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Hey guys,
I feel like there is an answer to this question, but, I promise I did search (followed the cardinal rule for forum posting)! Is it possible to hack/mod the amazon fire tv to stream content from your desktop to your TV over the network? This is the only feature I feel is missing and would be awesome if this little beat could do so.
Thanks for any help guys.
event67 said:
Hey guys,
I feel like there is an answer to this question, but, I promise I did search (followed the cardinal rule for forum posting)! Is ti possible to hack/mod the amazon fire tv to stream content from your desktop to your TV over the network? This is the only feature I feel is missing and would be awesome if this little beat could do so.
Thanks for any help guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure but there probably is a casting apk that will work somewhere. Check AllShare, AllCast, etc. for a casting app/receiver that includes desktop capability. You will have to install it with ADB on the Fire TV.
Why would you want to do this? IMO, there are plenty of easier ways to do this. for personal videos, upload to youtube, just set your channel as private. For website based streaming, you could load Firefox browser apk. For movies and TV shows, use xbmc.
Maybe with a little more info on what you want to stream, will help find an answer.
byrdcfmma said:
I'm not sure but there probably is a casting apk that will work somewhere. Check AllShare, AllCast, etc. for a casting app/receiver that includes desktop capability. You will have to install it with ADB on the Fire TV.
Why would you want to do this? IMO, there are plenty of easier ways to do this. for personal videos, upload to youtube, just set your channel as private. For website based streaming, you could load Firefox browser apk. For movies and TV shows, use xbmc.
Maybe with a little more info on what you want to stream, will help find an answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mainly want to stream VLC files (downloaded TV episodes and movies) from my desktop pc to my TV in my room. I just want an easy way to do this and if you could point me towards a guide that will allow me to do this.
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JJ-KwiK said:
Use plex man.
Go to plex.tv on your PC. Download the plex media server for your PC. On your firetv, download the plex apk. It can also be sideloaded if you already purchased it somewhere else. That's all you need.
I use plex to stream pictures and home videos without a problem.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay sweet ill have to try that when I get home. I don't need to mod the device then, I can just download it in the app store?
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JJ-KwiK said:
Yisir...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worked perfectly! Thanks man! I do have one more question for you though as you seem pretty active on these forums. What would be the point to mod your fire TV? As in what do people gain from doing so, free games?
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JJ-KwiK said:
You can already sideload any apk without the need to root the device. Although, this isn't the site to talk about that. Root also isn't available as of yet for this device.
I'm looking forward to root for a few reasons.
- Ability to use apps that require root. Ex. an app that can power off your device, so it's not always in standby.
- Ability to change the launcher without the need for Llama.
- Ability to install apps that are currently confirmed as not incompatible.
- Overclock it, to make it run faster.
- Remove Preinstalled Crapware, that can't be uninstalled otherwise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for everything JJ, truly appreciate it.
JJ-KwiK said:
Use plex man.
Go to plex.tv on your PC. Download the plex media server for your PC. On your firetv, download the plex apk. It can also be sideloaded if you already purchased it somewhere else. That's all you need.
I use plex to stream pictures and home videos without a problem.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got my AFT yesterday, I have PlexPass, please explain to this newbie how to add it, please and thank you.
sondray
..
I don't think that was the right answer
Why do u need some unknown third party software to just play videos from PC?
Plex?
What da?
Turn on Windowx file sharing on PC.
Connect from any Android using Dice Player or File Manager HD+MX Player.
:laugh:
bravomail said:
Why do u need some unknown third party software to just play videos from PC?
Plex?
What da?
Turn on Windowx file sharing on PC.
Connect from any Android using Dice Player or File Manager HD+MX Player.
:laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plex is far from unknown, and makes playing videos, movies, music, and photos from your PC stupid easy. That's why.
I found out, of the amazing power of XBMC and I found out it's been ported to multiple platforms such as Android, OUYA and recently the Fire TV. I want a box that I can use XBMC on my TV to use apps for streaming like (identities of apps have been changed) SmashDown, FireFilms,MovieY2K, SportsDemon (LIVE Streaming) and that one that has XBMC in the name that you can use for torrents and more.
