New Android TV Box and Lightbox

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81 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 33

#1650865 14-Oct-2016 09:56

GeorgefromLightbox:

So, I think the original issue (that 3rd party/imported Android TV boxes are rooted and therefore the DRM doesn't work) still stands, as the reason is broadly the same: those ROMs don't support the right DRM format.

That said, the fact your rooted HTC One still plays content must be perhaps because it has suitable DRM support - and I'd guess this is perhaps through Widevine Modular which, for ref, is what our Android app player SDK supports (via CastLabs) uses.

Indeed, DRM info on my HTC shows:

I think the root status is a bit of a red herring - Lightbox will work on a rooted box, but the boxes in question being cheap and basic lack the required DRM support (get what you pay for!), hence my point about more informative error messages or some kind of warning.

MikeAqua

8031 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3822

#1650933 14-Oct-2016 11:25

Lightbox as the little guy vs Netlfix surely you should be more nimble/responsive and look to have more device coverage?

We have free Lightbox. But we pay for Netflix because it works across more devices.

Mike

Junta

270 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 55

Trusted

#1650993 14-Oct-2016 12:19

MikeAqua:

Lightbox as the little guy vs Netlfix surely you should be more nimble/responsive and look to have more device coverage?

We have free Lightbox. But we pay for Netflix because it works across more devices.

Hey @MikeAqua

We are certainly looking at Android TV devices, no doubt there. We keep an eye on upcoming devices ourselves, and we really do listen to you guys when you call out new stuff.

And yep, Lightbox is small(er)/nimble(r), but that does mean we need to focus effort. We do our best, honest!

Netflix is a $6.7billion business, which means they can chuck huge teams & effort against pretty much whatever they like.

Junta

270 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 55

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#1651009 14-Oct-2016 12:23

Bazil:

Indeed, DRM info on my HTC shows:

I think the root status is a bit of a red herring - Lightbox will work on a rooted box, but the boxes in question being cheap and basic lack the required DRM support (get what you pay for!), hence my point about more informative error messages or some kind of warning.

Ah ok, my hypothesis was right. I take your point about the DRM messaging: the challenge we have is that many customers won't know what DRM is, or how to action/upgrade etc.

BUT it's a good idea to be more descriptive regarding the issue. That's actually what we've just done with v 2.0.3 around dodgy home networks, dropped packets etc. So I will look to add this to the backlog :)

MikeAqua

8031 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3822

#1651084 14-Oct-2016 14:06

GeorgefromLightbox:

Ah ok, my hypothesis was right. I take your point about the DRM messaging: the challenge we have is that many customers won't know what DRM is, or how to action/upgrade etc.

Customers shouldn't have to know what DRM is etc etc.

Things should work, without specialised knowledge - otherwise you restrict yourself to the top 5% of people who can resolve these issues themselves.

Mike

Junta

270 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 55

Trusted

#1651086 14-Oct-2016 14:08

MikeAqua:

GeorgefromLightbox:

Ah ok, my hypothesis was right. I take your point about the DRM messaging: the challenge we have is that many customers won't know what DRM is, or how to action/upgrade etc.

Customers shouldn't have to know what DRM is etc etc.

Things should work, without specialised knowledge - otherwise you restrict yourself to the top 5% of people who can resolve these issues themselves.

Exactly my point :)

Our job is to make it 'just work' - and if it doesn't for whatever reason it needs to be clear what the issue is.

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silverlake

142 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#1651632 15-Oct-2016 16:06

GeorgefromLightbox:

MikeAqua:

GeorgefromLightbox:

Ah ok, my hypothesis was right. I take your point about the DRM messaging: the challenge we have is that many customers won't know what DRM is, or how to action/upgrade etc.

Customers shouldn't have to know what DRM is etc etc.

Things should work, without specialised knowledge - otherwise you restrict yourself to the top 5% of people who can resolve these issues themselves.

Exactly my point :)

Our job is to make it 'just work' - and if it doesn't for whatever reason it needs to be clear what the issue is.

