only Wayward Souls was available for Android TV. I some experience with PS1 and SNES emulators from my tablet, but it seems the Shield is much more capable.
My general household includes 2 android phones, an android tablet, a gaming PC with an nvidia graphics card, the unraid server, and an HTPC in the living room. Solid AC Wifi connection between the Shield and the rest of the network.
Throw some ideas at me - what else should I do with the Shield?
Welcome.
I'm using my Shield as a main media center hooked up to my TV in the living room.
I do some android gaming sometimes, but there aren't enough titles i like (hoping this will change)
once nop releases the NTFS and samba kernel, i'm planning to use it as a NAS with a 2.5" usb 3.0 hdd connected to it.
RetroboxTV is pretty sweet for game emulation.
We use our Shield as our primary media device. It does everything we want minus native WatchESPN. We have an hdhomerun prime that we use with the Live Channels app for live TV.
We have a 2 TB external HDD hooked up with movies and TV shows that we watch through Kodi.
What else are you looking for?
Sent from my XT1096 using Tapatalk
Get sideload launcher, it will give you a wider range of apps you can run. You can also install amazon underground (first download and install the Chrome .apk to browse to it). IMO, ES file explorer provides a lot of the network search functions that I used to use Kodi for, so that removes some software layers. MXPLayer seems to be the most capable video player I've tested.
Mount as fileshare
xd4d3v said:
Welcome.
I'm using my Shield as a main media center hooked up to my TV in the living room.
I do some android gaming sometimes, but there aren't enough titles i like (hoping this will change)
once nop releases the NTFS and samba kernel, i'm planning to use it as a NAS with a 2.5" usb 3.0 hdd connected to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey can you help me out? I cannot figure out how to mount a network share into the filesystem.. ive tried using cifsmanager and tutorials but to no avail. can you please help?
just ordered my Shield TV
Relatively new here, roamed forums and maybe posted once or twice. Just ordered my NVidia shield tv and cant wait to get my hands on it! One question that I have yet to get a concrete answer to is can you run amazon prime video on it? Currently have an AFTV second gen and love it but always wanted more power out of it. Think im good with the shield tv but I do need to have prime video. Can someone give me a concrete answer? I've read through tons of threads out there and seems some people say you can while I've read others who say its a no go. HELP PLEASE!!!
P.S. thank you in advance!!!!
v-ince said:
Relatively new here, roamed forums and maybe posted once or twice. Just ordered my NVidia shield tv and cant wait to get my hands on it! One question that I have yet to get a concrete answer to is can you run amazon prime video on it? Currently have an AFTV second gen and love it but always wanted more power out of it. Think im good with the shield tv but I do need to have prime video. Can someone give me a concrete answer? I've read through tons of threads out there and seems some people say you can while I've read others who say its a no go. HELP PLEASE!!!
P.S. thank you in advance!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You CAN run prime video. However, the current workaround will not give you you 1080p (or 4K). You'll be limited to 720p. http://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tv/development/amazon-prime-video-demand-android-tv-t3278778
OK everyone so I've been using my Shield for a bit now and here are my quick thoughts. I haven't rooted or installed ROMs or done anything else. The most complicated thing I've done is put APKs on a flash drive and clicked "OK" in ES File Explorer to install them. I've also had to use a computer with the Play store to install a few games/apps.
1) ES File Explorer is OK but the user interface is very difficult to navigate (not intuitive)
2) Getting a PS1 and SNES emulator up and running were easy
3) Netflix, PBS, and CBS Sports are the only native video streaming apps I can get to work because I have Comcast/Xfinity and they hate Android TV. However, CBS Sports is only clips, not full programming, I find that pretty useless.
4) HBO Go and Showtime Anytime work with built in app casting functionality from my Android phone
5) Fox Sports Go works by casting my phone through Android (not within the app)
6) There are very few games in the Play store that seem to support Shield TV. So far I've only got Wayward Souls and Reaper.
Questions:
1) I've got Retro Arch and Arc Browser installed because I read about them a lot. However, I can't figure out what to actually do with either of those apps.
2) What other Android/play store games?
3) What other video streaming services (I have Comcast/Xfinity)
4) What emulator next? I'm thinking PSP would be good... anything else?
5) Any other apps or cool uses I should look at?
u.of.ipod said:
OK everyone so I've been using my Shield for a bit now and here are my quick thoughts. I haven't rooted or installed ROMs or done anything else. The most complicated thing I've done is put APKs on a flash drive and clicked "OK" in ES File Explorer to install them. I've also had to use a computer with the Play store to install a few games/apps.
1) ES File Explorer is OK but the user interface is very difficult to navigate (not intuitive)
2) Getting a PS1 and SNES emulator up and running were easy
3) Netflix, PBS, and CBS Sports are the only native video streaming apps I can get to work because I have Comcast/Xfinity and they hate Android TV. However, CBS Sports is only clips, not full programming, I find that pretty useless.
4) HBO Go and Showtime Anytime work with built in app casting functionality from my Android phone
5) Fox Sports Go works by casting my phone through Android (not within the app)
6) There are very few games in the Play store that seem to support Shield TV. So far I've only got Wayward Souls and Reaper.
Questions:
1) I've got Retro Arch and Arc Browser installed because I read about them a lot. However, I can't figure out what to actually do with either of those apps.
2) What other Android/play store games?
3) What other video streaming services (I have Comcast/Xfinity)
4) What emulator next? I'm thinking PSP would be good... anything else?
