Apps with the ability to remotely change set top box channels?

The Contour app when used in conjunction with a Contour receiver does have the option to push the program currently being viewed to the box for TV viewing.  You can use this technique to browse listings on the app then change to the desired show.

Hmmm.  I will look and try again.  (Unfortunately since contour is limited on the Android platform, it is inconvenient for me to test but I can check it out)

 

By the way, what is mean by "Contour receiver"?  If one has a whole home DVR set up with contour, are you considering only the receiver with the DVR as a "Contour receiver"?

ISaid said:
(Unfortunately since contour is limited on the Android platform, it is inconvenient for me to test but I can check it out)

Did you mean limited TO android or limited ON android. Pretty sure it works on Ipad  See here and some android devices.

• One of the following supported devices:
  • An iPad 2.0 or newer, or an iPad Mini running iOS 6.x or later 
    or
  • One of the following Android devices runing OS 4.2 and higher:
    • Google Nexus 7 (Gen 1)
    • Google Nexus 10 (Gen 1)
    • Samsung Galaxy Note (8”)
    • Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7” and 10.1”)
    • Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 (7”, 8”, and 10.1”

ISaid said:
are you considering only the receiver with the DVR as a "Contour receiver"?

Yes. Contour uses MoCA which is networking via cable wire, so the main receiver or "host" is the one with the hard drive, and the other smaller boxes or "clients" connect to the host. Since you can only control recording (not channel changing) with the app, and since the host is the only one that does record, you can only control the host with the App.

Health Edge,  I meant what I said, which is that the availability of the Contour app on android is limited, which causes testing to be a challenge for me.  There are, as you noted, only 5 android devices on which it will run.  Cox refer to this as "select Android devices".  I refer to it as "limited".

 

So, back to my original two part question since both the reply from HealthEdge and ChrisL answered a portion of it:

"Can you change the channel of a set top box by the use of an app?"

   Answer so far is "no, unless it is the primary DVR receiver, and even then it is manipulating recordings more than channel changing and you must use the Contour app"

"When will the previously stated ability to change channels be available" 

 Answer so far is .... nothing.

 

 

For frame of reference, from the Cox TV Connect FAQ:

"Can I use Cox TV Connect as a remote control for my television?    No, Cox's mobile device apps cannot be used as a remote control for your television.  In a future release you will be able to do that."

 

ISaid said:

"When will the previously stated ability to change channels be available" 

 Answer so far is .... nothing.

I didn't address that part because I don't know. Haven't even heard the whisper of a date or anything. IMO it might be put in there because they are aware of the competition, but Im pretty sure the technology is capable. It's a matter of time and money to get the software to work that way. Probably a better question for Chris. Im curious too.

The Contour app doesn't have a remote control feature in the traditional sense however the push to TV feature works with any Contour receiver in the home.  The app itself however is a bit resource intensive which is why it is limited to a select fewer high end devices on the Android side of the house.