My question is...if I want to use this box for internet streaming and such..which would be the best?
what's your thoughts about XBMC on OUYA? I only want an OUYA for XBMC and sideloading apk's. Also, OUYA doesn't mind rooting....right..? Which begs the question of the Fire TV. IF I bought a Fire TV would it come with the unrootable update? (I don't want a Fire TV if I can't root it)
Which one would be more powerful in streaming? or are they equally matched? any lag or incompatibilities?
any feedback would be appreciated
bump? I'm going to do this just once....the Fire TV community has been active in giving me advice but nothing from OUYA?... = /
stanleyopar2000 said:
bump? I'm going to do this just once....the Fire TV community has been active in giving me advice but nothing from OUYA?... = /
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ouyaforum.com is much more active than here. Personally I use sideloaded spmc and have no problems streaming from the internet, network drives, or either computer. Works great for me. There's a one click app for rooting. Usually it has to be clicked twice but works great as well as being able to add the play store very easily. Also amazon appstore.
With the last update OUYA added the ability to connect to your OUYA with a computer wirelessly and install apks with drag and drop. Personally I use es file explorer with a browsable Google drive to transfer files from any device to my OUYA.
ajb999 said:
Ouyaforum.com is much more active than here. Personally I use sideloaded spmc and have no problems streaming from the internet, network drives, or either computer. Works great for me. There's a one click app for rooting. Usually it has to be clicked twice but works great as well as being able to add the play store very easily. Also amazon appstore.
With the last update OUYA added the ability to connect to your OUYA with a computer wirelessly and install apks with drag and drop. Personally I use es file explorer with a browsable Google drive to transfer files from any device to my OUYA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about XBMC usage?.. Can it do live streams or PVR?
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app
Ouya works good with XBMC. You might want to also look at the mad catz M.O.J.O
SpiKeTheOne said:
Ouya works good with XBMC. You might want to also look at the mad catz M.O.J.O
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
XBMC was not made for it though
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app
From what info that's online its standard android OS and that runs XBMC no problem. I was running XBMC on an android stick (imoto) and it ran well.
I'm using an ouya happily enough. Runs XBMC admirably plays 10 bit mkv, which is something of a gold standard to me. If you get the fire, please report if it will as well.
Plus I see to Fire is amazon prime. If your a prime user that may sway you, I'd expect it to show up on stock android shortly anyway.
Spec wise either will work well Fire looks slightly better. If i were upgrading, I'd want esata, more usb and ideally gigabit lan, Which neither devise supplies.
I really feel both devices are more limited by i/o then anything else.
Cubox looks good but I've no personal experience.
Got the fire Tv, and rooted it and Kodi'd it a while ago... Good decision I made
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app
I apologize if this subject has been beat to death, but I need to have some questions answered before I purchase the firetv. I currently have an old zotac mag ion htpc that I have been running xbmc on for at least 3 years. Works great for all my movies/music (I have a synology server). I am contemplating 'upgrading' to a fire tv because I'm getting sick of not being able to easily use watchespn, primetv, etc apps 'through xbmc'. And the ion htpc does not like streaming through windows/browser...
The fire tv will give me a nice option to watch youtube, watchespn, primetv, etc and still have xbmc as an 'app' so I can do what I normally use it for - my local content.
I have read through some of the guides and everything seems pretty easy. However:
1. Will I need to root or use sbmc instead of kodi? I understand the newer versions of fire tv are un-rootable from the factory. I would actually prefer not to root and have to use 'cracked' firmware updates.
2. I understand you cannot load from a usb stick with the newer firmware. Is this an issue with repositories, etc that you might download on your laptop from a browser? Or can you download from a browser, extract all in the firetv? That was one advantage of using my current htpc since it is running windows 7 - also a hassle because I never learned the easy way of getting the bluecop repo and others to work without a lot of fiddling.
3. Follow on with question 2 - Occasionally, I need to download subtitles for my local movies. IIRC I would just download the .srt file and place it in the movie directory (in my synology)...and then I could just pick it up with xbmc. I assume all this works just fine because xbmc is xbmc whether it is running on an android platform (fire tv) or windows/htpc as a program.
4. Will there be any issues connecting to my synology? Both the fire tv and the synology are hard wired with ethernet to my router.
5. Google music. Is this app available and easily accessible without rooting? I very occasionally run it on my current htpc - again since it is a hassle because I'd run it through the browser/windows.
Thanks
1. No, you don't need root to install any version of XBMC/Kodi, and that includes SPMC.
2. To install add-ons/repositories that can't be added from XBMC/Kodi itself all you need to do is download it to a PC/NAS (to a shared folder) then use Install from zip in XBMC/Kodi.
3. Don't know as I don't require subtitles, but any that works on you current setup should work on XBMC/Kodi on the AFTV. With the exception of being able to use an attached USB drive or doing something like HD audio pass-through XBMC/Kodi will be no different than it is on any other system.
4. Shouldn't, you can always have issues when it comes to networked devices, but generally speaking No.
5. No, you can not install Google services without rooting. There may be some work around for that, but I couldn't say. Just switch over to Amazon music service.