Except that my TV Box appears to have the right DRM support, but I'm still getting frequent server errors;

Junta

270 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 55

Trusted

#1651812 16-Oct-2016 09:39

silverlake:

Except that my TV Box appears to have the right DRM support, but I'm still getting frequent server errors;

Do you get intermittent/random Server Errors, or does it happen as soon as you try and play content?

silverlake

142 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#1652055 16-Oct-2016 20:45

The best experience has been to get 14 minutes into a program before the server error, but generally the server error occurs within a minute of the stream begining - hence I haven't persevered.

Junta

270 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 55

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#1652123 17-Oct-2016 09:43

Interesting. I will do some research: we have access to a couple of these Android TV boxes. I'll see if they do the same thing & get back to you - as I say, we're keen to investigate these devices...

Junta

270 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 55

Trusted

#1652200 17-Oct-2016 11:31

Ok I've had a go with a couple of units we have access to: an M8, and a U-Box.

The M8 plays back, but it's really jerky: this was solved somewhat by switching off Display Auto-detection and setting the output to 1080p 50hz (it defaulted to 60hz). I didn't get any server errors though.

The U-Box, however, shows the server error quite quickly. A quick look through the proxy logs shows a possible cause for this - and it's actually one we're already looking into as it shows up on some mobiles also.

I will let you know how we get on - just bearing in mind that we don't officially support Android TV boxes...

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Polari

3 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#1671636 16-Nov-2016 00:37

Hi George, where is the support for Google's official Android TV? Is the app a paid exclusive for Sony TVs with Android TV at the moment? Very disappointing if so.

browned

636 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 36

#1674859 21-Nov-2016 11:03

GeorgefromLightbox:

Ok I've had a go with a couple of units we have access to: an M8, and a U-Box.

The M8 plays back, but it's really jerky: this was solved somewhat by switching off Display Auto-detection and setting the output to 1080p 50hz (it defaulted to 60hz). I didn't get any server errors though.

The U-Box, however, shows the server error quite quickly. A quick look through the proxy logs shows a possible cause for this - and it's actually one we're already looking into as it shows up on some mobiles also.

I will let you know how we get on - just bearing in mind that we don't officially support Android TV boxes...

I now have 3 Nvidia Shield Android TV devices, if I buy a TV it will be a Sony Bravia with Android TV on it, although I will probably not use it if I have a Shield device to plug into it. I do not use Light Box, because it doesn't work on my devices.

I know Android TV is not really prime time here in NZ but it's adoption, although slow, is gaining speed and some interesting names. Asus, Free/Iliad, NVIDIA, Philips, Sharp, Sony, TCL, RCA, Bang & Olufsen, Vestel, Hisense, Razer, and Xiaomi. Nvidia is probably the most powerful box out there and a reasonable price at $320nzd to the door, and will play 4K HDR with no issues.

The question will be will it reach critical mass and become the standard like it did on Phones? Will manufacturers more and distributors support it? interesting questions that still need answers and only time will tell, I would think from a distributor point of view developing apps for a single platform would be easier and better than developing apps for the multitude of devices currently in the market.

The thing that puzzles me is Android is massive, and redeveloping apps for Android TV in some cases takes as little as a couple of hours. Change orientation to landscape, change navigation to keyboard, game pad, remote control, publish. Stop with the absolute rage inducing exclusive agreements with manufacturers and publish your apps in the play store for all to access. Sit back and relax at a job well done.

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MikeAqua

8031 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3822

#1674872 21-Nov-2016 11:17

I have a Xiaomi Mi Box on it's way (actually just arrived at YouShop today). I'll be interested to see if it works with LightBox.

Mike

Junta

270 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 55

Trusted

#1681302 2-Dec-2016 14:30

MikeAqua:

I have a Xiaomi Mi Box on it's way (actually just arrived at YouShop today). I'll be interested to see if it works with LightBox.

Has it arrived yet? Keen to hear how you got on :)

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