Re: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

[Les Gordon]

sometimes apps can be slightly different on various devices or set top 
boxes. functionality may also vary slightly between devices too. the reason 
is because of the software that runs the device or box. the app has to be 
configured to work with that specific device.
- Original Message - 
From: "Mary Otten" <maryot...@comcast.net>

To: "PC Audio Discussion List" <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2016 12:00 PM
Subject: Re: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen



Interesting. The people I've heard complaining about netflix on set top
boxes don't have issues with it on actual android phones or tablets,
just on the set tops, such as the older google Nexus. So I wonder why
it works on some and not others, especially the nexus brand. There has
been speculation that the app on the set top box is not the same app as
on devices such as nexus 9 tablet, obtained from the playstore. Since I
don't use netflix on my Nexus 6 and don't have an accessible android tv
set top box, I have 0 personal experience in this realm.

Mary

mary

Re: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

[Mary Otten]

Interesting. The people I've heard complaining about netflix on set top
boxes don't have issues with it on actual android phones or tablets,
just on the set tops, such as the older google Nexus. So I wonder why
it works on some and not others, especially the nexus brand. There has
been speculation that the app on the set top box is not the same app as
on devices such as nexus 9 tablet, obtained from the playstore. Since I
don't use netflix on my Nexus 6 and don't have an accessible android tv
set top box, I have 0 personal experience in this realm.

Mary

mary

Re: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

[Dane Trethowan]

Yet another media option with the minx so will explorer that, seems to becoming 
a fast obsession of mine, streaming and media boxes .

The Android Sony I’m getting has Netflix built-in to it so this brings up a few 
interesting questions.

Firstly just how accessible - if at all - is the Sony version of Netflix and 
will I have to install the Android version? I’ve had no problems with same on 
my Galaxy Note4 and S6 devices so I don’t see any major problem.

I have a wonderful VPN in place here so nothing to slow me down there either.

Thanks for the info.


> On 19 Feb 2016, at 4:46 PM, Lisa-Maree <lisa_ma...@internode.on.net> wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> I have a minx x8-h media box, and have had no problems with Netflix or any
> other service in terms of speech with either talkback, or shineplus,
> otherwise known as screen reader for blind.   They are both great software
> packages which manage android apps very well.
> 
> The only thing with some of the media boxes is that Netflix does not support
> all devices yet at this stage, and I have found that a vpn is needed in
> order to get the app up and running, even for Australia.  This is not an
> issue, though, and will more than likely change in time.  Looking at
> upgrading to minx x8-h plus very soon.
> 
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Mary
> Otten
> Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2016 4:16 PM
> To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
> Subject: Re: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen
> 
> I'm on a very high traffic android list, and there has lately been
> discussion of android tv boxes, but not an actual tv set, on that list.
> People have had issues making certain services that are not  directly from
> google, such as Netflix, work at all with talkback.  Devices discussed
> include the nexus, Shield and another one that is something like metracom,
> but I'm sure I've got that spelled wrong. How much did this Sony android set
> set you back? No pun intended. 
> 
> Mary
> 
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

[Lisa-Maree]

Hi all,
I have a minx x8-h media box, and have had no problems with Netflix or any
other service in terms of speech with either talkback, or shineplus,
otherwise known as screen reader for blind.   They are both great software
packages which manage android apps very well.

The only thing with some of the media boxes is that Netflix does not support
all devices yet at this stage, and I have found that a vpn is needed in
order to get the app up and running, even for Australia.  This is not an
issue, though, and will more than likely change in time.  Looking at
upgrading to minx x8-h plus very soon.



-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Mary
Otten
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2016 4:16 PM
To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Subject: Re: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

I'm on a very high traffic android list, and there has lately been
discussion of android tv boxes, but not an actual tv set, on that list.
People have had issues making certain services that are not  directly from
google, such as Netflix, work at all with talkback.  Devices discussed
include the nexus, Shield and another one that is something like metracom,
but I'm sure I've got that spelled wrong. How much did this Sony android set
set you back? No pun intended. 

