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PiTV Explorer

Overview

PiTV Explorer is an Android TV application that allows you to browse and access media files stored on a Raspberry Pi server. This app provides a TV-friendly interface for navigating directories, viewing images, and playing videos directly on your Android TV.

Features

  • Simple server connection with IP address input
  • File browsing with support for directories and various file types
  • Image gallery viewer with full-screen mode
  • Video player with playback controls
  • TV remote-friendly navigation
  • Grid view for easy browsing on large screens

Requirements

  • Android TV device (Android 5.0+)
  • Running FilePi server instance (available at PiView
  • Network connectivity between your Android TV and Raspberry Pi

Installation

  1. Download the latest APK from the Releases section
  2. Install on your Android TV using a file explorer or adb
  3. Launch the app from your Android TV home screen

Usage

First-time setup

  1. Launch PiTV Explorer from your Android TV
  2. Enter your Raspberry Pi server's IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100)
  3. Press the Connect button

Browsing files

  • Use D-pad to navigate between files and folders
  • Press Select to open folders or view files
  • Press Back to navigate up one directory level
  • Use on-screen controls to sort files or toggle between grid and list views

Image viewing

  • Navigate between images using left/right D-pad
  • Toggle grid view to see image thumbnails
  • Full-screen mode for optimal viewing

Video playback

  • Basic playback controls (play, pause, skip)
  • Video information display
  • Support for common video formats

Building from Source

  1. Clone the repository:

    git clone https://github.com/yourusername/PiTVExplorer.git
  2. Open the project in Android Studio

  3. Build the project:

    ./gradlew assembleDebug

Server Requirements

The app is designed to work with the FilePi server, which provides the following API endpoints:

  • /api/v1/files - List files in a directory
  • /api/v1/file/[path] - Get file content
  • /api/v1/thumbnail/[path] - Get video thumbnail
  • /api/v1/stream/[path] - Stream video file
  • /api/v1/search - Search for files

Ensure your server is running and accessible on port 8080.

Troubleshooting

  • Connection issues: Verify your Raspberry Pi server is running and accessible on the network
  • File browsing problems: Check server permissions and ensure API endpoints are correctly configured
  • Playback issues: Verify the media format is supported by Android TV

Future Development

  • Add search functionality
  • Implement custom sorting options
  • Add support for audio files
  • Improve UI/UX for TV remote navigation
  • Add settings screen for customization

Related Projects

  • Pi View - Flutter mobile client for the same server

License

MIT License

Acknowledgements


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Android tv app for browsing and consuming media from rasberry pi

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