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anyone know of any free TV streaming program for us to watch the cricket on PDA??
That would be great..
Right now I just get the highlights listening to BBC Five Live on my way to and from work..
If you have a TV card in your PC and can connect to your pc remotely over the web, you can use:
http://www.umediaserver.net
Works well, and you can change channels remotely using the TVChannelChanger asp page.
slingbox or orb
this is nice, I will try it, seems to be what I looking for a long time.
rav said:
If you have a TV card in your PC and can connect to your pc remotely over the web, you can use:
http://www.umediaserver.net
Works well, and you can change channels remotely using the TVChannelChanger asp page.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I came across this page a while back... it has a load of TV and Radio stations listed... some of the channels work... and some don't!
http://www.pdahomepage.com/videos.html
PocketPC Media
try http://www.pocketpcmedia.com
They seem to have a lot of live tv channels, movie previews and other streaming videos.
check out orb.com and this thread which has a bunch of streaming links. live TV on HSDPA
I am new to Android & would really like to us my A7 to access both online hosted Streaming Video (movies & TV shows) as well as host my DVDs on my internal network.
I had hoped to use Netflix but research on the web indicates that isn't a go on Android without newer, possibly embedded hardward based, DRM solutions. I did see a post about Amazon and RockPlayer but not really much else to go on.
Can people reply and indicate what are the best Streaming Video sites (& client being used to access those sites) for the A7? If you need to use one for movies & one for TV shows please list multiple...
Can people also reply with more insight on how they are hosting & consuming their own DVD collections? Specifically I would like to know:
What did they use to rip their DVDs?
Where do they host them (off a PC? a NAS?, etc)?
What client do they use on the Android A7 to access them?
What protocol (NFS?,CIFS?,SFTP?,etc) does the A7 use to access their DVDs?
For reference I have multiple options available to me at home inclucing RedHat Enterprise Linux & a few other flavors, Win 7, Win XP, and a central NAS device.
tv shows
for tv shows I like (tv shows stream) from the market
Playon seems to work well for me and it will let you stream Netflix and other sites kinda expensive 5amonth or 80 for a lifetime.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA Premium App
When I get back from Spring Break I want to try Playon. I don't like the idea of another subscription but it seems really flexible. It might also allow me to watch Hulu through my bluray player (which stopped supporting it) so that is a big plus... Being able to centralize all of that to a central computer and shoot it to my TV, laptop, and Android A7 would be great.
The Netflix.apk is available as beta for Android. I installed on my A7 and can manage my account, queue and search. When I launch a live stream of instant movies it says can not connect to Netflix servers please try again.
My research is that they won't allow netflix to natively run on Android without some Digital Rights Management (DRM) capabilities (currently too open) built into. Some Android device makers may be releasing some newer models that allow for this and the native netflix should work for them but maybe never for us if it is a hardware based implementation...
That being said, the Netflix over playon seems to be working OK for me as I went ahead and set it up before traveling for Spring Break... Both Netfilx & hulu worked fine on my home LAN and was working OK on my hotel WIFI for a few hours but isn't for some reason right now.
I need to replace my home router so that I can take the current router with me as it turns my 3g/4g USB device into a personal portable WiFi (kinda like a geeky MIFI). Currently that router uses both my DSL & USB cellular data card together at home and I didn't have time to do that before I left and if I took it with me my home would have been down and I wouldn't be able to serve playon from home while traveling...
Tv.com also works well on these devices
Sent from my PC36100
Chromecast advantages
1. Cast anything from PC , especially streaming videos from browser tab.
2. Cast entire desktop, but mostly useless if you do not have proper internet connection.
Fire Tv advantages
1. Sideloading any android app
2. can work independently
Will fire tv ever get casting support for windows ? amazon cast plugin or something ... if it gets that i will easily ditch chromecast
Just get both lol. That's what I did
Fire stick is closer to a tablet than anything
depakjan said:
Chromecast advantages
1. Cast anything from PC , especially streaming videos from browser tab.
2. Cast entire desktop, but mostly useless if you do not have proper internet connection.
Fire Tv advantages
1. Sideloading any android app
2. can work independently
Will fire tv ever get casting support for windows ? amazon cast plugin or something ... if it gets that i will easily ditch chromecast
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way I see it, AFSTV is a tablet used for streaming. Chromecast needs more apps and a native browser; maybe chromecast II will be able to compete in the same league (if it ever shows up).
