Support for Hulu.com and other TV streaming sources?

[Jason]

Originally Posted by cncb

Sage has a UPnP client working for the HD200 in "standalone mode" so it stands to reason that they should have a lot of the code for this already. I'm not sure why they haven't added it to Sage server for use in the "extender mode" yet.

Thinking about this more and more, I don't understand why this has not generated more buzz/questions?

For some time now, Sage has had online video support... Here we have a way/implementation to advance the server to 'eliminate' the use of hardware tuners, use our extenders, and Sage has no legal landmines to overcome via DIRECT interaction. I am sure that they are working on something, but only time will tell... Heck, MaximumPC had a specific article on basically the same thing...

In the meantime, with the amount of requests for HULU/Netflix/Flash video, this would appear to be a goldmine for some enterprising coder to integrate the client into Sage... The libraries are already built and awaiting the linkage...

Is it me or does this not make sense? I see several attempt for folks to use loopback hacks and other methods to accomplish this, when I would think that it should/could be relatively simple (no flames/rants/etc...).

-Jason

[scat]

Here is my Eventghost script for Hulu

Just copy the> Switch to mode: Hulu
and the > Hulu folder under the Context Folder

and delete the .txt extension

[alfi33]

This may be very obvious for some but I'll post it anyways...

This is how I got my Hauppauge 45 button remote to work with the Hulu Desktop application:

1. Edit the irremote.ini file in your Windows directory by adding the following to the [Applications] section:

Hulu Desktop=

2. Add a new section to irremote.ini by adding the following to the end of the file:

[Hulu Desktop]
NAVRIGHT={right}
NAVLEFT={left}
NAVUP={up}
NAVDOWN={down}
OK={enter}
PAUSE={enter}
STOP={enter}
PLAY={enter}
MENU={tab}
BACK={tab}
GRNPOWER={alt}{f4}

3. Then restart the ir.exe application.

Thanks to Andy and this thread that explains how to control other apps with this remote. http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4277

[brainbone]

Attached is very simple script that keeps Hulu Desktop in focus, for those having focus issues with hulu desktop on SageTV.

It looks for a window named "Hulu Desktop", and immediately forces it back in focus if it ever drops out. Simply run monitorhulu.exe on startup, and add Hulu Desktop as an external menu item in SageTV as others have described.

You'll need a remote that sends the appropriate commands (arrow keys, back and enter) to the focused window in order to control hulu desktop.

monitorhulu.exe - the executable that keep hulu desktop in focus.
monitorhulu.ahk - the Auto Hot Key script source, in case you want to modify it and compile a new version yourself.

Auto Hot Key is not required, unless you wish to modify the script.

UPDATE: Zip file now actually contains the files (whoops)

[dpackham]

that zip files doesn't have anything in it

Dave P

[brainbone]

Originally Posted by dpackham

that zip files doesn't have anything in it

Wow. How did I miss that!

Fixed.

[brainbone]

v0.2 of monitor hulu:

Changes:
only allow one instance of the script to run.
force focus back to SageTV when Hulu Desktop exits.

[dpackham]

what do I need to have this work? some additional software?

__ Auto Hot Key __ got it

Dave P

[brainbone]

You only need autohotkey if you want to modify the monitorhulu.ahk source. The monitorhulu.exe file will run without autohotkey.

[Peter_h]

Anyone got this working on an extender? It was cake on a client. I'm looking to do the netflix hack to get this on the extender. Will the remote commands work?

What exactly does the autohotkey script do?

[brainbone]

To get this working on the extenders, we would need to make another plugin like the netflix one -- but much more simple.

[Brent]

If we could get an easier way (easier than the current solutions) for Netflix and Hulu on the extenders, I'm in for a decent donation to the 3rd party developer (yes I mean it). I really would like to see this happen.

Online Providers I'd love to see available inside SageTV including easy install to the extenders:

1. Hulu
2. Netflix Watch Now
3. Amazon VOD

[mbowe]

Originally Posted by Brent

If we could get an easier way (easier than the current solutions) for Netflix and Hulu on the extenders, I'm in for a decent donation to the 3rd party developer (yes I mean it). I really would like to see this happen.

Online Providers I'd love to see available inside SageTV including easy install to the extenders:

1. Hulu
2. Netflix Watch Now
3. Amazon VOD

I'm with Brent on this one, 3rd party developer or even a Sage streaming add-on would get $$$'s from me. But extender support, and SageMC would be a requirement. ;-)

[Fluffdaddy]

Why must it be a 3rd party developed solution, why wouldn't Sagetv provide in-house support for Hulu and or Netflix ?

Is there a legal reason?

Thanks



*Yes this may have been answered already but please do a old man a solid.
If ten seconds of your time is not to valuable.

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by Fluffdaddy

Why must it be a 3rd party developed solution, why wouldn't Sagetv provide in-house support for Hulu and or Netflix ?

Is there a legal reason?

Thanks



*Yes this may have been answered already but please do a old man a solid.
If ten seconds of your time is not to valuable.

I would think it's a m-o-n-e-y issue. Hulu continues to shut down access to its video thru anything other than a browser or its own desktop on multiple platforms. Says the providers don't want to cut into the TV revenue stream. The netflix apis are out there so I don't know if it is a money issue with Sage being a commercial app. The 3rd party plugins probably skirt around the issue. Netflix is tightening up with the number of devices in a single household can run Netflix WatchNow. It is limited to 6 devices in a household which includes PCs. (If that is the issue.) All guesses here-no secret insight to the problem.

gerry

[Fluffdaddy]

Interesting.

Thanks for taking the time to get me up to speed.

[aflat]

Originally Posted by gplasky

I would think it's a m-o-n-e-y issue. Hulu continues to shut down access to its video thru anything other than a browser or its own desktop on multiple platforms. Says the providers don't want to cut into the TV revenue stream. The netflix apis are out there so I don't know if it is a money issue with Sage being a commercial app. The 3rd party plugins probably skirt around the issue. Netflix is tightening up with the number of devices in a single household can run Netflix WatchNow. It is limited to 6 devices in a household which includes PCs. (If that is the issue.) All guesses here-no secret insight to the problem.

gerry

Netflix api's are out there yes, but they don't have any streaming api's. The api's just cover things like queue managment and disc info lookups(like title actors, rating)

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by aflat

Netflix api's are out there yes, but they don't have any streaming api's. The api's just cover things like queue managment and disc info lookups(like title actors, rating)

Looks like the javascript api can work their player:

nflx.openPlayer : function(movieId, xPos, yPos, applicationId, domId)

openPlayer expects the movie ID, the X and Y position in pixels from the top of the viewport, your application ID, and the DOM id you want your X and Y position to be counted from. Only the DOM ID is optional.

And of course you have the official MS Netflix in Windows Media Center which is also in the Netflix App Gallery.
NetFlix in Windows Media Center

I don't think MS is using a "hack" to access the Watch Instantly movies. I'm pretty sure they're using the api. Their advantage is the Silverlight player is more easily controlled and accessed thru the Media Center app.

Gerry

[brainbone]

Originally Posted by gplasky

I don't think MS is using a "hack" to access the Watch Instantly movies. I'm pretty sure they're using the api. Their advantage is the Silverlight player is more easily controlled and accessed thru the Media Center app.

I haven't looked at netflix in media center. Does it use the silverlight player? Can it be controlled via remote?

[cncb]

Originally Posted by brainbone

I haven't looked at netflix in media center. Does it use the silverlight player? Can it be controlled via remote?

Yes and yes. I think the video quality is pretty poor.