Develop Bugs

[Q] How to prevent Fire TV from sleeping?

Maybe I'm blind, but I can't find any way to prevent the Fire TV from sleeping? It stays awake if I have a sideloaded app like XBMC loaded, but if I am in an official Fire TV app, it goes to sleep after 30 minutes. This confuses guests at my house when they turn the TV on and get nothing but a black screen from the Fire TV.

Red Eye Sleep Awake seems to work fine on my Fire TV. Once running, FTV never goes to sleep.

I mainly used it for the AirPin PRO app, when FTV goes to sleep, AirPin stops working. But, after letting FTV run without sleeping for 3 to 4 days, I did find FTV much warmer to touch. It was not that important for AirPin to be available on demand for me, so I uninstalled the Red Eye app and let FTV go to sleep.

martyxng said:
Maybe I'm blind, but I can't find any way to prevent the Fire TV from sleeping? It stays awake if I have a sideloaded app like XBMC loaded, but if I am in an official Fire TV app, it goes to sleep after 30 minutes. This confuses guests at my house when they turn the TV on and get nothing but a black screen from the Fire TV.
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What was your solution? I am looking for a way to disable sleep to allow the screensaver to stay active.
Thx,
riz

Screensaver.tv said:
What was your solution? I am looking for a way to disable sleep to allow the screensaver to stay active.
Thx,
riz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I need to look at it more, but I put a needle through the mic and into the ic under to prevent the mic from ever working. left it alone for ten hours, and when I turned on the tv next, the fire was fully up. usually it takes a few slaps in the head to wake up; I think the error thrown by testing voice may have also kept it awake. I'm hoping this doesn't kill the batteries in the remote.

roustabout said:
I need to look at it more, but I put a needle through the mic and into the ic under to prevent the mic from ever working. left it alone for ten hours, and when I turned on the tv next, the fire was fully up. usually it takes a few slaps in the head to wake up; I think the error thrown by testing voice may have also kept it awake. I'm hoping this doesn't kill the batteries in the remote.
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Click to collapse
Hey guys, anyone have a solution? thx

dbdoshi said:
Red Eye Sleep Awake seems to work fine on my Fire TV. Once running, FTV never goes to sleep.
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Click to collapse
I have sideloaded RedEye Sleep Awake onto my Fire TV and launched it but it does not keep my Fire TV box from going to sleep. A few seconds afterwards, the Fire TV white LED goes out.
What should I try?

Not a geek said:
I have sideloaded RedEye Sleep Awake onto my Fire TV and launched it but it does not keep my Fire TV box from going to sleep. A few seconds afterwards, the Fire TV white LED goes out.
What should I try?
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Click to collapse
Works fine for me... on both my FTVs. These are rooted FTVs (if you are not rooted, I am not sure if this app works)
My settings within the app are:
Awake Level: Fully Awake (you will need to go into that option to select it)
Start at boot: Yes
Disable when screen is turned off: No
Enable when on AC: Yes
Enable at startup: Yes
Disable on low battery: No
Disable notification Icon: No
(Yes means checked, No means not checked).
Once you have the settings verified, reboot your FTV and see if it stays up. Also, my RedEye Sleep Toggle version is 1.5.2 (free version)
Also, on my FTV under Settings, Display & Sounds, Screen Saver, the "Start Time" is set to "Never". Not sure if that makes any difference, but wanted to put it out here.

Thanks for your rapid reply, dbdoshi and for the settings detail you included.
I tried again and this time the Redeye Sleep Toggle app does indeed work.
I too have two Fire TVs and why I failed on both of 'em to get the app to work, I have no idea. Anyway, all's well that ends well...
Re the sceensaver settings, I've mine set to 5 minutes and this doesn't disturb the app behaviour at all.
Also, my Fire TVs are not rooted, merely sideloaded.
For anyone confused by the app name, at the time of writing it shows up in Google Play and on the BinaryMagi Inc website as Redeye Stay Awake, but on Android devices it shows up as Redeye Sleep Toggle.

