[WIP] VLC remote for SailfishOS 1.3.0 Full release

[mariusmssj]

Hello everyone I am proud a to present my first SailfishOS app.

Currently working:
- Play/Pause/Stop
- Next/Previous/Forward/Rewind
- Random/Loop/Repeat
- Volume
- Seek-bar
- Full Screen/Aspect Ratio
- User defined connection(IP, Port, User-name, Password)
- Controls from the app cover
- Connection check
- UI sync between the app and VLC player
- File browser/track&file information
- Basic Play-list controls

Still missing:
Down to users to choose

Change-Log:

1.3.2
- Added 'About page'
- Fixed background sync issues
- Small code fixes

1.3.0
- Added core ability to change Audio and Subtitle tracks
- Fixed seek-bar showing incorrect total length
- Fixed seek-bar showing incorrect current length

1.1.0
- Changed cover background image (kudos: caprico)
- Cover now displays: Artist, title and current time/total time
- Changed seek-bar to more common standard 0:00:00
- Seek-bar now shows total length of an item currently being played
- Additional code changes for future updates

1.0.0
*UI improvements(using new Jolla Common Pitfalls in Sailfish Application Development guide )
- Lists for file browser and play-list have been improved
-- Highlight clearly visible, improved consistent spacing, long item name fadeout
- Tex-field enter key icons and behaviour improved
- Increased font size of File-name, Artist and Album labels
- Other minor UI tweaks
- Moved the control components to be closer to the thumb for easier access

* Bug fixes
- Fixed playback rate going out of sync
-- Changed rate from 200ms to 100ms

* New features
- Added the ability to display album/file art as a top banner
- Added Parent, Home and Set as Home controls in Media browser
-- Parent button goes up in directory level, Home goes to a users set location
-- Set as home allows user to pick a home directory for quick access
-- When user picks home folder it will be the default folder to go to when opening media browser
- Added Empty Play-list pulley menu option on the play-list page

0.6.0
- Fixed cover play/pause to behave as a toggle
- Improved IP address input field to input in a correct format (3 numbers in between '.' or ',' )
- Added visual elements to indicate media browser menu page on the left and additional controls at the bottom
- Added audio delay controls
- Added subtitle delay controls
- Added playback speed controls
- Implemented a play-list view, users can now see their play-list and control it

0.5.1
* User Interface
- UI is much smoother and more responsive
- UI now syncs with VLC player
-- Users can choose the sync rate to every 1, 2, 5, 10 seconds or never
- UI sync gets disabled if application is in background or screen is not active
- Player now shows the name of the opened file
-- File-name, Artist and Album names are displayed
- Connection settings is now dialogue page to match Sailfish UI conventions
-- Removed pulley menu for connection and replaced it with dialogue accept swipe
- Added additional controls menu (swipe up)
- Updated the help page


* New Features
- Implemented a seek-bar
- Implemented a file browser (swipe left)
-- Users can play files or add to the play-list from the file browser
-- File browser allows to add subtitle files
-- Files that are not supported are faded out
- Added aspect ration controls
--Users can now change aspect ratio: 1:1 , 4:3 , 5:4 , 16:9 , 16:10
- Added ability to clear play-list


* Fixes/Improvements
- Fixed the check connection bug
-- Users can test the connection to the VLC player
- Improved http command functions to be more efficient and optimised
- Cover control now behaves as it should
-- Added new Play/pause icon


Old Change-logs (http://pastebin.com/XASJwN0D)

Download:
>>>Download link here 1.3.2<<< (https://openrepos.net/sites/default/files/packages/1145/harbour-vlc_remote-1.3.2-0.armv7hl.rpm)


https://github.com/Mariusmssj/harbour-vlc_remote (https://github.com/Mariusmssj/harbour-vlc_remote)


IF you have an older VLC player < 2.1.0 it does not have password support you can use this:
>>Dropbox download here for older VLC versions 0.6.0<< (https://www.dropbox.com/s/r0sfw93qje98jft/harbour-vlc_remote-0.6-0.armv7hl.rpm)

BUT I highly recommend to update your VLC player instead to the newest version


->OpenRepos page (https://openrepos.net/content/mariusmssj/vlc-remote)


How to set-up VLC http:
VLC http remote Setup (http://hobbyistsoftware.com/VLCSetup-win-manual)


Planned Features:
Depends on user feedback

[F2thaK]

cool!!!!!!!

[Heik]

I will try to test.

There is one problem, I guess it is related to language.
In Finnish we use comma as decimal separator. Maybe this is the reason, that I have comma also in the numeric keypad when I try to fill the IP address. I can use copy feature to fill the IP address.

