[mythtv-users] android sticks

[Tom Harris]

On Fri, Sep 6, 2013 at 6:56 AM, Joseph Fry <joe at thefrys.com> wrote:

> >> You hit my original question on the head.  I'm not as concerned about
> some
> >> application that looks exactly like mythfrontend native.  I just want
> to be
> >> able to play recordings from my backend from ATSC hdhomerun recordings.
>  I
> >> rarely use any features of mythtv myself other than the DVR function.
>  So,
> >> while commercial skipping would be nice, not a requirement.  So,
> ignoring
> >> the interface, and assume I have enough wifi bandwidth, can they stream
> a
> >> 720p or 1080i mpg2 ts?   So I'd be ok with upnp if that was my best
> option
> >> for a UI that currently runs on android.
> >
> > Bear in mind that most of those platforms don't have AC3 decoders (due
> > to the royalty costs), which would be required to play back ATSC
> > streams unmodified.
>

> I think a google TV device with
> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tikinou.googletvmyth
> is going to be my next purchase.  Sure it'll cost about $100, but it's
> small, silent, and low power.
>

Be careful.  I bought one of these about six months ago to get Amazon
streaming support and to test the mythtv frontend app.  The mythtv app was
promising, but the Google TV software was garbage.  As a long time MythTV
user, I found the UI to be slow, unintuitive, and overly complex.  I also
had display compatibility problems and was generally underwhelmed with
Google's effort at a media player frontend.

Also, note that Gtv devices differ in terms of codec support and playback
capabilities.  Not many support HD MPEG2.  Mine did but seemed to be
skipping frames, so I don't think it did full 1080i or 720p.

I ended up tossing mine in the closet and buying a Roku 3 for Amazon video
support.   The Roku 3 has a fantastic UI which is lightning fast.  If it
could do HD MPEG2, a MythTV app on that platform would make for the
ultimate media player.
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