Android TV question

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Batman

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Topic # 223884 22-Oct-2017 17:01

Hi i'm looking at an "Android TV" TV ...

Does it work like a giant android tablet, where you can download Android apps?

What I'm looking to do is to be able to see files on my home Windows PC network and click on them and play complex mkv files for example?

sdavisnz

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Reply # 1887807 22-Oct-2017 17:29

sony for example has a photos / videos and music app for local (usb) and local network storage.

it can be used as a dlna reciever to play your videos over the network.

you can also download vlc and other media players with network intergration and you might have better results depending on the codec.

android tv is android designed for the lounge, it uses leanback launcher and has specific android tv apps.

this year veon from the warehouse has android on a tv, but its not android tv ( it also has a terrible user experience from my brief testing with it)

most smart tvs are dlna client devices so you should be alright.

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Batman

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Reply # 1887819 22-Oct-2017 17:48

I prefer not to use dlna clients as they are not always compatible with the file type, frame rate, sound codec, etc etc ... at least in my experience. Playing a file from a network directly (assuming good network connectivity, assuming the video player eg VLC is one that "plays everything") works better in my experience.

Currently have a Samsung running Tizen and using its proprietary BETA Smart View magic link ... 99% works, but doesn't play 5.1 sound, and sometimes it just disconnects for no reason (which can happen with any other networking type connection)

Benoire

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Reply # 1887821 22-Oct-2017 17:52

I think its better if you ran a seperate android tv unit rather than one built in to a TV; they generally slow to update, and harder to replace when out of date... an Nvidia Shield would offer much better performance, can be discreetly placed with the bluetooth remote and should be supported for a decent time.

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Reply # 1887826 22-Oct-2017 18:32

Never had a issue with dlna clients.

You can also have the server transcode files for you

Quinny

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Reply # 1887912 22-Oct-2017 22:42

Android Tv (I have Sony) - into google play put just that "android tv" and you will see apps can add (Plex, YouTube, Kodi, Amazon, Lightbox, CurisotyStream, Netflix, Twitch are good popular examples). You then go install and the tv will be there as an option to send to.

Sideload - yep can. I have added SkyGo and a couple of others. Not perfect but does work.

DLNA - I have Serviio on Pc and built in "Video" app sees this fine (as well as my Synology NAS and anything with "server"

Hope that helps.