I wanted to post here since this is the "Apps" category for Fire TV...
By following the XBMC wiki for FIre TV, I got XBMC running in just 3 minutes.
> Wiki info page- http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Amazon_Fire_TV
My SMB share was discoverable and my library was populated just a few minutes later.
I've verified good video and audio playback on SD, 720p, 1080p videos. Scanning and skipping works well in video playback too.
The only thing I continue to stumble with is that pressing the "Home" button returns you to the Fire TV homescreen, backgrounding XBMC.
I haven't yet found a way to create a homescreen or "Recents" shortcut for XBMC, so it's a chore to open it every time by navitgating to Settings > Applications...
If anyone knows how to get the PleXBMC add-on working within XBMC, I'd love to know how. I tried it and get a script load error every time I try to launch the add-on.
Other than that, do you know have any other add-on recommendations to make XBMC even better for the Fire TV?
archa1c said:
I wanted to post here since this is the "Apps" category for Fire TV...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good, thank you! with hope, people will write about xbmc/spmc in this thread, instead of random other threads, or, even worse, that unholy "amazon fire tv" proto-thread that refuses to die.
archa1c said:
I've verified good video and audio playback on SD, 720p, 1080p videos. Scanning and skipping works well in video playback too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I prefer gotham, it was great on ouya. but on firetv I had to switch to spmc (12.4.2 as of koying's latest recommendation).
even the "master" and "amazonfiretv" nightlies and test-builds of gotham, give me a headache - it's weird and I can't describe it too well - pulling up the info overlay by pressing 'o' on the keyboard, I see that there are zero skipped frames and zero dropped frames. but ?something? is still screwy with motion blur - no artifacts or anything. but there is this jerkiness, or something, that hurts my eyes and the lasagna in my brainpan...?
my only complaint of spmc is that it breaks most of the 360 controller (a "ok/enter" and b "cancel/back" still work, but not the sticks or dpad). I still can't figure out how - neither xbmc nor spmc come with any keymap files, not under system/keymaps and not under userdata/keymaps. I have tried 360 keymap xml files from various github sources, both spmc and xbmc, no dice.
my only complaint of **MC in general is not being able to mess with network buffer sizes in the UI (yes I am that lazy) - usually don't have a problem with 720p mp4/mkv, and this is on wireless, even. but sometimes my landlord uses netflix over wireless and that kills everything else.
archa1c said:
The only thing I continue to stumble with is that pressing the "Home" button returns you to the Fire TV homescreen, backgrounding XBMC. I haven't yet found a way to create a homescreen or "Recents" shortcut for XBMC, so it's a chore to open it every time by navitgating to Settings > Applications...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
alt-tab isn't bad if you're already into using a keyboard...
I haven't tried it yet but people using alternate launchers have reported using Llama they can make it jump to their preferred launcher after pressing the home button. it might work equally well setting it to jump to xbmc rather than a launcher? hm I may have to try that...
I actually quite like the native Fire TV UI and would be happy with a hacky way to add a shortcut for side-loaded apps to the native menus.
I'm sure it's possible, so I'll be patient and wait for it to happen ?
I don't have any control issues because I'm using the fore TV remote, but I will be plugging in my Windows MCE remote USB IR receiver to see if I can get my Logitech harmony remote working on the fire tv.
The only other thing I would like is a mapping of the back button to "stop" when playing video in XBMC. the default xbmc behavior for the "back" action is to keep playing the current file in the background while displaying the last screen.its a very odd behavior IMO, and with no "stop" button on the fire TV remote, the only workaround is to pause the video when you want to go "back".
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
archa1c said:
I actually quite like the native Fire TV UI and would be happy with a hacky way to add a shortcut for side-loaded apps to the native menus.
I'm sure it's possible, so I'll be patient and wait for it to happen ?
I don't have any control issues because I'm using the fore TV remote, but I will be plugging in my Windows MCE remote USB IR receiver to see if I can get my Logitech harmony remote working on the fire tv.
