Firestick Screensaver Question - Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have recently moved to the Middle East and have a new TV (Samsung Smart TV) and my first Firestick (4k model bought 6 weeks ago). It has not been taken out of the Amazon app environment so I am only using the apps freely available on the Amazon store. I am using ExpressVPN.
The setup is great for getting me live and catchup TV from home as well as the usual Netflix/YouTube etc.
I discovered the screen saver facility and loaded a pile of photos to my Amazon account so I can see family and friends from home (I am batchelor status here). I love it.
The problem is that the screensaver only works for a certain short period of time before the screen blacks out. If I am listening to a radio app on the Firestick the radio continues after the screen blacks.
I've checked the TV and Firestick settings and cannot find a setting which creates a timeout.
I would like the the screensaver to continue for longer. If I use the Amazon photos app in slideshow mode I can't listen to the radio app at the same time.
Any idea why the screen is blacking out and what settings need changing?

Navrig said:
Any idea why the screen is blacking out and what settings need changing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to increase sleep timeout, that's the option in secure settings:
settings put secure sleep_timeout 3600000 # 1h
etc.
But it's not easy without root. You need apk which can write secure settings and grant needed permissions to it.
With root just set desired timeout via adb with settings util.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/kinkeadtech.com/how-to-prevent-fire-tv-stick-from-going-to-sleep/
Seems like you can achieve this with just adblink?

There is a program called "Stay Alive!" that you just install, run, and it will keep you stick on. It will complain about "no Google play services" but the default settings are fine and it runs in the background. I can confirm this has kept my FS2 awake for a couple years now. No root.
hxps://apkpure.com/stay-alive-keep-screen-awake/com.synetics.stay.alive

Related

Automation - NFC Task Launcher, Tasker, others...

