N3XT.TV for Fire TV

Introduction

N3XT.TV is a brand new video sharing platform where creators can upload videos and viewers can customize how they watch them. It has some strong standout features, and now has a Fire TV app to go along with it. This is the first external app built for N3XT.TV and is intended to go live in parallel with the launch of N3XT.TV.

The Standout Features of N3XT.TV

N3XT.TV is a video platform, and its starting place could be likened to a better YouTube. People have been clamoring for a YouTube alternative, but the purpose of the platform isn't just to be something else. It's to be better and, while there are a lot of features, there are a few features in particular that make it really stand out. These are Enhancements, Linked Videos, and Timelines.

Enhancements

Enhancements are optional, AI-built additions. They can improve a single video, all videos, or the platform itself in any way the user sees fit. This can be incredibly useful. My go-to example is a sound compression system. A lot of videos, especially scary movies, have very loud music and action scenes, but if you turn down the volume for those moments the dialogue becomes too quiet to hear. An enhancement that simply keeps the volume consistent resolves this issue entirely. Enhancements are automatically generated by AI when the user enters a prompt. Once created, the Enhancement becomes available for all users. These are sorted by rating and popularity, such that users are easily able to check out the most well liked Enhancements people have come up with. This is a really powerful feature, and strongly fits as AI-enhanced viewing.

Linked Videos

Linked Content is when one video is directly connected to another. This can be things like connecting react content to its original video, song parodies, a Director's Cut, and much more. Allowing Linked Content is optional for the original creator, and the goal is to create a mutually beneficial setup for everyone. Original creators will now be able to benefit when others react to their video, and those who make the video that links to another also benefit from additional promotion.

Timelines

Timelines let creators offer different ways to watch the same video. Some viewers may want just the highlights, or others may prefer an extended cut. Creators can also categorize segments, provide alternate clips, and set up different paths through a video. That gives viewers choices about which parts they watch as well as the overall length. Viewing preferences can be saved for future videos that offer those options.

The Fire TV App

Now that we've touched on a bit of N3XT.TV and what makes it interesting, let's get into the Fire TV app itself. This is built specifically to ensure users can have a good experience on their Fire TV while still being able to enjoy all the aspects of N3XT.TV that make it great.

The app has a familiar feel when compared to other notable video apps for smart TVs. To get a bit into the details of the app, it includes directional navigation, focus indicators, an expanding navigation menu, and the native search keyboard.

Viewers can watch as guests or approve a viewing profile from their phone. Kids mode is available without creating another profile.

Configured videos can offer different cuts, tagged segment choices, alternative paths, and linked videos. Viewing preferences can be remembered. User uploads allow the catalog to cover entertainment, sports, fitness, and other categories.

How it works

The app uses React Native TV and a Kotlin WebView host to load the React and TypeScript interface and player.

Native code handles remote input, keyboard integration, connection recovery, and protected profile credentials. Phone-approved profiles have restricted viewing permissions.

There is a thorough screening process for videos to ensure they're safe to post, but as far as computer vision goes, the backend uses Amazon Rekognition to help screen uploaded images and video frames before publication.

To make updates more seamless, interface and player updates arrive through website releases. Updates wait for idle conditions and check for playback, open dialogs, and editing. Native code changes require an app update.

What’s next

The next short while is an exciting period for N3XT.TV. The intention is to publicly announce the platform as live between the time of submitting this entry and its winner announcement, and to have this Fire TV app fully published along with it.

Built With

• amazon
• android
• android-webview
• cloudflare-r2
• cloudflare-workers
• gradle
• hermes
• hls.js
• kotlin
• react
• react-native
• react-native-tv
• rekognition
• supabase
• typescript
• vite