Share your experience!
Hi guys,
On polish community page, for more than 1.5 year, people have been complaining about lack of 3D button in KODI. I've done some research and found pre-installed application called PictureModeControl (PictureModeControl.apk). I've decompiled this app and found out that it lists applications that are recognized as "Application (Video)" = they have 3D switch in Action menu and 24p in picture settings. All Sony had to do, in order to allow 3D & 24p for KODI, was to add "org.xmbc.kodi" to that list. As far as I remember they had at least three opportunities to do so, as they were at least 3 software upgrades.
To the point: I've created custom build of KODI (which is based on KODI fork called SPMC). To be recognized as Video app I've used one of names listed in this PictureModeControl app. I haven't release this build yet, because I'm not sure whether I can use some company's package name or not... Is it legally protected? Or it is considered just "some string"? To be honest I'm not impersonating their app (which in fact does not even exist... I think that Sony added some package-names for the future, so that they (or some external company) can release some app without neccesity to release SW update). What I'm certain of: there is a 3D switch in action menu and possibility to turn on 24p in pictre settings.
I've posted this not to brag that I have better KODI etc. (as soon as I'm sure I can release it, I will!). I just want you to know that SONY made a CLEAR DECISION NOT TO MEET THE EXPECTATIONS OF THEIR USERS - as we can see I was able to enable 3D for KODI, which means Sony could do it long time ago - they JUST DID NOT.
Tested on two 55W809C with the latest Android update (from November 2016).
Have a nice day!
EDIT: Here are some photos as a proof: http://imgur.com/a/Gkgrr
https://bit.ly/2rwy63f
@jasones sadly I cant install it. I get no error, my Install button was greyed out aswell, the multitasking "trick" worked for that, but after my TV only says "App was not installed!".
-------------- EDIT !!!! ( PLEASE READ)-------------
Found a fix: The multitasking workaround ended always in the error "App not installed" for me. I was able to get the install button showing by opening and closing the action menu aswell, resulting in me being able to install this version.
Everything works! 3D,4K,HDR,...and the best everything still works inside of the Plex addon making this a solution for people who use Plex aswell. Even direct playback works for h265 inside of the Plex addon, not even the native app does that (You have to select maximume remote quality and direct playback in plex settings aswell as enable h265 for 4k direct playback and for 3d movies aswell, transcoded 3d does not work).
I am so happy now :), only thing I am worried about is: Who maintains this version? Can you explain what you exactly did? so others can recreate it once a update is needed to mask this as a Sony app, instead of having to rely on someone to update it?
What you need is to change the app name to the one given in PictureModeControl.apk in tv e.g.
org.xmbc.kodi --->com.gaikai.client
Sony could simply add org.xmbc.kodi to the list but they don't do it
com.sony.dtv.browser.ceb com.sony.dtv.hybridcastplayer com.amazon.aiv.eu com.sony.dtv.vudu com.crackle.androidtv com.sony.rvu com.wasu.wasutvcs jp.co.sony.emcs.IpSyncDemo com.sony.dtv.photosharingplus com.sony.dtv.osat.album com.sony.dtv.musicslideshow com.sony.dtv.networkapp.wifidirect com.sony.dtv.osat.video com.sony.dtv.bivlinfo com.sony.dtv.apkinstaller com.sony.dtv.customersupport com.sony.dtv.quicksetup com.sony.dtv.networksettings com.sony.dtv.homenetwork com.sony.dtv.HomeTheatreControl com.sony.huey.dlna.renderersettings com.sony.dtv.braviasyncsettings com.sony.dtv.seconddispsetting com.google.android.apps.mediashell com.sony.dtv.tvinput.tuner com.sony.dtv.tvinput.external com.sony.dtv.tvsettingsbroadcast com.sony.dtv.irblaster com.sony.dtv.aribapp.broadcastsettings com.sony.dtv.hybridcastservice com.sony.dtv.hddmgr com.sony.dtv.shopsettings com.sony.dtv.systemapp com.sony.dtv.apksinstaller.service com.google.android.videos com.sony.dtv.softwarelicense com.sonyericsson.drmdialogs com.sony.dtv.touchpad.tutorial com.sony.dtv.timers com.sony.dtv.systemupdate com.sony.dtv.recommendationservice com.sony.dtv.irbrecommendation com.sony.dtv.networkrecommendation com.sony.dtv.woprecommendation com.sony.dtv.osat.music com.google.android.youtube.tv com.sony.dtv.sonyselect com.google.android.feedback com.google.android.music com.android.vending com.google.android.gms com.google.android.speech.pumpkin com.google.android.sss.authbridge com.android.tv.settings com.google.android.play.games com.sony.dtv.devicereg com.sonyericsson.dlna.dtcpplayer com.gaikai.client com.sony.dtv.hbbtvlauncher com.sony.dtv.rcplayer com.sony.dtv.actvilaplayer com.gameloft.android.HEP.GloftRC35 com.sonyericsson.dlna com.netflix.ninja com.amazon.aiv.us com.sony.dtv.tvplayer com.sony.dtv.configsettings com.sony.dtv.imanual com.sony.dtv.demomode com.sony.dtv.multiscreendemo com.sony.dtv.browser.webappruntime com.updatelogic.netready.da.svc com.google.android.backdrop com.google.android.katniss com.google.android.leanbacklauncher
@hctomi beat me to it
To be more precise you need to change Package Name of the application. For that, you need to compile Kodi yourself with this package name. That means you need to have some Linux distribution with all officially required dependencies installed, then you need to change Kodi config to contains new package name and then run build.
Here are the official instructions: https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/blob/master/docs/README.android
I will update it once it comes out of Alpha phase into the final release. If somebody notices so before me, please shoot me a message.
Thx for this additional explanation, I'm not from IT to knows this in detail.
Great job.
Thanks
I'm really glad that it is working for you guys, it is awesome to have your feedback.
@shaddowlink also thanks for the working features confirmation! It works better than expected indeed. It is awesome to know that you can achieve better quality than with official Plex application
Thank for the answers, the github link does not work though, you just should link to the docs and then click on readme.android. I have no idea why the direct link spits out 404
Also another question. I can nativly play back 4k h265 files inside of the plex addon, but the kodi resolution (in the settings) is greyed out at 1080p, not adjustable. Only thing I can say for sure is that the TV detects a HDR playback, but is it in 4k or not ?
I fixed the link, apparently, there was a space at the end of the link, so it did not work.
Concerning the resolution, try to press INFO button a see for yourself in what resolution your TV currently is.
Can I also ask you about your use-case of PLEX? Do you have your content on some PC which would be hard to access from Kodi?
For me, the most convenient is to access my NAS directly from Kodi or to stream using online sources.
I'll send you a DM regarding that
@jasoneswhere do I go to change the package name?
Im able to do all the steps to compile the apk but I dont know how to change the package name