Boxee Box as an extender? (xbmc perhaps?)

[PiX64]

Originally Posted by hoep

Maybe, but the direction was great!

Agreed. We should continue our convo in a more general post. U want to create a new one tmiranda or should I?

* split to its own topic *

[tmiranda]

Originally Posted by PiX64

Agreed. We should continue our convo in a more general post. U want to create a new one tmiranda or should I?

You can. I'm reading up on the Boxee API right now. I managed to deploy my first (very simple) app.

[Slugger]

Someone got some links to docs for developing for boxee? Do the boxes (extender replacements??) play (most) everything the HD200/300 does? Where do I buy one (and get it shipped to Canada)? If these boxes are a viable extender replacement, I'd be willing to help develop the plumbing for getting the boxee device to talk with Sage server to find videos to play back, etc. Assuming the device itself knows what to do once it's given a file path to play back? Do the devices themselves do the heavy lifting on playback, like the HDx00, or is all playback transcoded by PC software on the fly (like placeshifter)? My interest fades rather quickly if it's the latter.

[tmiranda]

Originally Posted by Slugger

Someone got some links to docs for developing for boxee? Do the boxes (extender replacements??) play (most) everything the HD200/300 does? Where do I buy one (and get it shipped to Canada)? If these boxes are a viable extender replacement, I'd be willing to help develop the plumbing for getting the boxee device to talk with Sage server to find videos to play back, etc. Assuming the device itself knows what to do once it's given a file path to play back? Do the devices themselves do the heavy lifting on playback, like the HDx00, or is all playback transcoded by PC software on the fly (like placeshifter)? My interest fades rather quickly if it's the latter.

Slugger,

I don't have an exhaustive list, but the BB does play a lot of formats.

The Wiki has a lot of info: http://developer.boxee.tv/Main_Page

This forums thread compares some popular media players: http://forums.boxee.tv/showthread.php?t=38942

Here is a developer forum (but I think the wiki is a better place to start): http://forums.boxee.tv/forumdisplay.php?f=19

The BB does all of the UI rendering and video heavy lifting. It's got an Atom processor in it and runs linux. Boxee itself is an offshoot of XBMC and runs on Linux, Mac, and Windows platforms.

It looks fairly easy to play video, you setup a "listItem" (using python) and then tell the box to play it.

The basic structure of an "App" is a bunch of XML and python scripts. The XML is used to describe how UI elements look and behave. It's almost like writing a STV directly without the help of Studio.

I bought mine from NewEgg, I don't know if they ship to Canada or not. If you're interested I'd have no problem shipping one to you.

Tom

[Slugger]

Ok... I'm interested.

I have one key requirement:

This little box has to play HD-PVR/Colossus recordings (H.264, 1080i) (and others, of course) as smooth as the HDx00. Are you able to test that out? If you give it the green light then I'll start looking at tracking one down and getting my hands on it.

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Slugger

Ok... I'm interested.

I have one key requirement:

This little box has to play HD-PVR/Colossus recordings (H.264, 1080i) (and others, of course) as smooth as the HDx00. Are you able to test that out? If you give it the green light then I'll start looking at tracking one down and getting my hands on it.

Looks like Newegg Canada has them for sale if you do want one.

[Slugger]

Ok, the big box stores down the street from me have the D-Link Boxee Box in stock. That was easy. Retailing for CDN $199.99. Is that the same model you got? Same price (roughly)?

A severely pulled hamstring has pretty much ended my ball season so I might just pick one of these up this weekend and start playing around with it... still wouldn't mind hearing your test results on H.264 playback beforehand.

[tmiranda]

I paid $193 US from NewEgg. Sorry, I don't have any H.264 material to try.

[Slugger]

Yeah, no problem. Got a funny feeling my summer break from Sage coding is about to come to an abrupt end.

[PiX64]

Originally Posted by Slugger

Yeah, no problem. Got a funny feeling my summer break from Sage coding is about to come to an abrupt end.

I am intersted in working on this as well. I don't have a boxee box but will setup a client machine to run it in order to do development.

