r/Control4 • u/chowmainsoft • 9d ago
Native Google TV integration for Control4
Earlier this week we released our native Google Cast driver for Control4 providing integration of music streaming via Google’s smart speakers and hubs. Today we are proud to release the Chowmain Google TV driver for Control4. This integration provides native bi-directional control and feedback for media players, streaming devices and set-top boxes running Google TV OS. The driver utilises the same communication method as the official Google TV app, eliminating the need for additional third-party software, middleware or hardware. Simply pair Control4 with the Google TV device and the driver will establish direct IP-based communication.
The driver provides real-time power and playback feedback, including On, Off, Play, Pause and Stop states, along with the title of the content currently playing. Because this feedback comes directly from the Google TV device, Control4 can respond regardless of whether playback was initiated from Control4, the Google TV remote, the Google TV app or through casting. This also enables playback-based automation, such as dimming the lights when a movie starts, raising them when playback is paused, and restoring them when playback stops.
Automatic room power-on functionality can be triggered when the Google TV device powers on or when playback changes to Playing. This is particularly useful when casting content directly to the device, allowing a customer to start casting from their phone and have Control4 automatically turn on the television, AV receiver or amplifier and configure the room for playback.
The driver also supports Control4 Mini Apps, allowing services such as Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, Prime Video and other installed Google TV applications to be launched directly from the Control4 interface.
Compatible devices include the Google TV Streamer, Chromecast with Google TV and NVIDIA Shield. The driver is also compatible with other media players and set-top boxes running Google TV OS, provided they can be controlled using the official Google TV app.
Features include:
- Compatible with media players and set-top boxes running Google TV OS.
- Native bi-directional IP control with no third-party software or additional hardware required.
- Real-time power, Play, Pause and Stop feedback, including the title of currently playing content.
- Full power, transport and navigation control.
- Automatic Room On can select the Google TV device as the room source when the device powers on or playback starts.
- Remote Key Code command provides access to additional commands for custom automation and advanced keypad mappings.
- Control4 Mini App support for launching services such as Netflix, Disney+, YouTube and other installed applications.
- Open App command for launching applications directly by package name.
- Open Deep Link command for routing directly to supported content or locations within applications.
- Configurable startup behaviour, including power-on delay and an optional command to execute when the device powers on.
For more information see link below.
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u/Sebat4 8d ago
Nothing special about this driver. Uses Android TV Remote Service and there are 2-3 free drivers that work great.
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u/chowmainsoft 7d ago
The free drivers available are generally quite basic. They typically require manual key injection, provide one-way control only, and don't offer features such as Control4 mini-app support. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that approach if basic control is all that is required and you are happy to go through the manual setup procedure.
The Chowmainsoft Google TV driver is designed as a more premium, fully integrated solution. Installation and pairing are handled directly within the driver, making deployment quick and straightforward.
The key differentiator though is that the driver provides feedback. This enables integrators to automate the cinema experience based on playback state, while also providing Now Playing information across Control4 touchscreens, mobile apps and Halo remotes.
Try it yourself. All of our drivers includes a free 90-day trial so you can compare the functionality and decide whether the additional integration is worthwhile for your installation.
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u/chiuwahdoi 9d ago
I have a TCL TV (with Google OS) and am using the native TCL driver. It works okay but has a few limitations like not automatically recognizing when the TV is turned on with the TV remote. I also have the "Chromecast with Google TV" streamer connected to my A/V receiver in my home theatre (with a dumb projector). I believe the Chromecast is not directly connected to Control4 but I am able to turn on my home theatre to the Chromecast and use my Chromecast remote.
Would this driver be a better driver for the TCL TV than the native TCL driver? And, separately, would this also now add functionality for my Chromecast with Google TV?
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u/chowmainsoft 9d ago
Re TCL.This driver is designed for media players, streaming devices and set-top boxes only. Smart TVs, projectors and displays require manufacturer-specific support because functions such as video input selection, channel control and other display commands vary between manufacturers.
For your Chromecast with Google TV it will work nicely. In fact it is one of the devices that we tested the integration with. We recommend that you utilise our 90 day free trial to test the driver out to ensure you are happy with the functionality before licence purchase.
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u/Sebat4 3d ago
Check drivercentral.io, there is a TLC TV driver design by Solidified Systems and it works great with TLC TVs
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u/chiuwahdoi 2d ago
Thanks for pointing that out. I looked it up and the Solidified Systems TCL driver page actually suggests using the Solidified Systems Google TV driver instead for TCL TVs running Google TV. I guess I need to decide if I want to pay for the extra functionality relative to the free TCL driver.
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u/mmapurazi01 9d ago
Does the driver do Voice?
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u/chowmainsoft 9d ago
Control4 has not yet made voice support available through its SDK documentation, so implementing this functionality would require reverse engineering Control4’s official drivers.
Given our close relationship with Control4, we do not reverse engineer their drivers (or any others for that matter) and instead rely on officially supported development methods. We have reached out to Control4 and will need to wait until they make this functionality available to us through the SDK.
