[mythtv-users] Google Nexus Player as MythTV Frontend

[Tom Harris]

I use my MythTV frontend via an N bridge (Apple Airport to Time Capsule)
and MPEG2 streaming is flawless for me.  I get ~160Mbps throughput.  But,
YMMV based on distances, home construction materials, etc.

The bluetooth remote is an issue -- can't integrate into my universal
remote.  But, I guess adding an IR receiver via USB can solve that.

There are a few MythTV android frontend apps already.    I'm hoping that
one of them can be a good option, as I would really like a single device
that could do commercial service streaming as well as MythTV.


On Wed, Oct 15, 2014 at 11:52 PM, Joseph Fry <joe at thefrys.com> wrote:

>
> On Wed, Oct 15, 2014 at 10:37 PM, Tom Harris <thom.j.harris at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Google announced their $99 Nexus Player device today:
>> http://www.google.com/nexus/player/
>>
>> It is based on a quad core Atom processor (
>> http://blogs.intel.com/evangelists/2014/10/15/new-nexus/ ).    There was
>> nothing about it in this announcement, but based on past info it's supposed
>> to support HW accelerated MPEG2 (I guess the intel video is capable).
>>
>> To me this looks really interesting as one of two possibilities:
>>
>> 1) If you can load Linux on it, it's a great little inexpensive x86 box
>> for standard Linux+mythfrontend
>>
>> 2) With good MPEG2 support, an Android MythTV frontend could make for a
>> nice streamer box for MythTV + Netflix/Amazon/HBO/Chromecast/etc.
>>
>>
> I see a couple of weaknesses.
>
> 1.  The lack of wired networking, even 802.11ac can struggle with mpeg2 HD
> content.  It does have a micro USB port, so perhaps a USB network adapter,
> but that would probably consume CPU cycles.
>
>  2. The remote leaves something to be desired... and since it's bluetooth,
> it may not be easy to find a compatible remote with more buttons... perhaps
> one of the playstation remotes or something? (eg
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880107005)
>
> 3. I am not sure how well the PowerVR GPU will work in mythtv.  It is
> supported by VAAPI using the proprietary drivers... so it may work great,
> but it may not.
>
> 4. Only 1GB of RAM, may be a bit low for some themes, folks with a large
> video collection, or lots of channels.
>
> However, other than the networking, I suspect that the other 3 issues
> could be remedied with a well written app specifically for the device... of
> course someone would need to write that app.
>
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