TCL Android TV is Terrible and I'm confused

by bzmills

For something that I thought should be simple and work seamless with the Google Home ecosystem, I'm very disappointed in the TCL with Android TV experience. I finally gave up on Android TV and now I can't pair the remote of my CCwGTv with the TCL (says it's not supported).

Why I'm giving up on AndroidTV:

  1. Adding to Google Home took some workarounds.
  2. Can't turn on with Google Home (the device is not recognized with TV is off).
  3. You have to be very specific with your commands or it doesn't work. You can't just say "turn off tv" like I could with other GH devices.
  4. Can't add the TV as a Audio Group
  5. Paired with my Soundbar through HDMI Arc is terrible for controlling volume. It doesn't show your volume level until a few seconds after hitting the button and often goes way higher or lower than you want.
  6. Can't control volume with the Android TV app.

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I bought into an Android TV because I'm trying to stick with the Google Home ecosystem, am I crazy for thinking this should have worked better than a Roku TV? I guess I'll be going back to a Roku TV, at least it will work with my CCwGTv (just seems stupid to buy a smart TV then have to plug an external device into it to change the software platform).

Gongui

Fellow TCL user here. I own a TCL 50p8m.

I can't pair the remote of my CCwGTv with the TCL

Normally, if you want to use only one remote, you use the tv remote to control the chromecast, tvbox or console.

For that to work you need to enable cec support on both devices. On TCL it is under the name of "T-link" on settings (do it with the chromecast connected).

  1. Never had that problem.
  2. You need to enable "Network discovery" (under network settings) for that to work. Otherwise when you turn off the tv will disconnect from the network. It may take a few seconds to turn on.
  3. That happens if you have more than one TV or atv box on your account. There is an option on Google Home app to choose the default tv. You can also tell "turn off your_tv_name" or "turn off bedroom" (if it is assigned to a room).
  4. Are you trying to use the tv as a speaker? Xiaomi mi stick doesn't even appear as an option. Maybe ATV is not supported.
  5. Can't help you with this, since i don't own a soundbar. The volume bar is slow as hell to appear. Probably a future update will fix it.
  6. It works fine for me.

Some of the problems are solved updating the TV's firmware, v606 works fine on my experience.

You can find new updates on this xda thread , check the new messages.

Pretty much all TCL and RCA tvs share the same firmware, you can search your tv model to be sure if it is supported.

bzmills

I should note, I'm trying to setup whole home audio. I've really enjoyed the GH audio groups and it works great with my Google Home Max, Nest Mini, and Nest Hub Max. However, my TV sound system is a far better source for audio than any of these devices so it would make sense for it to be a source which can play in an audio group. The CCwGTv actually did a good job turning my TV into a GH audio source. The native approach of using Android TV seemed to make the most sense but it's failed me so it seemed reasonable to just add the CCwGTv back and now I can't believe it has failed me too.

bzmills

I was finally able to get the CCwGTv remote paired with the TCL Android TV after several attempts. However, my new issue that surfaced was with the working distance of the remote (which I assume it using an IR sensor). I can't get the CCwGTv remote to work any further than 4 feet from the TV (not feasible). The TCL with Android TV remote works well from further distance.

Given this, I am still not able to feasibly use the CCwGTv with my TCL with Android TV.