I'm looking to make an updated guide/ROM for the 4k mantis. Some of the guides are getting to be a bit outdated, including one of mine. There is a lot of good info out there but it's a bit scattered. I am looking for some help on this as I'm getting back up to speed with the new procedures, firmwares etc.
For now the first post will be a work in progress. Once I have a complete guide/ROM it this will be moved to another post.
My end goal:
Google Assistant
Google Voice Search
Access to all settings, which I take it will require access to amazon settings as not all settings are accessible from ATV settings
Google Play Store and Services
Amazon Appstore (afaik, this can co-exist so no harm in keeping it)
Recommendations on launcher
I would like a Alexa/Amazon version as well (for others, I prefer all google, if it's possible). Same as above but with Alexa rather then google assistant.
1) Choosing the firmware.
ri.su said:
I think 6.2.8.1 is best all around version today if you want to go custom. I had setup like this for a while too and you can find those custom kernels for NTFS etc file support for it. 6.2.8.9 offerings are more limited.
Basically:
6.2.7.6 - Last version with full HDMI audio passthrough with DTS, TrueHD etc support. But can be problematic with paid DRM since it's so old already. Custom kernels available.
6.2.8.1 - Loses passthrough for anything but few Dolby formats streaming services use (and LPCM still kinda works). Afaik this version still works with most paid streaming services. Custom kernels available.
6.2.8.9 - same as 6.2.8.1 but no custom kernels available. Newer DRM module so probably more future proof for paid streaming. Requires extra patch to be able to run custom launcher with this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the choice right now is between 6.2.7.6 and 6.2.8.1. In my opinion, choose 6.2.7.6 if you have an old style remote (the one that doesn't have the extra buttons on the bottom (prime video, netflix, disney+, amazon music), and you don't have any issues with streaming services using DRM (not sure which ones have issues, anyone care to fill this info in?), and you don't want to loose audio passthrough (who wants to loose features?) If you choose 6.2.7.6, then this ROM/Guide: [Guide] [ROM] (mantis) Fire TV Stick 4K Prerooted Android TV Rom (6.2.7.6) is likely the best option for you. I couldn't get it working personally but this was on a newer stick and new style remote, not sure if either of those were a factor.
Choose 6.2.8.1 if: you have a newer style remote (with prime video, netflix, disney+, amazon music buttons), if you need updated DRM to use streaming services (your services are broken and updating DRM will fix that) or if you are ok with loosing audio passthrough. If you've chosen 6.2.8.1, that's what this guide/ROM will be based on.
Threads where I've been obtaining info:
[Guide] [ROM] (mantis) Fire TV Stick 4K Prerooted Android TV Rom (6.2.7.6)
[UNLOCK][ROOT][TWRP][UNBRICK] Fire TV Stick 4K (mantis)
Threads where parts of this ROM will come from:
[Magisk][Module] FireTV 4K Stick Add-Ons
[Magisk][Module] Google Play Market, Services and TV Search for FireOS 6
[KERNEL][FireTV Stick 4K] Custom Kernel For AFTV 4k - 6.2.7.7
Customizing the Fire TV Stick 4K (mantis) - Debloat - Replace launcher and Testing
Fire TV Stick 4K Tweaks (Need Root, Need Keyboard) Works On Any Firmware
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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.
(I looked for this but search seems to be busted)
Anyone know the situation with getting live TV on the Shield? I bought one to replace the Android TV function of my POS Philips 4K TV, which is so full of bugs as to be unusable and no fix coming from Philips. So far everything is great - fast, remote works all the time, stable - but no TV. I'd like to get my channels working with Live Channels because of the superior UI and the ability to record in the future. Don't want to use kodi or any other third-party TV apps.
I set up a dvblogic server on my NAS and using their beta dvblogic Live app am able to see the guide and switch channels in Live Channels but it doesn't correctly identify language tracks and subtitles don't work at all, and dvblogic have announced that they are abandoning the app's development to concentrate on their own fugly, proprietary app.
I saw that someone has released a hacked kernel with support for USB tuners, though it's for making Kodi work; in theory from what I've read about live channels it ought to just sort of work with supported tuners. Has anyone tried this?
Aside from the hacked kernel are there any other options? I have both DVB-T and IPTV available to me, and while I'd prefer IPTV I'll take whatever I can get. I was sort of hoping that when I connected the Shield to my router it would just find the IPTV channels and put them in the guide. Silly me.
Why dont you just IPTV Pro, there is a free version on Google Play Store. Im using it and its works perfectly with no problems...
