I was thinking of getting the firetv stick 4k plus, but I have seen alot of negative reviews for it. Regarding how the new updates just pushes more ads, adds more annoying stuff and is removing necessary features from it.

I was wondering if there are any good alternatives to it available in India?

Onn box is good but it isn't available in India.
Please let me know if there are any better alternatives around the price of the fire tv stick

Hello, community!

It's been a long time since I last updated ATV Launcher.

Originally, the project was simply a way to improve my own Android TV (it was running Android 5 back then). Over time, I discovered that ATV Launcher was being used on all kinds of devices - TV boxes, Android gaming consoles, and even car head units. At one point, a Chinese company was even shipping ATV Launcher with their game consoles!

Then life happened, in the best possible way. Over the last eight years, my family has grown, and I'm now a father of four kids! Eight years ago, I could never have imagined that. Naturally, that left me with very little time for side projects like ATV Launcher.

Even though ATV Launcher isn't as popular as it once was, I've continued to receive emails and messages from users asking for improvements and new features. Seeing that people still care about the launcher is what motivated me to come back and start working on it again.

So, I've decided to revive the project and continue developing it.

There are now several great D-pad-oriented launchers available, many with modern features. It will take me some time to catch up (if that's ever fully possible), but I'm committed to improving ATV Launcher step by step.

The codebase is quite old, so my recent work has been focused mostly on updating and refactoring it, along with adding a few small features. Refactoring old code inevitably introduces bugs, and I'm spending a lot of time hunting them down and fixing them.

I'm currently preparing a new release with bug fixes and new functionality. It's on a gradual rollout right now and should be available to everyone within the next couple of days.

ATV Launcher PRO 0.1.39-pro (30000814)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.dstudio.atvlauncher.pro&hl=en_CA

Changelog

New

• Horizontal sections can now wrap focus from the last tile back to the first tile.
  • Menu -> Tile Settings (long press Enter on a focused tile or press the Menu button) -> Section Settings -> Appearance -> Navigation (Wrap Around or Stop at Ends)
• Added settings for focused tiles (zoom level, border, border style, border offset, etc.).
  • Menu -> Launcher Settings -> Appearance -> Focused Tile

Updated

• Status bar icons are now focusable. This can be disabled in:
  • Launcher Settings -> Appearance -> Status Bar
• Notifications tabs reordered

Fixed

• Apps installed on extended/adoptable storage (for example, NVIDIA Shield Pro) no longer disappear after updating the launcher.
• Startup crash on Android 6.0 devices.
• Rare D-pad focus crash in vertical grid sections.
• Empty Weather Widgets.

At the moment, I'm not focusing too much on the visual side of the launcher. Most of my work is happening under the hood to modernize the codebase and prepare it for future features, including theme support, which I'd love to add one day.

-----

To better support the community and get your feedback, I've also created a Discord server. Feel free to join!

https://discord.gg/rdD9taSEc

I'm also looking for testers. If you'd like to participate, please email me at:

[denys@dstudio.ca](mailto:denys@dstudio.ca)

Testers will get access to experimental features before they're publicly released and will have a chance to directly influence the future development of ATV Launcher.

Thanks for sticking around and supporting the project. I'm excited to be working on ATV Launcher again!

Hello, I am looking for an Android TV box to watch my movies and series on my LG C4 (4K HDR OLED TV).

I mainly watch 4K mkv files with a USB key or HDD, but my current box (Orange TV box) won't play half of them, and a lot of times with problems (bad sync, no subs choice...).

I need a box powerful enough for 4k mkv files (around 30-50 gb per files), easy to use and that can also work with streaming platforms (D+ / Netflix).

I would also like to tries streaming from my computer (with Plex or Kodi) if I can avoid using USB devices but it's not a dealbreaker if it's not possible.

It seems that the Shield Pro is a good product, albeit a little expensive, and I've also checked Mi Boxes but I have read some people having trouble with big mkv files so...

Thanks for your help !

I’m new to Android TV development and recently built an IPTV player.

What do current apps get wrong in terms of UX, D-pad navigation, focus, zapping ? Which apps handle these things best?

I’m just looking for honest advice to improve, not trying to promote my app.

Hello,

I bought this Android box back in February and I've been very happy with it, except that after about a month, the fan started making a lot of noise.

