Which direction now?

[mvallevand]

Over the long civic holiday weekend here I have had a chance to work out some logic and I now believe I can do much more with mono to give comskip, resume, and even MVP like file navigation and better live tv actually integrating a bit with llink on the NMT.

Also on the weekend, Syabas and I started discussions on how they are implementing resume. It is now pretty clear that I have to make a choice, at least for the next few months, and choose one approach or the other. The advantage to staying with Syabas will be that you get their improvements in file handling

Note that the I am only planning on making these changes for mpeg files and avi and mkv files will be basically handled natively.

So my question to you, based on your experience with your PCH to-date would you prefer I stay the course with Syabas or switch to the Hauppauge path?

Martin

[jksmurf]

M,

Sorry to sound dumb, but could you clarify which path does what and adv/disadv of each?

Syabas = Native File Handling but what disdvantages? Better handling, resume but no Comskip?
Hauppauge path = ??

My "ultimate" wish is for MVP-like resume, skip and comskip on all files the PCH can play, with Syabas speed of file handling.

Thanks!

k.

[pBS]

yea, long run it would seem prudent to go the syabas way, plus thinking less work for you..

is that the Haupp. streaming method? it's very responsive but sounds like a lot of code to implement, it is excellent on speed tho..

resume on all files sure would be nice..

comskip typically would only be used on mpegs or ts, [or dvrms] as most else won't be coming from tv so won't be any comms. to skip...

what are the drawbacks on Syabas methods?

integrating w/Llink? what would that give? it seems a bit rough around the edges still...

i love the Haupp. streaming method personally..but not at a sacrifice of major features..
[actually always thought that was the best method for gbpvr to do live tv too..specially for livetv-client/server]

[martint123]

Likewise here, I'm unsure of what the two different paths will offer or restrict.
Resume for me is the main missing facility as I guess it is for most. I'm not sure of the status of HD/264/ .TS files for pause and skipping while it is still recording as I haven't got my tuner sorted yet, but I would like it to be the same as the old MVP (it may well be so and I'm thinking of something else).

I guess following the syabas path would be the most painless and flexible. Going independent and having to replace mono could be very painful but maybe more responsive?.

I don't know enough about the intricacies to be able to saw which route would be better.

[mvallevand]

The direction I am looking at from GBPVR users is do you want me to hack together a solution that will allow emulation mode to work better with mono, putting the real weight on sub to handle file navigation trick modes like he does with the MVP, or do I continue to work with Syabas and integrate features that they implement when I can?

I know I can make video playing more emulation mode or MVP like, but you will lose things that you may have become used to like the left/right arrow 30 second skips and the time-based seek, both with the OSD (both which I happen find quite nice) as well as the, navigation by number key, and the planned Syabas native resume. Those that need it will also lose subtitle playing (which is broken anyway) and who knows what else in the future.

As a plus with emulation mode you get comskip, resume, and GBPVR time seek, (with a slight delay), and faster channel changing in live tv, but you will lose any OSD timeline for a file on the Info button since each time GBPVR sends a change these will be treated as new files.

I would be more optimistic if I felt that mvpmcx2 would ever be able to control the OSD and provide a 100% GBPVR solution while video is playing but I don't feel this will ever happen. I see the user base for the NMT really segmented, (although some people like me use a mix) and my feeling is this is the priority order at Syabas

- Native interface users of shares and internal drives (enhanced by skins and themes)
- HTTP server users (myiHome, llink, SwissCenter, etc)
-YAMJ and other movie collection interface users who really want a strong UI on the their browser using the Syabas HTML extensions for their trophies.
- mvpmcx2 users (GB-PVR and potentially others)

There's other downside to emulation mode as I seriously doubt that sub is going to develop the standalone parsers and splitters for non-streamable files in MKV or AVI containers, so these might need to be passed as is, and you will end up having to use two sets of remote control commands on the NMT based on the file type you are watching. GBPVR currently fakes it to the the MVP, but I thing most of you know prefer native play of files taking the burden off of the server.

Martin

[sub]

The direction I am looking at from GBPVR users is do you want me to hack together a solution that will allow emulation mode to work better with mono, putting the real weight on sub to handle file navigation trick modes like he does with the MVP, or do I continue to work with Syabas and integrate features that they implement when I can?

There's other downside to emulation mode as I seriously doubt that sub is going to develop the standalone parsers and splitters for non-streamable files in MKV or AVI containers...

Yeah, thats definitely the case. The current streaming mechanism only works for MPEG2, and I dont there is much likelihood I'll build similar functionality for other container types. It would be too much work for me. I think this type of stuff is better handled on the PCH.

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Resume is most important to me, and that seems to be possible with both road maps. You seem to know how Syabas is going to implement it so you probably know if it will be acceptable for us GBPVR users. Maybe you could give some more information, since the NMT board is off line?

I'm one of those persons that's gotten used to mono. I just wish it would support background playing, so we could keep the GBPVR interface with music files, exactly the same as the current way of playing music with the mediamvp, with a screen saver that shows the file being played.

I would also like it if the 30 second skip was customizable, 1 minute forward and 30 seconds back is a great feature of GBPVR. And the percentage skip is totaly crazy, but I've said that in previous threads, so sorry for repeating myself.

Not having a real timeline is a very bad idea, I use that a lot. So basicly I think you should go for the Syabas way, certainly when you believe you can influence their road map in a possitive way for GBPVR users. You should also think about the consequences for future emulation hardware, like the PS3. And what direction is mvpmc going?

Chris

[JonnyCam]

Yeah, I thought comskip was a real high priority for me - until I rebuilt the PC, and never put the comskip into the 3rd part directory.

Now I'm used to skipping the ads myself (9 clicks on the popcorn hour works perfectly for most of my primetime recordings!)

The resume function, however, is more important to me - would there be an advantage in either way - ie, would they both allow sharing of resume points between client, PCH, server?

I use the timeline a lot as well, so accuracy would be good.

Thanks

[mvallevand]

The resume function, however, is more important to me - would there be an advantage in either way - ie, would they both allow sharing of resume points between client, PCH, server?

For consistency on all media, the Syabas approach is probably best. However to make it work under GBPVR control, sub might need to:

- pass long filenames to the PCH.
- allow resume points on non-mpeg files, potentially impacting the PC client and certainly the MVP.
- modify the MVP logic to show the resume prompt before the file starts playing.
- determine what to do if the PCH has a later resume time.
- add a new option on the EPG on expired programs to search and download files using the Internet. Okay maybe not this, but it would be nice.

Martin

[hakras]

- add a new option on the EPG on expired programs to search and download files using the Internet. Okay maybe not this, but it would be nice.
Martin

I like how you snuck that one in

I agree that it would be nice.