XBMC Screensaver after 5mins, suspend after 20mins?

SPMC is setup as launcher, but the FireTV doesn't sleep when SPMC is running. So I have the elmerohueso Screensaver that puts the device to sleep after Xmins. Just wondering if there's any way to have the screensaver come on after just a few minutes, but sleep not happen until later, maybe 20mins etc.?
Thanks.

modstore said:
SPMC is setup as launcher, but the FireTV doesn't sleep when SPMC is running. So I have the elmerohueso Screensaver that puts the device to sleep after Xmins. Just wondering if there's any way to have the screensaver come on after just a few minutes, but sleep not happen until later, maybe 20mins etc.?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The latest SPMC allows for Suspend on rooted Android devices. In Settings, set whatever screensaver you want, then in System > Power Saving change your Power Saving mode to Suspend and set the timer for 20 mins. Et voila!

elmerohueso said:
The latest SPMC allows for Suspend on rooted Android devices. In Settings, set whatever screensaver you want, then in System > Power Saving change your Power Saving mode to Suspend and set the timer for 20 mins. Et voila!
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Oh perfect! Thanks for the quick response.

elmerohueso said:
The latest SPMC allows for Suspend on rooted Android devices. In Settings, set whatever screensaver you want, then in System > Power Saving change your Power Saving mode to Suspend and set the timer for 20 mins. Et voila!
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Click to collapse
Is anyone else having trouble with SPMC 13.3.2's Suspend feature? I have an issue where if I launch Netflix (from SPMC), SPMC will suspend my FireTV after the allotted suspend internal even while Netflix is playing.
Example:
SPMC Suspend set to 15mins
Launch Netflix from SPMC
Watch Netflix for 15mins
FireTV is suspended by SPMC
Anyone else running into this issue or have a workaround that prevents suspend while the FireTV is in use (even if that use isn't XBMC/SPMC)?

TornSack said:
Is anyone else having trouble with SPMC 13.3.2's Suspend feature? I have an issue where if I launch Netflix (from SPMC), SPMC will suspend my FireTV after the allotted suspend internal even while Netflix is playing.
Example:
SPMC Suspend set to 15mins
Launch Netflix from SPMC
Watch Netflix for 15mins
FireTV is suspended by SPMC
Anyone else running into this issue or have a workaround that prevents suspend while the FireTV is in use (even if that use isn't XBMC/SPMC)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone else using SPMC? Is there a better XBMC FireTV solution?

TornSack said:
Is anyone else having trouble with SPMC 13.3.2's Suspend feature? I have an issue where if I launch Netflix (from SPMC), SPMC will suspend my FireTV after the allotted suspend internal even while Netflix is playing.
Example:
SPMC Suspend set to 15mins
Launch Netflix from SPMC
Watch Netflix for 15mins
FireTV is suspended by SPMC
Anyone else running into this issue or have a workaround that prevents suspend while the FireTV is in use (even if that use isn't XBMC/SPMC)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tested this using Netflix in the same way, and unfortunately while watching netflix the FireTV went onto suspend after 20mins.

modstore said:
I tested this using Netflix in the same way, and unfortunately while watching netflix the FireTV went onto suspend after 20mins.
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Click to collapse
XBMC doesn't have any power settings for Android, so unfortunately I can't test that to compare.
Edit: I just tested XBMC on Windows, and the power saving features (set to "hibernate") do indeed kick in while XBMC is minimized. I'm guessing this may be because the Shutdown Timer functionality may have originally been intended to be used on XBMC appliances. Anyway, I'm sure if a fix gets checked in to XBMC (to only apply the Shutdown Timer if XBMC is active) that it would bubble up into SPMC.

