Anime Library - Support Thread

[Ommina]

I think I'm going to give up on networking AnimeLib, at least until IP addresses (\\192.168.168.192\j-recordings\[] THEMED\[] ANIME) can be used instead of a drive letter. I'm fairly convinced that, for whatever reason, aniscan expects a drive letter. Honestly, mapping drive letters is an option of mine but I dislike more setup and maintenance and almost always shy away form such things whenever possible. At least I can still get to my anime collection through the Video Library.

What happens if you use a machine name instead of the IP?

[Takkun]

What happens if you use a machine name instead of the IP?

Bingo! Amazingly, AniScan is now hashing my files over the network! :eek: This is great! Now, can AniScan detect networked computers?

I'm guessing you must be coding in C#? It's quite strange one type of network-share is supported, while the other isn't (it's a MS thing...).


A few other thoughts regarding "Client Side: Anime Library":

• Database over the Network: Client-usage of GBPVR requires the GBPVR folder to be on a share. So you might be able to extrapolate the complete path to AniLib's database DB3 file over the network .
  
• Video Locations: Without an extra check or two (wink-wink), the user would need to add folders using the network-shares. Otherwise, when the DB3 file (on the server) is accessed from the client, video locations would still point to local drives.

Provided these two issues are addressed, client-side AniLib should be a reality to the average user.

Side note: I normally don't use computer-names (in Windows Explorer) due to loosing the connection to the server after 10 mins or so. I never did figure out why, but the problem stopped when I switched to IP addresses. However, while hashing, Ive been also encoding over the network and browsing networked-shares and all seems working fine (20+ mins). I'll continue until completed and post if this ever becomes a problem (I'm fairly dependent on my network).

[Ommina]

Interesting! Roughly, the logic seems to be this:

"Path to folder by IP? Begone foul cretin! No access for you!" vs "Path to folder via machine name? Come on it, sit down, have a moistened towel." I don't pretend to understand the difference.

However, now that I know that the machine name works, I can check to see if it is an IP, and replace the IP with the name before heading out to scan for the files. Although, ideally, if we're going to walk down the network client path, then, really, the config application should be storing the machine names originally, not the IP. (Though the IP check wouldn't be a bad thing to include anyway, for the extra half dozen lines.)

Now, can AniScan detect networked computers?

Did you mean the config form here? I'm not seeing how the having AniScan detect networked computers helps any.

As I see it, both the plugin and the config for should check the master "configure this machine as a client" setting, and use the values entered there. With, I imagine, a local checkbox to disable the behaviour if desired. That should get the database location taken care of.

Additionally, the config form should store filenames in UNC format, instead of using drive letters. As a happy side effect, this will save non-client users from having to ensure networked drives are named exactly the same should they be reinstalling or changing computers.

Permissions will still be the user's worry - but if they can set up permission to let GBPVR run as a client, they already have the knowledge.

Rereading your message, I think I just repeated exactly what you already said. Bah.

This would very much be a v2 thing though. Which is still a ways away.

[Takkun]

Wait, GBPVR Client works fine (alone) using IP addresses? :confused: Hmmm...

...Uh-Oh... (...much time passes...)


Well, I don't think AniLib appreciated my use of a "rephrase/symbolic point" in xp. I've re-done my tests without anything special, a new install of AniLib, a local version of the db file, re-hashed <part> of my anime, used IP addresses, and all is working well. I think either my video-codecs weren't functional or the rephrase point messed up my last tests (probably why Microsoft wont officially support these).

I'm terribly-terribly sorry for all the confusion!!!!
At this point, IP or Named addresses, although there might be minor differences, I'm convinced it doesn't actually matter.

[Ommina]

Well, I saw the difference between IP and machine names too. In the wee test application that I put together, it most assuredly raised an exception when I tried to access a shared folder via IP. The same exception was not raised via a machine name.

In fairness, I suppose this could have been some sort of timing thing. Maybe the request via IP timed out but ultimately DID authenticate, which is what allowed the subsequent machine name request a minute later to work. I'll have to test with an 'untouched' folder via name and see how it goes.

On to other topics!

As discussed, pressing ENTER on an episode now brings up the smallish popup featuring a CANCEL and PLAY button, with the latter selected - same as recordings. Any suggestions on what to put in the rest of the box? Keep in mind there is not a lot of space (so titles are out).

I'm leaning toward duration, last watched, and file resolution -- but right now it's just a black square.

On a more personal note, thank you very much for the changes you made to the wiki page. Clarity has certainly increased sharply, and I had a pretty good idea what the original author was (trying to) say.

[Takkun]

...it most assuredly raised an exception...

Interesting and confusing. Hmm. Could you make a big annoying comment-block in the code for future reference to the issue? (I'm favorable to java-doc comment blocks.) Clearly getting IP addresses to "work" isn't needed at this time. Ok, ok! Moving on....