I have to get the right settings to get connected, have to learn a bit.

[nodevel]

I will try to test.

There is one problem, I guess it is related to language.
In Finnish we use comma as decimal separator. Maybe this is the reason, that I have comma also in the numeric keypad when I try to fill the IP address. I can use copy feature to fill the IP address.

I have to get the right settings to get connected, have to learn a bit.

Maybe it could be solved by splitting the text box in four. Pushing Enter on the first field would move the cursor to the second one etc.

By the way, it might be a good idea to replace the text switches with icons from the media player app.
Check out the Sailfish media components:
/usr/lib/qt5/qml/com/jolla/mediaplayer/

[mariusmssj]

Thanks guys for the feedback once I get home I will look info fixing those things

[xillibit]

Thanks for the app mariusmssj, i will try it soon :)

[WanEcc]

Had a play around with it this morning, connection worked perfectly, signals for play and pause worked as if thee music was on the phone itself!
I fear you have made me more inclined to go back to bed in the morning for my comfy headphones music hit!
Only thing I've noticed so far (aside the wip cover) is that once you click play and pause, it will make the button inactive until the other is pressed. This means to replay the track you must pause it, while it's not playing, and then play.
Loving this app so far, keep up the brilliant work!

[mariusmssj]

Implemented saving and loading previous settings so you wouldn't need to type in the settings each time you open the app.
I'm just not sure if to add a button or pulley menu to load the previous settings, what do you guys think?

[nodevel]

Implemented saving and loading previous settings so you wouldn't need to type in the settings each time you open the app.
I'm just not sure if to add a button or pulley menu to load the previous settings, what do you guys think?

Component.onCompleted? ;)

[mariusmssj]

Component.onCompleted? ;)

Couldn't get it at the moment because of how functions are set-up but I'll try to get it done some time soon.



Also updated to the newest version, download and enjoy :)
Might want to uninstall the old one before installing the newest version

[xillibit]

I have tried 0.2.3 version but in settings when i want enter adress IP, the keyboard has a coma and not dot to type correctly the IP adress.

[pikejake]

I have tried 0.2.3 version but in settings when i want enter adress IP, the keyboard has a coma and not dot to type correctly the IP adress.

If you still want to use the app, copy a dot from somewhere (I used a browser) and paste it in.

[mariusmssj]

guys don't worry about the coma, since 0.2.2 the app will auto change , to .

so if you type in 192,168,1,1 it the app will change it automatically to 192.168.1.1 :)

[idro]

I set up vlc like the in the web page
I put the ip adress of the pc in the sailfish app
I read the number of the port in the setting page where I put the password
I leave "white" the user
I put the password

nothing appened

[mariusmssj]

I set up vlc like the in the web page
I put the ip adress of the pc in the sailfish app
I read the number of the port in the setting page where I put the password
I leave "white" the user
I put the password

nothing appened

ok Turn on your VLC player and put something on, like a song or a video, then Open your browser and in address bar type in
http://localhost:8080/

What do you see then?

[benny1967]

I cant get it to work either :(

OTOH, I never tried a remote connection to VLC on my desktop, so I don't know if it should work with my setup at all.

Here's what happens:

When I enter the IP address (10.0.0.4), the input field stays red. I take this as an indication that the application assumes this is an invalid IP address. I can work around this by changing the input to 10.00.00.04, but I really unsure what this is about and why this happens.

Port 8080 is accepted.

But there' no reaction whatsoever on VLC when I press any of the buttons. Plus, whenever I go to the settings page again, all the fields are empty. It seems the application forgets all my input as soon as I leave the settings page.

http://localhost:8080/ gives me the expected web interface.

Im using VLC 2.0.8 on Ubuntu. AFAIK, I have to allow incoming connections from the VLC .hosts file in /etc/vlc/lua/http, which i did by uncommenting the respective lines.

Now I'm lost... :(

[mariusmssj]

I cant get it to work either :(

OTOH, I never tried a remote connection to VLC on my desktop, so I don't know if it should work with my setup at all.

Here's what happens:

When I enter the IP address (10.0.0.4), the input field stays red. I take this as an indication that the application assumes this is an invalid IP address. I can work around this by changing the input to 10.00.00.04, but I really unsure what this is about and why this happens.

Port 8080 is accepted.

But there' no reaction whatsoever on VLC when I press any of the buttons. Plus, whenever I go to the settings page again, all the fields are empty. It seems the application forgets all my input as soon as I leave the settings page.

http://localhost:8080/ gives me the expected web interface.

