VideoLAN Wiki - User contributions [en]

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-08-12T22:10:12Z

Dudiak: /* New Interface */

{{SoCProject|year=2008|student=[[User:dudiak|Eric Dudiak]]|mentor=[[User:Fkuehne|Felix Paul Kühne]]}}

=Mac OS X (Leopard) Integration=

==Abstract==

Unlike Windows and Linux, Mac OS X does not offer much in terms of alternatives to its built-in QuickTime media player. VLC media player represents the only Mac media player with significant support for various media formats and a tight integration with the OS, including a "Mac-like" user interface. As it is the only full, viable alternative to QuickTime on the Mac OS X platform, it is important that it stay current with various Mac technologies to offer users a comprehensive option for media playback.

Aspects of tighter Mac OS X integration:
*Quick Look Generator for Leopard (to generate thumbnails and full media previews from the Finder)
*Making most common preferences accessible in a Mac-style preference window organized with icon tabs across the top such as in Safari and Mail.
*Moving the Readme document and other help resources into a HelpViewer HTML document to allow better help searching in Leopard.
*Improvements in steaming server wizard to be more in-line with other Mac wizards and easier to use for personal streaming between Macs.
*Add better support for package files that contain media VLC can play, such as iMovie Projects and EyeTV recordings.
*Update the VLC file icons to the 512 by 512 size for Leopard.

==Detailed Description==

This project will use the libraries provided by Apple for creating a Quick Look Generator. Due to various restrictions placed on these by Apple, the method for generating the live preview may use the mozilla plugin if no better alternative can be found. Creating these enhancements will require a combination of C and Objective-C. The Quick Look function should generate a thumbnail when simply browsing the Finder or viewing with CoverFlow and should provide full playback when the spacebar is pressed (which actually opens the Quick View). For those not familiar with the details of Mac OS X, Apple provides very specific models for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) defined in documents on their [http://developer.apple.com developer site]. In addition to providing the Quick Look functionality, I will be attempting to bring VLC more in line with these usability guidelines. This will include updating the preferences window to have a more Mac OS X feel and organization to it for at least the most fundamental set of preferences (with the rest to be accessible in the traditional way). I will also be moving some of the documentation into HelpViewer format to allow easy searching of it directly from the menu bar in Leopard. Also, I will be designing a new Streaming/Transcoding Wizard that better matches the Mac OS X wizard look and feel, such as the in the Bluetooth Setup Assistant or Network Setup Assistant. The new icons should look more like other modern Mac OS X file icons since the current ones more closely resemble icons found in the Mac OS X Public Beta. These new icons should be included for several of the formats that are newer to VLC (and were not supported when the old icons were made) and should differentiate between types (audio vs. video) in the icon style.

==Development Plan==

*Research both Apple and community documentation on Quick Look Generators.
*Attempt to create a simple, dynamic Quick Look Generator to test the ability to create such generators.
*<s>Failing that, create a simple Quick Look Generator that uses a custom WebKit plugin.</s>
*Move to developing a Quick Look Generator for VLC that uses whichever method was more successful.
*Create Quick Look Generator that plays at least one VLC media format (no controls yet, just basic playback).
*Add support for additional formats.
*Add thumbnail generation for supported formats.
*Add basic playback controls (play/pause, possibly mute and scrubber)
*If ahead of schedule, add support for displaying relevant metadata, such as ID3 tags for MP3 files.
*Create new Mac OS X icon files.
*Evaluate icons/Quick View with community and sample end users.
*Work on new Mac OS X interface
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.