depakjan said:
Chromecast advantages
1. Cast anything from PC , especially streaming videos from browser tab.
2. Cast entire desktop, but mostly useless if you do not have proper internet connection.
Fire Tv advantages
1. Sideloading any android app
2. can work independently
Will fire tv ever get casting support for windows ? amazon cast plugin or something ... if it gets that i will easily ditch chromecast
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4. Most US FTV's from Amazon, Staples, BestBuy, Radio Shack can still be rooted.
depakjan said:
Chromecast advantages
1. Cast anything from PC , especially streaming videos from browser tab.
2. Cast entire desktop, but mostly useless if you do not have proper internet connection.
Fire Tv advantages
1. Sideloading any android app
2. can work independently
Will fire tv ever get casting support for windows ? amazon cast plugin or something ... if it gets that i will easily ditch chromecast
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have 2 of each, but hands down the Fire Stick is a better device with may more uses.
FS has MUCH MUCH(get the idea) better wifi.
The one thing I've found that the CC is better at is taking on a trip since you don't need the remote to get it connected on a new wifi. FS you MUST have remote so far as I can figure out.
gottahavit said:
I have 2 of each, but hands down the Fire Stick is a better device with may more uses.
FS has MUCH MUCH(get the idea) better wifi.
The one thing I've found that the CC is better at is taking on a trip since you don't need the remote to get it connected on a new wifi. FS you MUST have remote so far as I can figure out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as taking it on a trip, if you stay in a hotel that requires you to accept the terms of service through a browser good luck connecting the chromecast.
I have both, and I never use my Chromecast. The only reason I could think of why I would use it is for my 2 movies in Google Play... The Fire Stick is just better in every way.
adfurgerson said:
As far as taking it on a trip, if you stay in a hotel that requires you to accept the terms of service through a browser good luck connecting the chromecast.
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Click to collapse
yes neither works perfectly traveling, but having to bring remote just to get it to connect to phone sucks. The only thing chromecast did right was the private wifi setup with devices.
Both are good I'm leaning more to aftv just has more features.. But I also have chromecast connected as well it's good to have back up to send media to the tv with my phone
adfurgerson said:
As far as taking it on a trip, if you stay in a hotel that requires you to accept the terms of service through a browser good luck connecting the chromecast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. Although having just experienced this, you'll need to sideload a browser and some mouse mode (controller, mouse, phone mouse,etc) to actually navigate and accept terms.
What I do is tether to my phone and cast predownloaded movies using All cast.
Chromecast is great for basic stuff and used with a tablet. When using my phone, everything gets paused and occasionally locks up when getting calls and messages on my phone.
Fire TV stick is also a pretty good emulator player for retro gaming on the go.
Unless you need to stick with the small form factor or the budget doesn't allow, the correct answer if you can't decide between the two is to get a Nexus Player. If you are not in a hurry, wait until spring when I'm sure the market will be flooded with cheap Chinese Android TV boxes (Android TV version of Android, not just Android on a stick). Essentially the same as FireTV, but with Chromecast functionality built in.
If I had to choose between a Chomecast or AFTV stick I'd take AFTV stick every time.
Comes Down to Apps
You should research the App you know you want to use. I really just want a Chrome cast with a physical remote. I was excited when I grabbed a FireTV stick for $25. I was not excited that the Showtime Anytime app doesn't support on Dish on FireStickTV but does on Chrome cast?
I would tell you make a list of the apps you really want and see what platform has them.
thats what i did too
No brainer.. AFTV.
Maybe its just me, but i really dont have the urge to "cast" everything from various devices. A nice standalone box that can connect to networked drives on its own while having native streaming capability nicely beats a simple "casting" box...
If you have a miracast compatible computer, you can use that with the firetv.
Youtube on chromecast is good in "social" settings. Friends can queue up videos (eg. songs) to be played.
ziddey said:
If you have a miracast compatible computer, you can use that with the firetv.
Youtube on chromecast is good in "social" settings. Friends can queue up videos (eg. songs) to be played.
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Click to collapse
I haven't seen 1 person post that Miracast works from a PC to the Fire TV.
See this thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/help/miracast-t2954237/
After using both for a few weeks apiece, the fire stick with xbmc and a remote >>>>>>>>>>>> the chromecast.
