Improvements to native items playback with VirtualTV and Pseudo TV

[pünktchen 1409]

@LukeThe new way that you've developed for playing library items from VirtualTV as a live tv source is really great, but it's missing some features:

1. The playback should auto advance to the next program in every available Emby app.
2. There should be a way to start the current program from its live position instead of from the beginning.
   Ideally, the decision whether the program playback starts from the live position or from the beginning should not be a "static" channel setting in the plugin. Instead also the program itself should behave like a normal library item. That means that the program info dialog that we get from the EPG before playback and also the context menu should display a "Resume" and "Play From Beginning" button. Where "Resume" would start the program/library item from the live position and "Play From Beginning" from the start of course.

Edited January 10, 2024 by pünktchen

[Luke 42077]

HI, yes agreed. Thanks.

[adrianlive 6]

@pünktchen @Luke

Yes, please!

 

[Ninko 78]

On 28/12/2023 at 17:32, pünktchen said:

@LukeThe new way that you've developed for playing library items from VirtualTV as a live tv source is really great, but it's missing some features:

1. The playback should auto advance to the next program in every available Emby app.
2. There should be a way to start the current program from its live position instead of from the beginning.
   Ideally, the decision whether the program playback starts from the live position or from the beginning should not be a "static" channel setting in the plugin. Instead also the program itself should behave like a normal library item. That means that the program info dialog that we get from the EPG before playback and also the context menu should display a "Resume" and "Play From Beginning" button. Where "Resume" would start the program/library item from the live position and "Play From Beginning" from the start of course.

+1

[Luke 42077]

Quote

The playback should auto advance to the next program in every available Emby app.

The next updates to most Emby apps should do this, outside of Roku.

[Ninko 78]

Just now, Luke said:

The next updates to most Emby apps should do this, outside of Roku.

Why not including Roku? Will it ever be added to Roku?

Thanks

[Luke 42077]

Yes, it just will have to be done separately as it is different.

[Ninko 78]

Ah right, well I hope it's not going to take as long as the release of 4.8!

Thanks

[TariqK 6]

On 03/02/2024 at 18:12, Luke said:

The next updates to most Emby apps should do this, outside of Roku.

Is this live? It doesnt work for me currently

[Luke 42077]

16 hours ago, TariqK said:

Is this live? It doesnt work for me currently

Hi, yes it is.

[brentcoleman 2]

I have tried to use the native playback mode and still find it stops each time after playing an individual item, rather than moving to the next item in the guide. I am using an Nvidia Shield TV Pro with Emby version 4.8.10.0.

[Tremas 197]

Seasonal TV viewing *bump*

[hstamas 179]

+1 for seasonal/block programming! Erasztv does block programming and it’s a really nice feature. 

[Tremas 197]

To be clear, this Feature Request is for additional development by the Emby team to enhance Native playback options. This would enable much better performance across devices (including Roku i expect) and allow the plugin makers to focus on new features and not have to manage multiple solutions for playback.

I just mentioned the "Seasonal Viewing" in my post because it's been a few years waiting for this to be implemented and we are back to the major US holiday months. I am reactivating my VirtualTV Halloween stations again, and still without having a native solution to start play from a live position (number 2 above) and working with a wonky (but functional) Roku solution. I just want it to be reliable, work natively, and launch reasonably fast across all devices. 

[Luke 42077]

Quote

The playback should auto advance to the next program in every available Emby app.

I believe we should have this now in most Emby apps. So the next step is the start time offset.

[Tremas 197]

4 minutes ago, Luke said:

I believe we should have this now in most Emby apps. So the next step is the start time offset.

That is my understanding, which is why I am bumping the interest in the topic to complete the start time offset. 

The start time offset is the critical functionality that allows for this type of simulated TV feature to work. Otherwise, it may as well just be a playlist.