nDroid v1.0 support thread

[bgowland]

PLEASE NOTE THE CURRENT VERSION IS v1.2 PLEASE SEE THIS THREAD...
http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...ort-thread

I've attached the first Beta version of nDroid v1 and would be interested to get some feedback on any aspect (whether it works, how the UI looks/feels etc).

Bear in mind this is only Beta code and fairly limited so I consider it for 'testing' although it is functional. I'd recommend testing locally, i.e., over wi-fi and checking against your N-PVR installation as to how things work.

The post got quite long so I've split the installation instructions to the next post.

Limitations / known issues / other information

1. IMPORTANT: Currently only working with Android v2.2 and above - please see my post here
   
2. Make sure you always have a network connection when you start the nDroid client app - it doesn't like it if you don't (to be fixed ASAP)
   
3. Can only set/cancel 'one-off' recordings (recurring etc. coming soon)
   
4. Channel logos not yet supported (thanks however to ACTCMS once again for the placeholder )
   
5. If the client app is stopped (using Application Manager) and restarted, the label at the top (next to the logo) may default to the first EPG channel but the list will remember the last channel's EPG data viewed (I have a handle on this so it should be fixed soon)
   
6. Client ocassionally may be unresponsive when setting/cancelling a recording - if it happens for more than 4-5 seconds and the BACK button fails, use HOME to get out.
   
7. Setting a recording doesn't always immediately highlight the guide list entry even if it's successful - use BACK to step out and start the app again to see the highlight.
   

LATEST UPDATE: 2011-02-24 03:50

[bgowland]

The code is in two parts...

1. nDroidService (PC-based N-PVR proxy service contained in nDroidService.zip)
   
2. nDroid.apk (the Android client app contained in nDroid.zip)
   

[SIZE="3"]Installation:[/SIZE]

[SIZE="2"]NOTE: Install nDroidService FIRST![/SIZE]

nDroidService:

1. Open the zip file and drag and drop the 'nDroid' folder into your 'program files' folder. I use XP so my setup has "C:\Program Files\nDroid". It shouldn't matter where you put it as the service .EXE will work out where it is and adjust accordingly but the program files folder made sense to me.
   
2. Open the nDroid folder and run "InstallService.bat" to install/register nDroidService.exe
   
3. Using Notepad, open the nDroidSettings.xml file and set the username/password to be the same as those used in the N-PVR Settings page for the web service. NOTE: these are case-sensitive and must be in plain text - I'll improve on this in a future version. The default port used for listening is 8790, you can change this here if you'd prefer. Save/close the file.
   
4. The service, by default, will be installed to start manually. Using 'My Computer' -> 'Manage', go to 'Services', start the nDroid Service and also set it to Automatic start.
   

nDroid client:

The tricky part.

1. By default, Android will refuse to install any app which hasn't come from the App Market so go to 'Settings' on your Android device then 'Applications' and enable 'Unknown sources' to allow installing non-market applications.
   
2. As I'm not distributing this via the Android App Market, you'll need to work out a way to get the .apk file on to your device (see next section).
   
3. On first run, you should see a Maintenance screen with choices for IP name/address, port, username and password. Set these accordingly but make sure you get them right as you'll have to uninstall/re-install to see this screen again - I'll be adding a way to get back to this screen very soon.
   
4. When you leave the Maintenance screen, you should see a 'Downloading files' dialog and when that finishes, hopefully you'll be good to go.
   

Getting the nDroid.apk onto your device:

If you use a 'file manager' app (e.g., Astro) on your Android device then simply download directly from here, unzip and open it to allow the Application Manager to install it.

Alternatively, unzip to you PC and use one of the following

1. Use your device's PC software, e.g., HTC Sense allows installing apps over USB
   
2. Bluetooth 'push' FTP transfer (my preference - quick, easy and wire free)
   
3. Email it as an attachment to an account that you can access from your device (requires file manager app to install it)
   
4. Copy onto SD card (requires file manager app to install it)
   

[bgowland]

Usage:

• The 'time' will show a red background for scheduled recordings.
  
• To view a programme's details simply tap the entry in the list. This will also give an option to set/cancel a recording.
  
• To change channel for the EPG, tap the 'logo' to get a channel changer popup
  

[Nistrod]

1) nDroidService install gives "This Program might not have installed properly" dialog on Windows 7.

2) Permissions on nDroidSettings.xm dont make it easy to change.

3) On an HTC Desire, ndroid starts, runs through the maintenance screen and then displays an almost blank screen with "Channel Logo Not Found" in the top left.
No other info is displayed. Tapping anywhere on the screen has no effect, tapping on the Channel Logo causes a force stop. Menu has no effect.

I had started nDroidService, and set the parameters correctly.

Let me know if I can provide more info or help debug.

[Nistrod]

OK, some uninstalls and re-installs later, it spends a LONG time "Downloading files".
I can see a TCP connection on the PC (using resource monitor).

[bgowland]

Thanks for trying, I had a feeling that Vista/W7 might cause problems but I'd forgotten that simple things like editing a file in the 'programs' folder would incur permissions issues. Major rethink needed here and it might explain some other stuff.

The log files for the nDroidService will be in blah\nDroid\Logs - if they exist and you can zip and attach I'll take a look. Also, is there anything in blah\nDroid\data\zip ???

[Nistrod]

data\zip only has empty PlaceHolder.txt
Logs attached.

The "Downloading" eventually finished, but the blank screen remains.

[bgowland]

Thanks, I'm not sure why this is working for me but not for you, again possibly an XP/W7 difference.

Try finding the N-PVR install folder and do a drag and drop copy of System.Data.SQLite.dll into the nDroid service folder. The logs show that it's failing because it can't find it.

Restart the service and also uninstall/reinstall the client.

[Nistrod]

OK.
Log shows
23/02/2011 19:49:06.609 OnStart threw exception: Could not load file or assembly 'System.Data.SQLite, Version=1.0.66.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=db937bc2d44ff139' or one of its dependencies. The located assembly's manifest definition does not match the assembly reference. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80131040) at uk.co.beetec.csharp.nDroid.nDroidServiceHelper.GenerateSchemaFile()
at uk.co.beetec.csharp.nDroid.nDroidService.OnStart(String[] args) in C:\Documents and Settings\gbpvr\My Documents\Visual Studio 2008\Projects\nDroidService\nDroidService\nDroidService.cs:line 138

[bgowland]

Thanks, I know what is happening. I'll upload another version when I get home from work tonight.