AC-4 audio output from ATSC 3.0

[BrettB]

Anyway, because of your debug patch in this uiDroid version I can no longer actually play live TV with it. Only plays recordings. I'd like to be able to play live TV again.

So either you re-post a version (which I realize may only be temporary and not quite ready for prime time) that removes the test patch to force playing the AC-4 demo file instead of live TV, or I have to uninstall everything and reinstall the currently available public APK with its observed (and unusable) very very low volume issue, something I'd rather not do unless forced to. If I had to do this I would simply forget it all for now for anything involving uiDroid, and use my LG HDHR app if I wanted to watch anything on ATSC 3.0 channels, either live or recorded.

I'm not sure what you are referring to when you say "I have to uninstall everything and reinstall the currently available public APK". I don't believe that you need to uninstall anything. You simply need to install the currently released version of uidroid--a very simply process which is used every time you upgrade uidroid.

Up to you, of course. But depending on what you want to do I will then decide what to do. And of course, none of this is life-threatening or critical. It's all really just playing in the sandbox as I am only still in "pilot project" ATSC 3.0 mode for both hardware and software, given the tiny number of ATSC 3.0 channels available here in LA right now (neither of which I ever watch).

As you state, you are not actually trying to use the ATSC 3.0 channels for prime-time, every day recording and watching. And all of the ATSC 3.0 channels are available via ATSC 1.0 with (currently) effectively the same audio quality and features which you can use just fine with the full NextPVR infrastructure.

You need to keep in mind that the NextPVR core is developed and maintained by 1 single person (sub) and several of the UI clients are developed and maintained by another 1 single person (Martin). There are also a handful of us users who help with testing, making suggestions for improvements, etc. as well as trying to help provide responsive support via the forums. Despite the fact that there are really only 2 key players here, time and time again users have praised them for their quick responses and (when necessary) patches or test versions.

What you do is up to you, of course. If you want a solution which is aimed at the masses, supported by a corporation (which includes bureaucracy for changes and new versions), basically plug-and-play, and (possibly) supports expensive features like playing DRMed content, then you should absolutely go with SD's HDHR client solution. If you want a solution which (may) require slightly more effort to setup (i.e. having to sideload uidroid rather than installing via the Playstore), is extremely flexible (scripts to support all sorts of customizations like unique file naming requirements, commercial skipping availability, multi-language support, etc.), and is constantly and quickly being updated to support new features, bug fixes, and new technologies then NextPVR is probably a better bet in the long run.

[sub]

Given the choice I'd honestly rather be using uiDroid rather than LG HDHR, but I want: (a) ability to watch live TV and recordings, and (b) good true 5.1 sound with proper volume. I get that right now through LG HDHR with its inferior GUI and Guide.

I probably shouldn't mention this, but....

FYI, there is actually a LG uiclient in the works. Works pretty well on my TV, but I couldn't tell you how long it'll be before it's available...the LG store process is pretty daunting.

[mvallevand]

I want to make a correction on a statement I made. ATSC 3.0 can be 1080p so it can be better quality then ATSC 1.0 (assuming the source is good).

Martin