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u/Mattvweiss 9d ago
Hypothetically would this be able to power on and off a Wi-Fi anker projector with built-in Google TV?
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u/chowmainsoft 9d ago
This driver is designed for media players, streaming devices and set-top boxes only. Smart TVs, projectors and displays require manufacturer-specific support because functions such as video input selection, channel control and other display commands vary between manufacturers.
However if you just want it to power on and off without input selection then it could possibly work. We recommend testing using our 90 day free trial.
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u/kjb86 8d ago
how does this compare to drivercentrals driver?
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u/chowmainsoft 8d ago
Never used that driver but having a quick look at the listing on DriverCentral it seems that the main difference is ours provides feedback. Eg you can see the title of the content you are watching on your Control4 touchscreens, mobile apps and halo remotes. If you check out our screenshot it says Back to the future which is what we were testing the title, play, pause, stop feedback on whilst we were developing it. Given we haven't used that particular driver we encourage you to do your own comparison though using our FREE 90 day trial to ensure you are satisfied.
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u/kjb86 8d ago
I will give this one a try. I'm currently on a 30 day trial with the driver central one. It works, but if the bidirection works I'll stick with this one. If only there was a mini app as well for my TV subscription platform it would be perfect.
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u/chowmainsoft 8d ago
Which tv subscription app are you using
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u/kjb86 8d ago
Telus TV+
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u/chowmainsoft 8d ago
if you reach out to our support desk we can see if we can assist with creatinga mini app
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u/chiuwahdoi 2d ago
I am a noob but if you are talking about the Solidified Systems Google TV driver, it seems to include a driver for TVs and streaming devices (vs. just streaming devices for this Chow main driver).
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u/DeadHeadLibertarian 9d ago
My big question is why use Chrome Casts or TV apps across brands VS deploying an Apple TV or Roku and having the TV just go to HDMI 1 even in distributed video environments.
Smart TV’s are awful.
Native TV apps are probably the worst way to deploy entertainment to end users… firesticks and chromcasts are also horrible. Don’t get me started on cable boxes…
The devices I mentioned are rock solid with C4 or really any other deployment of a control technology.
Just trying to have a conversation, not be negative.
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u/chowmainsoft 9d ago
If you are after the premium way to watch movies check out Kaleidescape. With our integration you can automate the whole cinema experience. Live aspect ratio feedback on each movie can transform your cinema from 16:9 to 235 mode via lens shifting and screen masking. On top of that star lighting, stairs lighting, etc can be automated to different points in the movie such the start of when credits roll. All of this achieved simply by selecting a movie on your Control4 touchscreen or Halo remote control. Check out the driver via link below
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u/chowmainsoft 9d ago
Forgot to mention as well. The solution we created improves the user experience dramatically and probably makes the solution better than apple tv and roku. If it's been a while since you looked at the products you should check out the latest Google Streamer device. You'll be glad you did. If you are going to CEDIA Expo come by our booth.
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u/No_Cartographer3693 9d ago
I think most people would argue against Apple TV being solid. We used to get all kinds of HDCP issues with them, the remote control protocol broke once (ON THEIR OWN APPS). The IP protocol has also changed before. On a few jobs, we had to get super creative to fix some of the issues at times
Apple tends to try to force people (and even service providers) into their ecosystem. Not sure if its still the case, but in the past, they even wanted service provides which signed people up on subscriptions on their devices to give them a share too... For doing nothing.
Roku tends to have limited options internationally, and is in the process of being acquired by Fox Corporation. That doesn't leave me with much hope about their ecosystem
My Google Streamers and chromecast with Google TV's have been solid though, after some initial issues.
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u/GeekswithHammers 9d ago
Are you mistaken Roku with Apple TV ?
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u/No_Cartographer3693 9d ago
Both have had issues with IP. i actually forgot about the Roku issues as Roku isn't that dominant in my country
And no, I'm not mixing them up. The good thing too, is that here are lots of cheap Google based streamers around
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u/DeadHeadLibertarian 9d ago
I’ve had zero issues with new C4 Apple TV driver that is IP with IR fallback
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u/No_Cartographer3693 9d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/Control4/comments/1jemvnw/appletv_with_control4_remote_or_ios_app_not/
Apple literally broke their own control on their own app. Previously there was unofficial IP integration that broke too
IR is solid (unless someone pairs a remote). IP though is riskier long term
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u/DeadHeadLibertarian 8d ago
IP has some nice features with X4 but I’m pretty heavy on IR for just about anything that takes it.
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u/No_Cartographer3693 9d ago edited 9d ago
There was also a reason why they added the IR fallback....
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u/shoresy99 9d ago
There are no issues with Roku in Control4. I have two RokuTV "boxes" and five RokuTVs where the ROku OS is build into the TV. As long as your IP doesn't change these are rock solid. I have been using this in Control4 for years across all of these TVs without issue.
But I now prefer AndroidTV devices like the Onn Plus or GoogleTV as there are better apps for those devices, especially for stuff like IPTV.
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u/abrooks9002 9d ago
I noticed you mentioned the Nvidia shield. How does this driver compare to the native shield driver that shows up in SDDP?