I wanted to start a thread that focused on automation idea's and how to execute them and NOT about troubleshooting apps or why you can't get any NFC tags to format etc...
There is already a thread dedicated to that here :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1359057
So assuming there is a demand, please discuss any automation like:
-What you have done with your NFC tags
-What have you done with the app Tasker, NFC Task Launcher or any other automation app/scripts.
-Dream Idea's, like I want to have my house make a pizza and have it ready when I get home, but I don't know how to do that. anyone?
I'll try to keep a Table of Contents and link directly to useful idea's as we go.
Some useful links so far:
Tasker Guide thread by skulk3r
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=890596
NFC Task Launcher info by krohnjw:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=980741
Reserved...
Nice thread! I use these every day!
NFC Task Launcher:
1) Tag on my laptops - Enable WiFi HotSpot, Set password and SSID, Disable Bluetooth if on, disable sync.
2) By my Door - I use a Home and Away Profile.
Away is triggered first and Disables WiFi, Enables 3G/4G, Enables Vibrate mode.
Home is triggered on second tap - Enables WiFi, Connects to my SSID, Disables 3/4G, Full Volume, Enable Sync if it was off, Launch gmail app to pull e-mails.
3) A small tag on my BT Headset - Enable BT and Connect to the headset. (When the headset is connected Tasker launches Rdio). Second tap disable BT and Tasker closes Rdio if open still.
Tasker:
1) If I am Near Cell ID by my house or friends house enable WiFi.
2) If SSID is near connect, if not disable WiFi.
3) Maps opens enable GPS, disable when closed.
4) When BT Headset connects open Rdio set media volume to 7
5) When wired headset is plugged in open Rdio set media to 11. (for the car XD)
6) When charging is pluged in set brightness to full, Max Ring volume, Enable WiFi if it's off, Enable Sync, Launch E-Mail for refresh.
7) When charged Vibrate for 30 Secs + Audio alert.
8) Proximity sensor Locks screen.
9) Long press search enable BT.
10) From 23:00 to 07:00 Dim screen to lowest setting, Vibrate mode, launch clock.
I can export them if anyone wants to use them!
Nice job! You should export those and attach them here anyway. Even if someone doesn't need exactly what you have done the profiles could be a really good learning tool. Really nice job on some of those.
I am trying to have interactions with specific programs using tasker without much luck. What I would love to do is turn my TV on and go to my DVR using the Google TV app when I place my phone on the coffee table with a nfc sticker.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Ive got a 'beacon for android' coming in the mail. when it gets here im hoping to hide a nfc card in the arm rest of my couch so when i put the phone down it will turn on the tv and will launch to the universal remote part of the dijit program.
Im thinkin all that might take some work tho. Also i would love to be using iRule/GC-100-12 or the logitech revue/harmony but cant afford to set those systems up.
I also have another NFC card on my desk so when i put my phone down it starts my computer (Using NFC launcher and tasker).
One idea i would love your opinons on is, can tasker determing if a microusb plugged in is a charger or computer or MHL/HDMI connection? i would love for my gallary or emulation to pop up when i plug it into a tv
unknownkwita said:
Ive got a 'beacon for android' coming in the mail. when it gets here im hoping to hide a nfc card in the arm rest of my couch so when i put the phone down it will turn on the tv and will launch to the universal remote part of the dijit program.
Im thinkin all that might take some work tho. Also i would love to be using iRule/GC-100-12 or the logitech revue/harmony but cant afford to set those systems up.
I also have another NFC card on my desk so when i put my phone down it starts my computer (Using NFC launcher and tasker).
One idea i would love your opinons on is, can tasker determing if a microusb plugged in is a charger or computer or MHL/HDMI connection? i would love for my gallary or emulation to pop up when i plug it into a tv
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait... are these possible?
I would love a 'Morning TV' tag:
Launch Google TV app
Turn on TV
Turn on Speakers
Change to channel 70 (ESPN)
Open __ url
I'd pay someone to make that for me.. and many others.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
itsjusttim said:
Wait... are these possible?
I would love a 'Morning TV' tag:
Launch Google TV app
Turn on TV
Turn on Speakers
Change to channel 70 (ESPN)
Open __ url
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its entirely possible, just takes alot of apps and hardware.
1. NFC Card launches the particular activity in the universal remote app (dijit/irule/harmony/etc) this may require tasker.
2.Remote app performs its functions.
2.1.connects via BT/WIFI to a controller (these can emit IR/RF/rs232/TCP)
2.2.the controller sends out all the commands to all the devices, alot of this will need to be programmed in your remote app
3. NFC launcher/tasker then launches the app activity that shows you the remote.
There is alot of stuff to get your head around in controlling a home theater because there are so many differant ways of doing the same thing. How you make all this work will depend on your current system and how much your willing to spend.
For example some tv's come with HDMI-CEC (look it up on wiki), this feature allows the tv to turn on the av receiver over the hdmi cable and swap it to the correct input when you change sources.
when it comes down to it the android app is the easiest part of the system to set up, even if its the most featureless.
Well the Google TV app acts as a remote. Is there a way to record touch actions on top of opening apps? If so it should be easy as its just a few buttons to turn on everything and get to the right channel, would just be amazing if it can all be automated.
- GSM Galaxy Nexus
x942 said:
Nice thread! I use these every day!
NFC Task Launcher:
1) Tag on my laptops - Enable WiFi HotSpot, Set password and SSID, Disable Bluetooth if on, disable sync.
2) By my Door - I use a Home and Away Profile.
Away is triggered first and Disables WiFi, Enables 3G/4G, Enables Vibrate mode.
Home is triggered on second tap - Enables WiFi, Connects to my SSID, Disables 3/4G, Full Volume, Enable Sync if it was off, Launch gmail app to pull e-mails.
3) A small tag on my BT Headset - Enable BT and Connect to the headset. (When the headset is connected Tasker launches Rdio). Second tap disable BT and Tasker closes Rdio if open still.
Tasker:
1) If I am Near Cell ID by my house or friends house enable WiFi.
2) If SSID is near connect, if not disable WiFi.
3) Maps opens enable GPS, disable when closed.
4) When BT Headset connects open Rdio set media volume to 7
5) When wired headset is plugged in open Rdio set media to 11. (for the car XD)
6) When charging is pluged in set brightness to full, Max Ring volume, Enable WiFi if it's off, Enable Sync, Launch E-Mail for refresh.