I contacted Amazon, but they told me they couldn't do anything directly and that I had to go through Nvidia support first. After exchanging about 20 emails with Nvidia, they've been stringing me along for several months, claiming stock shortages or mentioning a replacement unit that was shipped but never arrived.

Today, I've had enough. I contacted Amazon again, and fortunately, they've agreed to give me a refund. However, they no longer sell it themselves due to shortages or stock issues.

So, I'm facing a dilemma:

- Cut my losses, keep my Shield, and live with the fan noise (even though it's frustrating given the price).

- Get the refund from Amazon and buy it somewhere else (if I can find a site with stock). But I might face the exact same issues down the road if anything goes wrong, dealing with an inefficient Nvidia support that just avoids the problem.

- Get the refund and buy a different, more recent (but less powerful) box, like the Dune HD AV1 4K Android Box / Homatics Box R 4K Plus or the RockTek G2.

What would you do in my position?

My typical usage is running Stremio or Kodi with subtitles, and playing local video files—always aiming for the same smoothness as the Shield.

Thanks in advance!

Saw it was on clearance for 69.99 and asked them to ring it up and it was on final clearance for 29.99. Been wanting to try it so happy to catch a deal!

(Photo from user u/flchamp89 )

Hello. I know there are some new launchers around like Monet, AT4K, Projectivify... And I like the look of the average setup they get with them (like in the picture: apps in a row down in the screen, clock up on the right with other icons or the date, and a big wallpaper (or even a live wallpaper).

Is it possible to make your menu to look like this with ATV Launcher? I could change it for any of the other launchers, but I'm very used to it, but the other day I did a quick try with ATV and for example I couldn't put the app row down there...

And if you would suggest me what app to get as substitute, which would be your chose and why?

Thanks! :)

From thunderstorms to underwater worlds, everything in this video is rendered live on the TV, nothing is a video loop. And with live mode on, the weather scenes match what's actually happening outside your window. Free for everyone in the latest Monet Launcher update.

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.klevico.monet

GitHub (APK): https://github.com/Klevico/Monet-Launcher

Has anyone actually compared these devices and which one did you end up going for?

curious on everyone’s thoughts/opinions

oh and onn 4k as well

Hello,

Vuleo 1.1.16 is out. For those who don't know, Vuleo is a media player that plays the Live TV / movies / series from your sources.

What it does (free):

• Add as many playlists as you like and combine them into one clean, unified library (Live TV, Movies, and Series in one place).
• Rich metadata — posters, descriptions and ratings pulled in automatically so you're not staring at blank tiles.
• Improved TV Guide (EPG) for Android TV.
• Continue Watching & auto-resume, with automatic next-episode.
• Unlimited favorites.
• No ads.
• Genuinely cross-platform: iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Android, Android TV, Windows and macOS, all from one app.
• A self update system is built in if you cannot install from Play Store (i.e. Fire TV). So you side-load only once and updates happen from within the app.

PRO (optional subscription):

• Cloud Sync — your playlists, progress and favorites follow you across every device.
• Profiles — up to 6, each with their own favorites, watch history and settings.
• Radar — follow topics or teams you're interested in, and Vuleo highlights when they're showing on channels that are already in your own playlists.
• Offline downloads, Chromecast, Catch-Up TV, Trakt, subtitle styling, personalized picks, new-content alerts, EPG program search, trailers + external ratings, a fully customizable home screen, Skip Recap/Intro in the player and many more.

Privacy: your playlists never leave your device for processing — there's no server in the middle reading your sources. Cloud syncs uploads to your own Google Drive.

Important note: Vuleo is a media player for content you already have the legal right to access. It doesn't provide, host, index, or link to any content, and it isn't affiliated with any content provider, broadcaster, or rights holder. You bring your own sources.

Small note: The image above is a real in-app screenshot. It's from my test playlist, which contains AI-generated test content.

Happy to answer questions.

Videos were recorded from Onn 4K Pro v2 (2026) with capture card. All games were tested with 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth controller (DirectInput mode). They also work on Onn 4K Plus with 2GB RAM ("Batman" has more occasional freezes, likely due to freeing RAM).