==Weekly Schedule==
This schedule only includes coding plans for about a month going forward because I will have to asses what has been completed of my plan for each week before planning additional weeks. It does, however, include all known conflicts for the entire period. 
'''Week 1 (May 26 – May 30)''' 
*Review Apple documentation for Quick Look development
*Review potential of VLCkit
*Review potential of VLC WebKit plugin
*Start building Quick Look Generator
''Completed:''
*Review Apple documentation
*Decided to start development with the VLC WebKit/Mozilla plugin
*Started coding on the generator
'''Week 2 (June 2 – June 6)''' 
*Finish alpha Quick Look Generator for previews
''Completed:''
*Alpha not yet ready. Will continue work into week 3.
'''Week 3 (June 9 – June 13)''' 
*Add thumbnail support
*Finish preview work from week 2.
''Completed:''
*Created new icon files at 512x512 resolution
'''Week 4 (June 16 – June 20)''' 
*Refine controls/appearance for Quick Look.
*Create new icons
*Evaluate Quick Look and icons
''Completed:''
*Made a quicklook preview by converting VLC files into QuickTime files
'''Week 5 (June 23 – June 27)''' 
*Start new interface design
'''Week 6 (June 30 – July 4)''' 
*Continue new interface prototype
*Away Tuesday onward (still online, just unlikely able to work)
'''Week 7 (July 7 – July 11)''' 
*Arrive back on Tuesday (still online, just unlikely able to work)
*Integrate new interface into existing VLC code
*Midterm evalutation
'''Week 8 (July 14 – July 18)''' 
*Get playback working in new UI
*Get basic controls working
*Create additional new icons for interface
'''Week 9 (July 21 – July 25)''' 
*Set up sidebar/source bar to act as expected
*Make resizing work correctly
*Finish setting up controls
'''Week 10 (July 28 – August 1)''' 
*Fix drawing errors
*Fix resize errors
*Allow dragging by background
*Fix/update git repository
'''Week 11 (August 4 – August 8)''' 
*Integrate playlist into new interface
*Add content to sidebar/sourcebar
'''Week 12 (August 11 – August 15)''' 
*Wrap up coding
'''After August 15''' 
*August 16: Leave for California (Apple Cocoa Camp)
*August 24: Leave for Sweden (Study Abroad Semester)
*Final evaluation
Note: I will still be within contact after leaving for Sweden. Also, since this is past the end of coding date (August 11 week), I should not have any problems not having a work visa (although my student visa does allow me to work). I will still be able to complete the final evaluation before September 1.

==New Icon Prototypes==
'''Current Icon:''' 
http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/generic.png 
'''New Icons at (reduced) 128 x 128 resolution:''' 
http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/Sample.png 
These new icons are designed to better highlight the contents of files and better meet the Apple Interface Guidelines for document icons. These icons are also rendered at 512 x 512 to support Mac OS X Leopard's higher resolution icon standard and can be scaled larger if needed (all graphics are vectors). Furthermore, the use of six generic icons instead of one allows future formats to be easily added without the need for more icons. As current users of VLC for Mac OS X know, the "blank" icon is often used for more newly supported formats in VLC such as MKV, FLV, FLAC, and others. When adding a format, an icon that matches the type of file could be used to be more specific without needing to make an icon that says "FLAC" on it. That being said, I intend to create titled icons for the majority of currently-supported files, but will also include these six generic ones for future file support. Also, it should be noted that the more of these 512 x 512 icons included, the larger the VLC download will become as they are much larger than the current 128 x 128. These icons range from 96 KB to 276 KB when exported as apple .icns files. The full resolution versions can be seen [http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/ here]. 
''Please email me all comments at [mailto:dudiak@gmail.com dudiak@gmail.com]. Thanks!''

==New Interface==
'''July 29, 2008:''' 
[http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/new_interface.mp4 First Prototype Functioning] 
'''August 12, 2008:''' 
[http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/new_interface_2.mp4 Feature Complete Version]

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-08-12T22:09:19Z

Dudiak: /* New Interface */

{{SoCProject|year=2008|student=[[User:dudiak|Eric Dudiak]]|mentor=[[User:Fkuehne|Felix Paul Kühne]]}}

=Mac OS X (Leopard) Integration=

==Abstract==

Unlike Windows and Linux, Mac OS X does not offer much in terms of alternatives to its built-in QuickTime media player. VLC media player represents the only Mac media player with significant support for various media formats and a tight integration with the OS, including a "Mac-like" user interface. As it is the only full, viable alternative to QuickTime on the Mac OS X platform, it is important that it stay current with various Mac technologies to offer users a comprehensive option for media playback.

Aspects of tighter Mac OS X integration:
*Quick Look Generator for Leopard (to generate thumbnails and full media previews from the Finder)
*Making most common preferences accessible in a Mac-style preference window organized with icon tabs across the top such as in Safari and Mail.
*Moving the Readme document and other help resources into a HelpViewer HTML document to allow better help searching in Leopard.
*Improvements in steaming server wizard to be more in-line with other Mac wizards and easier to use for personal streaming between Macs.
*Add better support for package files that contain media VLC can play, such as iMovie Projects and EyeTV recordings.
*Update the VLC file icons to the 512 by 512 size for Leopard.