Mary

Re: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

[Dane Trethowan]

for the love of keeping things simple I’m referring to the Sony Android TV as 
“Free To Air” TV as it has nothing whatever to do with Cable or Satellite TV 
unless you connect an external Set Top Box to the TV itself so - for the 
purposes of that discussion Satellite and Cable boxes don’t mean anything much 
here -.

I’m sure I’ll find an alternative to the standard Sony Electronic Programme 
Guide for the TV, my best bet in Australia would seem to be something like the 
ICETV Electronic Programme guide with is available on multiple platforms.

The idea of this guide is that it can be synced with multiple devices.

If the worst comes to the worst and I can’t use the Sony Android TV then I do 
have a guide I can use through my IOS/Android devices from a company called 
Fetch TV who make a Set Top Box complete with the accessible App which allows 
you to browse the Electronic Programme Guide, schedule recordings and 
everything else.


> On 18 Feb 2016, at 9:27 AM, Mary Otten  wrote:
> 
> I will be interested to know how you get on with things like netflix
> and other non-google things, including that program guide, although
> wouldn't your program guide come from your cable or satelite provider,
> assuming you have one, of course?
> 
> Mary
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

Re: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

[Dane Trethowan]

Yes it does - as 99% of Android devices do - though you’ll have to install 
Google Talkback yourself.

The TV does have a talking setup.


> On 18 Feb 2016, at 9:13 AM, Peter Scanlon <sca...@tpg.com.au> wrote:
> 
> So does this TV work with the TAlkback screen reader?
> So that one can navigate channels, look at the program guide. 
>Does it also allo allow access to things like Netflics, etc.
> 
> 
> 
> From: Dane Trethowan 
> Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2016 9:07 AM
> To: PC Audio Discussion List 
> Subject: Re: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen
> 
> Set Top Boxes running Android are everywhere, there’s even a Remix Mini TV 
> version which you can use.
> 
> As I said earlier the Android TV is exactly that, a TV running Android 
> Lollypop with all the stuff a TV should have - Electronic Programme guide etc 
> - with the usual stuff, dedicated Netflix and Youtube functions, dedicated 
> Google Chromecast streaming, facilities to use Apps from the Play store, 
> Voice search and so on.
> 
> The system is without its flaws of course, I believe that the Electronic 
> Programme Guide is a little difficult to access for example but I’m hoping 
> that perhaps their may be a workaround so one thing at a time, I’m hoping to 
> have the TV in around 3 weeks from now.
> 
> 
>> On 18 Feb 2016, at 2:04 AM, Mary Otten <maryot...@comcast.net> wrote:
>> 
>> No, the boxes I'm talking about are set-top boxes, not full tvs. The
>> Shield, which is the most expensive of the lot, runs $200 or so. The
>> nexus is the original one from google, and rumor has it that a new one
>> will be forthcoming this year. It was selling quite cheap over here a
>> few months back, on clearance, I suspect. And the Metracom, or however
>> it is spelled, runs around $100 or a tad less on amazon. My husband
>> actually bought one of them, because he wanted to experiment with Kody.
>> Again, these are strictly set top boxes, more like the Apple tv in that
>> respect, rather than being a full tv set. How android tv may differ in
>> these boxes from android tv in your set, I have no idea. Both the
>> shield and the metracom are advertised as coming with lolly pop version
>> of android tv, so it seems like they should be the same, just based on
>> that, and supposedly the two newer devices are in line for the upgrade
>> to android 6.0.
>> 
>> Mary
>> 
>> 
> 
> **
> Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
> halfwits in this world behind.
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

Re: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

[Mary Otten]

I will be interested to know how you get on with things like netflix
and other non-google things, including that program guide, although
wouldn't your program guide come from your cable or satelite provider,
assuming you have one, of course?