7) When charged Vibrate for 30 Secs + Audio alert.
8) Proximity sensor Locks screen.
9) Long press search enable BT.
10) From 23:00 to 07:00 Dim screen to lowest setting, Vibrate mode, launch clock.
I can export them if anyone wants to use them!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I personally would love to use about 2/3 of those commands. Can you export those for the rest of us?
itsjusttim said:
Well the Google TV app acts as a remote. Is there a way to record touch actions on top of opening apps? If so it should be easy as its just a few buttons to turn on everything and get to the right channel, would just be amazing if it can all be automated.
- GSM Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far I haven't found a way. It would be awesome for more than just google tv. If tasker, or another 'macro' type program could be set to record touches on the screen based on location coordinates or something. Like a mouse macro program on a pc. That would allow all sorts of things. For example all of this would be reality with this one hurdle:
1) When I approach my home using tasker, open my ADT app and disable the alarm in my house
2) Open my garage door with HTN app.
3) Turn the lights on with the HTN app.
4) Walk inside, and using a NFC sticker, trigger a welcome home message from my denon reciever app (hooked up to speakers throughout the house) and start some jazz music. Of course set my phone profile correctly, and maybe turn the google tv on and navigate to the cheesy firplace app.
All of this is easy, with one macro app that is the missing link.
There are apps out there that use your cell tower to turn your wifi on/off when you enter/leave your home/cell tower. you'd be surprised how accurate it is and how it doesn't drain your battery. They do other things like control gps/bluetooth/etc.
and their free and dont require purchase of tags. You could easily do this exact thread with just the app below.
They might not be able to turn your tv on, but for quality automation, you should check em out.
For one I highly recommend, try Llama in the market. Free too!
https://market.android.com/details?...t#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5rZWJhYi5MbGFtYSJd
btw, I am not affiliated with llama in any way. Just love this app and many of your comments reflect that you would love this.
igl007 said:
So far I haven't found a way. It would be awesome for more than just google tv. If tasker, or another 'macro' type program could be set to record touches on the screen based on location coordinates or something. Like a mouse macro program on a pc. That would allow all sorts of things. For example all of this would be reality with this one hurdle:
1) When I approach my home using tasker, open my ADT app and disable the alarm in my house
2) Open my garage door with HTN app.
3) Turn the lights on with the HTN app.
4) Walk inside, and using a NFC sticker, trigger a welcome home message from my denon reciever app (hooked up to speakers throughout the house) and start some jazz music. Of course set my phone profile correctly, and maybe turn the google tv on and navigate to the cheesy firplace app.
All of this is easy, with one macro app that is the missing link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes! Now we just need someone smart who can create this for us. Honestly if someone made this, the possibilities of NFC would be endless.
.
kegman913 said:
There are apps out there that use your cell tower to turn your wifi on/off when you enter/leave your home/cell tower. you'd be surprised how accurate it is and how it doesn't drain your battery. They do other things like control gps/bluetooth/etc.
and their free and dont require purchase of tags. You could easily do this exact thread with just the app below.
They might not be able to turn your tv on, but for quality automation, you should check em out.
For one I highly recommend, try Llama in the market. Free too!
https://market.android.com/details?...t#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5rZWJhYi5MbGFtYSJd
btw, I am not affiliated with llama in any way. Just love this app and many of your comments reflect that you would love this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We don't really need location profiles as we can just use an nfc tag to set any automation we want... right?
- GSM Galaxy Nexus
itsjusttim said:
Yes! Now we just need someone smart who can create this for us. Honestly if someone made this, the possibilities of NFC would be endless.
.
We don't really need location profiles as we can just use an nfc tag to set any automation we want... right?
- GSM Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well we still need them a little. For example, I go to the same grocery store each week. So I like to have it that when I arrive, it connects to their wifi and launches the Grocery IQ app. Then it sends a text message to my wife saying "I just arrived at Wegmans, if there is any last minute items to get add it to Grocery IQ now."
alicious said:
Yes, I personally would love to use about 2/3 of those commands. Can you export those for the rest of us?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will do! I have to recreate them (my HTC Amaze had them and I forgot to export before doing a reset). I should have them up tonight!
x942 said:
Will do! I have to recreate them (my HTC Amaze had them and I forgot to export before doing a reset). I should have them up tonight!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'll keep a look out for them
X942 - you didn't forget about us did you?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I used to use Locale, until it just ate up too much juice on my phone. One nice thing I could do with it is change my Google Voice settings based on my location. I had it set to disable my desk phone if I wasn't at work, and to enable it when I arrived at the office. Can you do something like this via NFC? IIRC Tasker is compatible with Locale plugins, so I could just use that.
kimboinatl said:
I used to use Locale, until it just ate up too much juice on my phone. One nice thing I could do with it is change my Google Voice settings based on my location. I had it set to disable my desk phone if I wasn't at work, and to enable it when I arrived at the office. Can you do something like this via NFC? IIRC Tasker is compatible with Locale plugins, so I could just use that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally agree with you about locale
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
x942 said:
3) Maps opens enable GPS, disable when closed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you get it to allow Tasker to control GPS? It tells me this functionality is not allowed on my Nexus...I am trying to enable it in Actions -> Misc -> *GPS
Do you on a ROM that has disabled the restriction that does not allow access to GPS?
**** UPDATE ****
Ok, did some more searching and found this...
http://www.reddit.com/r/tasker/comments/nk6m2/use_secure_settings_to_enable_gps_and_other_fun/
NFC Task Launcher
EDIT: My Questions were answered on a different board.