TornSack said:
Anyone else using SPMC? Is there a better XBMC FireTV solution?
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Click to collapse
Yes, I use elmerohueso's screen saver and I never worry about Netflix being cut off or the box not sleeping after 3min (which is my timer).

Ipse_Tase said:
Yes, I use elmerohueso's screen saver and I never worry about Netflix being cut off or the box not sleeping after 3min (which is my timer).
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Click to collapse
I've now done the same Ipse. Hopefully elmerohueso will continue to support, it's a great plug-in.

elmerohueso said:
XBMC doesn't have any power settings for Android, so unfortunately I can't test that to compare.
Edit: I just tested XBMC on Windows, and the power saving features (set to "hibernate") do indeed kick in while XBMC is minimized. I'm guessing this may be because the Shutdown Timer functionality may have originally been intended to be used on XBMC appliances. Anyway, I'm sure if a fix gets checked in to XBMC (to only apply the Shutdown Timer if XBMC is active) that it would bubble up into SPMC.
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Click to collapse
Do you happen to know if there's a bug report for this already? I did a quick search but haven't found one. But don't want to report one if it's a duplicate.
Alternatively, I'm not sure if it's something you would consider, but would it be difficult to offer an option in your screensaver add on, to allow selection of another screensaver at a certain time (5mins or whatever) before getting to the sleep time (20mins etc.)?

modstore said:
Do you happen to know if there's a bug report for this already? I did a quick search but haven't found one. But don't want to report one if it's a duplicate.
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Click to collapse
I added it to the Feature Request forum but not to trac. I'm pretty sure I know what needs to be changed, but I'm having issues with my dev environment. Once I get it working I'll make a pull request (assuming the fix I'm thinking of actually works).
modstore said:
Alternatively, I'm not sure if it's something you would consider, but would it be difficult to offer an option in your screensaver add on, to allow selection of another screensaver at a certain time (5mins or whatever) before getting to the sleep time (20mins etc.)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that'd be overly complicating things.

elmerohueso said:
I added it to the Feature Request forum but not to trac. I'm pretty sure I know what needs to be changed, but I'm having issues with my dev environment. Once I get it working I'll make a pull request (assuming the fix I'm thinking of actually works).
I think that'd be overly complicating things.
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Click to collapse
Hi elmerohueso, im currently using your screensaver and ran itno a problem: if i leave the video paused, your screensaver will correctly send the device to sleep, but my usb HDD will stay awake until i stop the movie and let it sleep again. i was trying to edit your python script but its the first time i see python XD. is there a way to send a command to stop video playback right before it goes to sleep?

Volc7 said:
Hi elmerohueso, im currently using your screensaver and ran itno a problem: if i leave the video paused, your screensaver will correctly send the device to sleep, but my usb HDD will stay awake until i stop the movie and let it sleep again. i was trying to edit your python script but its the first time i see python XD. is there a way to send a command to stop video playback right before it goes to sleep?
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Click to collapse
By default, the XBMC screen saver won't actually kick in if a video is paused. However, you can manually set it to do so. I can't actually think of a good reason that someone *wouldn't* want their video stopped once the screensaver kicks in, so I'll see if I can add "Stop Video" as a feature.

elmerohueso said:
By default, the XBMC screen saver won't actually kick in if a video is paused. However, you can manually set it to do so. I can't actually think of a good reason that someone *wouldn't* want their video stopped once the screensaver kicks in, so I'll see if I can add "Stop Video" as a feature.
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Click to collapse
Awesomesauce

Volc7 said:
Awesomesauce
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I'm pushing the 2.8 screensaver update to my repo now. XBMC should automatically pull it down within 24 hours. It now has a setting to "Stop Paused Video" (remember to set it, it's off by default).
The biggest issue was that any call that manipulates the Player (ie. stopping a video) will kick XBMC out of the screensaver. I got around that (hopefully) by calling ActivateScreensaver after stopping the video, basically starting the screensaver again (1st pass - stops the video, 2nd pass - runs whatever power call you chose).