It gets tiresome having to keep turning my phone etc and having some files need transcoding with the chromecast. The stick, since they updated the firmware and fixed the video quality problems, is almost perfect and I love that remote
The only thing chromecast has over the fire tv is the ease of use with the phone with the little cast button but I can live without that
As soon as the fire sticks go on sale again, I'm picking up another 3!
The AFS seems to be a more flexible platform. It's essentially a Android Stick computer. Will be even better when someone figures out how to root it. For the most part you can sideload the same working apps that work on other Android devices. That's pretty useful.
The Chromecast seems to be more of a one trick pony. The casting feature is interesting but why would you not want to just run apps directly to control it?
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
I have both.
I bought the Chromecast last year. The biggest use I got out of it was binge watching to catch up on Game of Thrones via HBO Go app. Video was definitely grainy, lower quality than the On-Demand HD from Comcast. Since then, I've rarely used it. Having to start everything via the phone or pad, then "casting" feels clunky. Casting videos/movies from my PC browser was choppy at best.
The Fire TV Stick is pretty smooth. I like having the physical remote and looking at the TV when I do things (i.e. not having to use/look at the phone). YouTube works (although I'm not able to play Purchases). Plex works well, as does SPMC (XBMC fork). NBC Live Extra app seems to work ok, but I'll get a better feel for that tonight watching football. HBO Go isn't officially available for the FireTV STICK yet. On my Fire TV (box) I am disappointed that HBO Go and Showtime Go (I would be there are some other apps too) do not have the ability to sign in for Comcast/Xfinity customers like the apps on iOs and Android do. I do realize that is a COMCAST limit, but it still stinks.
As @alton987 said earlier, it important to know the apps you want to use, and what is available on a particular device.
I bought a Fire TV Stick the day before Thanksgiving at Best Buy for $24.99. I bought it primarily for Amazon Prime.
So far, it's been working perfectly. Along with Prime movies and tv, I'm also using Prime music, Netflix, Crackle and AllCast. All work perfectly except for Netflix. On Netflix, video freezes about 10-15 minutes before the end of the movie, audio continues. I have to back out and then resume. Only takes a few seconds but it's annoying. It's the only app that's giving me a problem.
I also sideloaded BS Player and ES File Explorer. I wanted to use them for playing movies stored on my PC. Both are working just fine. I have mine connected to my A/V receiver (Yamaha). Picture quality is excellent, as is audio through my system.
I'm VERY pleased with the stick, and will buy another one for a second tv.
I have no experience with the Chromecast so I can't comment on it.
But the Fire tv stick is, for me, a no brainer if you subscribe to Amazon Prime. Terrific add-on to my system.
The only benefit for the US folks for using unlocator or other dns is that you get BBC. Are there any free resources to watch the bbc iplayer app? Paying 5 bucks a month for that one app is a little on a higher side.
Personally, I think it's worth the $5 a month I pay for unotelly. On the Amazon fire tv, Along with the bbc iplayer and the itv player which I'm running through kodi, I'm also using tvcatchup, and skygo sideloaded using a usb keyboard as well as running netflix U.K, so I'm personally okay with the $5 a month for all those services because I'm using it for more than just the iplayer.
Haven't seen too much stable U.K streaming content with the kodi plugins either. The channels seem to come and go. The superrepo repository on kodi has channels like Phoenix with international live streams, but they can be a hit or a miss. To be honest, I haven't came across a reliable way to access iplayer without either a DNS proxy or VPN running on the router.
callanish said:
Personally, I think it's worth the $5 a month I pay for unotelly. On the Amazon fire tv, Along with the bbc iplayer and the itv player which I'm running through kodi, I'm also using tvcatchup, and skygo sideloaded using a usb keyboard as well as running netflix U.K, so I'm personally okay with the $5 a month for all those services because I'm using it for more than just the iplayer.