Mary

Re: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

[Peter Scanlon]

So does this TV work with the TAlkback screen reader?
So that one can navigate channels, look at the program guide. 
Does it also allo allow access to things like Netflics, etc.



From: Dane Trethowan 
Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2016 9:07 AM
To: PC Audio Discussion List 
Subject: Re: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

Set Top Boxes running Android are everywhere, there’s even a Remix Mini TV 
version which you can use.

As I said earlier the Android TV is exactly that, a TV running Android Lollypop 
with all the stuff a TV should have - Electronic Programme guide etc - with the 
usual stuff, dedicated Netflix and Youtube functions, dedicated Google 
Chromecast streaming, facilities to use Apps from the Play store, Voice search 
and so on.

The system is without its flaws of course, I believe that the Electronic 
Programme Guide is a little difficult to access for example but I’m hoping that 
perhaps their may be a workaround so one thing at a time, I’m hoping to have 
the TV in around 3 weeks from now.


> On 18 Feb 2016, at 2:04 AM, Mary Otten <maryot...@comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> No, the boxes I'm talking about are set-top boxes, not full tvs. The
> Shield, which is the most expensive of the lot, runs $200 or so. The
> nexus is the original one from google, and rumor has it that a new one
> will be forthcoming this year. It was selling quite cheap over here a
> few months back, on clearance, I suspect. And the Metracom, or however
> it is spelled, runs around $100 or a tad less on amazon. My husband
> actually bought one of them, because he wanted to experiment with Kody.
> Again, these are strictly set top boxes, more like the Apple tv in that
> respect, rather than being a full tv set. How android tv may differ in
> these boxes from android tv in your set, I have no idea. Both the
> shield and the metracom are advertised as coming with lolly pop version
> of android tv, so it seems like they should be the same, just based on
> that, and supposedly the two newer devices are in line for the upgrade
> to android 6.0.
> 
> Mary
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

Re: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

[Dane Trethowan]

Set Top Boxes running Android are everywhere, there’s even a Remix Mini TV 
version which you can use.

As I said earlier the Android TV is exactly that, a TV running Android Lollypop 
with all the stuff a TV should have - Electronic Programme guide etc - with the 
usual stuff, dedicated Netflix and Youtube functions, dedicated Google 
Chromecast streaming, facilities to use Apps from the Play store, Voice search 
and so on.

The system is without its flaws of course, I believe that the Electronic 
Programme Guide is a little difficult to access for example but I’m hoping that 
perhaps their may be a workaround so one thing at a time, I’m hoping to have 
the TV in around 3 weeks from now.


> On 18 Feb 2016, at 2:04 AM, Mary Otten  wrote:
> 
> No, the boxes I'm talking about are set-top boxes, not full tvs. The
> Shield, which is the most expensive of the lot, runs $200 or so. The
> nexus is the original one from google, and rumor has it that a new one
> will be forthcoming this year. It was selling quite cheap over here a
> few months back, on clearance, I suspect. And the Metracom, or however
> it is spelled, runs around $100 or a tad less on amazon. My husband
> actually bought one of them, because he wanted to experiment with Kody.
> Again, these are strictly set top boxes, more like the Apple tv in that
> respect, rather than being a full tv set. How android tv may differ in
> these boxes from android tv in your set, I have no idea. Both the
> shield and the metracom are advertised as coming with lolly pop version
> of android tv, so it seems like they should be the same, just based on
> that, and supposedly the two newer devices are in line for the upgrade
> to android 6.0.
> 
> Mary
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

[Rick Alfaro]

Mary,

I'm using the Kodi screen reader on my Windows PC but as you mentioned, it
doesn't work under Android which is a bummer. I've heard plans are to get it
working but not holding by breath for that one.