Great ill test it as soon as im able to get it

just tested it.works peftectly so far. xbmc correctly stops the video, goes to sleep and a few mins later my harddrive sleeps too. thanks you!

Volc7 said:
just tested it.works peftectly so far. xbmc correctly stops the video, goes to sleep and a few mins later my harddrive sleeps too. thanks you!
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Click to collapse
Glad to hear it.

XBMC/Kodi keeps FireTV awake

If the device is idle Kodi will dim the screen but the the FireTV will never go to sleep.
I found this in the KODI FAQs:
Note: Some options might not be available on all hardware or OSes. For example, XBMC/Kodi cannot control shutdown or sleep on Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to know if there is a known workaround for this issue?

Llama?

Phil402 said:
If the device is idle Kodi will dim the screen but the the FireTV will never go to sleep.
I found this in the KODI FAQs:
I'd like to know if there is a known workaround for this issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Android Power Options" screensaver from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2790392
P.S. For rooted device only.

Try SPMC. It allows the aftv to go into standby and it performs really well

Just go to the XBMC setting page and set Power Saving to shutdown XBMC in 60 minutes of idle or less. This will solve your problem

SPMC does not shutdown but it allows the aftv to go into standby.

lowbee said:
Just go to the XBMC setting page and set Power Saving to shutdown XBMC in 60 minutes of idle or less. This will solve your problem
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Click to collapse
Thank you. Totally overlooked this option.

I like SPMC so far more crashes less for me and i like that it has a button to put the fire tv in stand by mode

SPMC and Kodi sleeping

i am still on a learning curve with the AFTV as come from using a Rpi after many years so know xbmc/kodi pretty well and now love being able to use the better skins
so my AFTV is pretty new and has the latest FW so i am unable to root, so anyway i side loaded SPMC 13.4.0 and after set-up very happy with it and the speed is amazing compared to the Rpi
anyway decided to also side load Kodi 14.1 (as read they can both be loaded without conflicting) again after setting up happy again (and prefer to use the Kodi set-up) SPMC is still loaded just in case tho
anyhow 1 thing i have noticed is that if SPMC was left in the menus ect or SPMC's home screen the screen saver DIM would kick in as it should after 3 mins and also after the 30 mins (approx) it would send the AFTV to sleep and once woken up it would be where i left it (this i really like)
but since using Kodi the screen saver DIM kicks in a it should but the AFTV will not sleep ( i have since set it up to quit Kodi after x mins so the AFTV will then sleep after the given 30 mins on AFTV home screen_ but upon waking its on the AFTV hoe screen
my question is why does SPMC sleep ok when its left within SPMC but Kodi not?
also due to having Kodi quit to get back to AFTV home screen to enable it to sleep. daft question i know but am i correct in saying the sceduealed auto updates and backups i set up will not work due to Kodi not running)
also great forum with loads of info

baz2011uk said:
i am still on a learning curve with the AFTV as come from using a Rpi after many years so know xbmc/kodi pretty well and now love being able to use the better skins
so my AFTV is pretty new and has the latest FW so i am unable to root, so anyway i side loaded SPMC 13.4.0 and after set-up very happy with it and the speed is amazing compared to the Rpi
anyway decided to also side load Kodi 14.1 (as read they can both be loaded without conflicting) again after setting up happy again (and prefer to use the Kodi set-up) SPMC is still loaded just in case tho
anyhow 1 thing i have noticed is that if SPMC was left in the menus ect or SPMC's home screen the screen saver DIM would kick in as it should after 3 mins and also after the 30 mins (approx) it would send the AFTV to sleep and once woken up it would be where i left it (this i really like)
but since using Kodi the screen saver DIM kicks in a it should but the AFTV will not sleep ( i have since set it up to quit Kodi after x mins so the AFTV will then sleep after the given 30 mins on AFTV home screen_ but upon waking its on the AFTV hoe screen
my question is why does SPMC sleep ok when its left within SPMC but Kodi not?
also due to having Kodi quit to get back to AFTV home screen to enable it to sleep. daft question i know but am i correct in saying the sceduealed auto updates and backups i set up will not work due to Kodi not running)
also great forum with loads of info
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not expert, but I believe it's because SPMC is specifically designed for AFTV, while Kodi is for more general android devices. You may want to look into AFTVtweaks (for XBMC/Kodi), that are floating around as a zip files somewhere on these forums, though I am not positive if they updated for Kodi yet.