The only other thing I would like is a mapping of the back button to "stop" when playing video in XBMC. the default xbmc behavior for the "back" action is to keep playing the current file in the background while displaying the last screen.its a very odd behavior IMO, and with no "stop" button on the fire TV remote, the only workaround is to pause the video when you want to go "back".
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These are the steps that the user over on the XBMC forums posted to help us out with llama:
Event 1:
When phone starts up - set Llama variable 'startup' to 'true'
Event 2:
When the current app is XBMC on Ouya - set Llama variable 'starup' to 'false'
Event 3:
(Use the AND option) {when the current app is KFTV Launcher and when 'startup' has a value of 'false'} - run XBMC on Ouya.
However, you don't have to set KFTV Launcher as the trigger. I just picked a random app I didn't want to use as a jump pad. I installed the smithsonian app and put it in place of the launcher. Now when I open the smithsonian app, it flips back to XBMC. Not efficient, but works better than digging through the settings.
You can re-map buttons in XBMC with an add-on called keymap editor available in the programs menu>program add-ons>get more>key_map editor.
You can also just hit "Select" on the FTV remote and that will bring up the OSD. Then you can just d-pad to the stop button when you want to exit a movie.
v13 gotham beta4 release just came out (ok 2 days ago, I wasn't paying attention I guess). all my complaints about weird undescribable video motion are gone!
and that is even with turning off mediacodec and only having libstagefright turned on! yay!!!
http://xbmc.org/xbmc-13-0-gotham-beta-4/
http://mirrors.xbmc.org/releases/android/arm/
the beta4 announcement also said force update your repositories if you're having problems such as they're no longer staying up to date, or they're suddenly empty, etc.
http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Add-on_manager#Force_refresh
they recommended this if you are coming from xbmc v12 (not spmc, it has its own separate file tree) or even if you are coming from earlier betas of v13.
tarvoke said:
v13 gotham beta4 release just came out (ok 2 days ago, I wasn't paying attention I guess). all my complaints about weird undescribable video motion are gone!
and that is even with turning off mediacodec and only having libstagefright turned on! yay!!!
http://xbmc.org/xbmc-13-0-gotham-beta-4/
http://mirrors.xbmc.org/releases/android/arm/
the beta4 announcement also said force update your repositories if you're having problems such as they're no longer staying up to date, or they're suddenly empty, etc.
http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Add-on_manager#Force_refresh
they recommended this if you are coming from xbmc v12 (not spmc, it has its own separate file tree) or even if you are coming from earlier betas of v13.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also read that you can install SPMC and XBMC side-by-side due to the unique installation paths and libraries. I may try out the latest Gotham release, but I've been very happy with the performance of SPMC so far.
I really just need the ability to add a shortcut to the main menu, in either "Recent" or "Apps" etc for it to be convenient to access.
archa1c said:
I also read that you can install SPMC and XBMC side-by-side due to the unique installation paths and libraries. I may try out the latest Gotham release, but I've been very happy with the performance of SPMC so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you got it, they won't step on each other because all the resources and binaries are separated into com.semperax.spmc and org.xmbc.xbmc. which is also a nice way to keep testing v12 vs v13 simultaneously...
although now that the motion-blur-weirdness-but-thats-not-exactly-it, is gone from gotham beta4, I am done with spmc (I could still never figure out why it broke so many buttons of the 360 controller, and I spent hours with keymap xmls and junk, ugh. whereas gotham always worked 100% fine. they both must have built-in keymaps you don't even see in their filetrees, or something)
archa1c said:
I really just need the ability to add a shortcut to the main menu, in either "Recent" or "Apps" etc for it to be convenient to access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah it doesn't bother me enough to reinstall nova launcher and mess with Llama.
but, recent, man that would be perfect. until now I was not a big fan of recent-type-behavior (sure, sometimes in the start menu in linux or windows, ok...) - but now with firetv it is awesome.
like, my watchlist menu is turning into some huge unholy mess. but the recent menu is serene and shows me exactly what I was doing: "why yes, sir, latest indications show that you were halfway through season 4 of sg1, and you were also using Plex around the same time".
of course they also jam those stupid semi-ads in the recent menu, so for that, screw 'em.
