Serenity for Google TV

While the devs are hard at work on the offical plex app. I've created an alternative client for accessing Plex from a Google TV device. 

https://github.com/nineworlds/serenity-android/wiki/Serenity-for-Google-TV
https://github.com/nineworlds/serenity-android/wiki/Downloads

It is something to test out for those that are interested. It was specifically designed for Google TV in mind, and it will run on Tablets as well. The project is open source, so people can contribute back to help improve it.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yKc8ymXerg

 

MyPlex users see the FAQ on authorization: https://github.com/NineWorlds/serenity-android/wiki/MyPlex

 

Available in Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=us.nineworlds.serenity

 

Development versions can be downloaded from the project website as well.

 

1.1.0 Released

  • Subtitle playback support (SRT format only)
  • Video Tutorial through Options menu
  • Refactored Video Download manager
  • Remove Music and Photo options from menu.
  • Support for Long menu names.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
  • TV Show content ratings
  • OSD D-Pad navigation
  • Improved inforgraphic size for 1080p displays

 

 

1.0.3 Released;

  • Ability to Search for Movies. Press the Search button or select the Search menu option. On Vizio Co-Stars the search button will bring up the in app search dialog, other devices may only bring up the Global, it is device dependent on how this is implemented.
    • Search Suggestions are provided based on last keywords searched.
    • Only movie titles are searched.
    • Items that match the search criteria are shown in the Movie Browser.
  • Changed movie background image. Image curtesy of the MediaRedux skin from xbmc.
  • Episode Filtering now available. Episodes filter takes you directly to the episode browser.
  • Download movies and episodes to external storage device. Use an external player to play them back. Access this option by long pressing a movie or episode poster image. Items are downloaded in background so you can continue to use the app, you will be notified when downloads are complete.
  • Ability to select where download videos are stored. This uses external storage and starts at the root, this is device dependent on how it defines external storage.
  • Implement HttpResponseCache to help cache some requests. May help with performance on large video collections. Cache is 10meg and uses external storage.
  • Improved browsing performance for Movies and TV Shows.
  • v1.0.2 - Improved image clarity on 1080p displays.
  • v1.0.2 - Fix episode On Deck playback functionality.
  • v1.0.3 - Fix issues with movie poster size on Search results.
  • v1.0.3 - Fix issue with externalized strings when downloading videos to the device.

 

I really like the layout. Are you able to add in the option to only view unwatched TV Shows or Movies? I haven’t looked at your code to know whether it is possible. Thanks in advance!



Watching unwatched shows should be coming with 0.9.0 this weekend. Will be adding in support for the the Category filtering for TV Shows this weekend, like there is for Movies currently.

Just implemented the TV Show filtering. Episode Filter still needs to be done, but need to rethink some design choices in order to handle it better. 0.9.0 should be available this weekend.

Nice Work! :slight_smile:

0.9.0 has been released. See the top post for links and recent changes. Movies as well as TV Shows can be filtered by various Plex supplied categories. Just use the category filter at the top of the screens to set the filter.

Just installed, like the looks. Would love if I could greatly increase the font size of the descriptions - my wife is blind, and I’m not much better.



Also, please see my post here: http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/61558-jump-to-first-show-beginning-w-letter/page__view__findpost__p__360012



I know you have “view by first letter” but it has a couple of downfalls for our use:


  1. It ONLY lists shows for that letter, you can’t move beyond the Y’s to the Z’s for instance.


  2. It shows ALL shows, not just unwatched ones.



    But it’s a VERY pretty app, and seems to work ok.



    EDIT:



    Another ‘bug’: When you go into Unwatched, then select a show, it will show you ALL the episodes, regardless of watched status.


The Unwatched item isn't really a bug, but the the way that Plex Media Server returns the information for TV Shows. Basically for TV Shows, it doesn't filter things down when you do a call to the server to just include the Episodes that are unwatched. I still need to implement the functionality for filtering by the Episodes themselves (Plex returns that as a separate category but need to rework some screens to handle this easily). I may be able to add a filter internally into the app to help filter out the episodes within a show that have been watched from those that are unwatched.

As for the auto scrolling to the next letter, not sure if I'll add the functionality or not. We may be able to do it in the All Movies list though so that you can press the letter on your remote and it could jump to the start of that list.

Please open issues/enhancment requests for these items on the Issue tracker: https://github.com/kingargyle/plexapp-client/issues/new

FYI:I had a folder called “Tom Waits Vid’s, Movies, etc”. when scrolling through the menus it would lock up on the title. Would have to close out to get it to work again.

I shortened the name and have no issues. Did not have this issue with the plex app. Not complaining, just giving a heads up.



Now that is over, Awesome job. I love the layout. Haven’t messed with it to much yet. If i find any other issues I will let you know.



Interesting I have one called "TV Shows". I may have to set a max width on the Text View and not have it wrap text in that view. I suspected only short titles for menu options, so will look into this.

My guess is if you create a f older named the same as i had it, it will do the same thing to you.

@keithjs69 I’m targeting your issue for a fix in 0.9.1 this weekend. Tracking it as issue #33.



https://github.com/kingargyle/plexapp-client/issues/33

Thank you. 

Sorta off-topic.  Any chance to see this on the raspberry pi?

Thank you. 

Sorta off-topic.  Any chance to see this on the raspberry pi?

Doubtful.  XBMC would be the best option.   Only way it'll show up on Raspberry Pi is if somebody ports CyanogenMod to the Raspberry Pi.   Then it would work.

Keep an eye on http://androidpi.wikia.com/wiki/Android_Pi_Wiki.  Serenity would need at least 4.x ported as the minimum it requires is 3.2.

A new development snapshot is ready for testing, most features come from communit requests.   This version most importantly adds the ability to discover the plex media servers.  For those using MyPlex and are having problems connecting, you may need to tell your plex media server that your device's IP Address and subnet can access without authorization.   This should work already if accessing from the same local area network, but if you have a guest network on a different subnet, then it may need to be specifically authorized.   There is no plan to support MyPlex currently by Serenity.

For more information and the link to download the latest APK please see the pages Google+ post (no google signin required).

https://plus.google.com/100427843958963974912/posts/JhiNDCxN3AU

Version 0.10.0 released.  Includes several bug fixes and new functionality.   Download information at the top of the page.

For those that use MyPlex, see the FAQ on how to authorize connections if you are not seeing the server or are only getting a Settings menu option after selecting a plex media server.

https://github.com/NineWorlds/serenity-android/wiki/MyPlex

stupid question, but how do i install this on my google tv?

stupid question, but how do i install this on my google tv?

Not a stupid question at all.  Some information here:

https://github.com/NineWorlds/serenity-android/wiki/Serenity-for-Google-TV#wiki-recommendedapps

Basically, you need to download the APK, and then either put it on a USB stick or FTP it up to your Google TV device.   On your Google TV device you need to have "All Unknown Sources" as an option checked.    Then using ES File Explorer you can install the APK.

People are using this on almost every currently manufactured GTV devices.  Most popular seem to the the Vizio CoStar and the Sony devices.  If you have problems just post a message back here.

i'm still having the same problem connecting to plex, check your PM :)

Version 0.11.0 has been released.  Check the top post for the latest features.   A plex sync like functionality has been implemented.