5) Any other apps or cool uses I should look at?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) There is a touchpad on the bottom of the game controller. It's hidden, but if you run your finger over the gray area above the volume control it should respond as a mouse pointer. That should help you navigate some apps easier.
2) Implosion (play store), Sonic CD & Goat Simulator (Chrome.apk -> Amazon underground -> amazon Apps), and some of the more ambitious MMO like War Thunder and Vendetta should work well.
3) HBOGo should work from your phone by casting, as will a lot of other video apps. FoxNow, WatchESPN, NBC, xfinity TV Go are some others I've tested successfully.
4)
5) sideload launcher if you don't already have it. Kodi is good for live TV from external devices (i.e. HDHomeRun Connect), but I've always found its navigation to be more complicated than it needs to be.
I know Android TV's like Sony have these apps, but I can't seem to find them anywhere to use on the nVidia Shield TV
Any ideas?
I don't know that the TV's actually do. It's a shame they are dragging their heels over bringing these apps to android TV. You have a couple of options really...
1) Install SPMC (or KODI). There are 3rd party add-ons for BBC and ITV, FTV guide will give you live TV channels. Kodi can be customised nicely , I've set it to auto start and use it as a homescreen for the SHIELD.
2) You can "mod" your SHIELD TV and flash an android ROM on to it. This will mean you can then use the Android apps as you're no longer on Android TV. This might be a bit too extreme for you though.
How you can make shield to auto start kodi? Could you give us some step by step please..
Thanks..
zelduy said:
How you can make shield to auto start kodi? Could you give us some step by step please..
Thanks..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.autostart&hl=en
Install that...open it. Choose which app you want to autostart and no you don't need to root the SHIELD TV. I use SPMC as it's being tailored for the SHIELD TV but you can use KODI instead
any apps on demand?
the nvidia shield tv has chromecast (now google cast) built into it, casting all4 to it from another device works better than sideloading the all4 app. that's the best way to get all4 on it, as there's no all4 kodi add-on.
you can sideload My5 if you get an apk from another device, the demand 5 kodi add-on is dead. you need to use right stick mouse emulation, as it's a touchscreen app.
you can also sideload itv hub, but the kodi add-on is better.
Mr Creosote said:
the nvidia shield tv has chromecast (now google cast) built into it, casting all4 to it from another device works better than sideloading the all4 app. that's the best way to get all4 on it, as there's no all4 kodi add-on.
you can sideload My5 if you get an apk from another device, the demand 5 kodi add-on is dead. you need to use right stick mouse emulation, as it's a touchscreen app.
you can also sideload itv hub, but the kodi add-on is better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great post!
I don't personally do the casting and I use Android not Apple stuff. However I do know Kodi has Airplay compatibility. I've never tried it but maybe that will help iphone/ipad users do the same trick?
I never thought of extracting the My5 apk from my molly...thank you! I might just give that a try
I believe that you can cast from the ios version of all4 as well, yes.
if anyone has a working my5 apk please direct it this way, have not found one apk that will work, always some issue.
Slayerkodi said:
if anyone has a working my5 apk please direct it this way, have not found one apk that will work, always some issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you're probably finding that it's working as best as it's going to. you can only navigate with the right stick emulating a mouse, and it doesn't work great doing that either.
I got it by installing it on my phone then using es file explorer to back it up.
I've got it but it gives error message when trying to play any video, both on my phone and shield TV
To be fair regarding apps on demand try Pluto it's linking to youtube live channels and other sources,and also actually make a playlist once in youtube live to fill with playlists of the youtube live channels you want click the + next to playlist when it's open right top of the list.That's one set of live on demand you can use which is none commercial tv oriented.But for true tv on demand get a smart tv with it built in,or a tv box which is made to have the on demand services incorporated otherwise use kodi or spmc and add on demand channels from vido addons section.
ok somehow my5 decided to work on shield （still no luck on phone） so i have bbc iplayer, itv, all4 and my5. uk catch up services sorted!!
Slayerkodi said:
ok somehow my5 decided to work on shield （still no luck on phone） so i have bbc iplayer, itv, all4 and my5. uk catch up services sorted!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you be able to post the apk's of the above apps? I'd love to be able to get the full line up of UK catchup apps in one box
Thanks!
+1
I'd like to get a copy of the APK's that work with the shield. Thanks
ok my5 i just downloaded from playstore on my phone then transferred the apk, same with 4od - if you dont have a phone or pc then just download on shield using aptoide or chrome. bbc iplayer already installed on shield but i use the kodi addon instead, itv player i installed through aptoide and it works but i use the kodi addon aswel with this one. there is actually catchup services for channels dave and really aswel as a kodi addon.
can you navigate with remote and press enter/select on these apps?
anhyone got channel 5 working?
I use the Nvidia game controller and it works on that, using the right analog as a mouse and A as the right click. Works perfect for me
My5 doesn't work on shield TV anymore since the update - just so you guys are aware.
since i have upgraded my shield to 3.2 and updated the vevo app, when i launch vevo from within SPMC it launches the android phone version of the app asking me to swipe screens to continue (which you cant), when i launch it from playstore it launches normal android tv version. I have my shield setup so it auto boots SPMC and hides the leanback launcher so i use SPMC as my launcher and boot apps this way, which is what i prefer. any ideas...
I have the same problem, will keep on looking for a solution but in the meantime, have you found anything?
i havent mate - just abandoned vevo now unfortunatley