Something you can try is using the app "llama" to start XBMC whenever a certain program is lauched. For me, I have XBMC start whenever I open the app "Tubi TV". I just chose an app on the store that had an icon I could remember and set it up.
Works very well for me.
Nick0742 said:
Something you can try is using the app "llama" to start XBMC whenever a certain program is lauched. For me, I have XBMC start whenever I open the app "Tubi TV". I just chose an app on the store that had an icon I could remember and set it up.
Works very well for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you be open to sharing exactly how you set this up?
What I can't figure out is how to use the library plugins to index both movies and shows. I have my entire collection in a single folder. Right now I can only enable either one or the other in XBMC. Is there a way to do both at the same time?
Try just adding the same path a second time, except denote it as a different media type the second type.
Not sure if XBMC will reject that or not since you've already added it once as a different content type (TV, movies etc)
Sent from my unknown using Tapatalk 2
solo said:
What I can't figure out is how to use the library plugins to index both movies and shows. I have my entire collection in a single folder. Right now I can only enable either one or the other in XBMC. Is there a way to do both at the same time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just verified that you can add the same path twice.
The first time, select a "TV Shows" scraper to have it scan TV show content for your library.
The second time, select the 'Movies" scraper to scrape and add Movie content from that directory to your library.
You will likely have some issues with some shows importing to your movie library, and some movies importing to your tv shows due to common names between both (example- Transformers movies will probably get scanner by the TV scraper and add the Transformers tv show series to your TV library).
Aside from these unavoidable duplicate scraping issues, all of your content should load.
I recommend braking our your library into separate directories for "TV Shows" and "Movies".
An easy way to do this is to install Sickbeard to automatically scan and move your TV Shows to a new directory, leaving just movies in your current media directory.
archa1c said:
I just verified that you can add the same path twice.
The first time, select a "TV Shows" scraper to have it scan TV show content for your library.
The second time, select the 'Movies" scraper to scrape and add Movie content from that directory to your library.
You will likely have some issues with some shows importing to your movie library, and some movies importing to your tv shows due to common names between both (example- Transformers movies will probably get scanner by the TV scraper and add the Transformers tv show series to your TV library).
Aside from these unavoidable duplicate scraping issues, all of your content should load.
I recommend braking our your library into separate directories for "TV Shows" and "Movies".
An easy way to do this is to install Sickbeard to automatically scan and move your TV Shows to a new directory, leaving just movies in your current media directory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually tried that same tactic before and it didn't work (Frodo). I am going to install Gotham today anyway, will try again.
My setup is that I download via utorrent and when completed, the files are moved to a single folder storage drive mounted on my RT-N66U. XBMC then reads the files from there... I'll look into sickbeard, thanks!
Has anybody tried LiveTV with tvheadend? It does work for me, but I am only able to use the channel that is already tuned. As soon as I try to switch to a different channel then XBMC crashes. It works fine on my Android phone, therefore it must be something with it running on the FireTV.
Gesendet von meinem Nexus 5 mit Tapatalk
Maybe a dumb question but how do i install .zip plugins downloaded from my computer?
NVM reading is my friend...
vogli said:
Has anybody tried LiveTV with tvheadend? It does work for me, but I am only able to use the channel that is already tuned. As soon as I try to switch to a different channel then XBMC crashes. It works fine on my Android phone, therefore it must be something with it running on the FireTV.
Gesendet von meinem Nexus 5 mit Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Am testing with TVH.
Opening a channel is ok, HD or SD (h264 1080i without deinterlace).
Zapping is an issue, no crash but video gets very choppy like 4fps sounds is ok. Stop and Play fixes the issue.
Is the XBMC Ouya still the best xbmc for fire tv atm ?
c0mm0n said:
Is the XBMC Ouya still the best xbmc for fire tv atm ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the full 13.1 release for Android ARM from the main is best.
