Android App: Phoenix for SageTV

[mkanet]

Done! Thanks again for your time.

Originally Posted by stuckless

Michael, if you add both of those to the bug tracker, i'll look into it.

https://code.google.com/p/sagephoenix/issues/list

The first one is an easier fix, and as such, I'll try to get that one done this weekend, and put out a new release. the second one, is a good idea, but requires more effort, so it probably won't get done this weekend

[stuckless]

Originally Posted by mkanet

Done! Thanks again for your time.

This version has 2 minor updates.

1. It fixes the video player chooser so that it allows you to set a default video player
2. I added a new preference in the Configuration section to allow you to hide the transcode chooser dialog and to set a default transcode. (eventually I will add that ability WHILE you are selecting a transcode option, but that required more time to implement, so you have to set it in the preferences)

The end result with these 2 changes is that if you configure to hide the transcode dialog and you select a default video player, then selecting "Play on Device" will simply start the streaming process without requiring any additional user intervention.

[mkanet]

This is great. Works very nicely. I mainly use the Phoenix app to watch live TV; such as news (as long as its recording) so, now its much more convenient to quickly start watching sagetv on my phone without any effort.

One feature you might be able to add (which might be less time consuming than other feature requests):

Option to resume where you last stopped watching a media. This is useful when watching a longer TV show; and have to stop watching for what're reason... then you can conveniently start where you left off without needing to fast forward (which can't be done anyway). Anyway, just a suggestion.

Originally Posted by stuckless

This version has 2 minor updates.

1. It fixes the video player chooser so that it allows you to set a default video player
2. I added a new preference in the Configuration section to allow you to hide the transcode chooser dialog and to set a default transcode. (eventually I will add that ability WHILE you are selecting a transcode option, but that required more time to implement, so you have to set it in the preferences)

The end result with these 2 changes is that if you configure to hide the transcode dialog and you select a default video player, then selecting "Play on Device" will simply start the streaming process without requiring any additional user intervention.

[thatdude90210]

Nice new additions stuckless.

Also interesting mkanet, I didn't know we could start a recording and then watch it as it's being recorded -- live tv. Though I couldn't find anywhere to cancel the recording if I decide to watch another channel (only have one hdpvr).

edit: found a cancel recording options on one of the menus (in "currently airing.)"

[stuckless]

Originally Posted by mkanet

This is great. Works very nicely. I mainly use the Phoenix app to watch live TV; such as news (as long as its recording) so, now its much more convenient to quickly start watching sagetv on my phone without any effort.

One feature you might be able to add (which might be less time consuming than other feature requests):

Option to resume where you last stopped watching a media. This is useful when watching a longer TV show; and have to stop watching for what're reason... then you can conveniently start where you left off without needing to fast forward (which can't be done anyway). Anyway, just a suggestion.

You'd think that would be an easy thing to do... but sadly, I don't think there is a way for me to tell vlc to start transcoding at a given time offset (which is what would be required for this to work). If you (or anyone else, knows of such a command line way to do this, then share it, and I can look into it).

[Dargason]

Originally Posted by stuckless

You'd think that would be an easy thing to do... but sadly, I don't think there is a way for me to tell vlc to start transcoding at a given time offset (which is what would be required for this to work). If you (or anyone else, knows of such a command line way to do this, then share it, and I can look into it).

You might be able to start VLC with the HTTP interface, then send a 'seek' command via the interface.

Documentation is crappy, but I think it's supposed to work.

http://www.videolan.org/doc/play-howto/en/ch04.html

[stuckless]

Originally Posted by Dargason

You might be able to start VLC with the HTTP interface, then send a 'seek' command via the interface.

Documentation is crappy, but I think it's supposed to work.

http://www.videolan.org/doc/play-howto/en/ch04.html

Thanks... i did look at using the http (or telnet) interfaces but as you noted the documentation was crappy. As it was, it took me a few days of tinkering to just get the commandline version to work as well as it does But, I'll definately take another look at this in the future. Thanks for the info.

[Dargason]

I was planning to take a look at the open-source "VLC Remote" to see if I could get an idea how it's supposed to work, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I'm still not familiar enough with java and especially large projects.

https://code.google.com/p/android-vlc-remote/

[-=Jeff=-]

Got my Win 7 64 bit machine running

Now VLC is not configuring.. any suggestions?

I used BMT and verified C:\VLC\vlc.exe

verified Firewall allows access to VLC.

still the VLC Server is not configured..

Thoughts/Suggestions?

[stuckless]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

Got my Win 7 64 bit machine running

Now VLC is not configuring.. any suggestions?

I used BMT and verified C:\VLC\vlc.exe

verified Firewall allows access to VLC.

still the VLC Server is not configured..

Thoughts/Suggestions?

Did you see Mkanet's post about vlc versions... he appeared to have the same problem as you, but fixed it using a different vlc version.

[stuckless]

Originally Posted by Dargason

I was planning to take a look at the open-source "VLC Remote" to see if I could get an idea how it's supposed to work, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I'm still not familiar enough with java and especially large projects.

https://code.google.com/p/android-vlc-remote/

I'll take a look at that sometime as well. Should be a great resource on how to integrate with vlc.

[-=Jeff=-]

Originally Posted by stuckless

Did you see Mkanet's post about vlc versions... he appeared to have the same problem as you, but fixed it using a different vlc version.

