Suggestion: add SAT>IP server

[lars18th]

Hi,

To circumvent the limitation from Google, can be intereting if the driver implements a SAT>IP "server". Some SAT>IP "clients" Apps are published in the Google Play. Then, if the driver uses this "API" (=Protocol) any LiveTV App can communicate with it.

Some examples of opensource SAT>IP servers are minisatip (in C) and satPI (in C++). I don't know about one project using Java. However, I feel using JNI will be possible to port some of these projects.

What you think?

[martinmarinov]

Hello. My understanding is that the actual technology that is being used is not the problem.

It is the fact that you can watch live TV. According to Google developer policies, apps should not display copyrighted content without permission. Promoting apps with screenshots from TV or other copyrighted sources is also prohibited without permission.

Aerial TV had some screenshots that appeared to come from TV channels in its description. They were actually mock-ups and came from my own photo collection (I also do photography and photo editing in my spare time). However Google refuse to believe me so they took down Aerial TV.

[martinmarinov]

I've published the full text of the concerns Google is having here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/aerial-tv/full-google-play-removal-e-mail-thread/768687113313998/

[lars18th]

Hi @martinmarinov ,

Ok. Regarding the LiveTV Apps, perhaps the problem is simple following the guidelines from Google.

However, focusing in the SAT>IP support, I proposed one idea: As several software SAT>IP servers exists for Linux, will be interesting if your driver for Linux can "mimic" the Linux DVB API. For example, the servers like minisatip and satPI use the devices "/dev/dvb/adapterX/demuX|frontendX". However, the path isn't relevant, as the source can be change to another patch, for example "/tmp/AndroidDvbDriver/dev/adapterX". Therefore if you can implement the same API (or the minimal stuff) then these servers can run in Android.

What you think?

[martinmarinov]

Hey,

The driver is indeed based on Linux kernel drivers and V4L, however it doesn't go as far as emulating individual devices. In fact I'm unsure whether you can achieve what you are describing without having root access on Android. Even if there is a way to create such "magic" files, the project would require a lot of work to get it completely on par with the native interface provided by the kernel.

The driver takes a different approach, it exposes a very simplified Java/TCP friendly interface. I think what is more realistic is to write an app that uses the driver as it is to extract IP over DVB.

Another point is that the driver currently only supports DVB-T and DVB-T2 (with some initial work on DVB-C). To get it to support DVB-S/DVB-S2 and DVB-S/DVB-S2 devices, additional work will be needed.

However in theory SAT>IP should be possible but it will require a lot of work! If you have the time to implement this feel free to send a pull request and I will take a look at it!

[lars18th]

Hi @martinmarinov ,

Thank you for your explanation! I feel you're true: it will be a best option to write an app that user your driver as it.

However, please think if I want to compile/rewrite some SAT>IP server tool from Linux for Android using your driver:

1. First task will be porting the tool to the Android platform. Using NDK and JNI this can be an easy task: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/34327711/porting-c-based-linux-application-to-the-android-platform

2. The second task is "translate" the DVB 5.x API calls (ioctl) to your driver as sharedlibrary standard func calls.

However, I don't know how to achieve se second task! Please, can you write some guide/how-to/tutorial about "porting" Linux DVB tools to your driver?

Thank you!

[E3V3A]

@martinmarinov Seem that AerialTV is back on GP. Great app, but too bad I don't have any transmissions in my area.

PS. I suggest you add a watermark to your pictures with the word "mockup" on them. Maybe that will help the google goons.

[lars18th]

@martinmarinov Seem that AerialTV is back on GP.

Great news!

Then I suggest (another time, sorry for repeat it), to add some kind of DVB 5.x API compatibility. I like to see a SAT>IP server running in Android using this good AndroidDvbDriver!

Futhermore, if @martinmarinov likes to add support for SAT>IP (as client) inside AerialTV then it will be a great function!

Thank you for your good efforts!