Thx !
Any special tip/setup on hw decoding ?
Hi all.
I've played with XBMC a little in the past but nothing too in depth. When I saw the Fire TV come out I ordered day one. My main goal is to completely replace all my Windows Media Center machines and switch to XBMC + Fire TV for each location in my house. The reason for this change is I believe that it will be easier to add-on a few features i've been missing with my WMC setup.
So far ive loaded XBMC and configured it. I repurposed a WMC to be my TV/DVR server in the basement using PVR.WMC. I found a few tricks and this is now functioning as my whole house DVR.
My main issues that need addressing are as follows:
Add "Fire TV" apps to XBMC main menu (Amazon Prime movies, Netflix, and Pandora)
Remote Music Channels from the PVR menu in PVC.WMC
BluRay playback
I have all my DVDs/BRs stored in ISO format on a NAS in my basement. DVDs are fine. BR is a challenge. Am I better off converting to MKV? Does anyone know a way to make a library that is also shared with PLEX?
According to this wiki
http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Amazon_Fire_TV
It is possible to add android apps to the xbmc menu if you are using Gotham. I tried doing it and as soon as I went to android application xbmc 13 final just crashes to the fire TV main menu.
nba1341 said:
According to this wiki
http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Amazon_Fire_TV
It is possible to add android apps to the xbmc menu if you are using Gotham. I tried doing it and as soon as I went to android application xbmc 13 final just crashes to the fire TV main menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im having the same issue. it would be a perfect box for me iff i can load the streaming services that are built in (netflix, amazon prime, hulu, pandora) from XBMC.
personally i can skip the entire Fire TV menu and live in XBMC if i can load the very nice a pretty customized fire tv apps from XBMC. kinda like using XBMC as a launcher
KCHASE731 said:
im having the same issue. it would be a perfect box for me iff i can load the streaming services that are built in (netflix, amazon prime, hulu, pandora) from XBMC.
personally i can skip the entire Fire TV menu and live in XBMC if i can load the very nice a pretty customized fire tv apps from XBMC. kinda like using XBMC as a launcher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wonder if it's just a problem with the final version. I am running a older version and I am able to load android apps just fine.
ahoslc said:
Wonder if it's just a problem with the final version. I am running a older version and I am able to load android apps just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What version are you running? are you able to load the Fire TV versions of the apps from XBMC?
ahoslc said:
Wonder if it's just a problem with the final version. I am running a older version and I am able to load android apps just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will have to check when I go home it's like a week or 2 old. I can launch all the apps except for Amazon Prime.
Hi all
Unrootable UK fire TV here so these are a few things I found out that made me a lot happier
1) You can use llama to boot a NEWER sideloaded PLEX app (google play store) from the original OUT OF DATE amazon store versions icon - keeping it all nice looking :¬)
As they install to 2 different locations :¬) - (google llama tutorials)
Another good reason to do this is you wont get all kinds of weird program loops when using the back button.
2) if you need an icon to boot up a sideloaded XMBC app - Just use the amazon store Air Buddy app as its own start-up screen has a boot XBMC button if its been detected
3) I found out Netflix and amazon prime would not pass-through DD5.1 to anything I own using HDMI (even though XBMC does fine) - BUT if you replace your HDMI with OPTICAL Netflix and amazon prime will pass through DD5.1
** Bug or did they just do it for a laugh - I think the latter :¬)
P.S. My mini keyboard works just fine too :¬)
Rii 2.4GHz Wireless Mini PC Keyboard Touchpad V2 Black
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004FSFYG8/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Thanks for those helpful tips. I was looking for a way to have xbmc on the home screen. Just to clarify...I can install llama without being rooted? If so, do you have a direct link to llama? I know I can probably find it if I look around, but with such helpful tips, some provided links to the apps that you're mentioned will make it even more helpful.
