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DIRECTV App for Android Tablets v1.1.3: Initial Release Discussion

34K views 168 replies 69 participants last post by  dorfd1 
#1 ·
#79 ·
I discussed a problem with this app in an earlier post with the app having a problem finding all the Receivers/DVRs in my network. I have the app running on a Xoom and on a Nexus 7 (side loaded). On both tablets, it was quirky shortly after I loaded the app. On the Xoom, I originally had only 4 devices show but after a bit of tweaking, all 6 boxes did show up. In my tweaking, I had looked at both places that the list of "receivers" show up. During this initial period, I also looked at the receiver list in the older DirecTV (version 2.4.0) app and they were out of sync with each other. Example: In the new app, my HR34 did not show in the 'Select your Receiver' button on front screen but did show in the 'Receiver Control' under the 'gear' icon.

On the Nexus 7 I had a bit more problem. It also initially showed only 4 receivers but there were different ones missing. It would not find the 2 HR21's and when it went to build the Playlist (one of the HR21's was in the list of receivers, one was not at this time), it would only find the recordings on the HR34. The list of receivers under Receiver Control listed an IP address that doesn't exist on any box in the network and was outside of the DHCP range. I checked the active address list in my router and this IP didn't show up there either. The only thing that appeared to do something constructive on my side was after changing location name in the DirecTV account equipment in the DirecTV website, I saw twice that the list had become closer to correct (I tried changing location names to see if this would propagate to the tablets).

After all this tweaking, the list on both tablets is correct and seems to be holding. Since there isn't an Issue thread for this app, this seemed the correct place to record what had happened. Appears to me that app appears to query the boxes in your local network as well as the equipment description from the DirecTV website and something isn't getting tied together first try.

BTW, the six 'receivers' are 2 H21's, 2 HR21's, 1 H25 and 1 HR34.
 
#82 ·
I don't think this app allows the viewing of DVR recordings on your tablet, spartanstew. This app is the android equivalent of the DirecTV app for iPad and I know you can't play recordings on that.

For that feature, you need to have a nomad, which does not have a compatible android app yet. That app is supposedly coming soon.
 
#85 ·
mrdobolina said:
Is the Android app not compatible with the Galaxy Tab 2?? What size is the GT2? That seems crazy that you had to sideload it considering the Galaxy Tabs are considered "premium" android tablets. (Aren't they???)
Nope and it's two GT2, a 10" and a 7". Chances are it was a 7" he had to sideload.
 
#86 ·
The tablet app doesn't seem to work if you don't have a connected home. Consequently, I can't even use the app to set recordings. I like the guide but I can't go beyond looking up programs as the app doesn't see either of my receivers.

The phone app is more user friendly for my purposes. I can set recordings for both of my receivers. I can also stream video with DirecTV Everywhere
 
#89 ·
Lazy Senior said:
yes, I finally figured it out, it is not intuitive. On the Home screen scroll the screen left and you will get the Customize Layout and Content Screen. Hit the plus button for a new screen. On add a module, add the Live TV Streaming module. Go back to the home screen and stream. There are quite a few channels to stream.

update: I just counted 53 channels to stream. This probably varies according to your package. I have the Entertainment package.
Thank you so much Senior!

I love, love, love this app! I side-loaded it onto my Kindle HD 8.9 and it works like a dream. It is very cool to be able to use my tablet as a remote, view my dvr lists from any dvr in the house, and set up recordings all in one place. Of course this means I will have to remember to keep my tablet charged! LOL

Here comes the wishlist part... I do hope that Directv will eventually allow us to stream our dvr recordings to the tablet. Now that would be the PERFECT app.
 
#90 ·
Holydoc said:
Here comes the wishlist part... I do hope that Directv will eventually allow us to stream our dvr recordings to the tablet. Now that would be the PERFECT app.
My wife does this with the nomad and her ipad... Android is supposed to be coming soon... can't wait, but it's been over 1 year and I guess soon is more than 1 year... :)
 
#91 ·
Racer88 said:
Installed via the linked file on a Nexus 7 and haven't noticed a single problem so far...

Though I guess it's intended, the remote being in landscape mode is pretty dumb. Would be much better in portrait mode.
I'm another Nexus 7 users that side-loaded. Found another interesting tidbit that isn't quite right.

When selecting a program from the playlist, the buttons at the bottom-right that allow you to delete the program (among other things) are cut off on the left and right.

