Hi, Android n00b here. Looking at getting an Android tab -- wife has an iPad, I have an iPhone, but I am sick of the iOS walled garden.
A major thing that I want to use my tablet for is playing videos out to a projector, for shows that I do. It's important to me to be able to do these 2 things:
1. Play a playlist of videos in order, without further prompting once it starts.
2. Transition between videos cleanly and seamlessly -- no player controls or tablet home screen visible, even for a second. Nothing but black in between vids.
I've already got my mind pretty much made up about which tablet I'm getting... but I'm not ready to buy until I know there are apps that can meet those 2 requirements.
I've been told that the Dice, MX, and Mobo players will NOT do both of the things I'm looking for. I've gotten reports that Act1 can use playlists... but I haven't been able to find out anything about what the transitions between videos on a playlist look like.
Can anyone recommend a video player that has playlists, and transitions cleanly between videos?
UPDATE: I am hearing elsewhere that the Act 1 player may do everything I want. Haven't had a chance to try it out (since I don't have an Android device yet).
Thanks for the information.
Related
First of all, I am grateful that the vibrant can play divx encoded video files; I don't think I could live without it. Unfortunately it cannot stream them.
A solution is to start downloading the Avi and then [while its downloading] switch over to the Files application, go to the ".downloadTemp" folder [you need to first enable "hidden files" in the options], and open the incomplete *.avi in the stock video player application. This works wonderfully and i can instantly start watching a video AS IT DOWNLOADS.
UNFORTUNATELY, the video player app will not let me fast forward. Sometimes it lets me rewind, but it mostly takes me back to the very beginning of the video if I even touch the trackbar. And yes, for those who are wondering, the Video WAS sufficiently done downloading to reach the part of the video i wanted to fast forward to. I obviously wasn't trying to forward to the end of the video with only 10% of it downloaded.
I looked in the android market for alternative video players, and the only one that REMOTELY worked was Rockplayer. It would let me fast forward and rewind, except it was really glitchy and full of ads. I prefer just watching it on the perfectly stable stock Player than to use a glitchy one.
So i come to you guys, hoping for a solution. Any Ideas? Are there any other Video Players that i missed that will let me fast forward and rewind incomplete video files as they download?
(Oh, and if you're wondering the source of the videos, i usually just watch divx movies and shows that have been uploaded to megaupload, such as: megaupload.com/?d=T5D3YV8R&w=719&h=349)
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Solved: VPlayer and Moboplayer support HTTP Streaming for DviX
I have read a few posts similar to yours, complaining about streaming divx avi files.
I myself do NOT have any issues with this and have tested a fair share of my 900gigs of divx avi's. I DO have issues stream MKV files while I have seen others report that they can stream MKVs.
What does this mean?
This means that AllShare is no different then any of the other DLNA based streaming software out there, there are compatibility problems that need to be worked out. Usually this is sorted out on the streaming server side and not the player.
I am saying that the software you are using to stream is more then likely causing the problem.
Give Twonky a try. Thats what I use and as I said I can stream divx/xvid avi's without issue. The downside is that Twonky is not free, the upside is that there is a 30 day trial to test and see if it resolves your issue. If it does, I dont think the price for Twonky is that bad, I paid $15. If you want a free one (they update compatibility less frequently) just google search DLNA or UPNP streamers and test a few out. XBMC is a good open source alternative, but is really not an option if you are using a windows box. XBMC is a program and not a service so you would be running a full media player at all times. XBMC can be setup as a standalone in linux though, if you have a spare PC to use.
Good luck.
When I say "stream," I don't mean from a home network source, I mean from an http source.
Therefore, I don't think the DLNA solution applies (Although i'm probably going to end up taking your advice for when i want to play videos from my computer, so thanks for the tip )
But that still leaves the current issue. Any Ideas?
tmpryid said:
When I say "stream," I don't mean from a home network source, I mean from an http source.
Therefore, I don't think the DLNA solution applies (Although i'm probably going to end up taking your advice for when i want to play videos from my computer, so thanks for the tip )
But that still leaves the current issue. Any Ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AHHHHH.... I have been looking for a way to do this as well. HTTP streaming should no longer be an issue when 2.2 drops as sites like quicksilverscreen and the like all work fine through Flash 10.1 in 2.2. I have tested this with a Nexus1 and it works beautifully even over 3g.