As discussed, pressing ENTER on an episode now brings up the smallish popup featuring a CANCEL and PLAY button, with the latter selected - same as recordings. Any suggestions on what to put in the rest of the box? Keep in mind there is not a lot of space (so titles are out).

I'm leaning toward duration, last watched, and file resolution -- but right now it's just a black square.

No title? Is it smaller then a normal popup? I doubt all/most/some of these could fit but...
[SIZE="1"]
-- Anime "Cover" Image: Same as in the Title-Summery but not displayed as a main visual element. It should be either much smaller or darkened as part of the popup's background (with info over the image).

-- Do Vote: Sure it's not nearly as important as series-voting but (because it would be so easy) this could encourage more people to give their opinion on individual episodes.

-- Show Vote: Well, when it's available anyway. It could help those not (yet) fond of anime identify good episodes.

-- Episode #: Episode 'X' of 'Y'.

-- Notes: For lack of a better name; An area that could display things like "Part 1 of 2" on multi-part episodes, when applicable.

-- Languages: Available audio & subs.

-- Lang-Select: Probably not, considering Haali Media Splitter does this already. Interface into it?

-- System-Icons: This may only apply to the file-type, but showing any system-icons could be neat, or even custom icons if we can come up with at least 3.

-- Encoding Group: Available audio & subs.

There's probably a couple more I cant think of right now.
[/SIZE]
Please keep in mid I have barely skimmed AniDb's API so I'm not sure how ridiculous are these ideas.


(!) If you'd like, email me a screenshot and I could create a few variations on the image you can work from.

On another note: (just thought of it)
Voting (in general) could be enhanced by enabling the "vote-bar" to be selectable, possibly identified by 'pulsing' the stars, enabling the user to use left/right arrows to set a vote-level w/out number-keys. Adding left/right icons to either side of the vote-bar, only when the bar is selected, would help indicate the proper action.

On a more personal note, thank you very much for the changes you made to the wiki page. Clarity has certainly increased sharply, and I had a pretty good idea what the original author was (trying to) say.

Your very welcome! I really hate "support" in general (the win32 "go-to" guy throughout High School and Collage, grr [LOL]), so I try to take proper documentation seriously (at least the user-end docs) and take pride in a good product.

Once I get the remaining sections finished, the page will be quite long. I don't want to overstep my bounds, so at that point I'll talk to blader_se and see if we can split it up into multiple pages (which I don't see other plugins doing yet).

[Ommina]

Well, presently the "play" popup is roughly the same size as the equivalent popup from the base Recordings screen. Roughly. 60% of screen width horizontally, 45% vertically. That can change, of course. It's easy to change the size of a black square.

Random thoughts incoming. This is going to be pretty disjointed...

I need to be careful with the size of the image (and text size too, of course), since I don't know what kind of display the end user has, and how far away from it they will be sitting. I recall a thumbnail type display I did early on that worked great sitting at the computer, but turned into a coloured blob when on the TV. I'm hesitant to even guess what the lower limit is - maybe half the size of the current image?

Episode ratings are a good idea. They are not used as much on AniDb as the anime ratings, so the confidence in them will not be quite as high, but since any such ratings are highly subjective anyway, I'm OK with that. I'll check into this one.

I'm not following on the system icons though. What kind of icons, and what would they represent? Based on file extension? /befuddled, sorry!

The voting bar idea is also an interesting one. I can't make it pulse / animate (well, I can, but, as I understand it, clients such as PCH and MVP don't deal well with animations, so I'm avoiding them). Maybe a colour change instead? It would also involve changing the meaning of the left/right arrows, but I'm not really bothered by that either.

"Play Subtitled" / "Play Dubbed" buttons would be nice. Ideally maintaining the preference on a title by title basis. I don't have too much control over Haali, just what magic I can work by fussing with its registry settings. (I dream of a day when gbpvr provides native support for alternate subtitle streams, along with scaling. But I fear they are not an especially high priority for sub...)

As I think about it, I'm not really happy with the current method of differentiating between "my" vote vs the rest of the worlds. The second line of stars needs... something... to indicate what it represents. Sure, it becomes obvious fairly quickly, but, it bugs me.

[Takkun]

10 Days! Sorry, time flys!

since I don't know what kind of display the end user has, and how far away from it they will be sitting.

I don't think that will be a problem. If we can read it, it should be good enough. I've found GBPVRs default font sizes to be far-too small, resulting in blurry text on my standard def tv. Until GBPVR provides a text-sizing control (initiate dream sequence!), I'd say let the end user worry about it.

...the size of the image...

Oh, right. Some degree of blurriness will likely be unavoidable. However, we could crop ~15% around the entire image to reduce that. All depending on where the image goes and what free-space we have to work with. The background-image is still an option.

I'm only suggesting this to add uniqueness to each title's popup. It's my belief that a text-only popup for each anime-title (all being nearly identical) would make this a less-used/desired feature.

