Emby on Zidoo and external player = native player

[xliv 2]

Hi,

I'm currently testing options to replace my Media Center Windows PC (running Windows 10, Emby Theatre + Power DVD)

 

So far, the best option is Zidoo (I bought a Z1000) - the native player plays very smoothly most of the files I throw at it, including 4k UHD BR rips with a built-in support for BR menus.

 

However, I'd like to keep the Emby App as a front end (Zidoo native Media Center "Poster Wall" is quite poor in features).

 

I managed to install Emby for Android TV, it runs quite nicely on the Zidoo.

But with External Player & Direct Path options enabled, when I play a media I get the message

"No Player

It doesn't appear you have a video capable app installed. This option requires you install a 3rd party application for playing video content"

 

Is there a way to tell Emby to use the native app on the Zidoo device?

Knowing that I think there is 2 ways to start the native player (especially for BR files): direct play or with menus.

 

Many thanks in advance

Edited August 12, 2019 by xliv

[Luke 42077]

Hi, it sounds like their player is not built to accept intents from other apps to play files.

[ebr 16169]

Correct.  It is the Android system that determines what players are available for each type of item.

 

What happens if you don't select the direct path?

[xliv 2]

Hi, sorry for the delay - thought I'd get a notification for answers.

OK then I may want to ask Zidoo team to implement those intents, right?

 

When I do not tick the "Pass Direct Path" option, it works for MKV which will play fine, with some options not working (next chapter for ex).

BR Rips however will not start.

 

This is if the setting in Zidoo settings for Stream player is set to Native Player. If set to Nuplayer, then it will not work for MKV either.

[Luke 42077]

 

 

OK then I may want to ask Zidoo team to implement those intents, right?

Yes that would have to happen.

[xliv 2]

Yes that would have to happen.

 

 

Ok thanks Luke. I will post on their forum then.

[Hans_Meiser 5]

On 8/13/2019 at 2:22 AM, Luke said:

Hi, it sounds like their player is not built to accept intents from other apps to play files.

They have an API which you could use

There is a Jellyfin fork, which uses the API, see here: https://github.com/Andy2244/jellyfin-androidtv-zidoo

 

Documentation seems to be chinese only, though: http://apidoc.zidoo.tv/s/98365225/Gmwqxawu/fOZWM3WZ

[Luke 42077]

@Hans_Meiser

Hi.  Can you try sideloading our standard android app on the same device and see how that compares?

https://emby.media/emby-for-android.html

Thanks.

 

[Hans_Meiser 5]

Thank you for your reply

While the video starts and everything from HD audio to Dolby Vision works, resume does not work and playback status sync does not work (so I cant resume at the same point from my ipad for example). Also, there is no playback info or loading screen like the Zidoo player supports (natively and via API).

 

Loading Screen that does not work this way:

 

Info screen while playback that does not work this way:

Would be really awesome if you can implement the API in your App

Edited June 16, 2023 by Hans_Meiser

[Hans_Meiser 5]

Hi Luke,

is supporting Zidoo something you would consider in the future?

[Luke 42077]

1 hour ago, Hans_Meiser said:

Hi Luke,

is supporting Zidoo something you would consider in the future?

HI, yes certainly.

[Hans_Meiser 5]

Hello @Luke, is there any update you can share :) ?

[Luke 42077]

We might be able to do some new development on the internal player to better support zidoo, so we are looking into that.

[Hans_Meiser 5]

That sounds awesome!

Thank you so much.

[next_level 11]

On 24/11/2023 at 20:45, Luke said:

We might be able to do some new development on the internal player to better support zidoo, so we are looking into that.

Luke - has progress been made on this?

[next_level 11]

@LukeThis github has all the zidoo integrations written fro Jellyfin, can we please get a native app for Zidoo please. 

https://github.com/Andy2244/jellyfin-androidtv-zidoo

Cheers

P

[Luke 42077]

Hi, no, we think there's a better way than this. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[next_level 11]

Sounds great, does the current version of the armv7 now integrate well with the native zidoo player? What is the best way to configure it or do we need to wait for a new client to be issued? Thanks for this Luke.