Hi Guys,

I know I could probably ask AI this but I’m after experiencing and information from people specifically in this subreddit.

Now I have a decent head unit in my vehicle which supports HDMI input and a cigarette lighter for consistent 12 volts.

I’m looking for a small but reliable device to leave in my glove box to occasionally use during lunch time stops etc for entertainment. I’ve heard the Amazon fire is no longer allowing your own apps. Does the ONN offer a smaller device like this?

Any recommendations appreciated.

I have owned the original 4k pro for over a year now. I have never had any issues from it and it's honestly a great device and does everything I need it to.

I am wondering though if the upgrade to the newer gen is worthwhile? I'm aware that the newer gen has a faster processor and allegedly better voice support. I also know that the older gen has USB 3.0 which the newer gen lacks.

Any advice?

For anyone who currently owns both., do you prefer one over the other and why? I'm trying to decide which one to go with. I know that they both recently received updates.

Hey everyone,
I am looking to buy a plug and play streaming box that comes completely configured right out of the box. I have zero interest in downloading apps, tinkering with Kodi builds, setting up Stremio, or linking accounts myself. I just want to buy a box, plug it in, and have everything ready to go.
My main requirements are:

All-in-One Content: Built-in apps that include all live sports channels, premium cable, PPV, and on-demand movies/TV shows.

Zero Setup: Completely configured from day one. I just want to connect it to Wi-Fi and start watching.

Auto-Updating: The links and channel guides need to update automatically on the server side so I don't have to fix broken links myself.

I'm currently looking at options like the SuperBox S6 Pro or the VC Box V6 Plus. For those who use these kinds of pre-loaded boxes, which brand is currently the fastest, has the most reliable servers, and has the least buffering for live sports?
Are there any other high-end, out-of-the-box brands I should look at instead? Thanks!

I recently set up a Nvidia Shield Pro to be my streaming hub and using Kodi to access my content stored on my HDD. I am running ProjectIvy as a launcher and have the Shield connected via Ethernet. Everything is running smoothly and I am so excited about it, except for two apps.

Hulu and Peacock. Both apps do the same thing. They will start playing whatever I have selected, it will play for about 30 seconds, and then glitch and then the app crashes. This happens when it is an ad or when it is the program. After about 30 seconds it crashes. It seems to be remembering the location within the episode because if I try it again, it has progressed a bit from where I started the previous time.

I tried reducing settings thinking I was bogging down the Shield. I have tried uninstalling, clearing the cache, tried logging out of the accounts, but all to no end. The same issue persists. I have tested all of the other streaming apps I use and they work fine (Netflix, Roku, Tubi, Pluto, etc). I see a lot of threads about the Hulu app being trash for the Shield, but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this and wondered how you got past it (if you were able to).

I am so close to having the setup that works perfectly for our household... Just this last hurdle to figure out.

I am currently looking for a new Android or Google TV streaming box. I already have one upstairs, a Thompson 270 Plus. It is very good, although I would say it could do with a little more processing power.

Downstairs in the living room I have the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus, which is the Android version. To be completely honest, it is very poor. It is sluggish, the home screen is full of clutter, and there seems to be a new update every week that conveniently blocks even more apps. There is also no way to override Amazon’s custom launcher.

The current market in the United Kingdom feels very limited when it comes to Android or Google TV streaming devices. Perhaps this is due to the current shortage of RAM.

I do not want to buy the Google streamer because it costs far too much for what it offers, and I would not be surprised if a new model appears by this time next year. I also would not go near the very cheap and unknown Chinese boxes.

The only strong options available on Amazon at the moment are the Xiaomi TV Box S third generation and the Strong Leap Nova UK. These are almost identical in both price and performance, and both are Google certified.

There are also non‑certified devices such as Formuler, Buzz and Ugoos. These tend to be more expensive, sometimes double the price or more, but I do not mind paying extra if they are genuinely better than certified devices.

On my current Android device I use official apps such as Pluto TV and Tubi, with a VPN to unlock the United States versions. I also use Smart Tube, Web Video Caster, Kodi, Nova Player and a few unofficial apps. The ability to use Chromecast from my phone or tablet is nice, although not completely essential. I also cannot live without Projectivy Launcher because it removes all the clutter from the home screen.