==Detailed Description==

This project will use the libraries provided by Apple for creating a Quick Look Generator. Due to various restrictions placed on these by Apple, the method for generating the live preview may use the mozilla plugin if no better alternative can be found. Creating these enhancements will require a combination of C and Objective-C. The Quick Look function should generate a thumbnail when simply browsing the Finder or viewing with CoverFlow and should provide full playback when the spacebar is pressed (which actually opens the Quick View). For those not familiar with the details of Mac OS X, Apple provides very specific models for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) defined in documents on their [http://developer.apple.com developer site]. In addition to providing the Quick Look functionality, I will be attempting to bring VLC more in line with these usability guidelines. This will include updating the preferences window to have a more Mac OS X feel and organization to it for at least the most fundamental set of preferences (with the rest to be accessible in the traditional way). I will also be moving some of the documentation into HelpViewer format to allow easy searching of it directly from the menu bar in Leopard. Also, I will be designing a new Streaming/Transcoding Wizard that better matches the Mac OS X wizard look and feel, such as the in the Bluetooth Setup Assistant or Network Setup Assistant. The new icons should look more like other modern Mac OS X file icons since the current ones more closely resemble icons found in the Mac OS X Public Beta. These new icons should be included for several of the formats that are newer to VLC (and were not supported when the old icons were made) and should differentiate between types (audio vs. video) in the icon style.

==Development Plan==

*Research both Apple and community documentation on Quick Look Generators.
*Attempt to create a simple, dynamic Quick Look Generator to test the ability to create such generators.
*<s>Failing that, create a simple Quick Look Generator that uses a custom WebKit plugin.</s>
*Move to developing a Quick Look Generator for VLC that uses whichever method was more successful.
*Create Quick Look Generator that plays at least one VLC media format (no controls yet, just basic playback).
*Add support for additional formats.
*Add thumbnail generation for supported formats.
*Add basic playback controls (play/pause, possibly mute and scrubber)
*If ahead of schedule, add support for displaying relevant metadata, such as ID3 tags for MP3 files.
*Create new Mac OS X icon files.
*Evaluate icons/Quick View with community and sample end users.
*Work on new Mac OS X interface
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.

==Weekly Schedule==
This schedule only includes coding plans for about a month going forward because I will have to asses what has been completed of my plan for each week before planning additional weeks. It does, however, include all known conflicts for the entire period. 
'''Week 1 (May 26 – May 30)''' 
*Review Apple documentation for Quick Look development
*Review potential of VLCkit
*Review potential of VLC WebKit plugin
*Start building Quick Look Generator
''Completed:''
*Review Apple documentation
*Decided to start development with the VLC WebKit/Mozilla plugin
*Started coding on the generator
'''Week 2 (June 2 – June 6)''' 
*Finish alpha Quick Look Generator for previews
''Completed:''
*Alpha not yet ready. Will continue work into week 3.
'''Week 3 (June 9 – June 13)''' 
*Add thumbnail support
*Finish preview work from week 2.
''Completed:''
*Created new icon files at 512x512 resolution
'''Week 4 (June 16 – June 20)''' 
*Refine controls/appearance for Quick Look.
*Create new icons
*Evaluate Quick Look and icons
''Completed:''
*Made a quicklook preview by converting VLC files into QuickTime files
'''Week 5 (June 23 – June 27)''' 
*Start new interface design
'''Week 6 (June 30 – July 4)''' 
*Continue new interface prototype
*Away Tuesday onward (still online, just unlikely able to work)
'''Week 7 (July 7 – July 11)''' 
*Arrive back on Tuesday (still online, just unlikely able to work)
*Integrate new interface into existing VLC code
*Midterm evalutation
'''Week 8 (July 14 – July 18)''' 
*Get playback working in new UI
*Get basic controls working
*Create additional new icons for interface
'''Week 9 (July 21 – July 25)''' 
*Set up sidebar/source bar to act as expected
*Make resizing work correctly
*Finish setting up controls
'''Week 10 (July 28 – August 1)''' 
*Fix drawing errors
*Fix resize errors
*Allow dragging by background
*Fix/update git repository
'''Week 11 (August 4 – August 8)''' 
*Integrate playlist into new interface
*Add content to sidebar/sourcebar
'''Week 12 (August 11 – August 15)''' 
*Wrap up coding
'''After August 15''' 
*August 16: Leave for California (Apple Cocoa Camp)
*August 24: Leave for Sweden (Study Abroad Semester)
*Final evaluation
Note: I will still be within contact after leaving for Sweden. Also, since this is past the end of coding date (August 11 week), I should not have any problems not having a work visa (although my student visa does allow me to work). I will still be able to complete the final evaluation before September 1.