Haven't seen too much stable U.K streaming content with the kodi plugins either. The channels seem to come and go. The superrepo repository on kodi has channels like Phoenix with international live streams, but they can be a hit or a miss. To be honest, I haven't came across a reliable way to access iplayer without either a DNS proxy or VPN running on the router.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why are you running bbc iplayer through Kodi. Are you saying you run the official iplayer through the kodi shortcut? the bbc iplayer is the only app I see useful for myself. I don't use netflix. I personally think locator or unotelly should have different pricing for us based people as most of the things are open for use anyways here. Thanks for your viewpoint.
navigates said:
Why are you running bbc iplayer through Kodi. Are you saying you run the official iplayer through the kodi shortcut? the bbc iplayer is the only app I see useful for myself. I don't use netflix. I personally think locator or unotelly should have different pricing for us based people as most of the things are open for use anyways here. Thanks for your viewpoint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, here's the thing. The BBC iplayer apk app works only through a wireless connection. For some reason, the BBC have restricted anything running through ethernet on Android ( go figure ) and that's how I've got my Amazon Fire TV hooked up....by ethernet. Reason I need this is, when I'm running skygo, I need a stable connection for maximum picture quality and based on where my router is located, the wireless signal can cause skygo to adjust the stream quality so the picture can get worse or better depending on the signal. Ethernet basically solved that, so I had to sacrifice the BBC iplayer app on the Fire TV and relied on the iplayer plugin through Kodi. Fortunately, the Fire TV stick I have in the bedroom can work with wireless since it's pretty close to the router. I just use that with a mini bluetooth keyboard / touchpad, but for iplayer live streams, or catchup, both the app and kodi do the job if you're receiving a good enough wireless signal.
The bottom line is It all comes down to how much use you'd get out of that $5. For example, Sling TV charges $20 per month for its streaming service with a few addons costing $5 on top of that and they provide just a few channels, so for the amount I'm paying for the DNS proxy to get everything I'm using it for, it honestly is a pretty good bang for buck service.....especially if you've got a nice relative that allows you to access their skygo account :laugh:.
callanish said:
Well, here's the thing. The BBC iplayer apk app works only through a wireless connection. For some reason, the BBC have restricted anything running through ethernet on Android ( go figure ) and that's how I've got my Amazon Fire TV hooked up....by ethernet. Reason I need this is, when I'm running skygo, I need a stable connection for maximum picture quality and based on where my router is located, the wireless signal can cause skygo to adjust the stream quality so the picture can get worse or better depending on the signal. Ethernet basically solved that, so I had to sacrifice the BBC iplayer app on the Fire TV and relied on the iplayer plugin through Kodi. Fortunately, the Fire TV stick I have in the bedroom can work with wireless since it's pretty close to the router. I just use that with a mini bluetooth keyboard / touchpad, but for iplayer live streams, or catchup, both the app and kodi do the job if you're receiving a good enough wireless signal.
The bottom line is It all comes down to how much use you'd get out of that $5. For example, Sling TV charges $20 per month for its streaming service with a few addons costing $5 on top of that and they provide just a few channels, so for the amount I'm paying for the DNS proxy to get everything I'm using it for, it honestly is a pretty good bang for buck service.....especially if you've got a nice relative that allows you to access their skygo account :laugh:.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting that you said Bbc iPlayer does not work on ethernet. Mine does work on ethernet directly. However mine is rooted and I have google play with the framework installed. Not sure if it matters but just throwing it out. In my case, I totally agree with your POV of how much bang for the buck you get. I have a dish subscription and my wife wouldn't let me cancel that as she loves the DVR. I also have the slingtv just for kicks. Beats me !! and then I have easynews big gig plan of about 150 gigs a month for 30. I have to stop somewhere but I am tempted to get the unlocator. It works well and I tend to like the bbc hardtalk panoramas. but then I have easynews.
If there are any additional apps that come out later for UK based content, I may sign up.
callanish said:
Personally, I think it's worth the $5 a month I pay for unotelly. On the Amazon fire tv, Along with the bbc iplayer and the itv player which I'm running through kodi, I'm also using tvcatchup, and skygo sideloaded using a usb keyboard as well as running netflix U.K, so I'm personally okay with the $5 a month for all those services because I'm using it for more than just the iplayer.
Haven't seen too much stable U.K streaming content with the kodi plugins either. The channels seem to come and go. The superrepo repository on kodi has channels like Phoenix with international live streams, but they can be a hit or a miss. To be honest, I haven't came across a reliable way to access iplayer without either a DNS proxy or VPN running on the router.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm a noob and just starting to explore this unotelly, how did you get this installed in ftv? download the apk and sideload? where did you get the apk? thanks much!
juvethski said:
i'm a noob and just starting to explore this unotelly, how did you get this installed in ftv? download the apk and sideload? where did you get the apk? thanks much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unotelly isn't an app - its a DNS address that you have to subscribe to, and then enter in the Fire TV itself. This gets around country restrictions e.g. if you're in the US you can watch UK content, or a different countries' netflix
www.unotelly.com
Check out ironsocket.com
I use them for my VPN, and recently found out that they support SmartDNS for the Amazon Fire TV.
