i am rooted and have the latest software up and running. i have kodi installed and all set up.
i would like to get rid of as much amazon crapware as possible. i don't want to offend any amazon lovers, its just the only reason i bought this device is to run xmbc (kodi) better than i was on my apple tv. so far i like it a lot better.
i would love to have it boot into a screen with two icons, netflix and xmbc. is this what you would call a Launcher? is the best one for what I'm after here? do you recommend anything else? maybe with some screen shots?
Thanks guys, Cody
Yes, you can do that. You can either do it with the launcher you linked (pretty much makes xbmc the central hub of the fire tv) or this, which I prefer:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2782307
With that launcher you can just show xbmc and netflix and quickly boot into either. Or with the xbmc launcher you can create a shortcut to netflix from within xbmc.
Related
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.
I currently use plex for my media management solution, which is fantastic. I have a quad processor server with 18TB of storage, 12TB usable as its configured for Raid6. I chose plex due to the fact that plexapps are available for my Samsung smart tvs, and for simplicity with my chromecast.
The wife knows my love of tinkering and that I've been eyeballing the AFTV for a while now. Can anyone provide some insight? I'm looking to further enhance my cord-cutting future as we are moving to South Korea next year and will need to rely on my server as well as streaming content for entertainment.
I'm tired of horrible firstrow streams for my football games, as well as UFC matches and indycar/rally races. Are there "alternatives" available with much improved quality?
Anything I should do first to the AFTV? How can I integrate it into my existing content delivery system?
Thanks in advance!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
cliff p said:
Anything I should do first to the AFTV? How can I integrate it into my existing content delivery system?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might want to see if you can root the Fire TV before you ever hook it up. This allows for harnessing the power of the device with XBMC and the addons that are available. The How to setup a new Fire TV without blocking Root guide is a great starting point. Otherwise, the Fire TV will primarily be an Amazon centric box. And where is the fun in that?
That was generally the idea (to root the device first before doing anything else with it).
When I first started looking into Media Servers, I worked very little with XBMC. A few friends with Plex suggested it to me, and it seems to fit the bill more for me. With that being said, can XBMC be integrated or coexist with PMS?
EDIT: Disregard the XBMC question, I did a quick search and found that I can install PlexBMC that will work with the PMS backend.
So I've rooted the AFTV, Installed BB and SuperSU, and XBMC. Added a few "add-ons" like 1Chan and some others. Pretty cool little device! Kinda wishing there were more HD capable streams for certain programs, since there isn't much difference streaming the actual website steam via my laptop to my TV via HDMI.
I may put it in my VPN route and see if I can get my NFL games in HD at least.
Quite honestly wondering if it was worth installing Plex on, since my Samsung TV already has Plex and is a bit more seamless. I may use the device in place of the Chromecast dongle I have in the bedroom, though.
Can anyone point me in the right direction for some higher quality feeds, etc?
Almost forgot: Themes for the XBMC? Is it more worthwhile to have XBMC autostart on boot? I don't have a subscription for Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, etc. I use Plex, and use it heavily with Sickbeard/Couchpotato/Headphones/Etc.
THX.
Take a look at the [LAUNCHER] XBMC for Fire TV (Root). This XBMC launcher replaces the Fire TV launcher and at the same time allows access to it if you were to have Amazon content.
mjbxx said:
Take a look at the [LAUNCHER] XBMC for Fire TV (Root). This XBMC launcher replaces the Fire TV launcher and at the same time allows access to it if you were to have Amazon content.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Works great! Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
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.
:¬(
I got a fire tv stick . I am not happy with the user interface, I was lead to believe it would be different after a conversation with Amazon Customer Service.
I want to stick to open with a selection of user profiles. I want one that is for my kids and one for adults. I want the kids one to have restrictions on what they can access., i.e. parental controls. I would like these to extend into the apps like netflix.
Can I do this?
I found this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2736774
that allows me to sideload apps to my fire tv stick. apps like XBMC.
But can I set the stick up to 1) boot to xbmc, 2) require a password on one account 3) establish parental controls on that account that extend to the various apps?
finally, do I need to root the stick to get it to boot to XBMC?
bc320 said:
I got a fire tv stick . I am not happy with the user interface, I was lead to believe it would be different after a conversation with Amazon Customer Service.
I want to stick to open with a selection of user profiles. I want one that is for my kids and one for adults. I want the kids one to have restrictions on what they can access., i.e. parental controls. I would like these to extend into the apps like netflix.
Can I do this?
I found this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2736774
that allows me to sideload apps to my fire tv stick. apps like XBMC.
But can I set the stick up to 1) boot to xbmc, 2) require a password on one account 3) establish parental controls on that account that extend to the various apps?
finally, do I need to root the stick to get it to boot to XBMC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can get it to boot to XBMC via Llama. Just have llama auto go to xbmc when the home app is open. I would recommend against this and just use llama to run ikonotv or classictv to just do basically the same. However, to each his own, and you can do as you please.
I personally keep the home launcher so that i can run the other stuff too, such as games or netflix. And the youtube app is better than xbmc's youtube app.
A better alternative (in my opinion) would be to use an alternate home launcher instead.
None of this requires root, but root (not on stick yet) can make it simpler, and speedier as it wouldn't load the default home app. I believe some of the launchers can intercept the home button and go there instead of amazon's home if you wish. XBMC is not built for firetv but rather android in general. It could have a lot of these powerful features if they programmed them in. Lot's of work by people who probably don't see the advantage to work gain ratio being worth it.
I was wondering if you can answer a question for me, I have a rooted fire TV with custom recovery installed, but I would like to disable the default Amazon interface so it doesn't boot up, instead I only want kodi to boot.
I want to do this because I only use kodi on the fire TV, so by disabling the default interface I imagine it would speed up boot time and performance, as it's using less resources.
I know it's possible using firestarter app, but again I don't want this installed, But that app doesn't fill all of my requirements, as it doesn't disabled the default interface from boot, also wouldn't want firestarter starting on boot either just kodi
How would this be possible, any wisdom on this would be much appreciated thank you.
Kodi as Launcher
Antieco said:
Kodi as Launcher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I already saw this post and unfortunately it only works for fire TV first-generation, not second-generation 4k.
so Unfortunately this won't work as I'm after the second generation modification.
Ideally I wouldn't want to do it through an app, I don't mind editing core files if that's required
you can use firestarter.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/themes-apps/app-root-home-launcher-replacement-app-t3118135
idk if it will completely disable firelauncher but it allows you to use kodi as the launcher
The best alternative launcher I've found is the SPMC Launcher which is maintained by a Kodi developer. SPMC supports Android devices including the Fire TV.
And what is about this app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=se.blunden.xbmclauncher
You can load it with and sidelaoded then.
http://apps.evozi.com/apk-downloader/
Greetings by Idijt
I had a some issues with Kodi being set as Home on both my stick and gen1. Might just be me but it didn't like it.
I still think the best way is to use Firestarter as the main launcher and have Kodi set to launch on boot and single click, with Firestarter as double click.
If Kodi crashes or gets frozen, you still have the oppurtunity to back out and force stop it from Firestarter, if its set as Home then you can't.
You can also edit the keymap.xml to have the back button perform something else while on Kodis home screen, this stops the accidental back-outs to Firestarter as well.
I can't remember where but I'm sure I read a post over on the Kodi forums as to why they don't cook this in from source but the reasons are sound.