Plugins and NPVR. Where do we start?

[sub]

This sticky thread contains information about developing plugins for NextPVR.

I've updated this first post to collect together the sample plugins I've posted later in the thread.

- Test1.zip/Test2.zip use a framework similar to that used by GBPVR in the past, but only really exist to help users porting old plugins over to NextPVR. It's not recommended you use these in new plugins.

- Test3.zip shows a simple NextPVR plugin, in the style of many of the built in screens, with list of items and hidden menu bar at the top of the screen. It also shows how implement a popup, and a settings screen.

- TestRecorder.zip provide a skeleton recorder for those wanting to implement support for custom tuner types.

There is plenty of other useful discussion later in this thread, and in other threads posted in the developers forum, but if you need more info, or want help on getting started, just post and I'll point you in the right direction.

[Ommina]

Wowza. I'm feeling a little as if the rug has been pulled out from beneath me.

So. Where do I begin? After adding random references to DLLs, there seems to be some interesting interfaces in nutility.dll with promising names. IScreenPlugin I'm guessing, with IVideoPlugin for OSD goodies?

Is the source to test3.dll available? I can probably muddle my way through with that for the time being, after I stop whimpering in the corner.

[bgowland]

Good point. sub made the source for all three test plugins available to the testers but not public yet. I'm sure he'll rectify that soon.

As far as developing is concerned, there are very many similarities to developing for npvr so it's not that scary with the demo source. There are a number of new things and some not implemented yet but it's early days for npvr so we'll need to be patient.

[sub]

As Brian said, it very similar, so hopefully wont be too scary.

Here was a couple of sample plugins. Test2 was with the old style screen, buttons on the left, list on the right. Test3 was with smaller hidden button in the top right, list below.

[Ommina]

Thank you very much to you both! I'm feeling a bit less stunned than I was 24 hours ago.

There is clearly some work ahead of me, but it no longer seems insurmountable.

Do I understand correctly that the general direction for NPVR is the "new style screen" with the hidden menu, top left? That is, were I to want to remain as close to the base nPVR install, this is the style I should reproduce?

So far, I've been unable to figure out how to bring up the plugin's configuration form (or, indeed, how to add it to the main menu list without manually editing config.xml).

It could be that these are items simply not available in the beta release, which is fine. Goodness knows it will be a while before I'll really need to worry about them.

[sub]

Do I understand correctly that the general direction for NPVR is the "new style screen" with the hidden menu, top left? That is, were I to want to remain as close to the base nPVR install, this is the style I should reproduce?

It wasnt really a conscious decision, but yes, pretty much all the screens ended up with that general look. It still supports the old look, and I initially used this for the Recordings screen, but it looked out of place compared to the TV Guide and Library screens, so I switched it to the newer style.

So far, I've been unable to figure out how to bring up the plugin's configuration form (or, indeed, how to add it to the main menu list without manually editing config.xml).

I'll have to do a bit more work for getting to the settings screen, and for listing the installed plugins etc. I'll probably add this over the next week or two though, so just work on the assumption it'll happen soon. You'll most likely end up with a screen added to the Settings screen for configuring your plugin. (ie, named added to the list on the left, click it and your form will be shown on the right.

[Jaggy]

Do I understand correctly that the general direction for NPVR is the "new style screen" with the hidden menu, top left? That is, were I to want to remain as close to the base nPVR install, this is the style I should reproduce?

MVallevand worked some magic in nWebRadio using the top menu button coding to allow for either the top one or the old style (but actually hidden until selected) depending on a setting in the skin, I'm sure he will be willing to pass on how he did it. As a skinner of a large font skin I am a fan of the hidden top menu as it gives more real estate for displaying other things.

[mvallevand]

Thank you very much to you both! I'm feeling a bit less stunned than I was 24 hours ago.

I felt stunned too, but Jaggy did the skin and then it was pretty easy

Do I understand correctly that the general direction for NPVR is the "new style screen" with the hidden menu, top left? That is, were I to want to remain as close to the base nPVR install, this is the style I should reproduce?

Yes I think we are stuck with this, like it or not, it is the "new" Blue. You can use either style of button, but I haven't been able to mix them yet.

Martin

[Ommina]

Hm. Am I required to inherit from NUtility.Base.SimpleButtonPlugin or NUtility.Base.NewStyleButtonListPlugin ? I'm not seeing any other place with a .GetSkinHelper() -- IScreenPlugin doesn't have it.

Or am I missing something obvious - again ?

[mvallevand]

It's your choice, do you want visible buttons or new style buttons?

Martin