==New Icon Prototypes==
'''Current Icon:''' 
http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/generic.png 
'''New Icons at (reduced) 128 x 128 resolution:''' 
http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/Sample.png 
These new icons are designed to better highlight the contents of files and better meet the Apple Interface Guidelines for document icons. These icons are also rendered at 512 x 512 to support Mac OS X Leopard's higher resolution icon standard and can be scaled larger if needed (all graphics are vectors). Furthermore, the use of six generic icons instead of one allows future formats to be easily added without the need for more icons. As current users of VLC for Mac OS X know, the "blank" icon is often used for more newly supported formats in VLC such as MKV, FLV, FLAC, and others. When adding a format, an icon that matches the type of file could be used to be more specific without needing to make an icon that says "FLAC" on it. That being said, I intend to create titled icons for the majority of currently-supported files, but will also include these six generic ones for future file support. Also, it should be noted that the more of these 512 x 512 icons included, the larger the VLC download will become as they are much larger than the current 128 x 128. These icons range from 96 KB to 276 KB when exported as apple .icns files. The full resolution versions can be seen [http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/ here]. 
''Please email me all comments at [mailto:dudiak@gmail.com dudiak@gmail.com]. Thanks!''

==New Interface==
'''July 29, 2008:''' 
http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/new_interface.mp4[http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/new_interface.mp4 First Prototype Functioning] 
'''August 12, 2008:''' 
[http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/new_interface_2.mp4 Feature Complete Version]

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-08-12T22:08:21Z

Dudiak: /* New Interface */

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-08-12T22:07:50Z

Dudiak: /* New Interface */

{{SoCProject|year=2008|student=[[User:dudiak|Eric Dudiak]]|mentor=[[User:Fkuehne|Felix Paul Kühne]]}}

=Mac OS X (Leopard) Integration=

==Abstract==

Unlike Windows and Linux, Mac OS X does not offer much in terms of alternatives to its built-in QuickTime media player. VLC media player represents the only Mac media player with significant support for various media formats and a tight integration with the OS, including a "Mac-like" user interface. As it is the only full, viable alternative to QuickTime on the Mac OS X platform, it is important that it stay current with various Mac technologies to offer users a comprehensive option for media playback.

Aspects of tighter Mac OS X integration:
*Quick Look Generator for Leopard (to generate thumbnails and full media previews from the Finder)
*Making most common preferences accessible in a Mac-style preference window organized with icon tabs across the top such as in Safari and Mail.
*Moving the Readme document and other help resources into a HelpViewer HTML document to allow better help searching in Leopard.
*Improvements in steaming server wizard to be more in-line with other Mac wizards and easier to use for personal streaming between Macs.
*Add better support for package files that contain media VLC can play, such as iMovie Projects and EyeTV recordings.
*Update the VLC file icons to the 512 by 512 size for Leopard.

==Detailed Description==

This project will use the libraries provided by Apple for creating a Quick Look Generator. Due to various restrictions placed on these by Apple, the method for generating the live preview may use the mozilla plugin if no better alternative can be found. Creating these enhancements will require a combination of C and Objective-C. The Quick Look function should generate a thumbnail when simply browsing the Finder or viewing with CoverFlow and should provide full playback when the spacebar is pressed (which actually opens the Quick View). For those not familiar with the details of Mac OS X, Apple provides very specific models for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) defined in documents on their [http://developer.apple.com developer site]. In addition to providing the Quick Look functionality, I will be attempting to bring VLC more in line with these usability guidelines. This will include updating the preferences window to have a more Mac OS X feel and organization to it for at least the most fundamental set of preferences (with the rest to be accessible in the traditional way). I will also be moving some of the documentation into HelpViewer format to allow easy searching of it directly from the menu bar in Leopard. Also, I will be designing a new Streaming/Transcoding Wizard that better matches the Mac OS X wizard look and feel, such as the in the Bluetooth Setup Assistant or Network Setup Assistant. The new icons should look more like other modern Mac OS X file icons since the current ones more closely resemble icons found in the Mac OS X Public Beta. These new icons should be included for several of the formats that are newer to VLC (and were not supported when the old icons were made) and should differentiate between types (audio vs. video) in the icon style.

==Development Plan==

*Research both Apple and community documentation on Quick Look Generators.
*Attempt to create a simple, dynamic Quick Look Generator to test the ability to create such generators.
*<s>Failing that, create a simple Quick Look Generator that uses a custom WebKit plugin.</s>
*Move to developing a Quick Look Generator for VLC that uses whichever method was more successful.
*Create Quick Look Generator that plays at least one VLC media format (no controls yet, just basic playback).
*Add support for additional formats.
*Add thumbnail generation for supported formats.
*Add basic playback controls (play/pause, possibly mute and scrubber)
*If ahead of schedule, add support for displaying relevant metadata, such as ID3 tags for MP3 files.
*Create new Mac OS X icon files.
*Evaluate icons/Quick View with community and sample end users.
*Work on new Mac OS X interface
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.