THIS is probably why only 10" tablets are supported right now. The UI design was probably done for larger format screens only. It certainly isn't the underlying functionality as that's (more or less) consistent across devices thanks to the underlying Android OS.
 
#92 ·
racermd said:
I'm another Nexus 7 users that side-loaded. Found another interesting tidbit that isn't quite right.

When selecting a program from the playlist, the buttons at the bottom-right that allow you to delete the program (among other things) are cut off on the left and right.

THIS is probably why only 10" tablets are supported right now. The UI design was probably done for larger format screens only. It certainly isn't the underlying functionality as that's (more or less) consistent across devices thanks to the underlying Android OS.
never had those issues on my 4 inch galaxy player. maybe if you change the nexus 7 dpi to 160 your issue might be fixed.
 
#94 ·
jimstick said:
You are right. I can't watch recorded shows on my tablet, I can only select them to watch on TV. Sorry!:nono2:
To me, that makes this app junk.
 
#96 ·
hdtvfan0001 said:
This app serves a different purpose than the specific need you identified.

The nomad clients offer the capabilities you referenced.
To elaborate on "maybe". nomads main purpose is to allow you to take your shows with you (when you travel, etc.), and while you can certainly watch recorded shows via tablet in your own house with nomads, it's not really the main purpose.

It would be nice if the DIRECTV app allowed you to watch recorded shows while on your own home network, for times when you aren't near a TV (occasional project in the garage, when the wife is getting ready in the morning, out on the deck/patio, etc.). Most of these instances don't always lend themselves to preparing in advance and stocking shows on your tablet via Nomad.

So, while the two things may serve different purposes, it would still be very convenient if this app allowed you to watch your recorded shows while at home.

As it is, since most already have a remote (and I already had one on my tablet and phone too), and don't necessarily have issues seeing their playlists and scheduling shows, the app has limited appeal - although cool.

Adding the ability to watch shows (if possible) would give it universal appeal.
 
#97 ·
spartanstew said:
It would be nice if the DIRECTV app allowed you to watch recorded shows while on your own home network, for times when you aren't near a TV (occasional project in the garage, when the wife is getting ready in the morning, out on the deck/patio, etc.). Most of these instances don't always lend themselves to preparing in advance and stocking shows on your tablet via Nomad.

So, while the two things may serve different purposes, it would still be very convenient if this app allowed you to watch your recorded shows while at home.
No doubt it would be appealing...but it's much more dependent on the bandwidth of Internet speed at an out-of-the-home location than the app itself. Many hotels, airports, and other remote WIFI sites fail miserably with delivering reliable and sufficient speed for streaming.

In contrast, the nomad has no such dependencies in that you can take your recorded content with you and view anywhere/anytime. For that main reason, I prefer it over any streaming-based solution.
 
#98 ·
hdtvfan0001 said:
No doubt it would be appealing...but it's much more dependent on the bandwidth of Internet speed at an out-of-the-home location than the app itself. Many hotels, airports, and other remote WIFI sites fail miserably with delivering reliable and sufficient speed for streaming.

In contrast, the nomad has no such dependencies in that you can take your recorded content with you and view anywhere/anytime. For that main reason, I prefer it over any streaming-based solution.
I agree, but that wasn't my point.

Allowing the app to stream recorded shows would not be dependent on bandwidth or internet speeds at an out-of-the-home location, because it would be used for doing so IN-HOME.

nomad - watch shows when you travel.
Directv App - watch any show on your tablet when home.

I never suggested the app should replace nomad, it should just be improved - but they'd still be two different things.
 
#99 ·
spartanstew said:
To elaborate on "maybe". nomads main purpose is to allow you to take your shows with you (when you travel, etc.), and while you can certainly watch recorded shows via tablet in your own house with nomads, it's not really the main purpose.

It would be nice if the DIRECTV app allowed you to watch recorded shows while on your own home network, for times when you aren't near a TV (occasional project in the garage, when the wife is getting ready in the morning, out on the deck/patio, etc.). Most of these instances don't always lend themselves to preparing in advance and stocking shows on your tablet via Nomad.

So, while the two things may serve different purposes, it would still be very convenient if this app allowed you to watch your recorded shows while at home.

As it is, since most already have a remote (and I already had one on my tablet and phone too), and don't necessarily have issues seeing their playlists and scheduling shows, the app has limited appeal - although cool.

Adding the ability to watch shows (if possible) would give it universal appeal.
Exactly...Like DirecTV2PC, but DirecTV2Tablet...it would be perfect...
 
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