Plugin development documenation for NextPVR?

[peter_h]

I'm considering taking up plugin development for NextPVR. However, I can't seem to find any documentation specifically for NPVR. I haven't done any GBPVR plugin development previously . I'm assuming it's different than writing GBPVR plugins?

My main reasons to contribute are to add the following functions:

1) Cloned video on multiple monitors: http://forums.gbpvr.com//showthread.php?...highlight=
2) Tracking multiple users' viewing history: http://forums.gbpvr.com//showthread.php?...tched-what
3) Adding the ability to play musical Playlists and AutoPlaylists that are from a MediaMonkey3 database.
4) Adding remote control, via a two-way IP socket, from multiple room-sensitive wi-fi PocketPC/Android/iPhone/iPodTouch devices running an Adobe Flash-GUI.

Given these requirements, do you think NPVR is the right choice? Or should I be looking at MediaPortal, given that its core is open source, in case I run into issues with things like adding T-filters into the DirectShow graph to support my AV cloning requirements?

Also, I remember Sub posting something about how, with NPVR, plugins will be able to add their own graphics to the core screens... is that still the case?

Thanks

[sub]

I dont have any documentation for you, but there was a few sample plugins posted.

1) Cloned video on multiple monitors: http://forums.gbpvr.com//showthread....ors&highlight=

You wouldnt be able to do this. Plugins dont have any low-level controls over media playback graphs.

2) Tracking multiple users' viewing history: http://forums.gbpvr.com//showthread....s-watched-what

You could write plugins to track viewing history of multiple users. Plugins get events about what files are played.

3) Adding the ability to play musical Playlists and AutoPlaylists that are from a MediaMonkey3 database.

Its easy to use the API to pass a list of files to play.

4) Adding remote control, via a two-way IP socket, from multiple room-sensitive wi-fi PocketPC/Android/iPhone/iPodTouch devices running an Adobe Flash-GUI.

It really depends how far you wanted to take this. You could certainly deliver keystrokes to the app from a plugin (much like a remote control would). Alternatively, you could initate playback of recordings, music, live tv etc, channels change etc, if you want to create your own rich UI on the remote device.

Also, I remember Sub posting something about how, with NPVR, plugins will be able to add their own graphics to the core screens... is that still the case?

Thats not something I said. I did say NPVR plugins can display images over video playback etc, which might be what you're thinking of. Plugins have no control over things shown in other screens.

[whurlston]

I was planning to ask for #4 once I got my IPad clone so I could do things like browse recordings while something is playing. This can already be done via existing infrastructure like NEWA but once I found what I want, I could initiate it back on the main screen. Probably still doable via a plugin but it might be nice to have a built in TCP listener for keystrokes.

Think SideShow remote functionality.

[peter_h]

Thanks Sub, I appreciate the first-hand answers.
All good news for me, except this one:

1) Cloned video on multiple monitors:
You wouldnt be able to do this. Plugins dont have any low-level controls over media playback graphs.

Thought that might be the case. Sub, I wonder, in around 6 months time when NPVR is settled, and you maybe have more time and you're willing, what would be the chances of you adding some API functionality that specifies that a T-filter be added to the end of the graph, in order to support cloned screens? (I've done this manuallly as an experiment in GraphStudio and managed to produce cloned video on multiple screens without a problem.)

Also, another question... Are plugins able to add their own fields to the DB record for a mediaItem?

Thanks again

[sub]

TThought that might be the case. Sub, I wonder, in around 6 months time when NPVR is settled, and you maybe have more time and you're willing, what would be the chances of you adding some API functionality that specifies that a T-filter be added to the end of the graph, in order to support cloned screens? (I've done this manuallly as an experiment in GraphStudio and managed to produce cloned video on multiple screens without a problem.)

To be honest, it's unlikely. There is more to it than just adding a tee filter. I think this is too niche to justify the effort that would be required.

Also, another question... Are plugins able to add their own fields to the DB record for a mediaItem?

Do you mean the video library etc? These are done purely from the file system, and doesnt store or retrieve information from the database to display the items.

[Reddwarf]

To be honest, it's unlikely. There is more to it than just adding a tee filter. I think this is too niche to justify the effort that would be required.

Do you mean the video library etc? These are done purely from the file system, and doesnt store or retrieve information from the database to display the items.

But plugins can have their own database (like Weather).