Hi all,
Ever since I found out that Android TV 12+ / Google TV devices prevent users changing their screensaver, I wanted to develop an app to help overcome this limitation.
What is it ?
The app will allow your Google TV / Android TV device to use custom screensavers named (unimaginatively) TDUK Screensaver Manager
What does this app look like?
The app will have a familiar interface. Once you have enabled USB or Network debugging, you can select any screensaver that you have installed (Aerial views is a great one), you can also customize the screensaver start time and device sleep time.
How can I get it ?
The app is available on the playstore for all certified Android TV devices (I’ve tested it on the Onn 4K Pro, Google Streamer 4K and Nvidia Shield). Here is a link https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tduk.scrmgr
How much does this app cost?
The price of the app is $1.99 and it will be a lifetime license for unlimited devices. Even if you have 10 different Android TV devices, you can buy the app once and your license will cover all devices. You will get unlimited lifetime upgrades.
Are you allowed to create posts like this ?
I did ask for permission first and @Miki graciously obliged 
Is there a video of the app in action ?
Yes, here is a youtube video I just posted - https://youtu.be/PI6pWa6dVao
6 Likes
teehar
2
Nice app, $1.99 is a great price as well.
4 Likes
PapaS
3
What exactly is the difference between daydream timeout and sleep timeout? I understand the daydream timeout sets the time delay for the Screensaver to activate but not sure about sleep timeout and can I set it to 0 to have nothing happen?
Daydream = screensaver start time.
Sleep = screen goes blank (device has gone to sleep mode).
If you have daydream set to 5 and sleep set to 30, it means that after 5mins of not using your device, your screensaver will start.
If you don’t touch the device, the screen saver will run for 30mins and then the device will go to sleep.
I believe if you set it to zero, it will prevent your device going to sleep.
3 Likes
PapaS
5
Hate to bother you again, thanks for the quick response. Should I whitelist your screensaver app and the clock wallpaper app from Google Play store in my tduk app killer app or will they still work properly if I force stop those apps? TIA 
they don’t need to keep running.
Just like the DNS switcher - they make the change to your system, so you don’t need to keep them open/running.
1 Like
PapaS
7
Thanks One other thing, this seems so far to be working perfectly on my UGOOS SK 1, it’s too bad people couldn’t purchase your apps from your website. I’m lucky I have other devices that Google recognizes your apps will work on because the only way I can get them on my UGOOS is to purchase for install on my Buzz device, then copy it and side load it to my UGOOS. Play store won’t allow purchase on my phone or Tablet and it thinks my UGOOS is a tablet so won’t allow purchase for that either so if I didn’t have my other boxes I don’t think there’s anyway I could enjoy all your awesome apps. 
Update: Apparently the Ugoos didn’t require the app to add Screensavers. 
my bad
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I dont have an atv box to do that and copy to my Ugoos.
Its just a pity that there isnt an AOSP version, which I enquired about, and am still awaiting a response from the dev.
PapaS
10
If that’s SK1, just download Screensaver apps from Google play store and they’ll show up in your Screensaver options on the box itself.
Miki
11
Hey @PapaS I have an honest question for you. Why would you, or anyone, use a screensaver? Back in the day of tubes and screen burn in I used one, but haven’t for years now. Oh and good morning my friend.
1 Like
Dak7385
12
It’s actually AM8 Pro. But is virtually the same software. I’m a bit confused. I was referring to the TDUK dns switcher, and not the screensaver.
Perhaps my initial reply was badly worded😀
Or, have i misunderstood your reply?
right now the application looks for certified tv devices, so if your device is running AOSP, my app won’t show up.
If I turn off this requirement, it means my app will be shown for phones / tablets etc and as ADB works differently on those devices (most cases), the app will not function correctly.
Net result will be very frustrated users who will then leave a bad review, even though my app was never designed for touch screen devices etc.
If i can work out a way to publish to AOSP TV based devices only then I will do that.
Dak7385
14
Many thanks for your reply, and explaining the technicalities.
It was just a request. No problem, if it is not currently planned.
PapaS
15
No, I thought you were talking about Screensaver, my bad.@Miki the only reason I use the Screensaver is because some of these Ugoos boxes have a bug. They don’t like to be paused for more than 5 minutes or they won’t resume playback without jittering and freezing. The Screensaver prevents that from happening on most of the apps I use. Hopefully enough people will mention this to Ugoos and they’ll fix it.
Miki
17
Hey tx @PapaS that is good to know.
Dak7385
18
I wonder if the pause/ freeze issue is only applicable to the SK1?
I often have to pause my device to answer a phone call, sometimes longer than 5 minutes, and never experienced your issue.
I use the AM8 and the Pro version. But they are based upon almost identical software.
And i use the built in Screensaver set at 10 minutes.
Perhaps an email to Eugene at Ugoos, might elicit a response/ resolution.
1 Like
PapaS
19
It could be just the SK1, I haven’t heard a lot of people mention it but there’s a few. I’ve messaged Becky on UGOOS blog with pics of the problem but no fix so far.
Dak7385
20
@PapaS …Becky is very helpful and she passes on messages to tech team.
I have contacted her on a few occasions, and not heard back from Ugoos Tech dept for a couple of weeks.
So, i just emailed Eugene (eugene@ugoos.net) and copied to
(james@ugoos.com), with a courteous request for help to my query. And received a reply quite quickly.
Hope that helps.
1 Like
PapaS
21
Thanks, just fired off a few emails. See what happens.
1 Like
