topic Re: Android TV Microphone in Android TV

Android TV Microphone

orangeyred — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 15:01:05 GMT

I have a Sony 43X805C with Android TV and one thing that annoys me is how the search defaults to voice search when you press the icon but the TV and standard remote don't have microphones so it's pointless. Is there a way to change the default search to text input or better stil, can you connect a microphone to the TV? I refuse to pay £50+ for a touch remote I'll never use.

As an aside, I haven't had any of the problems on the Android TV thread other than the guide being quite archaic.

Re: Android TV Microphone

ZombieFried777 — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 18:10:12 GMT

I would think the guide will change in the next update making the youview guide the default guide, if you have a smartphone the sideview app works very good and gives you the option to use the mic on the phone for voice search, does everything the touchpad remote does and it's free.

Re: Android TV Microphone

orangeyred — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 23:14:57 GMT

I have the app and the Android TV app but don't really see the point of having to get your phone, open the app and speak to that to get the search up on your TV. If I went to all that trouble I'd probably just search for whatever I was looking for on my phone!

Re: Android TV Microphone

onelegdis — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 22:21:28 GMT

I can confirm that the Kinobo - Mini "AKIRO" USB Microphone works with my KDL-50W805C.

Its available on Amazon UK for £9.99. I've bought a few of these for desktop PC's since Google enabled voice recognition in it's chrome browser and with the role out of Windows 10 and It's Cortana voice recognition system. They work well and come with a free piece of double sided tape to stick it to your TV.

Re: Android TV Microphone

ZombieFried777 — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 22:55:22 GMT

That's good to know onelegdis that's the same tv as mine, can you just shout ok Google and it works from any hdmi channel? As I use sky to watch TV.

Re: Android TV Microphone

onelegdis — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 23:16:01 GMT

Alas not! As of yet... there is no Google Now or Motorola's 'always listening' launcher intergation within Android TV.

This microphone works when ever you see the 'search' button within the sony menus. Howerver, there is no voice recognition available in the Opera browser, which is a bit of a let down. Chrome browser for Android TV is on my want list.

Re: Android TV Microphone

orangeyred — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 00:59:02 GMT

That's useful to know, thank you. I think I will order one as well. Is it able to pick up your voice commands if you put it out of site, say stick it on the back of the TV?

Re: Android TV Microphone

onelegdis — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 10:23:04 GMT

I have mine stuck under the LED notification bar below the Sony badge. The mic is about 5 cm long and 1 cm wide and has a matt black finish. I think it blends in well with the TV design. I sit 2.5 meters away from the TV and it picks up my voice fine. I'm not sure if it would work as well behind the TV but you could give it a try. You could also place it on your AV amp, Blueray player etc if they are not behind a door.

Re: Android TV Microphone

FlipStone — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 14:39:37 GMT

Just wanted to add to this one... Bought this mic after seeing this thread but for me it's not working too great.

I sit at about 2.5m to 3m from the tv and the mic is just not sensitive enough, if I set at 30-50cm it's working fine. Also on the computer this is noticable...

No clue if it's just my specific one (read some more complaints about this on amazon) but just wanted to let ppl know that your mileage may vary

Re: Android TV Microphone

orangeyred — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 16:06:25 GMT

Also had the same issue when I bought this microphone. It just isn't sensitive enough for you to sit on your sofa and speak to your TV. Can't recommend another but would be interested to know if someone else has got this to work with a different microphone.

Re: Android TV Microphone

FlipStone — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 22:14:07 GMT

I actually remembered I have one of those Wii sing microphones as well (USB)... Will try them this weekend

Re: Android TV Microphone

FlipStone — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 09:17:52 GMT

Well, the rocksmith mic is a bit more sensitive but still 2.5m is too much. You have to speak really loud to get it somewhat working.. Holding the mic close to the mouth works fine. I'd say the max distance is like 1m or so.

One more thing I might try sometime is a bluetooth headset I have around somewhere. Just for fun.

If that works you might have a mic just lying nearby, though it has to listen continuously which of course eats through battery quite a bit.

The cable to the mic is long enough to just grab it when needed, but that's quite an ugly solution.

Meh, not convinced of voice control also... My accent (searching for things like Stevie Ray Vaughan is not that easy for me apparently ) and not knowing quite how it works yet doesn't helpt though.

Re: Android TV Microphone

suscida — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 20:30:12 GMT

So I bought the USB mic advised earlier in this thread for my KDL55W755C Sony Android TV. Worked well (although I wish you could use a voice command to activate the thing!) up until the Marshmallow update that appears to have broken the USB mic functionality, all I get is a "Google is unable to connect" style error whenever I try to do a voice search. Can anyone else verify this?

I wonder if this is an attempt to force into buying the touchpad remote, which I really dont think I would enjoy using! I would rather have the TX200 remote which has a built in microphone also, but I am not sure if it would be compatible with my TV?

Other than that I have not been experiencing many of the update woes many others are having so counting my chickens on this issue!

Re: Android TV Microphone

deva14 — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 20:38:34 GMT

The RMF-TX200E works on my 2015 KDL-43W755C. Hold down the microphone button and volume down to pair with bluetooth. Can confirm the microphone works.