==Weekly Schedule==
This schedule only includes coding plans for about a month going forward because I will have to asses what has been completed of my plan for each week before planning additional weeks. It does, however, include all known conflicts for the entire period. 
'''Week 1 (May 26 – May 30)''' 
*Review Apple documentation for Quick Look development
*Review potential of VLCkit
*Review potential of VLC WebKit plugin
*Start building Quick Look Generator
''Completed:''
*Review Apple documentation
*Decided to start development with the VLC WebKit/Mozilla plugin
*Started coding on the generator
'''Week 2 (June 2 – June 6)''' 
*Finish alpha Quick Look Generator for previews
''Completed:''
*Alpha not yet ready. Will continue work into week 3.
'''Week 3 (June 9 – June 13)''' 
*Add thumbnail support
*Finish preview work from week 2.
''Completed:''
*Created new icon files at 512x512 resolution
'''Week 4 (June 16 – June 20)''' 
*Refine controls/appearance for Quick Look.
*Create new icons
*Evaluate Quick Look and icons
''Completed:''
*Made a quicklook preview by converting VLC files into QuickTime files
'''Week 5 (June 23 – June 27)''' 
*Start new interface design
'''Week 6 (June 30 – July 4)''' 
*Continue new interface prototype
*Away Tuesday onward (still online, just unlikely able to work)
'''Week 7 (July 7 – July 11)''' 
*Arrive back on Tuesday (still online, just unlikely able to work)
*Integrate new interface into existing VLC code
*Midterm evalutation
'''Week 8 (July 14 – July 18)''' 
*Get playback working in new UI
*Get basic controls working
*Create additional new icons for interface
'''Week 9 (July 21 – July 25)''' 
*Set up sidebar/source bar to act as expected
*Make resizing work correctly
*Finish setting up controls
'''Week 10 (July 28 – August 1)''' 
*Fix drawing errors
*Fix resize errors
*Allow dragging by background
*Fix/update git repository
'''Week 11 (August 4 – August 8)''' 
*Integrate playlist into new interface
*Add content to sidebar/sourcebar
'''Week 12 (August 11 – August 15)''' 
*Wrap up coding
'''After August 15''' 
*August 16: Leave for California (Apple Cocoa Camp)
*August 24: Leave for Sweden (Study Abroad Semester)
*Final evaluation
Note: I will still be within contact after leaving for Sweden. Also, since this is past the end of coding date (August 11 week), I should not have any problems not having a work visa (although my student visa does allow me to work). I will still be able to complete the final evaluation before September 1.

==New Icon Prototypes==
'''Current Icon:''' 
http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/generic.png 
'''New Icons at (reduced) 128 x 128 resolution:''' 
http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/Sample.png 
These new icons are designed to better highlight the contents of files and better meet the Apple Interface Guidelines for document icons. These icons are also rendered at 512 x 512 to support Mac OS X Leopard's higher resolution icon standard and can be scaled larger if needed (all graphics are vectors). Furthermore, the use of six generic icons instead of one allows future formats to be easily added without the need for more icons. As current users of VLC for Mac OS X know, the "blank" icon is often used for more newly supported formats in VLC such as MKV, FLV, FLAC, and others. When adding a format, an icon that matches the type of file could be used to be more specific without needing to make an icon that says "FLAC" on it. That being said, I intend to create titled icons for the majority of currently-supported files, but will also include these six generic ones for future file support. Also, it should be noted that the more of these 512 x 512 icons included, the larger the VLC download will become as they are much larger than the current 128 x 128. These icons range from 96 KB to 276 KB when exported as apple .icns files. The full resolution versions can be seen [http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/ here]. 
''Please email me all comments at [mailto:dudiak@gmail.com dudiak@gmail.com]. Thanks!''

==New Interface==
''July 29, 2008:''
[http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/new_interface.mp4 First Prototype Functioning]
''August 12, 2008:''
[http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/new_interface_2.mp4 Feature Complete Version]

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-08-12T22:06:27Z

Dudiak: /* New Interface */

{{SoCProject|year=2008|student=[[User:dudiak|Eric Dudiak]]|mentor=[[User:Fkuehne|Felix Paul Kühne]]}}

=Mac OS X (Leopard) Integration=

==Abstract==

Unlike Windows and Linux, Mac OS X does not offer much in terms of alternatives to its built-in QuickTime media player. VLC media player represents the only Mac media player with significant support for various media formats and a tight integration with the OS, including a "Mac-like" user interface. As it is the only full, viable alternative to QuickTime on the Mac OS X platform, it is important that it stay current with various Mac technologies to offer users a comprehensive option for media playback.

