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Foss TV Remote Control App (lemmy.ml)
submitted 11 months ago by Vladomo@lemmy.ml to c/fdroid@lemmy.ml
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Hi All, wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a FOSS Android/Google TV remote control app? My phone doesn't support IR so looking for a remote control app that can connect via Wifi. TIA!

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[-] mp3@lemmy.ca 5 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Each TV brand basically has its own proprietary control scheme, so even if you find an app, it might not support your specific TV model.

Do you mind sharing the specific TV model you're looking to control?

[-] Vladomo@lemmy.ml 1 points 11 months ago

Yes, no problem at all. It's a TCL P735 tv running the Google TV OS.

I did find non-FOSS remote options in the playstore but they are all riddled with ads and are asking for too many unnecessary permission imo.

TIA

[-] mp3@lemmy.ca 5 points 11 months ago

Despite all my research, I couldn't find anything that would be FOSS and operate in a generic way.

  • I searched for a FOSS app that could pair with Google TV over WiFi, no success.
  • I searched for a FOSS app that could pair with Android over bluetooth and act as a remote, no success.
  • I searched if there was an RS232 port on the TV, a bluetooth-to-RS232 dongle could have done the trick with some configuration, alas no RS232.
  • I searched if there was an HDMI-to-bluetooth dongle that could send HDMI-CEC commands, but I'm not sure that would work.
  • Another option, if you have an audio jack would be to use a 3.5mm IR transmitter and send "sound clips" as IR transmission. Some of these dongle are able to "read" the IR transmission and convert them into "sound", which you can "play back" through the dongle.

I'm kinda out of ideas at this point.

[-] vox@sopuli.xyz 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

if it's an android tv there should be a lot of options.
even if none of them are foss you should still be able to use the discontinued android remote app. It's not foss but it's not too bloated either (it just does it's job)

[-] Vladomo@lemmy.ml 0 points 11 months ago

I looked for this 'android remote app' but a lot of options came up when searching for it. Would you be able to tell me the name of the developer please, or send me a direct download link? Thanks in advance!

[-] vox@sopuli.xyz 1 points 11 months ago

yeah Google removed it and merged it into android tv/movies app but you can still sideload the old one (you can find it online)

[-] Vladomo@lemmy.ml 1 points 11 months ago

Thanks! I think I found it online but whichever apk I download throws an error message 'this app is not compatible with your phone' when trying to install it. I'll keep looking for one that works 👍🏻.

[-] vox@sopuli.xyz 1 points 11 months ago

are you running android 14? then you're out of luck ¯_(ツ)_/¯

[-] WhiteOakBayou@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago

So you're looking for a FOSS version of Android web view or something. A FOSS chromecast controller.

[-] brian@programming.dev 3 points 11 months ago

Have you considered a hardware intermediary? My esp32+esphome+ir led is working pretty well so far

[-] vulgarcynic@sh.itjust.works 4 points 11 months ago

Do you happen to have links to a tutorial or something similar for this setup? I know my Harmony isn't long for this world.

[-] brian@programming.dev 3 points 11 months ago

I roughly followed this, but I hooked the led to 5v with a transistor, mine wasn't super reliable on 3v3. I added the buttons to a homeassistant dashboard, but I think esphome has other hooks if you don't want to set up all that

[-] vulgarcynic@sh.itjust.works 3 points 11 months ago

Awesome. Thanks for the lead!

[-] mulcahey@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Could KDE Connect work? I use that on my Android phone to control my Linux HTPC, but maybe it could work with Chromecast?

[-] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 2 points 11 months ago

Unless the TV is Foss you may be out of luck. You might be able to control it with a web interface if it has one

[-] Vladomo@lemmy.ml 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Thanks for the input, everyone! It is greatly appreciated.

My use case is that I am trying to help a young man with an intellectual disability to operate his TV. He keeps breaking his physical remote controls and whilst I try and source a new one, I am looking for a remote control app to install on my personal phone so I can at least turn the TV on for him.

I will try out KDE Connect and will also look into the Android Remote App (although no longer maintained). If this all fails, I will look into a hardware solution.

Thanks again!

this post was submitted on 19 Dec 2023
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