I did.. and I tried the 2.0.6, I will try the x64 version.

Also how do you get the vlc path to stay in BMT? when I change it and look later it is not what I changed it to?

[Dargason]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

I did.. and I tried the 2.0.6, I will try the x64 version.

Also how do you get the vlc path to stay in BMT? when I change it and look later it is not what I changed it to?

Be sure to press "save" at the bottom of the page.

[-=Jeff=-]

Originally Posted by Dargason

Be sure to press "save" at the bottom of the page.

yep did that.. checked it on 3 PCs to verify..
then I check this AM and it is changed

[Dargason]

Originally Posted by stuckless

I'll take a look at that sometime as well. Should be a great resource on how to integrate with vlc.

I also found an index.html file in 'C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\http" that looks like a web page designed to control a remote VLC server. It might be a bit simpler to figure out.

I've got a plane to catch in a few minutes and I'll be out all week, but I'll take a stab at figuring this out next weekend, if you like.

[stuckless]

Originally Posted by Dargason

I also found an index.html file in 'C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\http" that looks like a web page designed to control a remote VLC server. It might be a bit simpler to figure out.

I've got a plane to catch in a few minutes and I'll be out all week, but I'll take a stab at figuring this out next weekend, if you like.

Thanks... sounds good to me

[jarredduq]

Originally Posted by jarredduq

The full path to VLC is set in BMT, that is why I'm perplexed to why it won't work.

• I installed version 2.0.6
• I changed the install directory to c:\VLC
• Gave the VLC directory full permissions
• Checked that VLC was on the windows firewall exception list
• In BMT the path is set to C:\VLC\vlc.exe

I'm running Windows 7 32-bit by the way.

The android app is still showing VLC as not configured. It's not the end of the world, since I have a Slingbox hooked up to an HD200, but would like to make it work nonetheless.

I'm running the paid version of the Phoenix Remote App.

[mkanet]

Some tips to keep in mind when troubleshooting video streaming:

For those of you who want to use the default install directory of VLC, remember to use short 8.3 naming for the full path. So, you would put:

C:\PROGRA~1\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe
instead of:
C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe

or

C:\PROGRA~2\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe
instead of:
C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe

and, don't forget to press the, "Save" button AND "Refresh Configurations" before trying your new changes each and every time. I always restart my web browser and go back to confirm that my changes are saved for sure.

You don't need to worry about changing permissions to your VLC directory if your userID is an "Administrator"; unless you changed the default permissions under the Program Files directory for some reason.

Does vlc.exe even get loaded into memory? Check your task manager to see if its there after you start streaming a video? Does it actively use your CPU? Does it's size in memory change at all? These are the things you should also post when trying to get troubleshooting help in this thread.

Lastly, you shouldn't just presume your firewall and antivirus won't interfere with the way vlc.exe operates; sometimes even if you explicitly added an exception (the exception(s) you added may not work the way you intended). You should consider temporarily/completely disabling both antivirus and firewall during your tests. I personally don't even use software firewall since IMO it wastes CPU cycles/memory. Instead, I depend on a dedicated hardware firewall (my Internet router).

If you're not sure which VLC version to use, install one of the two known compatible VLC versions below. Using an incompatible version can cause vlc.exe not to respond to Phoenix Streaming commands.

32bit VLC 2.0.6 TwoFlower
64bit VLC 2.0.4 TwoFlower

[nyplayer]

Originally Posted by mkanet

Some tips to keep in mind when troubleshooting video streaming:

For those of you who want to use the default install directory of VLC, remember to use short 8.3 naming for the full path. So, you would put:

C:\PROGRA~1\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe
instead of:
C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe

or

C:\PROGRA~2\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe
instead of:
C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe

and, don't forget to press the, "Save" button AND "Refresh Configurations" before trying your new changes each and every time. I always restart my web browser and go back to confirm that my changes are saved for sure.

You don't need to worry about changing permissions to your VLC directory if your userID is an "Administrator"; unless you changed the default permissions under the Program Files directory for some reason.

Does vlc.exe even get loaded into memory? Check your task manager to see if its there after you start streaming a video? Does it actively use your CPU? Does it's size in memory change at all? These are the things you should also post when trying to get troubleshooting help in this thread.

Lastly, you shouldn't just presume your firewall and antivirus won't interfere with the way vlc.exe operates; sometimes even if you explicitly added an exception (the exception(s) you added may not work the way you intended). You should consider temporarily/completely disabling both antivirus and firewall during your tests. I personally don't even use software firewall since IMO it wastes CPU cycles/memory. Instead, I depend on a dedicated hardware firewall (my Internet router).

If you're not sure which VLC version to use, install one of the two known compatible VLC versions below. Using an incompatible version can cause vlc.exe not to respond to Phoenix Streaming commands.

32bit VLC 2.0.6 TwoFlower
64bit VLC 2.0.4 TwoFlower

I have the full path in BMT and streaming works great never had a problem with it... I do not use short names. Nexus 7 using the Video Player.

[mkanet]

Long names didn't work for me at all. I even tried using quotes. I thought others might have that issue as well.

Originally Posted by nyplayer

I have the full path in BMT and streaming works great never had a problem with it... I do not use short names. Nexus 7 using the Video Player.