Plugin for Netflix with Play now Support (4 Viewers)

[dcwp]

Hey Brainbone,

This sounds very interesting, even with it's remote limitations. How well does this work with returning focus to the previous application (MP or Sage) once the Netflix Control window is closed? Is it possible to switch straight back without going to keyboard?

Also, it looks like this doesn't have an interface for browsing the Netflix queue. Am I right in understanding that I would have to go from MP, launch an IE window, select a title, *then* launch into Netflix Control? Does this mean then that closing Netflix Control returns the user to the IE window rather than MP or Sage? Or is there a navigation window within Netflix Control?

Thanks for the tip!

 

[brainbone]

How well does this work with returning focus to the previous application (MP or Sage) once the Netflix Control window is closed? Is it possible to switch straight back without going to keyboard?

At this point, Netflix Control does no window focusing. It relies on the application that launched the Netflix Silverlight Player to handle this. It does, however, send events to EventGhost when it "sees" a Netflix Silverlight Player window open or close. In this case, you could configure EventGhost to do whatever you need.

Also, it looks like this doesn't have an interface for browsing the Netflix queue.

Correct. It is only for controlling the Silverlight Player. It has no GUI.

Am I right in understanding that I would have to go from MP, launch an IE window, select a title, *then* launch into Netflix Control? Does this mean then that closing Netflix Control returns the user to the IE window rather than MP or Sage? Or is there a navigation window within Netflix Control?

Netflix Control should be started before opening a Netflix Silverlight Player (I have it in my Startup folder). Netflix Control can be left running. Relaunching it will reset it. It should not be reset while it is middle of controlling a Silverlight Player.

Netflix Control will wait until it sees a "Netflix: Netflix Movie Viewer" window. At this point it activates and waits for the "Full Screen" button. Once it sees it, it makes note of any episode buttons, and then clicks the full screen button. It will then take note on the location of relevant buttons for operating the Netflix Silverlight Player, and wait for instruction via SendMessage() (be it from EventGhost, or the supplied application for using a keyboard, or any other application that implements it). If told to stop, it will close the "Netflix: Netflix Movie Viewer" window. If at any time it notices the "Netflix: Netflix Movie Viewer" no longer exists, it resets itself from the top, again waiting for a "Netflix: Netflix Movie Viewer" window.

Figuring out how to keep a hidden or transparent window active without forcing silverlight out of full screen would simplify implementation, allowing the HTPC application (Mediaportal, VMC, SageTV, what-have-you) to continue to process the remote events, but until then, EventGhost seems to be the best alternative.

The link supplied should have ample instruction, but feel free to ask for clarification on any point.

 

[dcwp]

Thanks for the info. I may take a look at it this weekend. So far I've avoided going to SilverLight, but it looks like Boxee is going to use it when their Windows version has Netflix support and we'll all be forced eventually anyhow. Even if it isn't slick, this will be better than the current situation - exit MP, find the keyboard/touchpad, open IE...

thanks again

 

[brainbone]

So far I've avoided going to SilverLight

I would be hesitant to switch to silverlight as well. My account seemed to have switched to silverlight after I update my billing information at Netflix.

Just as a warning, I wouldn't use Netflix Control alone as a good reason for switching to silverlight. It is certainly a less than optimal solution.

 

[dcwp]

Thanks for the insight. I'll probably wait a little. Once Boxee implements Netflix support though, I think it'll be time to switch.

 

[DigitalFusio]

whats boxee?

 

[rlane1234]

boxee: the open, connected, social media center for mac os x and linux

there is also a private alpha for windows that has been very stable for me. the next alpha release (March 5th) is supposed to have netflix support!!

 

[scythe000]

Boxee no longer supports hulu, blegh.

What about taking advantage of something like this?

Streaming Video: InstantWatcher is a Faster Interface to Netflix Streaming

 

[brainbone]

Figuring out how to keep a hidden or transparent window active without forcing silverlight out of full screen would simplify implementation, allowing the HTPC application (Mediaportal, VMC, SageTV, what-have-you) to continue to process the remote events, but until then, EventGhost seems to be the best alternative.

Well, I've finally come up with a possible work-around to this issue.

It should now be possible to keep an application, like MediaPortal, in focus and receiving remote commands, while Netflix Control is operating a Netflix Silverlight Player.

The netflix plugin for mediaportal would still need to be updated to launch a netflix player in IE, in kiosk mode, and send commands to Netflix Control via SendMessage().

See Netflix Control v2 test2.

 

[scythe000]

Sweet. I just PM'd Futilemind to let him know.