Best regards,

Rick Alfaro


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Mary
Otten
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2016 12:33 PM
To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Subject: RE: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

Hi Rick,

Are you using Kody with the Kody screen reader? I thought that was
accessible, more or less, only on the pc. 

Mary

RE: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

[Mary Otten]

Hi Rick,

Are you using Kody with the Kody screen reader? I thought that was
accessible, more or less, only on the pc. 

Mary

RE: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

[Rick Alfaro]

Understood.  I have a similar box called TWBB which stands for "The Worlds
Best Box" that comes with Kodi preinstalled and preconfigured. It's been
working great, offering latest release movies and such but recently, the
servers that have been offering up their streams have been dropping like
flys so finding good streams with the latest movies has become a chore now.
I have a feelling that they are being hunted down and being forced to shut
down but not sure.

Best regards,

Rick Alfaro


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Mary
Otten
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2016 10:05 AM
To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Subject: Re: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

No, the boxes I'm talking about are set-top boxes, not full tvs. The
Shield, which is the most expensive of the lot, runs $200 or so. The
nexus is the original one from google, and rumor has it that a new one
will be forthcoming this year. It was selling quite cheap over here a
few months back, on clearance, I suspect. And the Metracom, or however
it is spelled, runs around $100 or a tad less on amazon. My husband
actually bought one of them, because he wanted to experiment with Kody.
Again, these are strictly set top boxes, more like the Apple tv in that
respect, rather than being a full tv set. How android tv may differ in
these boxes from android tv in your set, I have no idea. Both the
shield and the metracom are advertised as coming with lolly pop version
of android tv, so it seems like they should be the same, just based on
that, and supposedly the two newer devices are in line for the upgrade
to android 6.0.

Mary

Re: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

[Mary Otten]

No, the boxes I'm talking about are set-top boxes, not full tvs. The
Shield, which is the most expensive of the lot, runs $200 or so. The
nexus is the original one from google, and rumor has it that a new one
will be forthcoming this year. It was selling quite cheap over here a
few months back, on clearance, I suspect. And the Metracom, or however
it is spelled, runs around $100 or a tad less on amazon. My husband
actually bought one of them, because he wanted to experiment with Kody.
Again, these are strictly set top boxes, more like the Apple tv in that
respect, rather than being a full tv set. How android tv may differ in
these boxes from android tv in your set, I have no idea. Both the
shield and the metracom are advertised as coming with lolly pop version
of android tv, so it seems like they should be the same, just based on
that, and supposedly the two newer devices are in line for the upgrade
to android 6.0.

Mary

Re: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

[Dane Trethowan]

Oh by the way, you'll know a Sony Android Smart TV as the TV - at least 
in Australia anyway - has something like "Sony Android Smart TV" 
advertised/stamped on it.




On 17/02/2016 4:15 PM, Mary Otten wrote:

I'm on a very high traffic android list, and there has lately been
discussion of android tv boxes, but not an actual tv set, on that list.
People have had issues making certain services that are not  directly
from google, such as Netflix, work at all with talkback.  Devices
discussed include the nexus, Shield and another one that is something
like metracom, but I'm sure I've got that spelled wrong. How much did
this Sony android set set you back? No pun intended.

Mary




--

**
Those who don't need help are prepared to help themselves

Re: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

[Dane Trethowan]

Great Pun Mary, enjoyed it .

I don't want to sound difficult but I'd rather not mention a price given 
the Australian Dollar is very low compared to the U.S. dollar and also 
for the fact that their may be far more Android TV'S available in the 
U.S. than in Australia - in fact I'm very sure of that -.


The model I'm getting is a 50 inch model and it has multiple 
inputs/outputs, an audio line-out for example plus digital out and HDMI.


You can also use a Bluetooth keyboard, Mouse or Airpad depending on your 
preference, personally I like to have all 3 devices on hand depending on 
what App I'm running obviously.


