Recommend Apps for Android TV?

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Batman

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#236230 24-May-2018 15:35

Hi I was going to ask - what's the best way to stream any movie format/container/resolution stored on Windows PC direct from Android TV?

I tried VLC - doesn't want to play ball - will keep trying.

Meanwhile what other apps do people put on their TVs?

I got Netflix, Youtube. Will look for Freeview.

Got a wireless keyboard connected.

Dial111

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#2021909 24-May-2018 15:40

Plex, kodi spring to mind

Sharesies kids

Free kids accounts - trade shares and funds (NZ, US) with Sharesies (affiliate link).

xontech

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#2021925 24-May-2018 16:23

+1 for Kodi, use it to access media via NFS, but I think it can use various protocols for this.

Batman

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#2021931 24-May-2018 16:31

are plex and codi one click to find the computer and a few clicks to find and play the file? when I read it seems they require a bit of setting up? i'm used to VLC where you just click. but on the TV when I click on my computer (with the letters SMB) a circle spins around without revealing its contents

xontech

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#2022248 25-May-2018 09:00

On Kodi you have to set up the initial path(s), but then it will scan the folder(s) and build the library up with thumbnails etc. It then lists all the folders categorised as movies in the movies section, TV Shows in TV Shows etc. There are plenty of screen shots on their site and on the net. Kodi and Plex are much more than just media players.

Spyware

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#2022250 25-May-2018 09:11

Batman:

are plex and codi one click to find the computer and a few clicks to find and play the file? when I read it seems they require a bit of setting up? i'm used to VLC where you just click. but on the TV when I click on my computer (with the letters SMB) a circle spins around without revealing its contents

So you are saying you don't know what a SMB path is??

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#2022263 25-May-2018 09:31

I'd use Plex for media library - easy to navigate then kodi.

But I also use kodi for random downloads like sports game, again I set-up a quick link to downloads folder on PC.

+ I use liveChannels for IPTV with EPG - the most user friendly UI.

helping others at evgenyk.nz

Batman

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#2022307 25-May-2018 10:27

Spyware:
Batman:

are plex and codi one click to find the computer and a few clicks to find and play the file? when I read it seems they require a bit of setting up? i'm used to VLC where you just click. but on the TV when I click on my computer (with the letters SMB) a circle spins around without revealing its contents

So you are saying you don't know what a SMB path is??

First time I've heard of it.

Have been accessing files from Windows under "network" which presumably takes care of all the smb paths

In Windows you click on the network computer it asks for user and password and away you go.

I was hoping for something similar in Android.

Smb path: is it something like this \\computername

afe66

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#2022337 25-May-2018 11:15

Doesn't Plex need to be run on the computer with the media files and streamed to the client?

I've got Plex media server on my NAS and clients on PC, ATV, iPad , iPhone, android phone. (and raspberry pi in past)

If vlc can't play the media, is the media corrupted?

Batman

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#2022641 25-May-2018 21:43

SUCCESS!

Installed ES File Manager, and it connects to my computer with one click after permanently saving the user and password.

Now everything is one click, and it opens in VLC, plays everything on my computer, without having to install anything on the computer.

The HTPC (already in the grave) is now officially retired and may rest in peace.

Batman

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#2022642 25-May-2018 21:46

afe66: Doesn't Plex need to be run on the computer with the media files and streamed to the client?

I've got Plex media server on my NAS and clients on PC, ATV, iPad , iPhone, android phone. (and raspberry pi in past)

If vlc can't play the media, is the media corrupted?

It's not that it can't play the media, it had trouble talking to the Windows networking side of things.

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#2022682 26-May-2018 06:13

yes but plex is designed to connect to a DLNA server (IE plex server on your computer) to retrieve its content, if you setup the server it will work with no issues.

i run a DLNA server as its works much more simply then using ES file explorer on my devices, then i just use a DLNA client to access the server

xyf

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#2023966 28-May-2018 14:23

We switched to Emby on our androidtv last year, great move. Use Matt H's iptv details for freeview. Also use the app tvurl to add live channels to the well live channels app.

I just want a bloody tvnz and three ondemand apps to be on android tv. Sigh