I still want to have access to my home server though as I have close to a terabyte of video and my system is setup to auto download shows as they come out.
I am hoping to get my hands on a deODEXed version of the AllShare app to see if I can remove the WIFI only restriction. After that it should just be a matter of setting up a VPN back to my server.
Right, megavideo should work fine once we get the 2.2 update (woot! cant wait till we get flash xD)
as for movies uploaded on megaupload, I guess i'll survive with the .downloadTemp folder trick for now. Thanks.
And if i may ask, what's the quality like on allshare and twonky? and how fast does it respond to fast forwarding/rewinding?
I would like to stream from a regular windows samba share over wireless. I can't even get that working properly. It appears to be a limitation with the player and not the OS.
I've searched thoroughly on this and no solutions, only a few other users reporting the same problem.
Got a TV, Blu-ray player, or network media player that supports DLNA? Can you record a video on your Vibrant, and successfully play it on your client device? I think I saw someone say they had success using a WD Live HD Plus...but I'd sure like to get confirmation before I go get one.
I picked up a Samsung BD-C6900 player that ought to do this. Getting the networking set up on both the phone and the blu-ray went extremely smoothly. The Avatar trailer plays over DLNA perfectly. But videos recorded with the phone's camera? No go. They play for a second or two, then freeze, then sometimes pick up again, much farther into the clip, then freeze again. Even on the smallest resolution.
The C6900 is going back, unless I get some satisfaction from level three support in the morning...by the time I got that far tonight, the department had closed for the day.
So maybe I try the WD, or wait until some future time when Samsung finally gets around to doing the engineering that should have been done before releasing product, and spreading hype about Allshare that crosses the fine line from fraud into marketing.
Any other experiences or ideas?
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Update 10/1/2010 5PM MT:
Amie at level 3 support did not have any solutions, but was conscientious in taking down the data to relay to development.
I discovered that turning off "record audio" results in videos that play through allshare correctly, excepting the highest resolution mode. Even though they play correctly, there is a notice at the beginning: "Audio codec not support". This notice also sometimes briefly appears at the start of the malfunctioning videos that do contain audio.
I've copied the videos over to Ubuntu and used mplayer -identify to start analyzing them. Nothing jumps out as suspicious. In both cases, the audio format ID is 255 and mplayer selects the FAAD AAC codec. Mplayer plays them all fine.
I tried Twonky Mobile Server in addition to allshare, and it behaved similarly to allshare. It produced a log file in which the most interesting difference between avatar_trailer and the recorded videos is that DLNA profiles were found for the malfunctioning videos, but no profile was found for the Avatar trailer.
I wonder if something is triggering on-the-fly transcoding to happen, even though it should not be needed? On-the-fly transcoding is something that can happen under DLNA, so that broader compatibility can be achieved. It's going to be slow, though, on these embedded processors. Slowness due to transcoding would be consistent with the symptoms. I don't know whether such transcoding would happen on the server end (phone in this case), or the client end. Anyone, anyone? Bueller?
My next experiment will be to burn the videos to disc and see what the C6900 does with them in that case.
Update 10/1/2010 10PM MT: All the videos play fine when burned to disc. So it's purely an allshare issue...but is it on the phone end, or the BD player end? I checked back and found the source of the report that the WD Live worked with DLNA from a Vibrant...but it was not claimed that videos recored using the Vibrant's camera worked. So I have never seen any report of anyone ever playing their Vibrant-recorded videos using DLNA/allshare. Seems like something amiss on the phone end, then...but why, if the video files themselves are OK, do two different DLNA server apps (allshare and Twonky) both fail in the same way?
Next experiment: stream to Windows 7 as the DLNA client.
I would like to capture the DLNA streams, but am not sure how to go about that.
Mods: I see you moved this to Q&A. I think perhaps it would be a better fit in Development, now?
Tried flashing a different ROM, Frankin-Twiz Final. It has allshare removed. TwonkyServer Mobile had Unrecoverable Error on startup. So I restored to stock.
(someone has since posted a dlna.apk in that thread that restores allshare)
I had to reinstall Twonky after flashing back to stock, and after that, it worked better! There must have been an update to it in the interim...
Still not perfect; there are pauses every few seconds, but it resumes from the right spot.
My best guess is that an on-the-fly transcode is happening due to the unusual 32k audio sample rate of the camcorder videos. The client device probably doesn't support that rate over dlna. I bet some client devices do, and would play the videos smoothly.
