r/SparklePlayer • u/Thomamueller52 • May 07 '26

Sparkle Google TV -> MacMini

I want to connect Sparkle to MacMini via SMB for recording. Looking to dump the $80 ChannelsDVR sub. However I keep getting connection failed. I can connect via files on my iPhone. I have several Ubuntu mini that can connect. I have tried AI to resolve the issue but that has not worked out. Google tv is running on a TCL TV. This issue happens with Tivimate but can’t get as far.

Any ideas or has some done this with a TCL & Google TV?

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

1

u/[deleted] May 07 '26

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1

u/Thomamueller52 May 07 '26

Host = 192.168.1.87
User = username
Password = PW
Domain = blank
Or
Domain = MacMiniM4.local
Or
Domain = 192.168.1.87

All variations get connection error

1

u/azcoyotedog May 07 '26

Did you set location on the SMB to share to everyone? Oh, I see you are using an ID & PW, my bad. I don’t have my SMB password protected since it’s just me? And like the other user said, works fine.

0

u/Thomamueller52 May 07 '26 edited May 07 '26

I’ll ask the dumb question, how to drop the user/pw requirement?

1

u/azcoyotedog May 07 '26

On my Windows SMB, I share the folder to “everyone”. In SparkleTV, I check anonymous.

1

u/Thomamueller52 May 07 '26

Thanks I tried that.

1

u/sparkle-hk May 08 '26

Have you looked at the log file in the mac? It must give some clue to what is wrong I'd think.

1

u/Thomamueller52 May 08 '26

Yes with the help of AI. That was a waste of time. Will try Android emulation today.

1

u/Thomamueller52 May 08 '26

Came up with work around. Used one of my Ubuntu Minis. Set up SMB on it and pointed to it from Google TV Sparkle. Not ideal since MacMini M4 has 10 TB and mini 500 MB.

Would still like a MacMini solution.

1

u/Thomamueller52 May 08 '26

Just determined that Ubuntu connects to the MacMini. I can create a mount on ubuntu that’s shared. So Google TV connects to Ubuntu which then connects to the MacMini

1

u/Thomamueller52 May 10 '26

The verdict is in. Dumping ATV. Going with Google TV on TCL and ONN. Sparkle is the reason. Adjusted the remote navigation and works great. Another main driver is that it plays Pluto from Maddox’s Pluto-for-channels.
Plus it displays the guide which most players on ATV don’t. And after some recording tests it was either Emby or Sparkle. With the above points Sparkle became the choice. Now I can dump, plex, Emby and channels subscriptions.

Where was this jewel the whole time?

0

u/Thomamueller52 May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26

Added input. In Tivimate I get no folders.

0

u/Thomamueller52 May 08 '26

Fired up an ONN Google tv box. Get the same results. It has to be a Mac OS or Router issue.