I don't know of the other boxes you've mentioned though I am interested, 
do these boxes come wiht Tuners to receive FTA TV built-in? Obviously 
the Sony set does along with a couple of USB ports and 4 HDMI input 
ports - how many damn HDMI ports does none need  -


Installing Apps is easy enough it seems, you can't get too far without 
having a Google account and thus access to the Google Play Store.  If 
you'd rather not install Apps that way and download them yourself then 
you can place them on a USB stick and use a File Browser App to find the 
downloaded Apps and install that way.




On 17/02/2016 4:15 PM, Mary Otten wrote:

I'm on a very high traffic android list, and there has lately been
discussion of android tv boxes, but not an actual tv set, on that list.
People have had issues making certain services that are not  directly
from google, such as Netflix, work at all with talkback.  Devices
discussed include the nexus, Shield and another one that is something
like metracom, but I'm sure I've got that spelled wrong. How much did
this Sony android set set you back? No pun intended.

Mary




--

**
Those who don't need help are prepared to help themselves

Re: Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

[Mary Otten]

I'm on a very high traffic android list, and there has lately been
discussion of android tv boxes, but not an actual tv set, on that list.
People have had issues making certain services that are not  directly
from google, such as Netflix, work at all with talkback.  Devices
discussed include the nexus, Shield and another one that is something
like metracom, but I'm sure I've got that spelled wrong. How much did
this Sony android set set you back? No pun intended. 

Mary

Sony Android TV Was Apple TV 4th Gen

[Dane Trethowan]

As far as I’m concerned the Apple Forth Generation TV means absolutely nothing 
whatever to me any longer now that I’ve decided to get my Sony Android Smart TV 
and I’m very glad I did the more I read about the Apple TV.

I do appreciate of course that a Sony Android Smart TV won’t be for everyone 
though it does have some clear advantages over its Apple TV and other 
competition in the market place.

Yes, there are blind people using these things so I know a fair deal about them 
already without having to have bought one and also the fact that I’m an Android 
user too with my Samsung Galaxy S6 and Android 5.11 Lollypop so I know of what 
to expect.

As far as I know Sony are the only company to manufacturing Android TV sets and 
I’m hoping this will change in time given that Google has released its Android 
TV Operating System which the Sony sets are using.

I can understand why other company’s such as Samsung are reluctant to go down 
that road right now having invested a huge amount in their own TV Hibred 
operating systems so full marks to Sony for jumping onto the Google Band wagon 
and giving us some accessible competition.


> On 17 Feb 2016, at 7:50 AM, Mary Otten  wrote:
> 
> Hi John,
> 
> Your observation about the remote being easy to use is interesting. I
> think you are the first one who hasn't encountered a significant
> learning curve, especially when it comes  to actually having to type
> something in, such as a mixed case alphanumeric password. I'm holding
> out for bluetooth keyboard access, which is supposedly coming with the
> next major release of tv os, if I can believe what I read in the
> mainstream Apple-oriented press. 
> 
> That deal where voice over cuts out has happened to me with a 2nd
> generation apple tv. It happened a lot and only quit happening when we
> experimented and connected the apple tv directly to the hdmi in on our
> tv, rather than going through an a/v surround receiver or even a sound
> bar. When connected directly to the tv, the voiceover cut out problem
> completely disappeared. Unfortunately, that also meant the rest of the
> sound from the apple tv went to the tv speakers, which are God awful.
> Just food for thought. And I have heard others report varying results
> with the voiceover cut out problem. Some have it. Others don't. And I
> haven't a clue why.
> 
> I do have a question. Can you connect the apple tv 4th generation and
> use all of its features without actually having a tv in the mix? As an
> example, with my 2nd generation product, it was not possible to watch
> netflix unless the tv was actually turned on. Netflix would not play.
> There may have been others too, but Netflix is the one I specifically
> remember. So even though I didn't need the picture, the tv had to be
> physically on, not just the surround receiver and speakers.
> 
> Mary
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.