[Luke 42077]

15 hours ago, next_level said:

Sounds great, does the current version of the armv7 now integrate well with the native zidoo player? What is the best way to configure it or do we need to wait for a new client to be issued? Thanks for this Luke.

Hi, we have some changes in mind, but haven't done the work yet. Until then you can use the external player feature to open videos using the zidoo player.

[next_level 11]

Ok got it, thanks for the reply! Love Emby.

[Allstar86 8]

Hello I use the Zidoo Z9X Pro and have tested the internal player, it can forward 4k, hdr10+ dv and Dolby Atmos but the frame rate is not adjusted to 24p again. The video runs at 60Hz. I would be very happy if this could be fixed. I don't like the zidoo player so much, it doesn't transfer the runtime to emby correctly.

 

Thank you

[next_level 11]

Everyone is waiting for @Lukeand the awesome Emby team to turn on the support for the zidoo properly rather than external player. 
 

Once this is done it will be the greatest media player working with the best media system hands down. I am living with the deficiencies of the external player and regularly pray to the almighty for the proper integration to be delivered  

I would happily pay for it (on top of being a lifetime guy) it’s that important 

[flipmode 3]

On 5/24/2024 at 2:07 PM, next_level said:

Everyone is waiting for @Lukeand the awesome Emby team to turn on the support for the zidoo properly rather than external player. 
 

Once this is done it will be the greatest media player working with the best media system hands down. I am living with the deficiencies of the external player and regularly pray to the almighty for the proper integration to be delivered  

I would happily pay for it (on top of being a lifetime guy) it’s that important 

I 2nd it. This is why I jumped from Plex, they focused too much on their free content streaming than the functionality. This team here is great, the fact that they reply and even willing to look into Zidoo direct support is amazing. It is the one thing that keeps Nvidia's foothold being able to use HD audio without downmixing. The Zidoo not only has SIGNIFIGANTLY better video quality, the audio seems to be better too. Not to mention Nvidia does not support HDR 10 or higher (legitimately), and Zidoo natively supports 3D...yes I can run from Emby server to Zidoo native player setting. 

I would happily pay for a actual APK designed to run specifically on Zidoo boxes on top of my lifetime too. It is the missing link to audiophile streaming from Emby.

[rbjtech 5284]

On 26/05/2024 at 03:38, flipmode said:

I 2nd it. This is why I jumped from Plex, they focused too much on their free content streaming than the functionality. This team here is great, the fact that they reply and even willing to look into Zidoo direct support is amazing. It is the one thing that keeps Nvidia's foothold being able to use HD audio without downmixing. The Zidoo not only has SIGNIFIGANTLY better video quality, the audio seems to be better too. Not to mention Nvidia does not support HDR 10 or higher (legitimately), and Zidoo natively supports 3D...yes I can run from Emby server to Zidoo native player setting. 

I would happily pay for a actual APK designed to run specifically on Zidoo boxes on top of my lifetime too. It is the missing link to audiophile streaming from Emby.

If emby every did have native support, then I'd certainly be interested in buying the Zidoo hardware.

Personally I think the Shield Pro pic quality is extremly good, on a Remux of a UHD at any rate.   

HD Audio passthrough is a Shield Pro strength - a bitstream is a bitstream, Zidoo is not going to add anything here - it's the AVR that does the decoding.

The Shield Pro supports all BL & MEL DV profiles (5,7,8) and HDR10 just fine - it's HDR10+ that is missing.    If the Zidoo could read the full DV (FEL) then it would be the perfect device.

 

[next_level 11]

I moved from a Shield Pro to Zidoo Z9X Pro. I am non religious about such things, I just want the best of the best.
 

I can assure the Zidoo is superior, so much so I tick the external player box which stuffs up watched status accuracy but gives the very best video and picture hands down.