topic Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV in Android TV

How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

bruno.miguel.leal — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 20:22:34 GMT

Hi all,

I bought a 55XE8596 and I've installed an app that I couldn't install from Google store. Now it loads in portrait mode instead of landscape mode. Anyone knows how can I force the landscape mode in the TV since Screen settings are disabled in the TV?

Thanks.

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

adamski99_uk — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 07:34:59 GMT

Bruno,

You can't force the screen orientation for non applications that weren't specifically written for Android TV.

Kind Regards

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

bruno.miguel.leal — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 07:43:02 GMT

And the logic of that is?

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

royabrown — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 09:33:55 GMT

@bruno.miguel.leal wrote:
And the logic of that is?

Portrait isn’t really portrait, as it would be on an iPad, say.

It’s actually landscape with the video rotated 90 degrees, the aspect ratio preserved, with resizing if necessary, and black or grey bars added either side.

It’s a big ask to expect the TV logic to get this right for an app it doesn’t officially support.

AIUI, there isn’t a Portrait/Landscape option even for official apps, just that those apps can negotiate what they want with the OS; but if you don’t like that, there’s nothing to press to alter it.

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

bruno.miguel.leal — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 10:16:47 GMT

I believe It's really not big to ask access to TV orientation to change it when I want...I really don't understand why this is not available by default. What if I want to use the TV connected to a computer and use it vertically?

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

Kuschelmonschter — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 10:20:34 GMT

Those apps were never meant to be used on a TV with its controls. That's why they might not work as intended. You can try to contact the dev and ask whether he/she wants to release an app which is built for the TV.

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

bruno.miguel.leal — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 10:26:17 GMT

This app is to watch TV (legally) in my phone/tablet, but I want to watch in my TV. I believe that is more than fair.

I can't ask the TV provider to do that for me as they are not providing the service for 1 user only.

I really can't understand why Sony blocks this feature in Android.

Again I ask, what if I want to use the TV vertically?

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

Kuschelmonschter — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 10:28:25 GMT

Sony does not block it. It is the content provider that does not want you to watch the content on your Android TV.

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

bruno.miguel.leal — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 10:30:59 GMT

If Sony doesn't block it where exactly is the option for Screen Orientation as I have on my Android TV box?

And if sony doesn't block it why exactly I don't have access to change any setting in the Screen menu under Settings?

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

Kuschelmonschter — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 10:32:13 GMT

You are running a mobile Android application on an Android TV. Android applications are not meant to be run on Android TV.

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

bruno.miguel.leal — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 10:36:17 GMT

That's not the point. If I was going to limit myself to do what Sony wanted I would have probably bought a Samsung TV and keep using my old Android TV box.

I bouth this TV because it's Android based and Android gives me the opportunity to expand my user experience. Maybe not with Sony I can see now...

If I can use properly this Android application in my Android TV box why is Sony blocking me of doing the same in the TV I just bought?

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

bruno.miguel.leal — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 10:37:44 GMT

Moreover, the app runs ok in Sony TV...it starts in portrait mode but as soon as I choose the channel it changes to landscape...it's just really annoying that the initial interaction needs to be with my neck turned to the left...

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

Kuschelmonschter — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 10:40:12 GMT

You bought it for the wrong reason then. Mobile and TV are different form factors with different business models. It is primarily Google who is enforcing that.

There might still be a hack for you, see here.

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

bruno.miguel.leal — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 10:47:56 GMT

Hi again.

First no it's not Google who is enforcing anything. Android is the basis OS and then each brand change the OS to what better suits them (or so they think). It's the same approach in TVs as in mobile phones.

Second independently of the different business models it's the same basis and it's not up to Sony to restrict users like this. I don't think it's a good business model for Sony as I'm really not happy and will think twice next time I buy Sony related products (I have plenty - e.g. I use Sony Xperia mobile phones and Sony cameras for years now).

Finally, many thanks for the link as finally you understood what I was searching in this thread. Unfortunately I had already found that other thread and this TV doesn't allow that apk to be installed (I really can't understand why). I can install multiple other apk apps, but this one I can't have access to button INSTALL in ES Explorer... 😞

Thanks,

Bruno

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

Kuschelmonschter — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 10:56:53 GMT

You could have found so many things, if you just googled, like this YouTube video showing another orientation app.

Which Android TV box allows you to set orientation? Mi Box and SHIELD do not.

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

gcac2828 — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 07:19:28 GMT

Orientation for apps.

I use android tv fire stick & Android ABOX to side load apk's and I do use an Orinantation apk.

I have also run the same apk's on our Sony Android.

Go to youtube.com search filelinked his gives instructions how to install filelinked.

Once filelinked installed enter 22222222 then PIN is 4754

You will now see a long list of apk's and Orinintation is included to run and install.

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

bruno.miguel.leal — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 07:28:13 GMT

Of course I came accross that youtube video and it didn't work...again Sony TV doesn't allow me to install that app.

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

bruno.miguel.leal — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 07:29:02 GMT

Thanks gcac282.

I'll try that later today!

KR,

Bruno

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

Kuschelmonschter — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 07:29:50 GMT

Whenever the "install" button was grayed out, I opened the ACTION MENU once which most of the time activated the button.

Re: How can I force landscape orientation for apps in Sony TV

Kuschelmonschter — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 07:30:24 GMT

You still haven't commented on which box has the orientation setting that you just talked about...