Netflix Search and Viewer

[dhgb256]

Hi All,

THIS PROGRAM IS NOW ON THE COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS: http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=44412

PLEASE GO TO THAT SITE FOR THE LATEST VERSION.

I got tired of not being able to watch Netflix movies using my remote control (on Windows XP), so I developed a program that allows you to watch them and search by actor, director, or keyword. The program info and keyboard shortcuts are listed below:

You will need the following remote codes to work with this:

Arrows (up, down, left)

Page up, down (for scrolling through movie list)

Num Pad – The forms accept SMS texting (e.g Num2 x 1 = “a”, num2 x
2 =”b”) This is so you can jump to a specific
movie/actor/director, or type in a search word/phrase. 0 =
Space key. Left arrow = backspace.

Space – Toggles play during movie watch (native to Netflix). This button also will start movie play while in the main screen (see enter button below).

F7 – Full screen during movie play (this took a TON of programming, but I got it to work).

F10 - Use this while watching a movie to bring up an information screen. (Must exit full screen mode first Alt-F4). F10 again will close the info screen and return you to full screen mode.

Shift-Tab - Used to skip backward episodes while watching multi-episode shows in movie watcher screen. Cannot be in full screen viewer when using this. Also used on other screens to navigate backward through tab fields.

Tab - Used to skip foward episodes while watching multi-episode shows in the movie watcher screen. Cannot be in full screen viewer when using this. Also used on other screens to navigate forward through fields.

Enter – Hit enter on any movie in the list and it will open in a viewer and should automatically go to full screen. Also, every form should respond to this to move around the screen (if not let me know)

Escape - will close any screen and take you back to the main menu. This key will also return you to the starting menu after a search is performed, this is the genre chosen on the options screen (ctrl-O).

Ctrl-[Left Arrow] - Use to rewind a movie, native to Netflix. Cannot be in full screen mode to do this.

Ctrl-[Right Arrow] - Use to fast forward a movie, native to Netflix. Cannot be in full screen mode to do this.

Ctrl-O – takes you to the options menu, this is where you can choose a
different genre to display on the main screen.

Ctrl-S – Search screen, you can search by actor, director, or word/phrase.

Actor and Director (sort by first name), à Actor/Director and a specific
genre, or all genres (if only 1 genre is found it automatically loads to the
movie screen.) You can also, narrow the search by typing in a key word
like “Arnold”.



Word/Phrase – This will search the movie names and the synopsis
paragraph for your word/phrase.

Ctrl-R – Red Remote Button deletes movie from My Queue
Ctrl-G – Green Button adds a movie to your “My Queue”

A separate program has been included which will manage the database, you can call the file "Netflix TX Database Build.exe" from your update EPG.bat file and it will update the database at night.

Installation:

Copy all files to any directory. The program will need about 60 minutes to run the initial database load, but subsequent loads (default every 30 days) take about 6 minutes. It loads yout Queue each time you log into the program (~20 sec).

If you would like to beta test without the initial 60 minute wait, you can download my populated database here: http://rapidshare.com/files/273494931/mo...o.zip.html

Just keep in mind that by doing this, the thumbnails will be downloaded as needed instead of all at once.

VERY IMPORTANT: You must log into Netflix and click remember me. A cookie must be present for this program to access your Queue and everything (needs to be in IE). I haven’t figured out how to auto login yet, still working on it.


To Do List:
Add screen to select episode when watching multipart shows.
Auto login, store username/password encrypted in database.
Add rating to search list
Add star rating to search list
Sort movie list (my queue) by order on the Netflix website.
Be able to rate movies

Version 1.2
- Fixed fullscreen (F7) for cinematic sized movies.
Updates: Netflix TX Desktop.exe

Version 1.1.3585.26078
- Fixed autoclose messages, they now close even if program is minimized.
- Sped up the ctrl-G and ctrl-R functions
Updates: Netflix TX Desktop.exe and Netflix TX Database Build.exe

Version 1.1.3584.40895 - 10/24/09
- Added logging of database build, for troubleshooting.
- think i finally fixed the database rebuild, previous versions were erratic in the number of movies found
- changed highlight from default (let me know what you think)
- Message Boxes will autoclose for most instances, this keeps your database rebuild from getting hung up.
Updates: movieinfo.ntf, movieinfo_blank.ntf, Netflix TX Desktop.exe and Netflix TX Database Build.exe

Version 1.1.3580.41904
- Fixed Skip/Replay buttons for 1152x648 resolution
- Made main screen indicate where cursor is by changing screen colors.
- Movie list now wraps long movie names.
- Screen text is now readonly
- Can't select labels or text unless it has a scroll bar.
Updates: Netflix TX Desktop.exe

Version 1.1.3577.27556
- Screen resizing fixes.
Updates: Netflix TX Desktop.exe


Version 1.1
- Added highlight to check boxes on options screen
- "OK" now toggles the check boxes on the options screen.
- Info screen text resize has been fixed.
- Improved scroll bar functionality and spacing of information on main screen and info screen.
- Fixed focus issues, top most screen now regains focus if lost. Additionally, Movie Viewer regains focus, so the remote buttons work when returning focus to the program.
Updates: Netflix TX Desktop.exe