Sent from my SM-G935F using XDA-Developers mobile app
I think the best solution with a NAS is :
- tvheadend server on the NAS with a tuner
- tvheadend client on the shield : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ie.macinnes.tvheadend
But if you have IPTV, it's the easiest solution
You can use Cumulus TV to add m3u8 files in Android Live Channels : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.felkertech.n.cumulustv
Hauppauge
hi
I am trying to get my usb Hauppauge DVB-T2 working on my NVIDIA shield. I have been looking how to do this for several days and cant find any answers that work for me.
I have installed HDHomerun so i can see the live channels app. I also have a VPN and have set it to the USA. I dont want to pay plex.
If anyone can give me a step by step on how to get this working would be great?
Do you want to watch live TV on your phone? It turns out that you have a wide range of options to choose from, with the majority of them being reasonably priced. We looked at a variety of live TV apps, going over listings and other people's recommendations before trying them out and selecting the ones we thought were good enough to recommend.
I am able to add apps, so that is not a problem. However, some android tv apps will not load. Is there a link that I can go to for apps that work with the new Nividia Shield standard and pro?
While I am not aware of any such link, and use the non-Pro (32-bit only), I can tell you, what works for me:
* Firefox for Amazon TV (all, except non http(s) URL, like intent:// and it also seems not to be able to download files, at least no .apk files and no voice input, which sucks especially for a browser). You can get version 4.5 (not sure, whether this is the latest) here. Just scroll down the page, which is in German, but you should be able to find it.
* KODI seems to work, as reported by others, but I have problems when entering some resource lists. I just installed it yesterday and did not yet look into it too much.
* NOVA (open source fork of Archos Media Player, which does not work on the Shield TV anymore)
* X-Plore - the best file manager for Android, ever!
* F-Droid - usable, but not optimized for Android TV. That means, you can search for apps and install them. But you can not easily browse the categories.
* Tachiyomi (on F-Droid) - Manga downloader, seems to work, though I did not download yet. But I can access all controls.
* all the streaming video services (Amazon Prime Video, Haystack TV, German TV stations and streaming services) I installed are working flawlessly.
Hey guys
I recently purchased a
Samsung UE65AU9000
region: Asia/Pakistan
This is my first smart TV earlier i was using fire stick and installed some moded, I am not happy with this TV showing too many ads, youtube is full of ads and other apps like Plex also, i can't install Cinema HD,
I want to ask which TV is easier to root and can install these apps mainly Youtube Vanced and Cinema HD. ads is the main purpose for rooting the TV, i am still within return policy and can return it if i find a good TV to root.]
TIA
otherwise whats the purpose of a smart TV, if you can get everything on firestick.
Every samsung TV I've ever bought, I do not connect to the internet and I plug in a Chromecast. YMMV, but if you like the firestick, I would go with that. The purpose of a smart TV is for them to advertise to you.
First: don't used Vanced on a TV. Its broken. Use SmartTubeNext.
Second: You can't root Samsung TVs, since they run a locked down version of linux instead of Android.
Third: If you want upscaling go with Nvidia shield, otherwise Firestick/Chromecast is solid too. If your looking for a TV with OS built in try Sony, TCL, or any tv with Android built in. You will not need to root the TV, although if you wanted to get rid of ads on the homescreen it might be worth looking into.
And finally, question: are the ads on the Firestick, Samsung TV, or both?
beallmuddy said:
First: don't used Vanced on a TV. Its broken. Use SmartTubeNext.
Second: You can't root Samsung TVs, since they run a locked down version of linux instead of Android.
Third: If you want upscaling go with Nvidia shield, otherwise Firestick/Chromecast is solid too. If your looking for a TV with OS built in try Sony, TCL, or any tv with Android built in. You will not need to root the TV, although if you wanted to get rid of ads on the homescreen it might be worth looking into.
And finally, question: are the ads on the Firestick, Samsung TV, or both?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both have ads. Use a Pi-Hole
Is it possible to tweak Android TV to appear as another brand?
I started wondering about this when I realized that Netflix isn't available for some brands.
I know it works on Nvidia Shield.
Is it possible to make an Android TV product appear as an Nvidia Shield?
Something tells me it’s probably going off more than just brand, such as hardware requirements and safetynet and drm status. You might want to google how to install Netflix on a rooted device, because Netflix is probably treating your device as somehow unofficial like it does with rooted ones. You basically just have to install a certain version of Netflix that allows it. I recommend the websites apkpure or apk mirror for safe app downloads outside the Play Store and just side loading them onto your Android TV with an sd card / cable / Bluetooth etc.