Hopefully a firmware update for the BD-C6900 player will come along that fixes it.
I acquired a Western Digital Live Plus HD player at Best Buy for $99. With the Vibrant running TwonkyServer Mobile, the WD plays all videos perfectly, even 720p!
I didn't try allshare--no reason to bother, and I like how Twonky stays running in the background and lets you do other things on the phone.
The C6900 is boxed up ready to go back to the store.
So I finally learned how to use NVFlash to get my device back to stock. Then I learned how to install Clockworkmod. Then I installed Vegan, after coming from TNT Lite. And overall I'm pretty happy. Except for the fact that nothing really seems to work
So here is what I need right now for my GTab to be of use to me in order of importance:
1) Streaming Audio from Shoutcast and bluetooth pairing to bluetooth speakers. Yes, I want this tablet to be my "Patio Media Player" and I'd like to get sound out to my bluetooth speakers. Alternatively I'd settle for streaming MP3's from my own PC where the mp3's reside.
2) Streaming video from Netflix, which I understand is in its infancy.
3) Streaming video from my home LAN, so it works like Air Video player. I'd spend $5 bucks on the PLEX application if it actually worked......does anyone know if it does, or is there a free solution to stream video.
Using Vegan, I can't get any of this to work. Winamp wont stream shoutcast, another app I tried just kept telling me "Broken Pipes" and so forth, no music was the result.
I can convert videos in handbrake so they play but thats not my ultimate goal, I want this device to stream music and at some point video.......can anyone help?
#2 -- there's a hack to get this to work, but it's not perfect. There is color banding issues, and I've heard that the fix also breaks the YouTube app. So it's an optional install, if needed.
#3 -- you'd want CIFS support. I though VEGAn had that buillt-in, but it's been so long I honestly don't remember anymore. The last major VEGAn update was early January, so keep that in mind. And the three guys who worked on it no longer update it (myself included).
Sorry for the n00bishness, whats CIFS? (Yes, I will Google). *Googled*
Also, since you didn't comment on #1, and you are probably the GTab Guru of Guru's, does this mean I'm SOL for doing something as simple as streaming internet audio?
Nah, I'm not the guru of guru's -- I just know a few things so I wanted to pass on what I did know. I didn't respond on #1 because I don't have an answer for that ( I don't stream audio and I don't have a BT headset).
As for CIFS, it's SMB (Windows file sharing). If memory serves, VEGAn has that built in, you just need to get CIFSManager from the market and change the settings so that the support is loaded as a module. If you get this working, then you can mount a share onto the device as a mount point, and then run the content from there. There's probably quite a few threads on this, as CIFS was something that a lot of us wanted, early on.
Well in case you ever want to, I did find that the current version of DoubleTwist streams Shoutcast! streams just dandy and I now have a backyard streaming audio solution for my patio with some paired BT speakers
Now to find your hack on how to get netflix working on Vegan..
HeadRusch1 said:
Well in case you ever want to, I did find that the current version of DoubleTwist streams Shoutcast! streams just dandy and I now have a backyard streaming audio solution for my patio with some paired BT speakers
Now to find your hack on how to get netflix working on Vegan..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just in case you don't see my reply on the other thread:
Give TuneIn Radio a shot, I think you may prefer it. I have yet to have a problem with it. It gives me shoutcast along with Internet Radio and probably much more. I have it running almost 24X7. It has a great desktop widget too.
It has been downloaded twice as much as Doubletwist and can record for you too. The pro version is only .99 compared to DT's $3.74
DT has also had quite a few complaints lately since latest update.
Hey thanks, I did miss that thread, and I will give it a download.
Now, the 64 dollar question: Are you doing any video streaming to your Gtab? Air Video Player is probably the defacto standard on the Ipad side of things, just install its server on your pc and, assuming your box has the horsepower to transcode video on the fly, it will basically play any video from any source and stream directly to the ipad/pod device of your choosing.
I am desperately seeking that solution for my Gtab. The best I have been able to do is this:
1) I seem to be able to stream any xvid of DVD-ish resolution just fine.
2) I seem to be able to stream WMV files at 720p just fine
3) I don't seem to be able to stream anything else just fine...
I can re-encode using HANDBRAKE and transfer to the GTAB but that defeats the purpose of streaming media.