Aspects of tighter Mac OS X integration:
*Quick Look Generator for Leopard (to generate thumbnails and full media previews from the Finder)
*Making most common preferences accessible in a Mac-style preference window organized with icon tabs across the top such as in Safari and Mail.
*Moving the Readme document and other help resources into a HelpViewer HTML document to allow better help searching in Leopard.
*Improvements in steaming server wizard to be more in-line with other Mac wizards and easier to use for personal streaming between Macs.
*Add better support for package files that contain media VLC can play, such as iMovie Projects and EyeTV recordings.
*Update the VLC file icons to the 512 by 512 size for Leopard.

==Detailed Description==

This project will use the libraries provided by Apple for creating a Quick Look Generator. Due to various restrictions placed on these by Apple, the method for generating the live preview may use the mozilla plugin if no better alternative can be found. Creating these enhancements will require a combination of C and Objective-C. The Quick Look function should generate a thumbnail when simply browsing the Finder or viewing with CoverFlow and should provide full playback when the spacebar is pressed (which actually opens the Quick View). For those not familiar with the details of Mac OS X, Apple provides very specific models for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) defined in documents on their [http://developer.apple.com developer site]. In addition to providing the Quick Look functionality, I will be attempting to bring VLC more in line with these usability guidelines. This will include updating the preferences window to have a more Mac OS X feel and organization to it for at least the most fundamental set of preferences (with the rest to be accessible in the traditional way). I will also be moving some of the documentation into HelpViewer format to allow easy searching of it directly from the menu bar in Leopard. Also, I will be designing a new Streaming/Transcoding Wizard that better matches the Mac OS X wizard look and feel, such as the in the Bluetooth Setup Assistant or Network Setup Assistant. The new icons should look more like other modern Mac OS X file icons since the current ones more closely resemble icons found in the Mac OS X Public Beta. These new icons should be included for several of the formats that are newer to VLC (and were not supported when the old icons were made) and should differentiate between types (audio vs. video) in the icon style.

==Development Plan==

*Research both Apple and community documentation on Quick Look Generators.
*Attempt to create a simple, dynamic Quick Look Generator to test the ability to create such generators.
*<s>Failing that, create a simple Quick Look Generator that uses a custom WebKit plugin.</s>
*Move to developing a Quick Look Generator for VLC that uses whichever method was more successful.
*Create Quick Look Generator that plays at least one VLC media format (no controls yet, just basic playback).
*Add support for additional formats.
*Add thumbnail generation for supported formats.
*Add basic playback controls (play/pause, possibly mute and scrubber)
*If ahead of schedule, add support for displaying relevant metadata, such as ID3 tags for MP3 files.
*Create new Mac OS X icon files.
*Evaluate icons/Quick View with community and sample end users.
*Work on new Mac OS X interface
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.

==Weekly Schedule==
This schedule only includes coding plans for about a month going forward because I will have to asses what has been completed of my plan for each week before planning additional weeks. It does, however, include all known conflicts for the entire period. 
'''Week 1 (May 26 – May 30)''' 
*Review Apple documentation for Quick Look development
*Review potential of VLCkit
*Review potential of VLC WebKit plugin
*Start building Quick Look Generator
''Completed:''
*Review Apple documentation
*Decided to start development with the VLC WebKit/Mozilla plugin
*Started coding on the generator
'''Week 2 (June 2 – June 6)''' 
*Finish alpha Quick Look Generator for previews
''Completed:''
*Alpha not yet ready. Will continue work into week 3.
'''Week 3 (June 9 – June 13)''' 
*Add thumbnail support
*Finish preview work from week 2.
''Completed:''
*Created new icon files at 512x512 resolution
'''Week 4 (June 16 – June 20)''' 
*Refine controls/appearance for Quick Look.
*Create new icons
*Evaluate Quick Look and icons
''Completed:''
*Made a quicklook preview by converting VLC files into QuickTime files
'''Week 5 (June 23 – June 27)''' 
*Start new interface design
'''Week 6 (June 30 – July 4)''' 
*Continue new interface prototype
*Away Tuesday onward (still online, just unlikely able to work)
'''Week 7 (July 7 – July 11)''' 
*Arrive back on Tuesday (still online, just unlikely able to work)
*Integrate new interface into existing VLC code
*Midterm evalutation
'''Week 8 (July 14 – July 18)''' 
*Get playback working in new UI
*Get basic controls working
*Create additional new icons for interface
'''Week 9 (July 21 – July 25)''' 
*Set up sidebar/source bar to act as expected
*Make resizing work correctly
*Finish setting up controls
'''Week 10 (July 28 – August 1)''' 
*Fix drawing errors
*Fix resize errors
*Allow dragging by background
*Fix/update git repository
'''Week 11 (August 4 – August 8)''' 
*Integrate playlist into new interface
*Add content to sidebar/sourcebar
'''Week 12 (August 11 – August 15)''' 
*Wrap up coding
'''After August 15''' 
*August 16: Leave for California (Apple Cocoa Camp)
*August 24: Leave for Sweden (Study Abroad Semester)
*Final evaluation
Note: I will still be within contact after leaving for Sweden. Also, since this is past the end of coding date (August 11 week), I should not have any problems not having a work visa (although my student visa does allow me to work). I will still be able to complete the final evaluation before September 1.