Great thanks for the replies! Looks like the only hangup is the Google integration... Which is not something I truly use often now.
jeep364 said:
Great thanks for the replies! Looks like the only hangup is the Google integration... Which is not something I truly use often now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you might want to look at the All Cast receiver app on fire tv see http://www.androidpolice.com/tags/allcast-google-music/ or see here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqhWaIFcmpU
jeep364 said:
I apologize if this subject has been beat to death, but I need to have some questions answered before I purchase the firetv. I currently have an old zotac mag ion htpc that I have been running xbmc on for at least 3 years. Works great for all my movies/music (I have a synology server). I am contemplating 'upgrading' to a fire tv because I'm getting sick of not being able to easily use watchespn, primetv, etc apps 'through xbmc'. And the ion htpc does not like streaming through windows/browser...
The fire tv will give me a nice option to watch youtube, watchespn, primetv, etc and still have xbmc as an 'app' so I can do what I normally use it for - my local content.
I have read through some of the guides and everything seems pretty easy. However:
1. Will I need to root or use sbmc instead of kodi? I understand the newer versions of fire tv are un-rootable from the factory. I would actually prefer not to root and have to use 'cracked' firmware updates.
2. I understand you cannot load from a usb stick with the newer firmware. Is this an issue with repositories, etc that you might download on your laptop from a browser? Or can you download from a browser, extract all in the firetv? That was one advantage of using my current htpc since it is running windows 7 - also a hassle because I never learned the easy way of getting the bluecop repo and others to work without a lot of fiddling.
3. Follow on with question 2 - Occasionally, I need to download subtitles for my local movies. IIRC I would just download the .srt file and place it in the movie directory (in my synology)...and then I could just pick it up with xbmc. I assume all this works just fine because xbmc is xbmc whether it is running on an android platform (fire tv) or windows/htpc as a program.
4. Will there be any issues connecting to my synology? Both the fire tv and the synology are hard wired with ethernet to my router.
5. Google music. Is this app available and easily accessible without rooting? I very occasionally run it on my current htpc - again since it is a hassle because I'd run it through the browser/windows.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My answers based on using a Fire TV Stick....
1. No root needed to install SPMC or XMBC apk's. Just enable the settings for 3rd party apps and side load them. I've loaded both SPMC and XBMC Gotham
2. No Idea. I haven't tired any add-ons. And the FTVS has a micro usb port used for power, so I haven't tired connecting a drive to it.
3. SRT files work fine for me. I've got a Windows Server box with file shares, I've added that to XMBC and SPMC, the MKV of the movie and the SRT are in the same folder. The subtitles show fine.
4. If your Synology is setup to connect to standard windows file shares or SMB file shares, you're fine.
5. I have not tried. I don't use it much, even on my android phones. I use Rhapsody which isn't available on my FTVS, and I haven't tried sideloading it yet.
jeep364 said:
1. Will I need to root or use sbmc instead of kodi? I understand the newer versions of fire tv are un-rootable from the factory. I would actually prefer not to root and have to use 'cracked' firmware updates.
2. I understand you cannot load from a usb stick with the newer firmware. Is this an issue with repositories, etc that you might download on your laptop from a browser? Or can you download from a browser, extract all in the firetv? That was one advantage of using my current htpc since it is running windows 7 - also a hassle because I never learned the easy way of getting the bluecop repo and others to work without a lot of fiddling.
3. Follow on with question 2 - Occasionally, I need to download subtitles for my local movies. IIRC I would just download the .srt file and place it in the movie directory (in my synology)...and then I could just pick it up with xbmc. I assume all this works just fine because xbmc is xbmc whether it is running on an android platform (fire tv) or windows/htpc as a program.
4. Will there be any issues connecting to my synology? Both the fire tv and the synology are hard wired with ethernet to my router.
5. Google music. Is this app available and easily accessible without rooting? I very occasionally run it on my current htpc - again since it is a hassle because I'd run it through the browser/windows.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. has been answered already
2. Has been answered aready
3. Subtitles work fine, and i own a synbology 1812+ that works great. Make sure you allow full access to the NFS shares since xbmc requires read/write to the shares. If you purchase the fire PM if you need help with the shares.
4. If this is a Must i would get the Nexus Player. Fire gives you Amazon Services, Nexus Player gets you Google services.... which honestly i use google services a ton more.
mejdam said:
1. has been answered already
2. Has been answered aready
3. Subtitles work fine, and i own a synbology 1812+ that works great. Make sure you allow full access to the NFS shares since xbmc requires read/write to the shares. If you purchase the fire PM if you need help with the shares.
