Android application: taSageTV

[Fonceur]

If a player doesn't appear as an option, you can still write down the link and try it directly from that app...

[vexhold]

Here's the players that I have tested so far...

DoubleTwist - Audio only
Droid X built in - Audio only
Doga Player - Nothing
RockPlayer - Nothing
Stream Media Player - Audio only
Zimly - Nothing
Act1 - Nothing
Mixzing - Nothing
nswplayer - Nothing
youplayer - Nothing


Does the "No Video" have anything to do with my source being the HD-PVR? I don't have any other source to test this out. I suppose I could try streaming some of my dvd's or my music, but they don't appear in my lists so I can't lol.

[Fonceur]

Originally Posted by vexhold

Does the "No Video" have anything to do with my source being the HD-PVR?

Actually, if you check message 331, that's the same issue as wit713, he only gets audio from the HD-PVR, but can stream everything else. So it must be an issue with the file format conversion. What you could do is enable the logging in sage.properties, then copy the full VLC line used in sagetv_0.txt to a test.cmd file, and play with the parameters until you get something working...

I suppose I could try streaming some of my dvd's or my music, but they don't appear in my lists so I can't lol.

Well, you can't stream music, as it's more efficient to just copy those small files... Have you synchronized the Media Center part yet? Those lists are not sent automatically, as they can be quite big and should not change very often... If you have and it crashed, then install log collector and post a zipped version.

Also keep in mind that you can't stream a DVD from an ISO file (with menus and all, that's like trying to fax a DVD to someone... ). Even for a ripped DVD, it might only be the path (or the .ifo) that is passed along, which might not be an appropriate source for VLC...

[vexhold]

Wow. cant believe I missed that. I read through this whole thread too.

Movies on my server play with both audio and video!

I was at McDonald's with the kids when I got your email and immediatly tried it.

My 2 year old was byond thrilled when he saw Thomas playing on my phone.

It stalled occasionally and was a tad bit pixalated, but I would assume that is due to being on 3G and not Wifi. Correct me if I am wrong.

So the recordings has to be a HD-PVR file format issue. Now I have to think of a way around that.

Fonceur..... You Rock Dude.

On a side note... I read earlier in the thread when someone asked for an iPhone app you stated that you didnt have a Mac to do the Dev on. I have an extra Mac in the office I'd be willing to loan you if you pay the shipping. Let me know.

[Fonceur]

Originally Posted by vexhold

It stalled occasionally and was a tad bit pixalated, but I would assume that is due to being on 3G and not Wifi.

There's that, and the VLC parameters have not been optimized yet... Some users have played with those parameters, but it also becomes dependent on the version of VLC that is used, which is a pain...

I have an extra Mac in the office I'd be willing to loan you if you pay the shipping.

Actually, maybe just setting up VNC, LogMeIn or some other way for me to log in remotely would do...

[matt91]

Originally Posted by vexhold

Movies on my server play with both audio and video!

So, what the magic "set of settings"?

I recently upgraded to Froyo (2.2) on my droid. I had tried it way back when this first rolled out, and liked the interface options, but really wanted it for streaming. If this works, I'd definitely buy a "pro" version!

Matt

[Fonceur]

Originally Posted by matt91

So, what the magic "set of settings"?

So far, the phones which are able to stream videos are (i.e. can handle progressive streams):

- most from HTC
- Droid X
- phones using Android OS 2.2

What doesn't stream properly on those:

- HD-PVR recordings (must be some VLC issue with h.264 --> mp4a)
- DVD as ISO file (that's like sending a DVD by Fax...)

[vexhold]

DVD folder/.ifo (probably need a specific VLC command line)

All my movies are in

DVD folder/Video_TS/Video_TS.IFO

and they are the ones that are playing. Is this the same as your quote above?

I am using:

Droid X
Android 2.1
VLC 1.0.0
newest version of sageTV, SageTSPS and GSTI
Windows XP (server)
HD200 (extender)

Now, let me note thst it doesnt ALWAYS play, its very hit or miss. Different unknown variables in play here... (signal stength, app memory usage, connected to a power supply, peak time Comcast internet usage, etc). For example at this very second, I cannot play anything.

Fonceur - I will setup a connection for you on the Mac and feel free to do anything you need to on it. I will PM you the connection settings when ready. If you need me to do anything with it send me an email @ the address I will provide in the PM.

[Fonceur]

Originally Posted by vexhold

All my movies are in

DVD folder/Video_TS/Video_TS.IFO

and they are the ones that are playing. Is this the same as your quote above?

Actually, that was more of a guess, as I know a user had issues with ripped DVD's, but they might have all been .ISO. So it's good to know.

Now, let me note thst it doesnt ALWAYS play, its very hit or miss.

You could try checking the stream from another PC, either in VLC, WMP, a browser or such... That would narrow down the issue.

Fonceur - I will setup a connection for you on the Mac and feel free to do anything you need to on it.

OK, thanks!

[matt91]

Originally Posted by Fonceur

So far, the phones which are able to stream videos are (i.e. can handle progressive streams):

- most from HTC
- Droid X
- phones using Android OS 2.2

What doesn't stream properly on those:

- HD-PVR recordings (must be some VLC issue with h.264 --> mp4a)
- DVD as ISO file (that's like sending a DVD by Fax...)

Great, sounds like I might be in luck then.

What about http vs rtsp? and the VLC settings?

[Fonceur]

Originally Posted by matt91

What about http vs rtsp? and the VLC settings?

The default settings are a good start, so you don't need to change them. For now use RTSP, I think http might require creating a playlist or such to actually work...

[vexhold]

So I have been doing alot of google research on streaming to an android phone and the general consensus is that VLC is fail. They claim that using Darwin Streaming Server is almsot fullproof. Is there anyway we could try using something like this as a stream source?

I can offer my system as the test subject if needed.

[Fonceur]

Originally Posted by vexhold

They claim that using Darwin Streaming Server is almsot fullproof. Is there anyway we could try using something like this as a stream source?

From a quick look, it seems to require pre-re-encoding to a specific folder to work...

[wit713]

I have been reading, learning and trying different vlc settings for getting the hd pvr video to work but I have not come up with the magical formula yet. I am still trying though. I will report back if I have any luck.

[Fonceur]

Then again, from the iPad thread it seems others are having issues with those HD-PVR files in various players...

[Fuzzy]

The sage transcoder, which is based on ffmpeg, has always have problems with the PAFF flagging used in interlaced HD-PVR files. This limitation is shared among many different open source decoders, including VLC. This is one reason many HD-PVR users have their STB's locked to 720p.

[sic0048]

Just got a DroidX!!!! I'm super excited about it. I've downloaded the app, but I haven't updated the sage.properties file yet (stuff was recording). So I haven't been able to connect and try it out yet.

But unfortunately, I use the HD-PVR to record a lot of my stuff. Does anyone know if locking the STB output to 720p help? Using that resolution seems to allow those files to work with the placeshifter software where 1080i recordings do not. I might lock the STB to 720p if it meant this would work.

Thanks!

[vexhold]

I have been trying a multitude of things to get my recorded HD-PVR files to play on the Droid X with no luck so far. I can try your option in a little bit though.

[Fonceur]

For the HD-PVR testing, I guess you could try with anything from FOX or ABC, as they are 720p in most market...

[sic0048]

Originally Posted by Fonceur

For the HD-PVR testing, I guess you could try with anything from FOX or ABC, as they are 720p in most market...

Unfortunately I cannot test it with those channels since they are recorded via clear QAM on my HDHR. I use the HD-PVR for all non-local channels via satellite.