Create your own Androi TV box (with a raspberry pi 3)

by Darktichaut

Hi everyone,

First of all, sorry if this topic shouldn't be on this subreddit, I didn't really where to post it.

I have a Philips TV which isn't under Android TV sadly, and it seems than I can't change my TV OS (what disturbs me is the lack of applications, and that Miracast don't work at all).

So I would like to transform my raspberry pi 3 B into an androidTV box, with which I would cast the screen of my phone (I insist on screen and not files, because lot of tutorials on youtube seems to don't understand the difference 😒).

Is there a way to do it, I didn't find anything which seems to be precisely this, chromecast alternatives seemed to can not stream the screen but only files.

That's not a problem for me to install an app or root my phone (im under android 10 but I can go back with android 9 if needed)

cr08

If memory serves (and seems a handful of search results still confirm this) the existing Android or Android TV installations for RasPi remain pretty slow and unusable for the most part. You will likely also run into DRM issues where legit paid programming from the big players won't play at all or will be at a restricted resolution.

Two usable alternatives:

  1. Look into Libreelec for your Pi. It is basically Kodi but built for the Pi and pretty well streamlined. This obviously depends on if Kodi will do what you want as far as plugins/streaming services/media/etc.

  2. Get a cheap Android TV box/dongle. There's the Tivo Stream 4k which just came out for $50 and runs Android TV, not requiring any major Tivo tie-ins as far as I know. There's also Google's own updated 'Chromecast' coming out at some point which is rumored to be around the same price point and chipset as the Tivo Stream and does run full Android TV. There's also a few others in the same price range that escape me.

Teethpasta

You can't. Android TV is locked down and only really functions with Google approval

BiggussDikkuss

So I would like to transform my raspberry pi 3 B into an androidTV box, with which I would cast the screen of my phone

That is not going to work very well - if at all !

The RPi3 is woefully underpowered for running any sort of Android TV OS, even the RPi4 really should not be used because cheap AMLogic chipset devices do it much better.

If on a budget get the $50 TiVo Stream 4K. It will be fast, with about the best WiFi and remote going around. And only cost $50

costinilie

There a two type of Android boxes.

  1. Android boxes with generic android that operate with mouse and keyboard. Any box from Chinese vendors.
  2. Android TV OS (specially for TV, like Sony) This two systems can not be compared. They are targeting different customers and deliver content in very different way. The most important thing an Android TV OS is licensing. Keep in mind that Android TV OS is made for TV, not for some cheap replacement. An those TV have something very special. Is called DRM licensing. For example Google Chromecast function need Google certification, Netfix HD, HBO Go, Amazon Prime Video and many other, all use some type of DRM protection and need at least Widevine L1 CERTIFICATIONS and WITHOUT those certification, a "clone" of Android TV is USELESS. Android TV OS (dont confuse with Android boxes) are focused on video content, streamed or locally played. Without DRM certification, non of the important services will work. There is no doubt, a Raspberry can do a lot of cool things, but a clone of Android TV OS is the most useless thing to do with a great device like Raspberry.

If someone have in mind to build an Android TV with Raspberry, it will be nothing more then a wasted money. Buy a MiBox S. Is cheap, is licensed an work beautiful!

WellRestedNocturne

Flash android tv rom on phone or just use android phone to cast through pi? I am not an expert but since I got extra phones I wonder if its possoble