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[JimH]

JRiver is about to be available for another category of devices, the Android TV.  Here's the wikipedia topic:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_TV

Today, Brad was able to get JRiver for Android running on the NVIDIA Shield, a device that a number of our users have been telling us about for awhile. 

At Best Buy on Saturday, I spent some time looking for Android TV devices and there were a number of them.  It seems to be taking hold.

The advantages are that the devices are media focused and have a ten foot interface like JRiver's Theater View.  You can use them with a remote or a wireless keyboard.

From a developer's point of view, this is a new platform that gives us access to the TV.  Up until now, most TV's have been semi or fully closed systems.

[Awesome Donkey]

There's a lot of "unofficial" Android 'TV' devices out there too, that run normal Android with some TV-esk style of launcher instead of the actual Android TV OS. They should already be able to run JRiver for Android already, assuming they have a web browser installed (which they should). But they're notorious for not being able to use 4K Netflix nor do they really get updates to the OS.

The *only* official Android TV boxes I know of right now in the US are the Nvidia Shield and the Xiaomi Mi Box S. If you guys don't already have a Mi Box S for testing, I'd recommend getting one so you can check and see if JRiver for Android can run on both the two official Android TV boxes. You can get one at walmart.com or Walmart (if they have them in stock). There's Android TV-integrated TVs too (I think there's at least two).

I have the Mi Box S right now and it's a pretty neat little device. I might get a Nvidia Shield too in the future, we'll see.

[Hendrik]

While actual Android TV boxes outside of the two named above are rare, there is a bunch of TVs with Android TV built-in.

[JimH]

I have the Mi Box S right now and it's a pretty neat little device. I might get a Nvidia Shield too in the future, we'll see.

There should be a build available in a couple of hours that you could try on the Mi.  It's unlikely to be usable, but it might run.

[RoderickGI]

I would really like to see "JRiver On Android" running on my Sony Android TV, with a Theatre View style interface, and running as a Client of my MC HTPC Server.

I could then move my HTPC out of the loungeroom and out of sight, and just use the TV as I am currently using the HTPC. Of course, it would have to be capable of 4K UHD video, 3D, and the audio would have to be sorted, possibly using the Audio Out via HDMI on the TV, or maybe directly from the Server to my Receiver. Definitely some things to be sorted out there.

But being able to use a TV as a standalone Client, with Theatre View, and no other devices required, would be great. Particularly where the TV Audio capabilities were all that was required, rather than a full 5.1 surround sound system. Not that I have a bunch of TVs around the house, but some people do, and it would give me the option!

[fitbrit]

Oh, I am quite excited by this news. It would be amazing to see a fairly well-featured MC port to the Shield, especially for video of course.

[rec head]

Of course, it would have to be capable of 4K UHD video, 3D, and the audio would have to be sorted, possibly using the Audio Out via HDMI on the TV, or maybe directly from the Server to my Receiver. Definitely some things to be sorted out there.

I'm almost positive the Shield does not support 3D.

But getting a real version of MC that plays everything else on my Shield is a dream. Personally I only need it as a client.

[Awesome Donkey]

No, it doesn't support 3D. Considering 3D "is on its way out" so to speak with TVs and other devices dropping it completely, I wouldn't expect the Shield or any Android TV box would support it. I believe Nvidia has said they have no intention on supporting 3D.

[RoderickGI]

But my TV still supports 3D. I live in hope.

[rossp]

But my TV still supports 3D. I live in hope.

Ahhh RoderickGI your so last year

Ross

[RoderickGI]

Ahhh RoderickGI your so last year

More like last century, at the same time as being two centuries before my time. Just wait until you see holographic movies! 

[daveman]

How does one install JRiver for Android on a shield?

Does it work well for video?

[Awesome Donkey]

You'd have to sideload it on Android TV, because it isn't available from the Play Store yet as a 'compatible' Android TV app. But it's a lot of hassle to do it, mainly because JRiver for Android is a paid app and obtaining the APK file might be difficult. Might have to wait until it's officially supported/compatible and listed on the Play Store for Android TV boxes before using it on Shields and other Android TV boxes.

Also, it doesn't play video yet. It's still audio and images only and it's still in the early days of JRiver for Android.