==New Icon Prototypes==
'''Current Icon:''' 
http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/generic.png 
'''New Icons at (reduced) 128 x 128 resolution:''' 
http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/Sample.png 
These new icons are designed to better highlight the contents of files and better meet the Apple Interface Guidelines for document icons. These icons are also rendered at 512 x 512 to support Mac OS X Leopard's higher resolution icon standard and can be scaled larger if needed (all graphics are vectors). Furthermore, the use of six generic icons instead of one allows future formats to be easily added without the need for more icons. As current users of VLC for Mac OS X know, the "blank" icon is often used for more newly supported formats in VLC such as MKV, FLV, FLAC, and others. When adding a format, an icon that matches the type of file could be used to be more specific without needing to make an icon that says "FLAC" on it. That being said, I intend to create titled icons for the majority of currently-supported files, but will also include these six generic ones for future file support. Also, it should be noted that the more of these 512 x 512 icons included, the larger the VLC download will become as they are much larger than the current 128 x 128. These icons range from 96 KB to 276 KB when exported as apple .icns files. The full resolution versions can be seen [http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/ here]. 
''Please email me all comments at [mailto:dudiak@gmail.com dudiak@gmail.com]. Thanks!''

==New Interface==
July 29, 2008:
[http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/new_interface.mp4 First Prototype Functioning]

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-08-12T22:04:59Z

Dudiak: /* Weekly Schedule */

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-08-12T22:03:18Z

Dudiak:

{{SoCProject|year=2008|student=[[User:dudiak|Eric Dudiak]]|mentor=[[User:Fkuehne|Felix Paul Kühne]]}}

=Mac OS X (Leopard) Integration=

==Abstract==

Unlike Windows and Linux, Mac OS X does not offer much in terms of alternatives to its built-in QuickTime media player. VLC media player represents the only Mac media player with significant support for various media formats and a tight integration with the OS, including a "Mac-like" user interface. As it is the only full, viable alternative to QuickTime on the Mac OS X platform, it is important that it stay current with various Mac technologies to offer users a comprehensive option for media playback.

Aspects of tighter Mac OS X integration:
*Quick Look Generator for Leopard (to generate thumbnails and full media previews from the Finder)
*Making most common preferences accessible in a Mac-style preference window organized with icon tabs across the top such as in Safari and Mail.
*Moving the Readme document and other help resources into a HelpViewer HTML document to allow better help searching in Leopard.
*Improvements in steaming server wizard to be more in-line with other Mac wizards and easier to use for personal streaming between Macs.
*Add better support for package files that contain media VLC can play, such as iMovie Projects and EyeTV recordings.
*Update the VLC file icons to the 512 by 512 size for Leopard.

==Detailed Description==

This project will use the libraries provided by Apple for creating a Quick Look Generator. Due to various restrictions placed on these by Apple, the method for generating the live preview may use the mozilla plugin if no better alternative can be found. Creating these enhancements will require a combination of C and Objective-C. The Quick Look function should generate a thumbnail when simply browsing the Finder or viewing with CoverFlow and should provide full playback when the spacebar is pressed (which actually opens the Quick View). For those not familiar with the details of Mac OS X, Apple provides very specific models for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) defined in documents on their [http://developer.apple.com developer site]. In addition to providing the Quick Look functionality, I will be attempting to bring VLC more in line with these usability guidelines. This will include updating the preferences window to have a more Mac OS X feel and organization to it for at least the most fundamental set of preferences (with the rest to be accessible in the traditional way). I will also be moving some of the documentation into HelpViewer format to allow easy searching of it directly from the menu bar in Leopard. Also, I will be designing a new Streaming/Transcoding Wizard that better matches the Mac OS X wizard look and feel, such as the in the Bluetooth Setup Assistant or Network Setup Assistant. The new icons should look more like other modern Mac OS X file icons since the current ones more closely resemble icons found in the Mac OS X Public Beta. These new icons should be included for several of the formats that are newer to VLC (and were not supported when the old icons were made) and should differentiate between types (audio vs. video) in the icon style.