They didn't support XFinity TV Go, but after a quick support request and within 24 hours I'm able to use Xfinity app on FTV.
I'm able to use them for all other apps as well (HBOGO, WatchESPN and etc...)
I know the unit wasn't designed for this, but in theory can a Fire TV or even Fire TV Stick be used to just play back locally stored content?
I'm on the fence to get one of these for my home use (especially seeing it run Kodi/XMBC), but if I could use it for work presentations or backyard projectors, I'd be sold in a heartbeat! To be clear, these are situations in which there is no WiFi signal or device streaming to it... rather, I'd like to have locally stored media that it can play back in either Kodi or the Android version of VLC. Having a nice little device and remote seems far simpler and enjoyable versus hooking up my honking laptop to do those things.
Thoughts?
I was going to just pick up a Stick today for the $24 sale price and figure it out myself, but it appears I was too late. Am I better off with something else?
It should work as a local player with apps like MX Player, Kodi and VLC. Just that the stick has a few gbs of storage that can be used to store movies and to add movies you need to do it wirelessly or through adbfire. The Fire TV box can use HDs which can help with having the movies there. But if a portable player is what you want just use your phone with movies in a microsd, install mx player or Kodi and use a HDMI to microusb cable. That way you always have your player with you and only need that 6 dlls cable.
solorzano_felipe said:
It should work as a local player with apps like MX Player, Kodi and VLC. Just that the stick has a few gbs of storage that can be used to store movies and to add movies you need to do it wirelessly or through adbfire. The Fire TV box can use HDs which can help with having the movies there. But if a portable player is what you want just use your phone with movies in a microsd, install mx player or Kodi and use a HDMI to microusb cable. That way you always have your player with you and only need that 6 dlls cable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might want to double check that.... In theory you are correct, but in personal experience no internet means no loading of the home menu, meaning can't run anything at all. This may have changed or there may be a way around it, not 100% sure.
Solorzano, the idea is to have a dedicated player, not use my phone. That's why I originally dismissed the idea of a Chromecast... Sometimes I set up these boxes at fundraising events and hand all the hardware over to someone else to project. I'm often handling other technicalities of the event, or not even on location once they play it! I've been using my laptop to feed the presentation until now, but I'd rather not dedicate my laptop to the cause each time.
I'm actually leaning more towards one of those Kit-Kat quad core media boxes from china for this reason. They have USB ports (multiple ones!) and are much faster than the Fire TV Stick, maybe even faster than the Fire TV Box, for half the price. Only catch is that I won't be able to stream Amazon content if I ever wanted to do that at home (looking to make this a dual-purpose work and home purchase), but I think its a better suited device for everything else I want to do.
Thanks guys!
I posted a similar question elsewhere here, one responder stated that if you have Firestarter installed then you can go to that home screen and use apps, even though you can't go to the standard FireTV home screen. I haven't tried it yet, I'm not home where my Stick is.
Regarding a "standard" Android box, I have a Matricom G-box Q, I can watch Amazon videos with it using the Amazon Instant app. It basically takes you to the Amazon Instant home page (I have this defaulted to use Chrome), then when you select a video just choose the Amazon Instant app for playback. I seem to remember it was a little weird to install, something like: I installed it, I ran it, and then during the first run it asks if you want to install the app again, if you do it seems to work.
Terry T, yes with firestarter you can get to kodi. You can also go to the settings manage apps way of launching provided parental control is not on. The pin is verified on Amazons server. However, assuming you at least have wifi with an internet outtage you can also launch Kodi with firestarter, wukong remote or Apps Shortcut for FireTV. These methods bypass the parental PIN number
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Thanks guys! Next question: If I go with the Stick version, which lacks expandable storage or USB storage, is there a relatively easy way to load files onto the internal memory? For example, if I need to play a specific mp4 file at an event, can I sideload it over Wifi at home first, then show up the event and play it with kodi?
Yes, sideload ES File Explorer. You can cut or copy (long press, then the file is selected and options are at the bottom of the screen) from either a shared drive on your network or from a cloud source like Dropbox to the Stick. You will have to tell Kodi or whatever video player you are using where you saved the file.