How to prevent standby on FireTV without disabling screensaver?

The Fire TV stick default screensaver has some of the most beautiful landscape pictures I have ever seen. The transitions between them are also super fluid. On some events like a party I would like to display it all the time, basically using my big screen TV as a photo gallery. Unfortunately it's not that easy.
I have connected to the Fire TV stick via ADB to set the screensaver to 1 minute:
adb shell settings put system screen_off_timeout 60000
This works well, after 1 minute of idling the screensaver is shown (In the UI lowest value is 5 minutes).
Unfortunately FireTV will show the screensaver only for about 15 minutes and then turn the screen off! :crying:
Is there a way to prevent it?
I have sideloaded the Wake Lock Powermanager to the stick:
https://apkpure.com/wake-lock-powermanager/eu.thedarken.wl
If I activate the screen lock, Fire TV doesn't go to standby anymore, but unfortunately the screensaver is disabled.
Is there any other way?

It requires root access.
http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-set-a-custom-sleep-time-on-a-rooted-fire-tv-or-fire-tv-stick/

Sharky444 said:
The Fire TV stick default screensaver has some of the most beautiful landscape pictures I have ever seen. The transitions between them are also super fluid. On some events like a party I would like to display it all the time, basically using my big screen TV as a photo gallery. Unfortunately it's not that easy.
I have connected to the Fire TV stick via ADB to set the screensaver to 1 minute:
adb shell settings put system screen_off_timeout 60000
This works well, after 1 minute of idling the screensaver is shown (In the UI lowest value is 5 minutes).
Unfortunately FireTV will show the screensaver only for about 15 minutes and then turn the screen off! :crying:
Is there a way to prevent it?
I have sideloaded the Wake Lock Powermanager to the stick:
https://apkpure.com/wake-lock-powermanager/eu.thedarken.wl
If I activate the screen lock, Fire TV doesn't go to standby anymore, but unfortunately the screensaver is disabled.
Is there any other way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bevnrick said:
It requires root access.
http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-set-a-custom-sleep-time-on-a-rooted-fire-tv-or-fire-tv-stick/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks to Mattgyver83 over @ RedIt & Thanks to @Axecaster for the RedIt link:
https://www.reddit.com/r/fireTV/comments/4jc22o/nonroot_prevent_sleep_on_fireos5/
So basically this different/optional setting might also work for non-Rooted devices on the latest or any past FW. But someone on a non-Rooted device will have to confirm that. Please post your result & FW version. Also someone can try to use a value of "0" to see if that turns the timeout completely off like with other mods.
ChrisDL over in the comments @ AFTVNews.com tested the "0" value & it worked as a Never Sleep value.
Note: The Mattgyver83 Reddit option seems to be much cleaner & fully functional. I would recommend you try that one first.

And not we have an awesome AIO Guide with explanations thanks to Elias aka @AFTVnews.com .
http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-set-...-on-the-amazon-fire-tv-or-stick-without-root/
Make sure you read the comments. There are a bit more details there.
Also someone mentioned it was not working for them on a FTVS1. Although the AppStarter setting was working for them. I hope some more of you can test the ADB input method to get the whole picture.

This non-root solution does work with a value of 0:
https://www.reddit.com/r/fireTV/comments/4jc22o/nonroot_prevent_sleep_on_fireos5/
Other solutions do not work.