wouldn't SPMC be better? i heard you can set it as the default launcher
DEREKTROTTER said:
wouldn't SPMC be better? i heard you can set it as the default launcher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We have NON rootable Firetv's so as far as I know there is NO way to do anything clever
"Love to find I am wrong :¬):¬) "
So I think you need llama or you can actualy use "Air Buddy" as I said above :¬)
I am finally happy with side loading these 2 things
1) xbmc-13.2-Gotham-armeabi-v7a.apk
2) com.kebab.Llama.apk
****UPDATE - I had a look at SPMC and...
Amazon store says! - Non-compatible device
If you continue with this purchase, you may be purchasing an app that doesn't work with your device.
so its on the store but you cant install it on fire tv and it has to be sideloaded like Xbmc version I listed :¬(
also I have read it has 5.1 pass through issues.
:¬(
Purchased and fire Fire tv and have been testing streaming games by sideloading Limelight APK latest version sideloaded using adbfire
connected to Lan cable and it worked found the NVIDIA GAMESTEAM and worked.
First impressions seam good half life 2 was playable and decent over lan cable.
watch this space other games will be tested.
Uses a wifi keyboard on mouse (Microsoft into the Fire TV usb socket)
May change this and put it directly into the pc..
I have screenshots but cant upload them yet due to the 10 posts
Big Greats to .jocala.com and Developers of Limelight and to XDA
Also SPMC works and Mobodro so far.
Cheers for the sideload apk and the work you do is fantastic.
How is this running for you? I am thinking of building a new gaming PC just to stream to my Fire TV.
FIRE TV Update
New Firmware for UK Released.
X??C or K?DI still working.
Running for arm and set up the shares on my NAS for my movies etc.
These are great little boxes.
Especially if your follow the guides and change the icon using adbfire Thanks guys for beta 2 works great and we can use the high quality themes on K?di.
using Lama event enabled.
Just another one up and I do recommend having the following
Prime obviously. can be shared between the boxes great for other members of the family.
Net?ix with dns changer to US/UK at your choice. . can be shared between the boxes great for other members of the family.
X??C or K?DI or SPM vers your choose kodi lates version seams great seams great.
Other items tested
for IP TV Also have a look at bbts do a search for x?mc b?ts live TV on this box via ip.
Limelight seams to work ok. latest games but generally OK
for not the latest games. but it ok if you wanna be play on the big screen,
Remote Camera app for my
Dolphin HD Browser
Flash from XDA?Install flash first and dolphin (need to use keyboard and mouse) I use a wifi one with keyboard and mouse and the hub plugged into the back of the fire tv.
I'll keep on updating the site as a when,
Hey All,
I thought this would be a useful thread where we could list all the working apps that have been side-loaded via adb and also via other methods like aftv side loader etc ,
So the following apps work for me using a wireless keyboard and trackpad mouse.
TVCatchup
TVMC
BT Sport
4OD
ITV Player
Uno Telly
ChromeBeta
Please contribute to the list I will update this list when ive installed and tested more apps.
herohonda777 said:
I thought this would be a useful thread where we could list all the working apps that have been side-loaded via adb and also via other methods like aftv side loader etc ,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not against the idea. Others have done it. What I think would be *most* helpful is if we would CLEARLY differentiate between rooted and non-rooted. I personally have wasted a fair amount of time because I had to hit that speed bump first and then turn around.
On my box-stock Fire TV, I side-loaded:
adobe.flashplayer.apk
com.altusapps.firedtvlauncher-1.1.0.apk
ES_File_Explorer_3.1.2.apk
Firefox_28.0.1.apk
MacroDroid_com.arlosoft.macrodroid_3.1.4_314.apk
xbmc-13.2-Gotham-armeabi-v7a.apk
wellersl said:
I'm not against the idea. Others have done it. What I think would be *most* helpful is if we would CLEARLY differentiate between rooted and non-rooted. I personally have wasted a fair amount of time because I had to hit that speed bump first and then turn around.