fire tv wont sleep while xbmc is opened. (how can i fix this)

just got my fire tv yesterday and love it. i have xmbc loaded and it works perfectly other than one thing. after being at idle for more than 30 minutes, it does not go to sleep
i've googled it and i see that other's have this issue. but the thing that confuses me is there is no option within xbmc to close, sleep, or shut down after set period of time?. on my window based HTPC downstairs, i am able to set a time on which the computer will either close the program, sleep, shutdown whatever.
is there a way i can add that function back to XBMC or an add on ? i tend to use XBMC to watch a movie or listen to music while falling asleep and it would be nice to have the fire tv sleep rather than staying on.
thanks
Valkyrie743 said:
just got my fire tv yesterday and love it. i have xmbc loaded and it works perfectly other than one thing. after being at idle for more than 30 minutes, it does not go to sleep
i've googled it and i see that other's have this issue. but the thing that confuses me is there is no option within xbmc to close, sleep, or shut down after set period of time?. on my window based HTPC downstairs, i am able to set a time on which the computer will either close the program, sleep, shutdown whatever.
is there a way i can add that function back to XBMC or an add on ? i tend to use XBMC to watch a movie or listen to music while falling asleep and it would be nice to have the fire tv sleep rather than staying on.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
XBMC does have a timed quit function, but it's not visible in the settings by default. Go to XBMC's "Settings", then to "System". In the bottom left will be "Settings level". Change the settings level to either "Advanced" or "Expert". Then go to the "Power saving" menu and at the top is the setting you're looking for. Set "Shutdown function timer" to some value in minutes, and set "Shutdown function" to "Quit".

[Q] Changing the screensaver per application

Before the Lollipop upgrade there was an app called KeepScreen (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tni.KeepScreenLite) that worked like a champ. What it does is selectively change the screensaver timeouts if an application is taking up the full screen. I mainly used it for google maps so it wouldn't turn off the screen until I hit the home key and then would resume normal screensaver options.
After the Lollipop upgrade this app thinks its working but doesn't change the screensaver timeouts, nor does the top-bar icon appear when it should. Are there other apps out there that will do this trick, alternately is there some native function of Android 5.x that will do this?

Lock screen flicker

Has anyone noticed the lock screen flickering while streaming youtube content? I seam to get it when ever I have the youtube app running in the background with it streaming to either a blu-ray player or a chromecast. I have had this issue both on Kitkat and Lollipop while using the swipe to unlock lock screen. The only app I have open while while screen casting is the Kindle app. Both the basic Kindle app and the Kindle for Samsung cause this issue. Can someone see if they can reproduce this is really starting to annoy me and I would like to see if I can figure it out. Below are the things I know that are needed to reproduce the issue.
1. Set lock screen to swipe to unlock. Have date and time display option selected as well as quick access options for phone and camera set.
2. Open the youtube app and start casting the video to a tv.
3. Hit the home button and then open the Kindle app. Or if you have already opened the Kindle app you can change to it from the open task menu.
4. Begin reading a book of your choice in the Kindle app.
5. Press the power button to turn the screen off.
6. Wait at least 5 seconds to ensure your video from youtube is still being cast.
7. Press either the power or the home button to turn the screen on.
If you have the same issue that I am having the lock screen should flicker between asking you to unlock and the Kindle app. This should repeat every couple seconds pausing between each screen with no visual animations on either screen. You will be able to turn pages in the Kindle app but not unlock the screen as it changes. To stop the flicker, pause the youtube video from the lock screen when it is up and the phone should return to normal and can be unlocked by swiping.
If anyone knows what might be causing this in open to suggestions. This same issue should be reproducible from a fresh install since I have not tried any of the temp root options that have been released prior to updating to Lollipop. No scripts have been run either to disable or block any apps from running so I highly doubt it's from something being disabled unless it's done from the app launcher.
Do you get a system ui error when this happens?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using xda premium
Not that I know of. If I don't manually stop the youtube video from the phone it will continue to do it until what ever is set for the screen timeout is set to at which point the screen just turns off.

sleep timer activates while Google Music is playing

Finally got Google Play Music working, but the sleep timer activates 30 minutes after the screensaver even when music playing. Is there a way to disable the sleep timer, or make sure it doesn't activate when music is playing?
I tried the shell command "settings put system screen_off_timeout [num]" and I can use the "get" command to see that my changes are in fact being made, but they don't change the device's behavior at all.
Any other ideas? Thanks!
(EDIT: using AFTV2 running rbox 5.0.5_r4)
Install the app "Stay awake". This app prevents the firetv going to sleep mode.
bigwillie1 said:
Install the app "Stay awake". This app prevents the firetv going to sleep mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, thanks!
bigwillie1 said:
Install the app "Stay awake". This app prevents the firetv going to sleep mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just tried this on my Fire TV 2 which is rooted & after waiting a few seconds the screen Just goes blank? I've just turned the wallpaper to "never" in the settings & it does turn on when the fire tv isnt being used instead of using an app.

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