A remote that can do more? (Android TV)

Edward78 · 3 Jan 2022 at 18:27

We have Android TV Box 11, RK3318 USB 3.0 Ultra HD 4K HDR 4GB RAM 64GB ROM 2.4G 5.8G Dual Band WiFi with BT 4.1 WiFi 100M Ethernet with Backlit Mini Keyboard Set Top TV Box,
is there a remote that can control all in app (streaming apps) functions, it is odd having to use the mouse in Netfkix to back up in a show.

Orcvader · 3 Jan 2022 at 21:47

By any chance, is it using the same UI if Netflix was on a phone? It sounds like you're using a bog standard Android box that uses the same type of Android as phones but with a TV friendly home launcher, instead of Android TV OS, meaning apps can't detect and use the Leanback UI designed for TV/remote use. If that's the case then Netflix could be expecting you to use touch controls, hence why you need to use a mouse. Not to mention from a quick search it doesn't even have Widevine L1 DRM meaning Netflix is stuck in SD.

You might be better off replacing it with something like a Chromecast with Google TV, where apps are properly optimised for remote use.

jpaul · 4 Jan 2022 at 14:34

can you use/repurpose an amazon fire remote ... those boxes are android too.
https://old.reddit.com/r/AndroidTV/comments/6u3rzv/til_button_remapper_works_on_android_tv_allows/
but it may not be much cheaper than Orcavaders idea.

Edward78 · 6 Jan 2022 at 16:03

Product page from where I got it says Android TV Box 11, RK3318 USB 3.0 Ultra HD 4K HDR 4GB RAM 64GB ROM 2.4G 5.8G Dual Band WiFi with BT 4.1 WiFi 100M Ethernet with Backlit Mini Keyboard Set Top TV Box under brand it says Transpeed. 49% five star reviews & it came with a remote. I think it has Android TV on it.Compatiable devices list Keyboards, Televisions, making the included remote odd.

Orcvader · 6 Jan 2022 at 20:07

If the home screen doesn't look like either of these, it's not proper Android TV OS:

Does the Netflix app look like this?:

A lot of cheap Android boxes uses standard Android so apps won't know they're being used on a TV, hence why getting a new remote may not even work.

Edward78 · 7 Jan 2022 at 04:22

Orcvader said:
If the home screen doesn't look like either of these, it's not proper Android TV OS:

Does the Netflix app look like this?:

A lot of cheap Android boxes uses standard Android so apps won't know they're being used on a TV, hence why getting a new remote may not even work.

Yes, I can send you a link of where I got it, but email. I know here you guys don't like it to be posted. It was just $55ish though.

Orcvader · 7 Jan 2022 at 13:11

I don't think you're fully getting the point. If the Netflix home UI does not look like the one I just shared, then a new remote won't fix the seeking problem you're having since it's not the TV version of Netflix.