I relaly want to try and do a client replacement though not just the ability to get my media.

is that what you guys are thinking?

[PiX64]

what should i call the new thread and where should i put it...

customizations?


name = SageUI replacement discussion?

[tmiranda]

Originally Posted by PiX64

what should i call the new thread and where should i put it...

customizations?


name = SageUI replacement discussion?

Put it in the Media Extender thread and call is something like ""Boxee Box as an Extender?"

[Slugger]

Originally Posted by PiX64

I am intersted in working on this as well. I don't have a boxee box but will setup a client machine to run it in order to do development.

I relaly want to try and do a client replacement though not just the ability to get my media.

is that what you guys are thinking?

Yeah... it's got to do all the "key" Sage functions. I know "key functions" is definitely subjective, but to me that means:

* Browse media (tv recordings, imported videos, music [if this device/platform supports music playback], pictures [again, if supported]) and play it back when selected

* Schedule recordings/view recording schedule

* View/modify favourites

* View EPG

That's what I'm looking to do. Then there are some bonus features I'd like to throw in there, such as system message support, etc. But that's not critical to me. Initially, I'd just start with being able to list my media from SageTV and play it back, then build from there.

[tmiranda]

There are two basic ways this can be done:

1. Write an App that more or less reproduces the SageTV interface
2. Write an App that reads the SageTV7.xml file.

I think the first is easier but the second is better.

[PiX64]

Starting a new thread to take the place of the discussion which inadvertently hijacked the "roku channel" thread.

original post link:
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56290

Let the discussion continue....

i dont like the name i chose for this thread, but couldn't figur eout how to change it. it should be

"Boxee Box and/or xbmc as an extender?

[PiX64]

new thread for boxee and or xbmc discussion.

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56535

sorry it took a minute, had a crying baby to deal with.

[emveepee]

I got my Boxee Box in Canada at my local Best Buy the weekend it came out. I like it for online playback but it never replaced my Popcorn Hours. Although I don't comskip my files it did support edl files natively.

Originally they were thinking of alternate apps like XBMC on the BB, which is why I rushed to get it, then they locked it down for Netflix. I think it would be possible to write a Boxee app to play back recording based on my recent work with the web api's.

Martin

[Slugger]

Originally Posted by emveepee

I got my Boxee Box in Canada at my local Best Buy the weekend it came out. I like it for online playback but it never replaced my Popcorn Hours. Although I don't comskip my files it did support edl files natively.

Originally they were thinking of alternate apps like XBMC on the BB, which is why I rushed to get it, then they locked it down for Netflix. I think it would be possible to write a Boxee app to play back recording based on my recent work with the web api's.

Martin

What do you mean they "locked it down"?

[Slugger]

Originally Posted by tmiranda

There are two basic ways this can be done:

1. Write an App that more or less reproduces the SageTV interface
2. Write an App that reads the SageTV7.xml file.

I think the first is easier but the second is better.

I think #1 is waaaay easier. Furthermore, I don't see the advantage of #2 - unless this device can render anything and everything the Sage extender devices can, including animations, etc. such that you can convert a Sage STV into something this device can render with the exact same results. If it's not a 1:1 conversion then it seems to me we'd be wasting a lot of time trying to accomplish 1:1 with very little return and a lot of frustration. Personally, my vision is strictly option #1. My view is a little skewed because I'm really only interested in function vs. appearance. I'm definitely more interested in finding a way to replace my HDx00 devices should they die with something functional (i.e. something that can view/edit schedules/favs/etc and play back media).

But since my initial look at the developer docs for this device suggests the UI code is separated completely from the python code, there's nothing stopping anyone from trying #2, but my personal focus on such a project would be to get something that allows me to do the basic functions (view/edit schedule/favs/etc.) and playback my media. The end goal being that I can replace my extender devices with these if/when the time comes. Assuming I can, then I now have a way to replace/add extenders and clients forever as long as the server package holds up, which I think it should for some time to come.

[Slugger]

Guess my last couple posts in the other thread should be merged over here. Opus4???