STV Import: NetFlix for SageMC (v2.1) 28-Feb-09

[mkanet]

I'm pretty excited about getting Netflix HD using Silverlight... probably will getting it working this weekend. This Netflix plugin for SageTV was nice while it lasted; but definintely holding people like me back who have the bandwidth to support streaming HD. Not getting a response from Morgan on Silverlight support (not even a quick reply) is also an answer in itself about what's planned in the near future for SageTV/Netflix streaming HD.

I am very thankful for the pleasure I got out of this plugin in the past... but it looks like its time look into newer/better technology from Netflix.

[Morgan111]

Afraid I haven't been checking in lately, but I do have some fixes like the font issues for the new SageMC that I will likely get out in a day or so. I have also loaded one of my machines with the new MS toolset that should work with the Silver light SDK. I'm not clear if I will be able to play the Netflix Silverlight videos without using their player due to potential ID keys between the videos and their player. I have a bit a research to continue on that. I doubt they make it easier for us, especially with concerns about their HD content.

[alan92rttt]

Isn't the HD streaming via silverlight still in Beta test?

[Morgan111]

Originally Posted by alan92rttt

Isn't the HD streaming via silverlight still in Beta test?

Yes. You can sight up for the beta usage here, but you will be limited in what you can watch and the existing player will probably not work at that time. But I would think you can switch back anytime.

[alan92rttt]

My point is that we can't expect a working HD implimentation when the netflix system is still beta

Did you see my issues with the watch now queue?

[Halstead]

Originally Posted by Morgan111

Yes. You can sight up for the beta usage here, but you will be limited in what you can watch and the existing player will probably not work at that time. But I would think you can switch back anytime.

Tragic note- you can't switch back. I've talked to two people that have tried, and both failed, even after talking to customer support. Don't know what the issue is.

[mkanet]

Netflix system is in beta not necessarily for customers, but for developers like Morgan to prepare for it before the full version is released. I'm very happy that Morgan has the SDK loaded working actively on a solution. My guess is if it can be done on Xbox, and other STBs to suppport HD via software updates, it can also be supported through software updates for SageTV.

Goooo Morgan!!!

Originally Posted by alan92rttt

My point is that we can't expect a working HD implimentation when the netflix system is still beta

Did you see my issues with the watch now queue?

[Mitch G]

Just a thought but maybe a few Netflix gift certificates (http://www.netflix.com/GiftPurchase) might motivate Morgan to work on the HD stuff a bit. Even if it doesn't get the HD work done sooner, it at least sends some appreciation for the work he's done already.
Anyway, just a thought.

(FYI: It doesn't matter what plan the gift recipient has, the gift is applied as a credit. You don't need the recipient's Email address either. So, you can send it to the recipient via a PM.)

For the record, I do not know Morgan personally. I just appreciate the work he's done with this Netflix viewer.


Mitch

[bulaman]

my 64bit vista stopped working with the old player. Tried a bunch of different things to get it work with no love. Silverlight works....so I would contribute to that gift certificate!

[mkanet]

I'm willing to give as many gift certificates to morgan a I can afford to get this working.... ideallly, the sageTV internal media player should play back the HD video not a completely different video window.

[Morgan111]

Originally Posted by alan92rttt

I tried changing the XML to look at queueEDRSS instead of QueueRSS but it still only shows my full queue not just the watch now list.

Alan, Do you mean that the updated xml file posted does not show "Watch Now Q" under the channel list, or that the "Watch Now Q" channel is showing all movies in your general queue? If you don't see the new queue, perhaps you have one of those importing errors where it is being imported when the NetFlix menus are still present in the loaded STV.

[Morgan111]

Originally Posted by Jawhn

How do you delete downloaded "Watch Now" video's?

"To delete a video or cancel download in the Downloaded Videos list, press the right arrow when highlighting the specific video.
"

[alan92rttt]

Originally Posted by Morgan111

Alan, Do you mean that the updated xml file posted does not show "Watch Now Q" under the channel list, or that the "Watch Now Q" channel is showing all movies in your general queue? If you don't see the new queue, perhaps you have one of those importing errors where it is being imported when the NetFlix menus are still present in the loaded STV.

I did not even realize I was supposed to see "Watch now Q" in the channels list. This could be the start of my problem. I was under the impression that "manage queue" would show my "watch now" queue.

If I'm supposed to see "Watch Now Q" in the channels list, I do not see it. What should I do at this point? Once thats fixed is their a way to put it on the main netflix menu?

[voorhees]

Something very strange has started to happen. When I go to "Browse Watch Now Titles," then pick a category (it does not matter which one), I get a list of Watch Now titles for that category as I should. However, I only get 24 titles (4 pages of 6). I no longer see the "More" button at the bottom of the list, as I as I have in the past, to go to the next page of titles in that category. Any ideas as to how I have lost the "More" button? Any thoughts on how to get it back?

Thanks.

[spaceknight]

I have also lost the "more" button

[badllama77]

Ditto on the more button, I am guessing there was a change to the site when they had the streaming down recently

[gplasky]

Yep-no more.

Gerry

[Morgan111]

11/19/08 Update 2.06

• Correct font handling on movie list that broke with SageMC 6.3.8.
• Account for changes to website coding that prevented the "More" prompt.
• Added menu item for Instant Queue on Main NetFlix Menu.

Download it HERE!

As always,
-Shut down sage when unzipping files to c:\Program Files\SageTV\SageTV
-Before importing the new xml, roll back to the baseline SageMC or a version of the STV without NetFlix installed.


Just some minor updates this time. I have additional updates to make, but this should help some of the emergency issues. The instant queue will list the items that are Watch Now from the main queue, but I still need to add a way to delete movies from that view of the queue as well.

SilverLight not very far at the moment. MS hasn't made it easy for me between the new tools required and Vista.

[voorhees]

Morgan,

Works great. Thanks so much for all of your hard work.

[phongshader]

I wish I'd read this thread all the way through before I installed silverlight...that explains why I can't watch movies with the custom viewer, only through IE. Ahhh well maybe there's a fix on the horizon.