Humax Aura 4k with Android TV - Now TV app support?

[Anonymous User]

Hello NowTV,

After you recently provided support for the Sony Android TV platoform, are you able to check with your teams if you have any plans to support the Humax Aura 4K DVR with Android TV?

Thanks!

[RoyB]

Hello @Anonymous User 

You aren’t talking to NowTV here, just to its customers. Though somebody from NowTV might happen along, you can’t rely on that.

But as I understand Android TV, if an app is in the Store for one Android TV device, then it’s in the Store for every Android TV device; that’s the beauty of it.

So the Android TV NowTV app doesn’t work just on Sony TVs, but will work right now on Philips Android TVs; and on the Aura, when it arrives.

As will Netflix, the total absence of which from any Aura marketing material has led several people to erroneously conclude that the Aura won’t have it. It’s certainly strange it isn’t mentioned, so there’s something going on; but unless the Aura actively declines to download it (and why would it shoot itself in the foot like that?) it can, and will have Netflix, even if not preloaded.

[Anonymous User]

Thank you for your reply, I have seen in the past NowTV staff reply so i thought i'd try and ask anyway.

So you'd hope that was the case, but they're not available on my older Sony because of the OS version, also I have seen posts that the NowTV app is also not available via the nVidia Android TV devices despite their OS.

There are also other apps like 'YouView' which are specifically restricted to Sony TVs, so it is unfortunately not as simple as it may seem, but I appreciate your response in any case.

I have also reached out to Humax support, so if I get a reply from them, then I'll post their response here in case it helps others. 

[Mark_Weinreb]

@Anonymous User , @RoyB My understanding is that the Aura has access to the Google Play Store, as well as the Google TV app store. So there is a good chance that the NowTV app will be available for download. As to wether it will work, well, that’s another matter.

Only time will tell.

[Anonymous User]

Okay that’s good to know!

I’m holding out high hopes for this box, so having now tv included will only enhance the offering. 

[Saint1976]

@Anonymous User @Mark_Weinreb @RoyB have a read through this thread

https://community.nowtv.com/t5/Set-top-boxes-Smart-TVs/Chromecast-with-Google-TV/td-p/544166/page/2

It seems that the Android TV app is locked to Sony TV's at the moment. Someone in the thread has decoded the app which does a device check with Sky servers and if it's not a Sony TV it won't open. 

That's not to say it won't work in the future but for the time being it will only work on Sony TV's.

[RoyB]

@Saint1976 

That seems to fly in the face of everything that Google stand for, and I am surprised they would stand for that. What price an open platform? But if Sony chipped in for the development, I suppose they are entitled...

Sets an ugly precedent, though.

[Anonymous User]

There has been a suggestion that the 'New' BT TV Box could be a rebadged version of this device with different firmware. If so NOWTV will as a matter of course appear. 

[Anonymous User]

I had the following response from Humax support today, looks positive!

Good Morning xxxx.

Thank you for contacting Humax, I'm happy to say that the full NowTV application is supported on our device.

Best Regards,

xxxxx
Humax Customer Support

[Anonymous User]

Did you ask how you get it in that case? 

[Anonymous User]

All being well I should have my Humax Aura delivered today, so I’ll report back on how it performs and availability. 

[RoyB]

@Anonymous User 

Cheers. I would be particularly interested to know if it is slow or speedy, and also if the ability to set remote recordings, from outside the range of your WiFi, is real.

(You can test the latter, without breaking lockdown, by switching the WiFi off on your phone and just using cellular).

[Anonymous User]

I have received my Aura today and the NowTV app does not work despite assurances by Humax Support.

When I try to load NowTV I get 'NOW TV is not supported on this device', even though I can download the app to the box.

I have reached out to Humax support and will await their response, I'll update when I have further information.

[Enapace]

Probably just a crossed wire somewhere as they do advertise on the humax website that NowTV and BT Sport are supported. 

[Anonymous User]

Yes I hope so too as it is one of the reasons I purchased the device.

[Anonymous User]

Just like the new Chromecast with Google TV then. Apart from they've now hidden the app in the store as when it was available we were also presented with the same message.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah understood, but Humax support said earlier this week in an email to me that the Humax Aura box would receive full now tv app support. 

I’m therefore awaiting feedback from Humax support on this matter, I’ll update when I receive it. 

[RoyB]

@Anonymous User 

I suggest you retch out to NowTV Support as well. They will have been the ones who put the app in the Store, and no doubt it’s the version that checks to see if it is on a Sony YouView TV and won’t work otherwise.

As I said above, such an arrangement is a very bad idea that flies in the face of everything that the Android Store stands for, and this just demonstrates that further.

[Pmx]

@RoyB 

You're misunderstanding how the play store works. Every single app uploaded to it can be set to be available to download or not on whichever devices the developer wishes. 

That could be for either compatibility, commercial or any other reason. This is why, for instance, the now tv app is available on (some?) Sony Android TV's and not the multitude of other Android TV devices, such as the Nvidia shield.

So, there's no guarantee that it'll be available in the near (or long) term on the aura. We'll have to just wait and see.

[Anonymous User]

I’m not misunderstanding anything, I know how the play store works as I’ve had a Sony Android TV since 2015, I know some apps are not available on certain devices. 

My point is I contacted Humax support and their feedback was “I'm happy to say that the full NowTV application is supported on our device.”

I contacted NowTV and just got the usual check out the devices page...

I have also contacted Humax support given their initial feedback, I’ll await their response. 

[Anonymous User]

I was advised by a human support person that now TV was available as well. I was hoping it would support the boost add-on