Im using VLC 2.0.8 on Ubuntu. AFAIK, I have to allow incoming connections from the VLC .hosts file in /etc/vlc/lua/http, which i did by uncommenting the respective lines.

Now I'm lost... :(
Thanks for feedback I will find it and patch it now :)

OK done fixed the issue, But dropbox is down so I can't upload it

[nodevel]

...But dropbox is down so I can't upload it

OpenRepos (https://openrepos.net/) ? ;)

[mariusmssj]

OpenRepos (https://openrepos.net/) ? ;)

There we go
OpenRepos VLC Remote 0.2.4 (https://openrepos.net/content/mariusmssj/vlc-remote)

Changelog can be found at page 1

[idro]

ok Turn on your VLC player and put something on, like a song or a video, then Open your browser and in address bar type in
http://localhost:8080/

What do you see then?

the screen where I have to put user (nothing)
and password

[mariusmssj]

ok after you enter your vlc password do you see this?

https://wiki.videolan.org/images/VLC_http_intf.png

[bennypr0fane]

I will try to test.

There is one problem, I guess it is related to language.
In Finnish we use comma as decimal separator. Maybe this is the reason, that I have comma also in the numeric keypad when I try to fill the IP address. I can use copy feature to fill the IP address.

I have to get the right settings to get connected, have to learn a bit.

Entering the IP also works if you use the commas instead. I entered the IP with commas, saved the settings, left the screen, and when I came back to it, the IP was written there with dots.

[bennypr0fane]

I set up vlc like the in the web page
I put the ip adress of the pc in the sailfish app
I read the number of the port in the setting page where I put the password
I leave "white" the user
I put the password

nothing appened

same here, tried yesterday, nothing happened.
Is there supposed to be some kind of confirmation to the user that
a) connection was made or b) connection failed?
that would be helpful.

[mariusmssj]

same here, tried yesterday, nothing happened.
Is there supposed to be some kind of confirmation to the user that
a) connection was made or b) connection failed?
that would be helpful.

The application can't confirm connection, it can only confirm if commands were sent successfully.

This VLC remote is different from others as it sends the commands when user presses them, it does not pool the VLC player for information thus consuming less power.

New update is out :)

[idro]

ok after you enter your vlc password do you see this?

https://wiki.videolan.org/images/VLC_http_intf.png

yes,I have that screen page...now?

[mariusmssj]

yes,I have that screen page...now?

find out your Ip address and put in the app.
port: 8080
and your password and it should work.

if your still stuck try the VLC helper (http://hobbyistsoftware.com/VLC)

[gsalone]

Which is the latest version offered in jstore and which one in openrepos?
I have this situation when i have installed latest from openrepos, but in jstore i get update notification, which of course is failing to complete saying more or less "Problem with Store. Problem with installing vlc remote". I am guessing latest version is not approved in jstore yet?

[mariusmssj]

Which is the latest version offered in jstore and which one in openrepos?
I have this situation when i have installed latest from openrepos, but in jstore i get update notification, which of course is failing to complete saying more or less "Problem with Store. Problem with installing vlc remote". I am guessing latest version is not approved in jstore yet?

Yes OpenRepost have the newest version it seems that Jolla store just checks if version numbers match and if they don't it says to update, but it does not check if the versions are lower or higher.

[caprico]

@mariusmssj
Thanks for that fantastic app :) I switched the icon on my Jolla, in case your interested to use it here's the download (with 250px and 86px version): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/77714021/VLC-remote.zip

[mariusmssj]

@mariusmssj
Thanks for that fantastic app :) I switched the icon on my Jolla, in case your interested to use it here's the download (with 250px and 86px version): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/77714021/VLC-remote.zip

oh wow caprico that looks just brilliant :D I will use right away :)

[mariusmssj]

Hi guys I need your help to test a beta version of the VLC remote.

New features:
- When VLC remote app is opened it updates the UI with VLC player settings on the PC
- Users can now check connection status in Connection Settings Page
- Added a stop button

Let me know if the added features work well and I will submit this to OpenRepos and Jolla store.

[sponka]

Hi, thanks for app, works great. One thing I missed from help is about username -- I did set up without one, but is not explicitely mentioned anywhere :)

And suggestion/request -- more space between buttons and more space between first and second row - I use "fast forward" a lot and not looking much on display i often miss and press volume.

Thanks,
b.

