This may seem like an unusual request. Plex on Android (Fire TV) allows selection of an external player the same as Serenity. The most glaring difference is that using an external player in Plex does not affect the watch status of videos. While Serenity will affect the watch status of anything viewed. Is it possible to add an option to Serenity that will not affect the watched status? I would really like to use Serenity exclusively for Plex.
So you don't it to change the watched status when using either the Default player or a supported external player (i.e. MX Player). With MX Player side loaded on a Fire TV, Serenity will update plex meta data like progress.
I can set something so that if the default external player is being used on the device, then don't update the watched status. I'll make it a preference option so the behavior is configurable.
So you don't it to change the watched status when using either the Default player or a supported external player (i.e. MX Player). With MX Player side loaded on a Fire TV, Serenity will update plex meta data like progress.
I can set something so that if the default external player is being used on the device, then don't update the watched status. I'll make it a preference option so the behavior is configurable.
Yes. That would be perfect for my usage. Serenity is my guilty pleasure as a Plex app. Problem is I have to keep up with marking videos unwatched and I'd like to avoid having to do this after viewing each video. I am currently using XBMC as the external player as it eliminates all audio issues that the default Plex player has at this time. Any idea on when you can implement this option in Serenity?
Probably in one of the upcoming 1.8.0 releases. If you could do me a favor and try 1.8.0-M1 on your Fire TV, and let me know if the redesign to use an ActionBar at the top of the screen is going to cause any problems on that platform. I don't have a device to test with so need to rely on the community for feedback in this regards.
Tracking this as the following issue:
Probably in one of the upcoming 1.8.0 releases. If you could do me a favor and try 1.8.0-M1 on your Fire TV, and let me know if the redesign to use an ActionBar at the top of the screen is going to cause any problems on that platform. I don't have a device to test with so need to rely on the community for feedback in this regards.
I have version 1.80 up and running on the Fire TV. The ActionBar seems to be working properly. Should I be looking for anything specific in regards to the ActionBar?
Would it be possible to add XBMC as a preferred external player choice in the settings menu? I do use the MX Player but would prefer using XBMC as the Preferred External Player if at all possible.
EDIT: It appears that the ActionBar overlay is not proper nor is UI artwork image placement as seen in screenshots below.
ScreenShot1.zip (2.71 MB)
ScreenShot2.zip (2.06 MB)
Thanks. I'll see if I can replicate the image placement on the first screen shot. The second looks correct, and the Text alignment in the category filter is a known issue on all platforms.
If you press the menu key you should get the Slideout Menu to open or press the Icon in the upper left corner. I'll work on the styling issues this week, and try to get the requested preference for the watched status with external players implemented.
In order to add XBMC i need it to be able to return to me the playback position when it finishes. Not sure if they return that in the activity result. I'll try and research if it is possible or not. Only two players I know support what I need ViMu and MX Player.
Update: It appears as though only the Movies sections of the Library are having the issue reported earlier. I see this behavior in all Movies sections. All TV Shows sections of the Library appear to be correct in grid view as seen below. Hope this helps.
ScreenShot.zip (2.51 MB)
If you press the menu key you should get the Slideout Menu to open or press the Icon in the upper left corner. I'll work on the styling issues this week, and try to get the requested preference for the watched status with external players implemented.
This all works as it should. And thanks for the future external player option.
Request: Would it be possible to add Settings to the ActionBar list? It would be nice to have quick access to Serenity settings, Thanks.
Request: Would it be possible to add Settings to the ActionBar list? It would be nice to have quick access to Serenity settings, Thanks.
Will probably added it to the Slide out menu. So that it is always available. I'm also considering adding items for jumping to the Movies / TV Shows screens from that side menu as well. Settings is my first priority though.
Tracking the settings request as the following issue:
Yes. That would be perfect for my usage. Serenity is my guilty pleasure as a Plex app. Problem is I have to keep up with marking videos unwatched and I'd like to avoid having to do this after viewing each video. I am currently using XBMC as the external player as it eliminates all audio issues that the default Plex player has at this time. Any idea on when you can implement this option in Serenity?
I've implemented the requested item, and the System Default player, will no longer automatically mark items as watched. Only supported External Players like MX Player/Pro will update the playback and watched status since they can provide the necessary information. Tested this on my OUYA using the system default player and also with MX Player/Pro.
https://github.com/NineWorlds/serenity-android/issues/254
I'll have this out this weekend as part of 1.8.0-M2.
I've implemented the requested item, and the System Default player, will no longer automatically mark items as watched. Only supported External Players like MX Player/Pro will update the playback and watched status since they can provide the necessary information. Tested this on my OUYA using the system default player and also with MX Player/Pro.
Then the MX Player it is as the external player for Serenity. The only feature it is lacking is the ability to access HUD/OSD during video playback. I realize that its most likely out of your control. Hopefully the MX Player devs can rectify this in the near future. Let us know if you ever come across an external player that does and is compatible with Serenity. And thanks for making the external player feature available.
Then the MX Player it is as the external player for Serenity. The only feature it is lacking is the ability to access HUD/OSD during video playback. I realize that its most likely out of your control. Hopefully the MX Player devs can rectify this in the near future. Let us know if you ever come across an external player that does and is compatible with Serenity. And thanks for making the external player feature available.
An alternative to the MX Player, is ViMu for the Amazon Fire TV, but it currently only supports the same codecs that Serenity plays. I know the dev has plans to make wider support available. If XBMC provides result Codes back to an activity, I could probably support it as a well as an external player, I just haven't done any research around it.
An alternative to the MX Player, is ViMu for the Amazon Fire TV, but it currently only supports the same codecs that Serenity plays. I know the dev has plans to make wider support available. If XBMC provides result Codes back to an activity, I could probably support it as a well as an external player, I just haven't done any research around it.
I have been in contact with the developer of MX Player and he says that he is working on it as I type and should have an update to the player soon for the KFTV.
I have been in contact with the developer of MX Player and he says that he is working on it as I type and should have an update to the player soon for the KFTV.
Nice.
Version 1.8.0-M2 is ready for testing. It includes the Watched status fix that was requested for Default external players.
https://github.com/NineWorlds/serenity-android/wiki/Downloads#180-m2-
The update is not stopping progress and watched status when using MX Player as the external player, as seen below. Should there be a setting in the settings menu to select?
The update is not stopping progress and watched status when using MX Player as the external player, as seen below. Should there be a setting in the settings menu to select?
This is as designed with MX Player selected as the preferred external player. In order to get around this, you need to do the following:
1. In the Amazon Fire TV, make sure there is no default system player selected.
2. In Serenity, go Settings.
3. Select the Preferred External Player
4. Set it to System Default Player.
Now when you play movies, or TV Shows if the system detects that there is more than one player that can play a video it'll prompt you for which one to use. Select MX Player, and make it the System Default player. You will now get the functionality you desire but still be able to use MX Player.
The recording of the metadata is always going to happen if in Serenity under Preferred player, you select MX Player. This is as designed.
Have it working now and this is exactly what I was looking for. I realize that this request was unusual but for the purpose of ridding myself of the Roku box using Fire TV and at the same time not messing with family members Plex/Roku watched state was paramount. Thanks for making this possible and good riddance to the Roku. And the best part is breaking away from the official Android Plex app and having Serenity in its place. Looking forward to future feature enhancements to this great looking and intuitive app.
Thanks. If you feel like it, it would be great to have a good review on the Amazon App store for Serenity. Lots of 1 to 2 stars because people don't understand what the Amazon Fire TV can support natively.
I may have to add some additional checks for the Fire TV to let people know when they try to play back a video/audio codec combination that may not work with the internal player.
