Android TV ?

[johnny rico]

Hello, I tried ScummVM inside Retroarch core, works ok except some big games, but when I wanted to install native Android port, no luck with many versions...

PlayStore tell me it is not compatible.

Manual APK not better :

-scummvm-2.8.0-android-arm64-v8a > can't install

-scummvm-2.8.0-android-arm-v7a > install ok, but white screen on launch

My TV is a Philips 58PUS8545/12 on Android 9 API level 28n, AArch64 Processor rev 2, MT5887 (find the specs on Kodi )

Thanks !

[sev]

That is weird because our minSdkVersion is 16, and the target one is 33. TargetSDK was on 28 at around 2.1.1, you may try your lunch with that version, you will need to download the APK manually from here.


Eugene

[Praetorian]

We had to remove the "TV supported" category from our Manifest file when we published the 2.7.1 on Google's Play Store, since a change in Google's policy is blocking the publishing of APK packaged apps that declare TV support.

For 2.8.0 we switched (we had to) to the app bundle publishing model for the first time, but forgot to restore the category for TV support.

The "TV supported" category is now back in the Manifest file, and daily debug builds (2.9git) as well as a potential bugfix 2.8.1 release should get it.
I can't recommend testing with a 2.9git build, since there have been significant changes to path handling and may cause issues if you are switching back and forth (but especially backwards) between 2.9 and 2.8.

But running ScummVM on a TV is not much tested. I have successfuly run ScummVM on an Amazon FireTV (1080p) stick (and that required sideloading the arm7 2.8.0 apk), and I have also tested on an emulated Android TV device on Android Studio (4K, Android 12, with the x86 2.8.0 apk) and that also launched fine.

We do expect that there might be isues with some devices, but we will need more detailed feedback on what is wrong, preferrably testing with the 2.8.1 if/when it's released.

[johnny rico]

Thanks to both of you, will try and come back

[johnny rico]

OK, so 2.1.1 version can launch, telling me at first there is no sdcard mounted on my device (I have a usb flashdrive and an usb hdd connected to my TV, used for extra Android app storage and many roms/games for Retroarch) and the interface scaling of modern scummvm is way too high, I can almost read any of the menu section, tried every graphic option with no luck, same for adding games, scummvm cannot find any external storage...

I think I will go back to Retroarch one (lacking some options, and double cursor problem, but most pre-1995 games work ok

[Cognoscenti]

Wich version i need to install on our SONY Smart TV ?

Also i will need a little short how to do text

Once the apk file will be at the root of my USB stick and plugged in the USB port , what i need to do ?

[Praetorian]

It seems that Play Store expects us to set a few things (or maybe it's just a matter of uploading screenshots) before it officially distributes our app to Android TVs.

I am not sure how you'd install the app to a Sony TV. Is it Android based? If so and you are able to use a web browser from your TV apps, then you could navigate to the ScummVM official downloads page and try getting and installing an APK package for 2.9.0. This may also require setting a permission for your TV to install third party applications (you can disable the permission later of course).

On my Amazon Fire TV stick the ScummVM APK package that will launch properly is the armeabi-v7a. The arm64-v8a would not, but that may not be the case for other TVs.

If we get the app on the Play Store to be officially distributed to Android TVs, then it would automatically serve the proper files to install ScummVM on the TV.

But then, we will also probably have to consider improving navigation on the GUI with a controller (or a remote control) and I have a feeling that will not be a simple task.

[Cognoscenti]

It seems that Play Store expects us to set a few things (or maybe it's just a matter of uploading screenshots) before it officially distributes our app to Android TVs.

I am not sure how you'd install the app to a Sony TV. Is it Android based? If so and you are able to use a web browser from your TV apps, then you could navigate to the ScummVM official downloads page and try getting and installing an APK package for 2.9.0. This may also require setting a permission for your TV to install third party applications (you can disable the permission later of course).

On my Amazon Fire TV stick the ScummVM APK package that will launch properly is the armeabi-v7a. The arm64-v8a would not, but that may not be the case for other TVs.

If we get the app on the Play Store to be officially distributed to Android TVs, then it would automatically serve the proper files to install ScummVM on the TV.

But then, we will also probably have to consider improving navigation on the GUI with a controller (or a remote control) and I have a feeling that will not be a simple task.

Personally I installed Retroarch 1.9.12 on the internal ssd (Sony Android TV) and i syncronized a PS4 controller (my friend syncronized a PS5 controller to his TV) and it work flawlessly (we are able to play old roms up to PSX/Dreamcast)

simply having to move a single cursor for ScummVM is even easier.

Add the possibility to link/synchronize a bluetooth controller to the ScummVM TV app and we are in business

I volonteer to do testing if necessary