[mariusmssj]

NEW BIG UPDATE 0.5.1

Changelog:

* User Interface
- UI is much smoother and more responsive
- UI now syncs with VLC player
-- Users can choose the sync rate to every 1, 2, 5, 10 seconds or never
- UI sync gets disabled if application is in background or screen is not active
- Player now shows the name of the opened file
-- File-name, Artist and Album names are displayed
- Connection settings is now dialogue page to match Sailfish UI conventions
-- Removed pulley menu for connection and replaced it with dialogue accept swipe
- Added additional controls menu (swipe up)
- Updated the help page


* New Features
- Implemented a seek-bar
- Implemented a file browser (swipe left)
-- Users can play files or add to the play-list from the file browser
-- File browser allows to add subtitle files
-- Files that are not supported are faded out
- Added aspect ration controls
--Users can now change aspect ratio: 1:1 , 4:3 , 5:4 , 16:9 , 16:10
- Added ability to clear play-list


* Fixes/Improvements
- Fixed the check connection bug
-- Users can test the connection to the VLC player
- Improved http command functions to be more efficient and optimised
- Cover control now behaves as it should
-- Added new Play/pause icon


* Other
- Most of the code and functions have been re-written
- A lot of minor code tweaks and improvements


>>>Download link here 0.5.1<<< (https://openrepos.net/sites/default/files/packages/1145/harbour-vlc_remote-0.5-1.armv7hl.rpm)

[Kabouik]

I unfortunately really can't get it to work. I don't know what I did *not* try (I'm sure it comes from my side).

- I have VLC 2.1.2 x64 (so no .hosts file to edit)
- "Web" is checked (added "http" in the text box)
- Lua/Lua HTTP password is set
- Port is set to 8080
- VLC is allowed both UDP and TCP on 8080 in my firewall (ESET Smart Security 5)
- In VLC Remote, after setting the password, port, and no username, I tried both public IP of the host, and local IP (both the computer and the Jolla are on the same network, with static IP)
- When I go to "http://localhost:8080/" in the browser of the host and a movie is running, I get the interface (and if the movie is paused, I get "404 Not found (/)" plus a link to VideoLAN website, so I guess the computer finds VLC anyway, but prevents connection, even from local)
- I tried VLCHelper, no success

[taixzo]

Possibly a bug: I'm trying to setup my connection, and if I hit "Check connection" it says "VLC is conneced" (sic), but if I hit "Connect and save" the screen just flashes white.
If it helps, I can connect to the web UI through the Sailfish browser just fine. But the app isn't letting me hit "connect and save".

[taixzo]

Found potential source of problem: My system VLC is version 2.0.8, and the "password" field in the Lua HTTP module wasn't added until version 2.1.0. It seems impossible to actually update VLC on my system (they don't provide packages, and 2.0.8 is the version in the repositories), so I suppose this won't work - unless there's some sort of workaround for older VLC?

[mariusmssj]

Possibly a bug: I'm trying to setup my connection, and if I hit "Check connection" it says "VLC is conneced" (sic), but if I hit "Connect and save" the screen just flashes white.
If it helps, I can connect to the web UI through the Sailfish browser just fine. But the app isn't letting me hit "connect and save".

What fields have you filled in? Ip, Port and Password have to have something inside. On the new VLC password is mandatory if your using web interface so you will need to set-up a password.

OK I just changed few bits of the code and it should allow you to connect without using a password
>>Dropbox download here<< (https://www.dropbox.com/s/7zienbgyskxxney/harbour-vlc_remote-0.5-2.armv7hl.rpm)

Why I didn't support older versions is because of the file browser just to make things more secure.


Kabouik
if you get 404 on your browser using localhost:8080 means that your PC is doing something.
Maybe have a look here (https://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=43861)

[mariusmssj]

New update :)

0.6.0
- Fixed cover play/pause to behave as a toggle
- Improved IP address input field to input in a correct format (3 numbers in between '.' or ',' )
- Added visual elements to indicate media browser menu page on the left and additional controls at the bottom
- Added audio delay controls
- Added subtitle delay controls
- Added playback speed controls
- Implemented a play-list view, users can now see their play-list and control it

>>>Download link here 0.6.0<<< (https://openrepos.net/sites/default/files/packages/1145/harbour-vlc_remote-0.6-0.armv7hl.rpm)

[mariusmssj]

I am redoing the UI with new visual elements and features need help choosing the layout.

New UI 1 or New UI 2???
http://i.imgur.com/CsMRms7.png

[luke_dirtwalker]

Even if I don't use your app (looks very nice btw) so far I give a vote.

I vote for UI2.

I think the top picture is the Cover and therefore the information directly there matches more I guess. Furthermore UI2 seems "lighter" whereas UI1 seems a bit filled.

