KODI with 24p and 3D on 2015 Android TV

[pavelpl]

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

[pavelpl]

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.

[Kuschelmonschter]

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

[John_Keats]

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.

[davidrenji]

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.

[jasones]

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.

[davidrenji]

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

[jasones]

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

[davidrenji]

Awesome! thanks man, I really appreciate it.

[shaddowlink]

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

[jasones]

Damn, they removed it quickly.

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