Version 1.0.3574.35131
- Removed ctrl-n function, it was replaced by Escape key.
- Fixed escape key functionality on Movie Viewer
- Removed multiple task bar screens when forms are opened. This should help remote functionality.
Updates: Netflix TX Desktop.exe


Version 1.0.3573.37517
- Fixed text selection issue in options menu, on the main screen, and info screen
- Escape key now will return you ot the mian screen from any other screen (including info screen). Does not work while in full screen movie playback.
- Added highlight to options menu buttons
Updates: Netflix TX Desktop.exe

Version 1.0.3572.36775
- Fixed Options menu code break.
- Search screen now resizes based on screen resolution and selected default font.
- Info screen (F10) now bases font on the default selected on options menu.
- Color scheme removed for pop-up windows (options and search)
Updates: Netflix TX Desktop.exe

Version 1.0.3570.28560
- Sped up the installation bar.
- Changed the info screen, you now have to hit the F10 (or alt-F4) key to close the info screen. It does not close automatically.
- Allowed changing color scheme
- Allowed changing font size (works for most screens)
- Fixed options screen resize, fields now line up properly.
- Movies with the same name now load properly. In previous versions the movie might bring up the wrong version of the movie when watching.
Updates: Netflix TX Desktop.exe and Netflix TX Database Build.exe

Version 1.0.3568.42562
- Fixed 1152x648 screen resolution
- Added ctrl-n key to bring you back to the main menu
- The database update was broken in the last release, this has been fixed as far as I can tell.
Updates: Netflix TX Desktop.exe and Netflix TX Database Build.exe


Version 1.0.3565.36437
- Fixed the length field for Series, it now adds them all together instead of listing the length of the first show.
- Changed the way the key events are handled, trying to fix some remote control problems that were reported.
Netflix TX Desktop.exe
Netflix TX Database Build.exe

Version 1.0.3556.32166
- Added information screen during movie playback (F10).
- You can now cancel the database update by hitting alt-F4 on the install status screen.
New Version Affects:
Netflix TX Desktop.exe

Version 1.0.3535.27566
- Added option to update star rating when downloading the database information.
- Fixed Rating location, doesn't cut off long ratings anymore.
- Recently viewed movies no longer show up in "My Queue".
New Version Affects:
Netflix TX Desktop.exe
Netflix TX Database Build.exe
netflix tx viewer.ini

[Snooze]

I am going to give this a whirl! Did you see this thread? http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=41576

[dhgb256]

Hi Snooze,

Yes I did see that thread, I was using that program for a while, I found it quite useful. Are you the one that designed that? I'd love to know how you went about finding the "Full Screen" button and others.

Essentially I saw Hulu Desktop and thought, why on earth doesn't Netflix have this!! So I went ahead and tried my hand at it, that way the entuire viewing experience is right at your finger tips

If you have suggestions, please let me know. Also, here is the database builder, that I just finished testing (just put in the same directory as the other files). If you call this through your update EPG.bat file, it will keep your database up to date without having to run it on startup. Also, it is able to be minimized, so it would be best to use it to populate the database the first time, otherwise you can't really use your computer for an hour +/-.

-DH

[Snooze]

Are you the one that designed that? I'd love to know how you went about finding the "Full Screen" button and others.
-DH

No, I am dumb when it comes to that stuff. I was real happy to stumble upon it and seen it worked in PVRX2 with Whurlstons Netflix watch now plugin though!

I am stupid I think... I cant get this to appear in my menu as a custom task. I added it, restarted config, made sure it was above "Exit". Just cant get it to appear... hmmmm

[dhgb256]

Hey Snooze,

You have to open the config twice, then it will show up.

-DH

[whurlston]

dhgb256, couple of questions: What language did you use? I have some c# code for using skip forward/back with the Silverlight plugin. Also, are you using the Netflix API or just scraping the website?

[Snooze]

WTH... I cant get it to show up. Oh by the way you need to add a folder MovieInfo containing netflixhttp.tmp to your zip file. Without it I get a dot net error and if you continue it will just hang... Hate to have anyone expecting a 60 minute wait and it would never finish...

[Snooze]

Oh wow, I almost got this to work not in gbpvr though. Running it externally at the moment. I got it to load... I get the attached dot net error. Also trying to run Netflix TX Database Build.exe doesnt seem to do anything but blink.

[Snooze]

Ok, I am getting this error if I am scrolling to fast with the up down arrows... DBnull to String error... hope that helps your development! You and Whurlston should combine your efforts... I just love his plugin... hoping it develops more (hint hint)

[whurlston]

Ok, I am getting this error if I am scrolling to fast with the up down arrows... DBnull to String error... hope that helps your development! You and Whurlston should combine your efforts... I just love his plugin... hoping it develops more (hint hint)

I'm working on it. I'm also opening it up to other developers so the current situation does not happen again.