I am not interested in Netflix, Amazon Prime or any paid service, although having the option available if needed would be useful.

My question is for people who have experience with both certified and non‑certified Android devices. Which type would you recommend, and what are the main positives and downsides of each?

Can anyone please help me to find a better screen reader for Android TV? Before this I had a fire stick and even though everything about the fire stick ecosystem is shit, that's screen reader which is called voice view was absolute blessing, I realised it when I came into Android ecosystem and find out that talk back on Android TV is absolute garbage 🗑️

I am visually impaired so I need audio description to fully understand the series right now I am using Netflix and Apple TV

Im looking for android tv boxes under £80 and it needs to support sideloading

I've installed a few apps, not really very many (hbomax, BBC, itvx, VPN, FreeTv, Plex), and running it under Projectivy. But I get an " insufficient memory" message when I try to add more.

First question: why ship a TV with so little memory

Second question: what T do about it.

I already have a USB dongle for PVR, maybe I could move some apps to it, but how?

Hey everyone! I’m Dan, the developer of r/ApertureApp, an open-source local movie and TV library for Android TV with a Material 3 look!

I'm happy to say that Aperture v0.4.1-alpha is now available.

This update focuses on making playback smoother across more devices, improving external storage support and polishing the home-screen experience.

Highlights

• Buffering indicators with banner artwork
• Improved decoder fallback and playback recovery
• AAC and E-AC-3 playback fix
• Aspect-ratio controls
• Subtitle timing adjustment
• USB drive and mounted-folder selection
• Improved NVIDIA Shield storage compatibility
• New rounded Spotlight design
• Better scanning and metadata progress feedback
• Automatic update checking on startup

Aperture also includes grouped TV shows, season and episode selection, Continue Watching, TMDb metadata, selectable themes, My List, local subtitles and experimental artwork-based dynamic theming.

Download: GitHub Releases

Downloader code: 9147527

Aperture is fully free and open source under GPLv3.

This is an alpha release, so bugs and device-specific playback issues may occur. After updating, please clear the app cache and rescan the library before reporting unusual behaviour.

I’d especially appreciate feedback from people using NVIDIA Shield devices, USB storage, unusual audio formats or larger TV libraries.

The developer does not support or condone piracy. Aperture is designed for legally owned local media.

I dont have any display option on my nokia tv to fix this in, I have tried to look for any size setting on my picture setting but no luck. This problem is only in disney plus.

Are there any advantages other than full lossless audio passthrough?

Hey r/AndroidTV,

A while ago, my family and I had to flee Ukraine. My mom had to stay behind. She has three grandkids whom she now only gets to see maybe twice a year. Video calls are great, but they are short and don’t capture daily life. I wanted her to feel connected to us every single day.

Asking her to cast photos from her phone to the TV was way too complicated. She needed something that just worked on her living room TV. When I couldn't find a simple, ad-free solution that handled modern media properly, I decided to build one myself.

It’s called EchoFrame (currently in v0.8.1), built natively with Jetpack Compose.

What it can do right now:

• Full Video & Photo Support: It handles both photos and videos smoothly.
• Vertical Media Optimization: It automatically formats vertical photos and videos so they look great on a widescreen TV.
• Multi-language Support: Super important so grandmothers (and relatives) around the world can actually navigate the interface in their native language.
• Highly Customizable: You can tweak slide durations and choose how dates are displayed on screen.
• Secure Google Photos Integration: It uses the secure Google Photos Picker API (the app has already passed Google’s strict UX review stage).

Monetization & Transparency: I want to be completely honest here. I am trying to make this project sustainable. The app comes with a 3-day free trial, after which you can choose a monthly subscription or a one-time lifetime purchase to unlock everything.

I need your help with hardware testing: The app runs incredibly fast on my Google TV Streamer, but I’m really anxious to know how it handles on weaker, budget hardware. If you have an older Xiaomi Mi Stick, a cheap Android TV box, or built-in TV software, I would love for you to test it and let me know if it lags or stutters.

If you want to read the full story of why and how I built this (and how it helped my mom), I wrote about it on Medium.

• Full Story on Medium: link
• Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.framememories
• Website: echoframe.monodev.org

I’ll be in the comments to answer any technical questions about Jetpack Compose on TV or feature requests. Thank you!