We are looking at replacing multiple windows 10 xibo players with android devices. For a test I bought a cheap digitech XC6014 android media player, which was easy to set up and works fine, except it cannot render an external javascript web page. The page works fine on the windows version, and in the preview in the CMS. The page also looks fine when opened in Chrome on the android device. I have upgraded Android System WebView on the device, which appears to be running Android 10.1 - no update available via the device interface. I have also tried putting a normal web page in the layout in the CMS and that renders fine on the android device. The problem page is : https://master.dupbf0c2u6ebs.amplifyapp.com/?market=maryborough
Any Ideas welcome, thanks!
Deane.
PS - our setup is a single national CMS with various signage solutions in multiple cities and towns around Australia. The particular installations we are replacing are a single box driving a television modulator with hdmi in - this runs to all the televisions in the building via a MATV system, so any TV can become a sign by tuning to the appropriate channel.
When I scheduled that layout to my Android player (R407, connected to a 4.3.0 CMS), I was able to view the webpage on my Android player. Here is a screenshot from my player showing the webpage:
What version is the Webview on your Android device? My device is using Webview version 99.0.4844.48. If you Webview version is older than this. it coud explain why it is not rendering on your Android device.
Thanks so much for doing that and confirming the page does work on an android device. My device appears to be on Webview 74.0.3729.186 - I attempted an update by installing a later version, but I can’t seem to make it use the new version - when I disable the old version I get a black screen instead of the blank white page i usually get with the web page.
I suspect the older Webview on your device is the issue. I would recommend contacting the manufacturer of that device to see if they can provide you with a firmware that includes an updated Webview version, ideally above version 99.0.4844.48. I hope they can do that for you, or at least talk you through the correct steps for installing a new Webview version.
Thanks DanBW, I think you are right. I have tried installing a later version, but the device will not use it. The normal ‘switch provider’ is not available in the developer options when in developer mode. I might be better off trying a device with a later version of Android, they seem pretty cheap.
I think trying a different device with a newer version of Android and Webview is a good idea. It might also be a good idea to confirm with the manufacturer of any future devices you buy if the Webview can be upgraded, just in case you encounter this issue at a later date and find the installed Webview is not able to render your web content.
I wish you all the best finding an alternative hardware solution. if you find any particular hardware devices that you feel work particularly well with Xibo for Android, we always welcome feedback on the Hardware channel, to help new users with their own search for suitable hardware.
Thanks again, DanBW. In the end I bought a really cheap HK1 RBOX from ebay, and it solved all my problems - worked first time out of the box, no problems rendering the problem page. Android System WebView is on Version 109.0.5414.123
