topic Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV in Android TV

KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

pavelpl — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 11:28:18 GMT

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

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

John_Keats — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 17:57:15 GMT

All Sony had to do, in order to allow 3D & 24p for KODI, 
was to add "org.xmbc.kodi" to that list

Is it possible to do it on your own and install modified PictureModeControl.apk ?

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

pavelpl — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 19:56:20 GMT

It is not possible due to Android security policy. Whenever you try to install other version of any application that is already intalled, Android compares certificates that were used to sign APKs. If they don't match, it simply won't allow to install it.

I think that you can bypass it with root -> which we do not have

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

Theballboy — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 12:05:19 GMT

Would really be interested in finding out whether you do get to release this or not. in the meantime im just using the tv side view app which has dedicated 3D button which works.

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

Kuschelmonschter — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 12:31:16 GMT

Interesting. Here is what I have so far. This is true for Kodi and the Video app. If I understood correctly, you say that refresh rate does not change automatically, but there is a 24p setting in the Action menu for the Video app? Will have to check that.

Still there is the problem that PAL video won't play smoothly at either 24 or 60Hz.

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

Theballboy — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 12:35:25 GMT

No im saying that there is a dedicated 3d buttom in the tv side view app remote that can be used in absentia of one in quick action menu. Cant comment on 24fps

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

Kuschelmonschter — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 12:37:03 GMT

Sorry, my question was for @pavelpl. Should have quoted...

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

John_Keats — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 16:47:02 GMT

If you watch tv, youtube, netflix, video app 24p mode is active in action menu. In Kodi and other video apps this mode is disable.

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

John_Keats — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 16:59:35 GMT

To be recognized as Video app I've used one of names listed in this PictureModeControl app

See list:

https://community.sony.pl/t5/telewizory/dla-sony-xd9305-oczekuje-dzialan-i-odpowiedzi/td-p/2280428/page/3

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

Kuschelmonschter — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 19:04:19 GMT

I just tried it. The 24p option only tries to detect 24p and turns on Cinema pro picture profile. I don't know whether this works properly for Kodi as the TV is fixed at 60Hz and the system can't know the source fps.

Also Netflix and others don't switch to 24p. The display is stuck at 60Hz in case of Android TV on Sony.

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

pavelpl — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 10:39:14 GMT

I can't tell for sure that 24p works, but compared to normal KODI version playback looks more smooth and it's comparable to build-in *****ty video app or netflix app.

I'll try to display some debug overlay in KODI, maybe it shows current refresh rate of screen.

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

Kuschelmonschter — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 10:42:39 GMT

You can enable debug logging. Kodi will then show the renderer's fps in an overlay.

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

John_Keats — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 19:06:08 GMT

There are some judder videos on youtube like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SSU-s0AUH0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnuBmVC6qnc

so generally, if they look better in 24p, than it is ok.

They look pretty horrible in Kodi.

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

davidrenji — Mon, 01 May 2017 13:36:54 GMT

hey pavelpl, I'm curious to know if you shared the kodi build you did to make it work for the 24p option on the TV? Thanks.

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

jasones — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 08:46:24 GMT

Hey guys, since I could not get modified Kodi installation anywhere, I decided to compile it myself.

After 2 days of trial and error, I managed to compile latest Kodi build with sony package name, so every Sony 3D TV should give you an option to turn on 3D while running this Kodi. The only thing that was changed is the package name, rest is original code.

You can download it here:

[URL Link removed]
It is Kodi v18 Alpha2 and it is working beautifully for me. Enjoy

BTW: with this Kodi, my TV automatically switches to 3D mode as I open a 3D movie and it gets much brighter as well.

EDIT: if you have a problem with greyed out INSTALL button, try this:

as you are presented with greyed-out Install button, press HOME and then open X-plore (or another file manager) again and click on the APK again and it should not be grey anymore. It worked for me. Just to be sure you can get back to minimized X-plore by holding HOME button which will trigger multitasking and then switch back to the file explorer. As I said, it worked for me using X-plore, but it might work for you even with others... you need to try it.

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

davidrenji — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 12:59:20 GMT

Thanks @jasones, do you know if your apk will overwrite the existing kodi installation, or if your apk will create a separate installation?

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

jasones — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 13:41:07 GMT

It will be a separate instance but with the same name and icon

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

davidrenji — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 14:31:34 GMT

Awesome! thanks man, I really appreciate it.

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

shaddowlink — Mon, 07 May 2018 15:51:54 GMT

@jasones the link seems to be removed, could you DM it to me ?

Re: KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

jasones — Wed, 09 May 2018 11:13:53 GMT

Damn, they removed it quickly.

Check your inbox