I would like to setup an android box that automatically opens VLC on startup and then opens an m3u stream URL. I would prefer this to open automatically, so that I don't have to enter any input using a remote / kb + mouse / etc. Basically, this box would be 100% dedicated to playing a single m3u stream.
I am unsure how I would go about accomplishing this on Android. Is such a thing possible?
You could try IPTV Pro app - it allows you to start it on boot.
Would be easy if you use a remote that can do macros. So that when you switch to the devices it does shit. You could have it do the keypresses before switching. And reality, as long as you never turn it off then it should just be on that same app forever.
I'm wildly curious what the m3u is. Like what is the one and only feed you want on a box ever?
Tasker will 100% do what you need
You can use any of this boxes with any IPTV app you want to use available at the Android TV Play Store, recommended ones are Tivimate, PVR Live, among others:
Certified AndroidTV/GoogleTV boxes for the US only:
- AirTV Mini (More info at airtv.net/products )
- AT&T TV (More info at att.com/tv/device-features )
- Tivo Stream 4K (More info at www.tivo.com/products/stream-4k )
- T-Mobile TVision HUB (More info at t-mobile.com/tvision/services/hub )
- Verizon Stream TV (More info at verizon.com/products/verizon-stream-tv-gen-2 )
Certified AndroidTV/GoogleTV boxes for the US, OR Europe OR the rest of the world:
- Chromecast with Google TV (more info at tv.google )
- Dynalink TV Box (More info at dynalink.life )
- Formuler GTV (Prime Video only. Gigabit ethernet. More info at formuler.tv/gtv )
- JBL Link Bar (It doesn't have a USB port. More info at jbl.com/refurbished-home-speakers/JBL+LINK+BAR-.html )
- Mecool KM6 Classic Edition (Prime Video only. 10/100 ethernet. AV1 hardware decoding. 2GB of RAM. More info at mecoolonline.com where you can get a 15% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool KM6 Deluxe Edition (Prime Video only. Gigabit ethernet. WiFi 6. AV1 hardware decoding. 4GB of RAM. More info at mecoolonline.com where you can get a 15% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool KD1 TV Stick (Prime Video only. 2GB of RAM. 16GB ROM. WiFi 5. More info at mecoolonline.com where you can get a 15% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Minix Neo T5 (No Netflix/Prime Video. Gigabit ethernet. Remote control doesn't have a microphone. More info at minix.com.hk/products/neo-t5 )
- Nokia Streaming Box 8000 (Only for Europe. More info at nokia.com/shop/streaming-devices/nokia-streaming-box-8000
- Nvidia Shield TV (The most expensive but powerful. More info at shield.nvidia.com )
- Xiaomi Mi TV Stick (up to 1080p only. More info at mi.com/global/mi-tv-stick )
For more info about all certified Android TV devices, head over to www.androidtv-guide.com website.
Might be blasphemous here, but traditionally Raspberry Pi is used for such single purpose kiosk/display. You may have better luck there
Edit: Signage is what you are looking for