Episode ratings are a good idea. They are not used as much on AniDb as the anime ratings, so the confidence in them will not be quite as high, but since any such ratings are highly subjective anyway, I'm OK with that. I'll check into this one.

IMHO: AnimeDb's user interface is terrible. That is why (subjectivity aside) episode-rankings are not entirely reliable. Only a small percentage of people will ever bother to navigate that far into their "myList", just to rank a specific episode in a series they've already voted on. (Rant over, lol). However, thanks to Anime-Library (and similar apps), we have a medium that provides this feature on-demand. Meaning, if they want to vote on it, the interface is already in-front of them. Much - much - easier!

...system icons...

Just a crazy/lame idea to add a little personal-uniqueness to the users interface. Specifically, icons for video file-types. The system's icons could be used (the icon used in the system's normal file-system) -or- we could provide our own icons. However, I don't know if this would be useful to anyone.

The voting bar idea is also an interesting one. I can't make it pulse / animate (well, I can, but, as I understand it, clients such as PCH and MVP don't deal well with animations, so I'm avoiding them). Maybe a colour change instead? It would also involve changing the meaning of the left/right arrows, but I'm not really bothered by that either.

Highlighting idea :: This is just a suggestion so please use whatever works best for you. Each star is yellow, outlined with black. The highlighted version is a normal star with the same border that is outlined -again- with a white border of same thickness and another black outline around that (to add clarity for those with lighter-transparent popup backgrounds). This probably makes a chubby star so some leeway might be needed around the 'points' of the star to keep the size down.

"Play Subtitled" / "Play Dubbed" buttons would be nice. Ideally maintaining the preference on a title by title basis. I don't have too much control over Haali, just what magic I can work by fussing with its registry settings.

If haali's settings are in the registry (which is just icky) then you could show the languages used with "Play Subtitled" and "Play Dubbed"! :eek:

(I dream of a day when gbpvr provides native support for alternate subtitle streams, along with scaling. But I fear they are not an especially high priority for sub...)

I think someone would have to build it as a plugin and provide the source to sub (not open source). Only then would I think it has a chance. It might take a few revisions tho.

As I think about it, I'm not really happy with the current method of differentiating between "my" vote vs the rest of the worlds. The second line of stars needs... something...

Perhaps "checkmarks" for "myVote" instead of "stars"? Or perhaps a "bar" (of sq.units) for the "global vote"? Hmmm...

[Ted the Penguin]

As I think about it, I'm not really happy with the current method of differentiating between "my" vote vs the rest of the worlds. The second line of stars needs... something... to indicate what it represents. Sure, it becomes obvious fairly quickly, but, it bugs me.

how about globes for the global rating.. or stars overlayed on globes... its cheezy, but very obvious!

[Ommina]

I'm all for cheezy! In fact, I rather like the stars overlaid idea. Time to poke my graphic maker (I'm happily incompetent when it comes to anything graphics related. Maybe that's why I'm always so amazed by hairy's work.)

So, yeah. After being distracted by another project over the past couple of weeks, I'm poking at version two again.

Oh, right. Some degree of blurriness will likely be unavoidable. However, we could crop ~15% around the entire image to reduce that. All depending on where the image goes and what free-space we have to work with. The background-image is still an option.

I'm only suggesting this to add uniqueness to each title's popup. It's my belief that a text-only popup for each anime-title (all being nearly identical) would make this a less-used/desired feature.

Well, so far I've change the "play file" popup to match the size and layout of GB's "recordings" popup: with the menu on the left, reading "watch", "stuff / more stuff", "cancel". This is slightly larger than my original popup, but still somewhat smaller than anime / file popups.

Episode rating and voting should be possible, again with the caveat that anidb's support for episode voting is difficult to find, and, as such, not widely used. (I do not disagree on the difficulty of some sections of anidb's interface. But at the same time, I have absolutely no suggestions on how to improve it either.)

I agree on the text-only popup looking quite... dry. I have some ideas here that I think will work well, but they are a long way from being realized. On the other hand, I'm not in any big hurry.

If haali's settings are in the registry (which is just icky) then you could show the languages used with "Play Subtitled" and "Play Dubbed"!

haali's settings are, indeed, in the registry. The "play subbed" and "play dubbed" settings work by manually fussing with its registry settings. I'm not especially fond of this approach either, but if there is any other way to interact with Haali, I've been unable to find it. I would very much like to indicate which stream I want to play, especially when there are multiple subtitle streams. As is Haali provides no provisions for such selections (it always plays the first stream that matches the selected language), through its own interface or any other.

I've spent some very little amount of time looking to see how subtitle changing is done via directx, and will spend some more time later tonight, but I fear a really 'good' solution to subtitle selection will require support from sub. (And yes, if I do work out the directx support on my own, I'll be more than happy to donate the code...)

Regardless - inclusion of selected language / scaling on the PlayFilePopup is a good idea.

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And a note to all -- now is the time for feature requests, if there are any!