Some challenges with Universe Plugin

[cooper43]

Martin,

Awesome plugin. Running from PCH A-110 with PlayOn and NPVR 1.5.36 and latest mvpmcx2 update. YouTube seems to always work from PCH but I would say Netflix works about 20% of the time. If it doesn't work it goes black for about 1 minute and then just comes back. On computer, it seems to always go to 'Buffering' screen for about 20 seconds and then return. Log files attached... any ideas?

Steve

[mvallevand]

You didn't post any logs (OK fine now I saw the other post) but out of curiosity how is Netflix working from the PC? It is possible I don't wait long enough to start streaming. How do the longer shows from PBS work? Note that I am waiting for whurlston before I order Netflix for a month trial so I really can't say too much about my personal experience with Netflix.

Also one thing to note about PlayOn is that it transcodes streams for 5 minutes after after you start so it is not good from surfing channels. Are you waiting before selecting a new Netflix movie.

I am not sure how American subscribers are doing either, again I just don't have the info to help just yet. It might be a Netflix.ca thing.

Martin

[cooper43]

So, nothing seems to work from the PC via Universe plugin... I must have an issue somewhere with that -- it always shows 'buffering' for about 20 seconds and then returns. We however really only watch from the NMT. I also seem to be having an issue with WebRadio so it must be a fundamental thing... Short shows seem to work perfectly from the NMT (i.e. YouTube) but not the longer shows (Netflix). 30 minute shows from PBS Kids is a crap shoot... sometimes works, sometimes doesn't so I suspect a timin/buffering issues is bang on. Also, Netflix sometimes works...

On youtube, I go right from one video to another without delay and it seems to work.

Integrating this with SearchLite would be awesome -- to find movies, shows, YouTube videos etc... I'm sure not easy, but would be a very cool solution. Probably wouldn't need StreamIt...

Steve

[mvallevand]

Playing on the PC would require the right decoders and splitters for http playback and I can't help you there. Gabest and ffdshow are my defaults and they run without a hitch for me.

In the PlayOn Settings on the System Check tab when you do a PC Processor Performance test what speed rating do you get? Note PlayOn does not have to be installed on the same server as NPVR if you have a faster PC somewhere.

My plans are to bring WebRadio into the "Universe", adding web videos (likely not flash but maybe html5) and maybe IPTV, maybe salvaging some good links from UbuStream. SearchLite isn't really a search engine, it relies a lot on NEWA and the NPVR database, SearchLite probably won't go much further, I stopped thinking about it when sub said he would be bringing back searching. WebRadio has most of the scraping and parsing code I need for the web anyway.

I wouldn't give up on StreamIt, whurlston and I expect to be able to play videos directly in it via PlayOn.

Martin

[mvallevand]

Steve,

Could you try the attached and see if it helps.

Martin

[cooper43]

Martin, over all, this workes much better. Everything I tried on Netflix works, as well as other channels. For some reason, nothing from PBS Kids is working... unfortunately, a bit of a dissapointment to my 5 year old ;-). Thanks for the help. I think the buffering makes a difference (and strange, this is all running on a quad-core computer.) Does PBS kids work for you (Super Why...)

Steve

[mvallevand]

Great, I was hoping that that smarter buffering would help, I will update the online copy.

My trial has expired so I am not sure if I can give an accurate answer on PBS Kids. If the PlayOn built-in support isn't working you can try user scripts like this http://www.playonscripts.com/?w=view&id=27 I tried online in a browser and for Super Why it wasn't promising.

Looking at the TV Guide this week, I think I will get my free month Netflix trial soon.

Martin

[cooper43]

Yes, that's the problem, must be my Canadian IP. Anyway, Netflix and YouTube work perfectly now, so its all good. Thanks again. Really looking forward to StreamIt support !! I assume since you and whurlston and working toghether on it there will one day be support for the Canadian Netflix APIs...

Great job, this is the future of TV today....

Steve