Any thoughts? I heard there was a new app out that does a similar style of streaming for both Ipad and Android, but no idea if it works with the Gtab or not. I'm currently running Vegan 5.1.1.
I have enjoyed using AudioGalaxy for streaming music from my home computer library to my tablet. Tons of music accessible with no tablet storage use.
I checked out TuneIn......its a very slick interface, with one problem: It doesn't appear to be giving me any Shoutcast stations. Its giving me some major stations, its giving me local radio....but I can't get, for example, some crazy German trance station.
When I search the list of stations that comes back appears to be quite limited, also there doesn't appear to be a way to limit the minimum bandwidth (I don't want to see 64kbps mp3 streams in my search results).....actually, now that I think about it, I'm not sure i can search?
Anyhow, what am I missing....?
I'm looking for an app which lets me browse my local media on my PC and begin watching / listening on the PC; like a remote control app, but more developed then say Awaremote for winamp (which isn't really set-up for video or honeycomb).
Similar to the Ipad Tivo Remote app. but not for Tivo, or Ipad.
I currently use Gmote, and while the touch pad mouse is excellent, I'd like to have previews of my media on the tablet; and even better
Also looking for an app that lets me mirror over wifi, or better yet; something that lets me browse to a video (on netflix or youtube, etc.) on the tablet, then watch the video on the PC.
Basically I have my Viera connected to my PC, and would like to be able to use the tablet as sort of an extended remote. I've seen videos of similar on Ipad. Any leads would be greatly appreciated!
Well the XBMC android remote does a lot of what you're looking for, but it does require you to use xbmc on the pc. I think the VLC remote might be your best bet? I haven't tried it myself but it looks right.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.hobbyistsoftware.android.vlcremote_us
My suggestion would have been gmote.
Will follow this as I am looking for the same.
Splashtop does a lot more than that. It is the best rdp I have seen and you can even steam audio and video (netflix, hulu). The HD version force closes right away so I would get the free version which works and monitor the HD version that is supposedly optimized for tegra tablets.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium App
So I've been trying a few different remote Apps from the market. Two of the prevalent problems are - no honeycomb optimization, or lack of functionality.
Gmote: I've been using gmote on my phone for months for basic media playback on my PC. This is the status quo, and really I thought it would be easy to beat as a media remote. (The trackpad is awesome, and I use gmote for that hands down, but I must be looking at my TV.) The media selection is clunky, and I haven't had much luck getting the media controls on the remote to work for anything other then VLC.
Youtube remote: Cool idea, easy set-up. Terrible interface. Landscape just shows a preview of the youtube video. The tablet must be in portrait mode to interact with the interface. I was really hoping it was just an addon for the youtube app with a "Play on leanback" button or some such. Generally disappointed in the limited interface; it should be integrated with the youtube app.
Awaremote: I thought this was for me, I even went as far as purchasing the pro version. (The free version is limited to 400 songs.) Awaremote is very similar to Gmote without the touchpad. Alas it will not pick-up video files when it syncs the library. If your videos are already playing or in the playlist on your PC it will allow you limited control, but you cannot add or remove media from the playlist. As a strict music remote for winamp it's great, but it's sadly lacking in other areas. Widget could be better sized for honeycomb. Add in video and new widgets and I'm sold.
Next up: splashtop, xbmc
I am fairly new to android here, just got the SGSII when it came out after being on an iPhone for years. I love the phone and the android system, there is just one thing I haven't been able to get working how I would like.
This is probably the one thing I miss from the iphone is how it kept media organized. There was one music player and one video player and there was no guessing with what formats would work. It either did or didn't. On android it has been WAYYYY more confusing. There are the stock players, and dozens of different ones people recommend to try and I don't seem to like any of them.
Is there anything similar to itunes that can help to manage and maintain all the music and other media on the device? I have an external SD card with a music and videos folder and right now just drag and drop onto there.
Also, most of my music's metadata is all jacked up and it seems like that's how most of the player apps organize everything. I tried to clean it up for several hours one night trying probably half a dozen different metadata programs and finally gave up.
So, does anyone have any help or suggestions as far as programs and apps to get media a little more organized with android?
Thanks
doubletwist. the android answer to itunes. or you can do google music....
Thanks. I was hesitant to try toubletwist at first, but now I'm glad I did. After trying winamp, mediamonkey, and several others this is much easier to use. Nice and simple and it seems to do videos well too. Too bad it just looks so much like itunes.