Netflix Manager v2.0 w/Play now support

[nerd1701]

The old Netflix Plug-in thread was getting a bit long and people so people were not finding the latest build.

It is available in the plug-in SVN, but I've attached the latest Netflix manager dll and skin file in a zip file to this message.

Installation instructions:

1. Place the netflixmanager.dll in the plugins/windows directory
2. Place the netflixmanager.xml file in the appropriate skin directory for your skin.

You will need to configure the plugin with 2 pieces of information.

1. Your netflix ID from the RSS page. You can find this by going to the netflix RSS feed page at http://www.netflix.com/RSSFeeds. The long string of numbers at the end of the RSS URL for your queue that begins with a "P" is your netflixID.

2. The netflix cookieid from Internet Explorer. It must be from an IE session when you have logged in for play now support to work.

Once the movie has started playing in the window, you can go full screen by pressing the "info" key (F9). You can also pause with play and stop completely with the stop button.

Thanks to Hobbes for his initial work on this plugin.

[MacMini]

Thanks. This deserved a new thread. Great plugin.

[uncertainty]

BTW great job in picking up the development on this skin Nerd as the original author has not had much time of late to work on it. I'm wondering if you could also modify the play/pause, fullscreen controls for those that are running Media Portal at 720x480. Due to DRM issues this is the only resolution that Netflix will allow me to stream to my HDTV.


thanks

[prototask]

I hate to complain but, I'm still having problems with this plug-in. I'm able to stream from Netflix using this plug-in, but the sound breaks badly at regular intervals and after about 20 minutes it crashes my system. If I start IE7 and play the Netflix thru it all plays well and my system doesn't crash. Is there anyway to determine why this is happening? I love the idea of this plug-in, I just wish I could use it and keep my system running.

I have the correct Netflix manager plug-in dll installed.

[samundsen]

Originally Posted by uncertainty

BTW great job in picking up the development on this skin Nerd as the original author has not had much time of late to work on it. I'm wondering if you could also modify the play/pause, fullscreen controls for those that are running Media Portal at 720x480. Due to DRM issues this is the only resolution that Netflix will allow me to stream to my HDTV.


thanks

Is that resolution limitation just when using the Plugin? I have no problem streaming Netflix to my HDTV in fullscreen/full resolution when running from within Internet Explorer (I have my HTPC set to 1280x720). Also, when streaming with this plugin, if I click the fullscreen button it goes to fullscreen. However, pressing F9 as suggested in the original post does not go to fullscreen mode for me.

Btw, Netflix streaming in a MediaPortal plugin has been something I've been dreaming about, but I never thought I would see it... this is FANTASTIC.

I do have an enhancement request though. My Instant queue is filled with TV Show DVDs. These have multiple episodes where from Internet Explorer each episode can be played separately. However, the plugin does not list episodes to play, it only lists the DVD itself. I tend to watch episodes back and forth between shows. In fact, I am currently watching both Hercules and Xena concurrently.

[uncertainty]

Originally Posted by samundsen

Is that resolution limitation just when using the Plugin? .

No, its a limitation of the DRM rights allowed to us by the MMPA. Just as they do not allow upconverting of DVD's in DVD players for component video out they mimic this same limitation for the HTPC. I'm told it would work with XP but under Vista the DRM license is not valid if one tries to upconvert the video (ie 1080i) via component out for Netflix streaming. This occurs with or without the plugin.

[samundsen]

Originally Posted by uncertainty

No, its a limitation of the DRM rights allowed to us by the MMPA. Just as they do not allow upconverting of DVD's in DVD players for component video out they mimic this same limitation for the HTPC. I'm told it would work with XP but under Vista the DRM license is not valid if one tries to upconvert the video (ie 1080i) via component out for Netflix streaming. This occurs with or without the plugin.

Ah, ok. I am using DVI->HDMI, and Windows XP, so that's not an issue for me either way.

[MacMini]

Is there a way to be able to select Full Screen with the remote when in 1920x1080?

I am running Monochrome in Vista Ultimate, at 1920x1080, and F9 doesn't work. Pressing the Info button on the remote brings up the cursor, but it seems to be hitting way to the right of the Netflix Full Screen button.

If I click with the mouse on the Netflix Full Screen button, it works..., but I don't like keeping the mouse next to me:-(

[MacMini]

So, is selecting Full Screen working for anyone running at 1920x1080?

[whiskaz]

Looks like a small bug w/ the full screen code, if I understand the source well enough (and I may not!).

 
247             yfull_activate = (int)(yres * 0.80);
248             yfull_deactivate = (int)(yres * 0.95);

Then instead of using yfull_activate to place the cursor, 500 is used:

348                             Cursor.Position = new Point(xfull, 500);

I could be way off... maybe I'll try messing w/ it when I get home (Java programmer by day... never bothered w/ C# but it's pretty easy to read).

As for the play/pause event... if you could simulate a spacebar press in the code (I don't know how to do this yet), then you wouldn't have to worry about screen res, etc.

Originally Posted by samundsen

I do have an enhancement request though. My Instant queue is filled with TV Show DVDs. These have multiple episodes where from Internet Explorer each episode can be played separately. However, the plugin does not list episodes to play, it only lists the DVD itself. I tend to watch episodes back and forth between shows. In fact, I am currently watching both Hercules and Xena concurrently.

As far as I can tell, to get to the individual episodes and their "Play" button, you have to first click on the show's link (versus it's own "Play" button), then you get the episode list. Until Netflix offers an RSS for watch Now items (and breaks out individual show episodes in the RSS), it's going to be difficult to pull off. The plugin would have to know which selections were TV shows (I can't see any info on or in the screen to identify this fact) and then go down one more level and parse the individual Play links (load a completely new page). As it is now, you'd probably have to check each selection seperately (movie or TV show since the plugin can't tell the difference) and that would be very, very slow.

I don't have the Watch Now interface up at the moment (can't get to it) but I know you can navigate the individual episodes within it. Probably just as easy/likely to add some functionality to control this navigation - like the play/pause/fullscreen.