On my box-stock Fire TV, I side-loaded:
adobe.flashplayer.apk
com.altusapps.firedtvlauncher-1.1.0.apk
ES_File_Explorer_3.1.2.apk
Firefox_28.0.1.apk
MacroDroid_com.arlosoft.macrodroid_3.1.4_314.apk
xbmc-13.2-Gotham-armeabi-v7a.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats a sweet list!
I got Dolphin Browser to work but the biggest one I got Working the PS4 Remote play app -
Side Loaded Dolphin Browser and then loaded up the PS4 remote app hooked up the PS4 Controller directin to the AFT and connected the remote play - No Lag issues at all playing FIFA 15 on my other screen in the house now!
Also tested Firefox.apk this will open the browser but will just close after I search something in Google! not sure why it wont work
herohonda777 said:
Also tested Firefox.apk this will open the browser but will just close after I search something in Google! not sure why it wont work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odd. Unless its butting heads with Dolphin?
This version of Firefox? http://www.mediafire.com/download/rq57ptp5dbj0gsr/Firefox_28.0.1.apk
Ok to add apk's for the Fire TV stick?
If so:
BS Player 1.22.176
ES File Explorer 3.2.4.1
Both working great on my Fire stick.
Jacksmyname said:
Ok to add apk's for the Fire TV stick?
If so:
BS Player 1.22.176
ES File Explorer 3.2.4.1
Both working great on my Fire stick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have any issues with BS Player closing in the middle of a movie? I've had this happen a couple times.
VivianC said:
Do you have any issues with BS Player closing in the middle of a movie? I've had this happen a couple times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not yet, but I'll post back here if I do. I've been using it for several years on a 10" Samsung Galaxy Tab with no issues. Not even a single hiccup that I can recall.
Mizuu works very well with the stock remote. To play a file it is easiest to press the play button on the remote since the play button on the in the interface does show highlighting for selection.
goodhur said:
Mizuu works very well with the stock remote. To play a file it is easiest to press the play button on the remote since the play button on the in the interface does show highlighting for selection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am having trouble getting Mizuu to see my files. I can connect to my NAS as a source, but it's not finding movies. I have them sorted in individual folders to work well with XBMC. Not sure if that's an issue or not. It's no big deal because I do use XBMC, but a second option is always nice. Other than the library issue, Mizuu works wonderfully.
xm41907 said:
I am having trouble getting Mizuu to see my files. I can connect to my NAS as a source, but it's not finding movies. I have them sorted in individual folders to work well with XBMC. Not sure if that's an issue or not. It's no big deal because I do use XBMC, but a second option is always nice. Other than the library issue, Mizuu works wonderfully.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It takes a long time to go through the update(scan). I was thinking it didn't work at first. It seems like it does nothing for like 5 minutes then the movies begin appearing. Under settings>identification & search enable the sub-folder search. This app works only on wifi for scanning UPNP (great for the stick), the box on ethernet won't find dlna (however I think if you just do wifi to do DLNA scanning the plug back ethernet it still works). Manual entry of SMB works on the box and stick.
Some of the unique APKs I have side loaded on my AFS
Vulkano Player 5.1.261-connects to my Hava Platinum cable box streamer
Viki 3.0 - the GoogleTV version ripped from my Logitech Revue
Dramafever 01.00.09- also the GoogleTV version ripped from my Logitech Revue
The Sony PS4 Remote Play port works (as does the Sony DS4 controller out the box without any rooting required):
RemotePlayPortV0.7.3.apk
With the Ps4 remote play what I find is after I launch a game or app it will basically crash!
Any ideas why this could be ?
Also using the opera beta browser on this and it's a brilliant browser for the fire tv!
Side loaded also shoebox which isn't great think I will stick with tvmc.
herohonda777 said:
With the Ps4 remote play what I find is after I launch a game or app it will basically crash!
Any ideas why this could be ?
Also using the opera beta browser on this and it's a brilliant browser for the fire tv!
Side loaded also shoebox which isn't great think I will stick with tvmc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like one of two things:
1. You're not using the latest version of the app
2. you've not paired the DS4 directly with the Amazon Fire TV BEFORE you've tried to launch the app
..