[mariusmssj]

Even if I don't use your app (looks very nice btw) so far I give a vote.

I vote for UI2.

I think the top picture is the Cover and therefore the information directly there matches more I guess. Furthermore UI2 seems "lighter" whereas UI1 seems a bit filled.

Thanks for the feedback, I do appreciate it.


New UI 1 or New UI 2???
http://i.imgur.com/CsMRms7.png

[access]

UI2 looks to be easier to use with one hand as all the controls seems to be reachable by the thumb.

[cvp]

UI2 looks to be easier to use with one hand as all the controls seems to be reachable by the thumb.

yeah, thats true ! UI2 is better to handle :)

[N9uwu]

Vote for UI2 plus the following change: switch the location of the volume and the seek bar.
Having the seek bar in the middle of the screen makes it easier to reach (and I personally use it more frequently than the volume bar). It also makes more sense to me, to have it next to the basic controls and the song info.

[mariusmssj]

Vote for UI2 plus the following change: switch the location of the volume and the seek bar.
Having the seek bar in the middle of the screen makes it easier to reach (and I personally use it more frequently than the volume bar). It also makes more sense to me, to have it next to the basic controls and the song info.

Thanks for the feedback and suggestion :)

I did that before and it didn't work well because when you try to swipe left to access Media browser page you would move the seekbar, but I do know what you mean.
And I am looking to get that moved to more accessible position.

The more feedback I get the better I can adjust the UI. I also plan to make an option for choose from 3 layouts in the settings page. So users could choose what layout they would like.

[parasemic]

UI2 defnately ;)

[JuwelenJupp]

Had a play around with it this morning, connection worked perfectly, signals for play and pause worked as if thee music was on the phone itself!
I fear you have made me more inclined to go back to bed in the morning for my comfy headphones music hit!


Thats exactly what I've done this morning, but then I noticed an issue browsing Folders including Ä/Ö/Ü in their names (german kezboards....), they seem to have no content and no /.. to go back either. So i had to go to home directory by using pully Menu.
I tried that with several letters from other european alphabets that came in my mind with same problem.

However, thank you for giving us this great app, i renamed my folders for now, and wanted to mention this bug.

[Iryus]

@mariusmssj Ui2 :)

[mariusmssj]

Thats exactly what I've done this morning, but then I noticed an issue browsing Folders including Ä/Ö/Ü in their names (german kezboards....), they seem to have no content and no /.. to go back either. So i had to go to home directory by using pully Menu.
I tried that with several letters from other european alphabets that came in my mind with same problem.

However, thank you for giving us this great app, i renamed my folders for now, and wanted to mention this bug.

Thanks for the feedback I will look into this

[mariusmssj]

Proud to announce VLC Remote 1.0.0 stable full release :)
Change-log

1.0.0
*UI improvements(using new Jolla Common Pitfalls in Sailfish Application Development guide )
- Lists for file browser and play-list have been improved
-- Highlight clearly visible, improved consistent spacing, long item name fadeout
- Tex-field enter key icons and behaviour improved
- Increased font size of File-name, Artist and Album labels
- Other minor UI tweaks
- Moved the control components to be closer to the thumb for easier access

* Bug fixes
- Fixed playback rate going out of sync
-- Changed rate from 200ms to 100ms

* New features
- Added the ability to display album/file art as a top banner
- Added Parent, Home and Set as Home controls in Media browser
-- Parent button goes up in directory level, Home goes to a users set location
-- Set as home allows user to pick a home directory for quick access
-- When user picks home folder it will be the default folder to go to when opening media browser
- Added Empty Play-list pulley menu option on the play-list page

>>>Download link here 1.0.0<<< (https://openrepos.net/sites/default/files/packages/1145/harbour-vlc_remote-1.0-0.armv7hl.rpm)

[mariusmssj]

New update out :)

1.1.0
- Changed cover background image (kudos: caprico)
- Cover now displays: Artist, title and current time/total time
- Changed seek-bar to more common standard 0:00:00
- Seek-bar now shows total length of an item currently being played
- Additional code changes for future updates

Download:
>>>Download link here 1.1.0<<< (https://openrepos.net/sites/default/files/packages/1145/harbour-vlc_remote-1.1-0.armv7hl.rpm)

[mariusmssj]

Got a new update with few fixes and new features.

1.3.0
- Added core ability to change Audio and Subtitle tracks
- Fixed seek-bar showing incorrect total length
- Fixed seek-bar showing incorrect current length


>>>Download<<< (https://openrepos.net/sites/default/files/packages/1145/harbour-vlc_remote-1.3-0.armv7hl.rpm)