4. If this is a Must i would get the Nexus Player. Fire gives you Amazon Services, Nexus Player gets you Google services.... which honestly i use google services a ton more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I looked into the nexus player, looks too simple for my uses. No ether net port, weak app support.
With the fire TV maturing over the past few months it definitely seems the way to go. In fact I ordered one yesterday after briefly considering the roku 3. I think the ease of use of the apps, watch espn and others combined with xbmc should fit my needs nicely. I will definitely pm if I run into any sharing issues.
I assume everyone is running xbmc 12.1 Gotham or is there a newer version?
jeep364 said:
I assume everyone is running xbmc 12.1 Gotham or is there a newer version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The current stable release can be found in the Kodi Downloads, of which Gotham 13.2 is the current version with Helix on the horizon. You might want to consider using SPMC 13.3.3 as the Kodi developer @Koying maintains this Android specific version which contains fixes not to be found on Gotham 13.2. And it works great on the Fire TV.
Just received my fire tv and will be setting it up when I get a chance.
Just looking at the guide: http://kodi.wiki/view/Amazon_Fire_TV
When they talk about 'host' they just mean the computer or whatever you are using to transfer the 'packages' to the fire tv correct? My host doesn't have to be on 100% of the time, just when installing the android sdk, etc?
Can anyone point me in the right direction as to if there is an app available that will link my FTV to my NAS and let me view photos, I know as an Amazon Prime member I could put them all in the cloud but as I have so many it's easier to just view from the NAS, I have tried Vimu but it's more for video and photos are a bit hit and miss.
Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.
I use kodi for just about everything media related including viewing pics. All my movies, TV, music and photos originate from an RPI with 2 hdds attached. I'm sure there are better servers but its inexpensive and low powered.
I use samba. If you're interested you should go to the kodi site. They can offer better guides than I can.
KLit75 said:
I use kodi for just about everything media related including viewing pics. All my movies, TV, music and photos originate from an RPI with 2 hdds attached. I'm sure there are better servers but its inexpensive and low powered.
I use samba. If you're interested you should go to the kodi site. They can offer better guides than I can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks for your quick reply, I did try Kodi but for some reason failed to view the photos, I linked the NAS to Kodi, can see the files but when I view a photo I just get a blank screen even though the file names are listed, that's why I thought there may be an App available.
If your NAS supports Plex server installation then this would be ideal although there is a small fee to get the app installed onto your Fire TV.
Aiadi said:
If your NAS supports Plex server installation then this would be ideal although there is a small fee to get the app installed onto your Fire TV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I will check and see if the LaCie D2 supports Plex.
Just announced today *drool*
I've been thinking of upgrading my NAS to a more powerful machine, however, with this, it won't be necessary. Perfect.
https://blog.plex.tv/2016/06/09/nvidia-shield-you-complete-us/
"You read that right: the SHIELD is so powerful that it can not only run our Android TV interface better than just about anything out there, it can also run the full media server, including support for hardware-accelerated video transcoding (H.264, MPEG2 and HEVC)! With multiple simultaneous streams! As for storage, you get up to 500GB right on the SHIELD, and you can easily add more via USB or over the network."
https://shield.nvidia.com/blog/plex-media-server
"With our next software update in a couple of weeks, SHIELD will get a major upgrade that includes Plex Media Server. With this upgrade, SHIELD becomes the first smart TV device to support a more streamlined, mainstream Plex experience - one that combines the Plex media player and the Plex media server into a single, pre-installed, easy to use app. Combined with SHIELD Pro’s 500 GBs of internal storage and 1080p hardware-accelerated transcode, Plex fans will enjoy a seamless, all-in-one experience that enables them to more easily access their media collection."
Right now I am using the Full Android AOSP build, so I hope it can be ported over without too much trouble. I *might* go back to Stock for this though!
This is seriously...big news.
How many simultaneous transcoding streams do you think it can handle?
grievous2004 said:
How many simultaneous transcoding streams do you think it can handle?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can answer that. About 2-3 1080p streams.
Read comments on this page: https://blog.plex.tv/2016/06/09/nvidia-shield-you-complete-us/
Emilio answers:
"Generally speaking about 2-3 1080P stream but it all depends on the files, network, and if there is anything else going on at the same time, whether it can use the hardware decoder or must it use the software (the CPU). It is not an Apples to Apples comparison. a 30BG HD bluray high bitrate rip input file is not going to transcode well as something smaller. Direct Play streams are less intensive than ones that need transcoding obviously"
The apps already been published in the playstore, we just can't install it yet.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.plexapp.mediaserver.smb&hl=en
How can we get a 3.2 ROM beta to try? Can anyone post the APK to apkmirror? com.plexapp.mediaserver.smb?
