Evaluate libVLC direct-play: licensing, store compliance, Media3 fallback boundary #42

Part of #52 (Post-v1 upgrade track). Post-v1, not scheduled — do not start before the owning v1 workstream ships unless the epic reprioritizes it. Blocks #11.

Outcome

A decided libVLC boundary: whether libVLC becomes the direct-play backend for original files (MKV/x265/HEVC, ASS/SSA subtitles per putdotio/support#9) and where Media3 remains the fallback. #11 (10-bit proof) executes after this boundary is set.

Scope

• Licensing (LGPL) + Play Store compliance review, binary-size impact, codec/container proof matrix on real Android TV and Fire TV hardware
• Fallback policy: per-file capability detection, conversion bypass rules (bypass need_convert only for proven direct-playable files), rollout behind a remote flag
• Subtitle style settings respected in the libVLC path (feature-spec mandate)

Acceptance criteria

• A written go/no-go decision with the proof matrix; if go, an integration plan feeding Prove supported 10-bit playback on Android TV #11
• DoD for any playback proof: device recordings attached