PikTV App for Shield TV?

[mrhector]

Curious if the PikTv box is required for this service.  I already own a Shield TV that runs Android TV and am wondering if I can just get the app for my device.  

[NFtoBC · Accepted solution]

You can download the App to a number of devices, but  the Telus branded device is part of the package. You can't currently subscribe to the service without the device purchase.  I expect in part this is to address trouble calls. The Telus device is known. Trouble-shooting any of a plethora of potential devices would likely become very problematic.

Also, on devices other than the Telus device, you would pay for all the data downloaded. Data for the Pik Application on the Telus device is zero-rated, which may obviate the need to purchase the unlimited data package.

[mrhector]

Dam, that's too bad. Understandable but unfortunately also limits the audience.  Hopefully they open it up in the future, not willing to downgrade from my Shield box. Thanks for the info. 

[NFtoBC]

@mrhector

You could use either or both, depending on the situation.

[xl]

Keep in mind.... having the PikTV App on the Telus set top box will mean no impact to your monthly data allowance.  On Shield.... it will add up.

[mrhector]

Doesn't appear they have the Android TV app available to install.  Found the Pik TV app in the Play Store but it only shows my phone and tablet as options to install, won't let me install on the Shield.  😞 Was hoping the service would be more portable similar to Sling, having to buy specific outdated box from the provider kinda sucks.  

[Kyle_Geddes]

The shield is a fantastic Android TV platform, but the Pik TVBox is no slouch @ 2Ghz & with 2Gb of DDR4 Ram. - the BCM7252 SoC is the latest from Broadcom, and it incorporates the VideoCore V HW (V3D-530) GPU. Kodi/android and other apps don't yet even have the capabilities to take full advantage of this gpu (it's currently working with the existing MediaCore hardware acceleration that the previous VideoCore IV GPU works with) Once development happens for this specific GPU, we can expect some amazing performance! The specs are actually identical to what is supported by the Shield in terms of video & audio formats and resolutions, (except VideoCore V can do quad 1080p output, in addition to 4Kp60). The wireless in the Shield is a 2x2 MiMo, but the Pik TV box has 'Carrier grade' 4x4 WiFi via a dedicated BCM4366 SoC.

So.. for sure the Shield has a few more bells and whistles.. but for $100 for the Pik TV box is definitely worth considering for a second TV!

[mrhector]

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@Kyle_Geddes wrote:

@The shield is a fantastic Android TV platform, but the Pik TVBox is no slouch @ 2Ghz & with 2Gb of DDR4 Ram. - the BCM7252 SoC is the latest from Broadcom, and it incorporates the VideoCore V HW (V3D-530) GPU. Kodi/android and other apps don't yet even have the capabilities to take full advantage of this gpu (it's currently working with the existing MediaCore hardware acceleration that the previous VideoCore IV GPU works with) Once development happens for this specific GPU, we can expect some amazing performance! The specs are actually identical to what is supported by the Shield in terms of video & audio formats and resolutions, (except VideoCore V can do quad 1080p output, in addition to 4Kp60). The wireless in the Shield is a 2x2 MiMo, but the Pik TV box has 'Carrier grade' 4x4 WiFi via a dedicated BCM4366 SoC.

So.. for sure the Shield has a few more bells and whistles.. but for $100 for the Pik TV box is definitely worth considering for a second TV!

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Thanks for the specs Kyle, it definitely sounds like beefy little device.  It's just a shame that the service is tied this specific device in order to watch it on a TV. Would be great if we could just install the core AndroidTV app on 3rd party devices.  I would consider even getting the device for a second TV if I could still use/watch the service on my main one.  I know the service is new but hopefully in the future it can be offered as a stand alone service, gotta start somewhere though.    

[Kyle_Geddes]

I believe the limitation is due to the fact that both the Shield and the Pik TV box are "certified Android TV devices", which forces them to recognize limitations placed on apps within the play store. FWIW -  I actually have the PikTV app installed on two other 'uncertified' android TV boxes, and it's working fine (el-cheapo imported amlogic s905 devices).

[captainnapalm]

So is it possible to sideload the PikTV apk onto other Android TV boxes (such as the Shield)?

[NFtoBC]

Some, yes. The Shield, apparently no.

[Grencola]

Kyle Geddes, except it doesn't seem to support any HD Audio formats 😞 a quick Google search of the chipset (Broadcom BCM7252S) says it's limited to dolby digital plus, and the plus is even optional on select devices lol. I've been using this box for quite sometime and have tried literally everything possible to get dolby truehd or dts-hd ma (hell even standard dts won't passthrough) and it just simply doesn't support them 😞 if you've gotten this to work anywhere at all, not even just kodi, pleease let me know, I'm almost certain I have no options left to try though!

[Kab]

You can side load the pik app on shield tv. Download the apk  on a USB key and your off to the races. Just do a quick search for the pik apk.

[captcrunch]

Just did the side load on to my Shield TV and it loads the app but stays at the loading screen with Pik TV displayed so it does not look like it works.  

Kinda of a let down that there is no Cast support from the mobile app to make up for this.

[mrhector]

Dam, shame it still doesn't work on the Shield.  Was thinking of getting the box for my kitchen tv and just installing the app on my main that's connected to the Shield. Although now that Plex added ability to stream live OTA tv I can get most of the channels already with just a small antenna. 

[NFtoBC]

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@mrhector wrote:

... I can get most of the channels already with just a small antenna. 

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You're fortunate. No OTA in my community since digital TV replaced analog.

[xl]

I thought modern TV had tuners for digital TV's.

How old is your TV?

[NFtoBC]

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@xl wrote:
I thought modern TV had tuners for digital TV's.

How old is your TV?

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@xl, it is not the age of the TV, but that there are no broadcasts in my area.  The analog transmitters were removed, but not replaced with digital.