It's interesting that the beta isn't available here for the developer program. https://developer.nvidia.com/gameworksdownload#?search=SHIELD%20ANDROID%20TV%20Pro%20Developer&tx=$additional,shield
Plex Server Problem
Got the update today but i have a Problem.. If i try to search for data on an Extertal sd Nothing happens.. The korrekt fordert are just on the intern sd but can that be? I just have one Extertal sd and i dort Want to Mount it to add it to the internat sd. If i try to create a movies Folder on the Extertal sd Nothing happens.. Can i Chance the pad plex Server is Looping for?
Is it possible to uninstall the Plex Server crap through normal means, or is the code baked into the system and not possible to remove?
EDIT: OK it can be disabled like any normal app.
Has anyone figured out how to get the HDHomeRun stuff working? Plex server is amazing, and the HDHomeRun PRIME is amazing.
So far, I have rooted my 3.2 shield TV, and I've installed the HDHRViewerV2-beta-0.07c from http://hdhrviewer.zynine.net/download/ into the folder /data/data/com.plexapp.mediaserver.smb/Plex Media Server/Plug-ins/HDHRViewerV2.bundle
in that folder is "Contents", so I have
Code:
[email protected]:/data/data/com.plexapp.mediaserver.smb[/email]/Plex Media Server/Plug-ins/HDHRViewerV2.bundle/Contents # ls -l
ls -l
drwxrwxrwx root root 2016-07-01 03:08 Code
-rwxrwxrwx root root 6458 2016-07-01 19:03 DefaultPrefs.json
-rwxrwxrwx root root 690 2016-07-01 19:03 Info.plist
drwxrwxrwx root root 2016-07-01 03:08 Resources
drwxrwxrwx root root 2013-09-27 22:14 Strings
Does this look right? I'm new to plex server, and I don't see anything for this in the web interface.
Thanks, and I hope we can crack it! Imagine, you get all the cable provider channels DVR unlimited, watch anywhere, and on any device!
Is plex really free? I am trying stream movies on my phone from the shield TV but every 1 minutes or so it stops. I read online saying that there is a monthly fee or a one time fee for life
Sent from my ONE A2005 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Plex media server software is free but the dedicated app for playback usually cost a one time fee like many Android apps. If you do the Plex Pass subscription or one time Plex pass for life payment, then the app is free. I can't remember if the app has a playback limitation because I purchased it the very first day it became available.
Look at the release notes in Google play store to see if it mentions any limitations on the trial version your using. Maybe the information is there.
Sent from my SM-T700 using Tapatalk
The Plex app for Android is a demo version with a $5 upgrade to the full version. (No idea if that's per household or per device, and if it's the latter, if it's possible to transfer between devices.) Some free alternatives to try are PleXBMC and PlexKodiConnect.
Anyone here know how to change where PMS keeps its appdata? I have a 16gb shield and a 128gb SD that I want to keep the metadata on. I have a NAS with a TON of data, the metadata gets really large. If someone could point me in the right direction I would be willing to make a guide, as I'm sure I'm not gonna be the only one looking for this info.
What's plex do that kodi can't?
Neo3D said:
What's plex do that kodi can't?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With plex server now on my shield tv at home, I can load up plex.tv at work, and watch all my movies/tv shows when the boss is not in
Neo3D said:
What's plex do that kodi can't?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With nas, you are your own personal Netflix.
With an hd homerun prime, you can rebroadcast a cable provider channel set to anywhere.
And... You can cast it so you can remove any unused cable equipment and with a Chromecast, any tv becomes hd live capable.
gffmac said:
With plex server now on my shield tv at home, I can load up plex.tv at work, and watch all my movies/tv shows when the boss is not in
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm trying to do that but it's not available in the other end do you have any tutorials on how to achieve this? Thanks in advance!
pmgnet said:
With nas, you are your own personal Netflix.
With an hd homerun prime, you can rebroadcast a cable provider channel set to anywhere.
And... You can cast it so you can remove any unused cable equipment and with a Chromecast, any tv becomes hd live capable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can You send Sling Tv or Xfinity Go App channels to other connected tvs?
Manster3354 said:
Can You send Sling Tv or Xfinity Go App channels to other connected tvs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use sling. The xfinity app doesn't cast.
I use Plex and I'm attempting to get the hd homerun prime plugin working.
I just tried to set it up but can't figure out how to get it to see my NAS.