Android set top box development

Question

Has anybody experiences with Android IPTV set-top-boxes software development? Do we need to use Google TV add-on? Can we install application outside of the Market Place? Do current STBs allow the 3rd party applications installations?

I was checking several developers web pages and there were not any information which puts together the Android OS development and STBs.

There should be many specific problems not known on mobile world (media players, remote controls, etc.)

Promising devices are:

o http://www.echostar-europe.com/products/ConnectedDevices/IPTV/X200.aspx

o http://www.techcinema.com/2011/07/amex-mp-g7-android-tv.html

Regards, STeN

Answer 1

The two devices you listed do not mention Google TV on their specs, and both say they are running v2.x of Android OS. You do not need the Google TV plugin if your target device does not support Google TV.

For these questions:

Can we install application outside of the Market Place? Do current STBs allow the 3rd party applications installations?

You are going to have to contact each device manufacturer to find out how to deploy your application to their device, unless they specifically state they will support the Google Market.