React Native - Derectional Pad support Android TV App - react-native

Question

I would want to build an Android TV app using React-Native. I have followed up the recommendation on this document: Building For TV Devices.
After, update the AndroidManifest.xml file I run the application using the command line - react-native run android. The app running without any issue; however, I tried to use the Directional-pad option from android emulator TV (720p) API 23 emulator and it didn't work. I was expecting to catch the event listed on the code below and write to the console respective test for each event. On the other hand, even the component that was used for text didn't get highlighted either focus on when I try to navigate using Directional-pad.
I am reaching out to the community to see if someone had this issue in the past and what was your issue and what you have done to resolve it? Also, as I am listing the steps below, if you could let me know if I missing something?
Please, let me know if you need any extra information in order to help me.
react-native init Dpad
cd Dpad
Update code based on - Building For
TV Devices
Start Android TV (720p) API 23 emulator.
react-native run-android
ANNEX:
Android TV (720p) API 23
Here is the code:
import React, { Component } from 'react';
import { Text, View } from 'react-native';
import Channel from '../channel/channel.component';
import styles from './presentation.component.styles';
var TVEventHandler = require('TVEventHandler');
export default class Grid extends Component {
constructor(props){
super(props);
this.state = {
command: 'undefined'
}
}
setcomand( command) {
this.setState( () => { return { command: command }; });
}
_tvEventHandler: null;
_enableTVEventHandler() {
this._tvEventHandler = new TVEventHandler();
this._tvEventHandler.enable(this, function(cmp, evt) {
if (evt && evt.eventType === 'right') {
setcomand('Press Right!');
} else if(evt && evt.eventType === 'up') {
setcomand('Press Up!');
} else if(evt && evt.eventType === 'left') {
setcomand('Press Left!');
} else if(evt && evt.eventType === 'down') {
setcomand('Press Down!');
}
});
}
_disableTVEventHandler() {
if (this._tvEventHandler) {
this._tvEventHandler.disable();
delete this._tvEventHandler;
}
}
componentDidMount() {
this._enableTVEventHandler();
console.warn("component did mount");
}
componentWillUnmount() {
this._disableTVEventHandler();
console.warn("component Will Unmount");
}
render() {
return (
<View style={styles.container}>
<Text>{this.state.command}</Text>
<Channel name="Globo" description="Its brazilian TV channles for news"/>
<Channel name="TVI" description="Its Portuguese TV channles for news"/>
<Channel name="TVI" description="Its Portuguese TV channles for news"/>
</View>
);
}
}

Answer 1

I'm also struggling with this problem for a month. Still can't find help/solution.
I testing this on Android Studio Emulator and also on few real android TV boxes with real remote d-pads.
I still can't figure out if it's React Native problem (bug) or Android TV devices don't emit response (keyCode) on directional d-pad arrows.
I can reproduce events like: focus, blur, select, fastForward, playPause, rewind, but no way to get events like e.g. "left".
I search a lot of google and other sites, you are first one who struggling with same issue.
I feel like no one cares about Android TV in React-Native.
You can also comment my Issue thread on React-Native github page.
https://github.com/facebook/react-native/issues/20924
I hope we figure it out soon.
Cheers

Answer 2

I was not able to verify that Directional-pad works with react-native. That was my goal of this demo. I am learning to build android Tv using react-native and so far Directional-pad it's being a big challenge given that TV user won't use touch screen event.
However, I couldn't find out why my app was not responding to the Directional-pad keyboard (left, right, up and down). There was no code error.
Have you tried to use Directional-pad to navigate on your react-native app?
Thank you,

Answer 3

Dave -
I decided to develop Android TV app using React Native because the video that react-native team shared - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzIQErHhY20] and the tutorial page [https://facebook.github.io/react-native/docs/building-for-apple-tv]. I think that's everything we have; other than that we won't get further support.
GOOD NEWS - I have started a new project from scratch using react native version 0.57.0, node version V10.7.not and **npm Version 4.6.1. Also, for navigation, I am using react-navigation version 2. I was able to see that my Directional-pad emulator was working, however, I was not able to see the focus on the element that I am navigating (left, right, down, up).
I will be working to see how I can fix the focus issue.
Let's keeping share our progress and feel free to reach out.
Thank you,
Justimiano Alves

Answer 4

use this code and u can see the console on debugger
_tvEventHandler: any;
_enableTVEventHandler() {
var self = this;
this._tvEventHandler = new TVEventHandler();
this._tvEventHandler.enable(this, function (cmp, evt) {
console.log("kcubsj"+evt.eventType)
if (evt && evt.eventType === 'right') {
console.log('right');
} else if (evt && evt.eventType === 'up') {
console.log('up');
} else if (evt && evt.eventType === 'left') {
console.log('left');
} else if (evt && evt.eventType === 'down') {
console.log('down');
} else if (evt && evt.eventType === 'select') {
//self.press();
}
});
}
_disableTVEventHandler() {
if (this._tvEventHandler) {
this._tvEventHandler.disable();
delete this._tvEventHandler;
}
}
componentDidMount() {
this._enableTVEventHandler();
}
componentWillUnmount() {
this._disableTVEventHandler();
}

Answer 5

I have really good news about support for D-Pad arrow events (up, down, left, right).
It turned out that one of Android TV contributor for react-native is person from my country. I reach out contact with him and tell about this problem. He check that out and actually, there is missing code for that.
He made pull request to support that in react-native. It should be fixed in one of upcoming new version releases (he said it might took about month).
Temporarly I know how to handle this (add code and recompile java files), I already tested it and its work great. All events now working. If you really need that support now and don't want to wait, I can share how to do that.
Cheers

Answer 6

Yes. I would like to see your solution because I am able to navigate using the D-pad but I couldn't see which element I am navigating to. I need to highlight or show focus on the element that I navigating to.

Answer 7

Having console.log inside the TVEventHandler callback seems to break it when running without remote js debugger on.

Answer 8

I have observed that D-pad does not work if there is no focusable component. To solve this, I have placed a transparent touchable opacity component on my screen. After that D-pad started working. My code for D-pad key event is given below:
enableTVEventHandler() {
this.tvEventHandler = new TVEventHandler();
this.tvEventHandler.enable(this, (cmp, { eventType, eventKeyAction }) => {
// eventKeyAction is an integer value representing button press(key down) and release(key up). "key up" is 1, "key down" is 0.
if (eventType === 'playPause' && eventKeyAction === 0)
{
console.log('play pressed')
}
else if(eventType === 'fastForward' && eventKeyAction === 0){
console.log('forward pressed')
}
else if (eventType === 'rewind' && eventKeyAction === 0){
console.log('rewind pressed')
}
else if (eventType === 'select' && eventKeyAction === 0)
{
console.log('select pressed')
}else if(eventType === 'left' && eventKeyAction === 0){
console.log('left pressed')
}
else if(eventType === 'right' && eventKeyAction === 0){
console.log('right pressed')
}
else if(eventType === 'up' && eventKeyAction === 0){
console.log('up pressed')
}
else if(eventType === 'down' && eventKeyAction === 0){
console.log('down pressed')
}
});
}