==Development Plan==

*Research both Apple and community documentation on Quick Look Generators.
*Attempt to create a simple, dynamic Quick Look Generator to test the ability to create such generators.
*<s>Failing that, create a simple Quick Look Generator that uses a custom WebKit plugin.</s>
*Move to developing a Quick Look Generator for VLC that uses whichever method was more successful.
*Create Quick Look Generator that plays at least one VLC media format (no controls yet, just basic playback).
*Add support for additional formats.
*Add thumbnail generation for supported formats.
*Add basic playback controls (play/pause, possibly mute and scrubber)
*If ahead of schedule, add support for displaying relevant metadata, such as ID3 tags for MP3 files.
*Create new Mac OS X icon files.
*Evaluate icons/Quick View with community and sample end users.
*Work on new Mac OS X interface
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.

==Weekly Schedule==
This schedule only includes coding plans for about a month going forward because I will have to asses what has been completed of my plan for each week before planning additional weeks. It does, however, include all known conflicts for the entire period. 
'''Week 1 (May 26 – May 30)''' 
*Review Apple documentation for Quick Look development
*Review potential of VLCkit
*Review potential of VLC WebKit plugin
*Start building Quick Look Generator
''Completed:''
*Review Apple documentation
*Decided to start development with the VLC WebKit/Mozilla plugin
*Started coding on the generator
'''Week 2 (June 2 – June 6)''' 
*Finish alpha Quick Look Generator for previews
''Completed:''
*Alpha not yet ready. Will continue work into week 3.
'''Week 3 (June 9 – June 13)''' 
*Add thumbnail support
*Finish preview work from week 2.
''Completed:''
*Created new icon files at 512x512 resolution
'''Week 4 (June 16 – June 20)''' 
*Refine controls/appearance for Quick Look.
*Create new icons
*Evaluate Quick Look and icons
''Completed:''
*Made a quicklook preview by converting VLC files into QuickTime files
'''Week 5 (June 23 – June 27)''' 
*Start new interface design
'''Week 6 (June 30 – July 4)''' 
*Continue new interface prototype
*Away Tuesday onward (still online, just unlikely able to work)
'''Week 7 (July 7 – July 11)''' 
*Arrive back on Tuesday (still online, just unlikely able to work)
*Integrate new interface into existing VLC code
*Midterm evalutation
'''Week 8 (July 14 – July 18)''' 
*Get playback working in new UI
*Get basic controls working
*Create additional new icons for interface
'''Week 9 (July 21 – July 25)''' 
*Set up sidebar/source bar to act as expected
*Make resizing work correctly
*Finish setting up controls
'''Week 10 (July 28 – August 1)''' 
*Fix drawing errors
*Fix resize errors
*Allow dragging by background
*Fix/update git repository
'''Week 11 (August 4 – August 8)''' 
*Integrate playlist into new interface
*Add content to sidebar/sourcebar
'''Week 12 (August 11 – August 15)''' 
*Wrap up coding
'''After August 15''' 
*August 16: Leave for California (Apple Cocoa Camp)
*August 24: Leave for Sweden (Study Abroad Semester)
*Final evaluation
Note: I will still be within contact after leaving for Sweden. Also, since this is past the end of coding date (August 11 week), I should not have any problems not having a work visa. I will still be able to complete the final evaluation before September 1.

==New Icon Prototypes==
'''Current Icon:''' 
http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/generic.png 
'''New Icons at (reduced) 128 x 128 resolution:''' 
http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/Sample.png 
These new icons are designed to better highlight the contents of files and better meet the Apple Interface Guidelines for document icons. These icons are also rendered at 512 x 512 to support Mac OS X Leopard's higher resolution icon standard and can be scaled larger if needed (all graphics are vectors). Furthermore, the use of six generic icons instead of one allows future formats to be easily added without the need for more icons. As current users of VLC for Mac OS X know, the "blank" icon is often used for more newly supported formats in VLC such as MKV, FLV, FLAC, and others. When adding a format, an icon that matches the type of file could be used to be more specific without needing to make an icon that says "FLAC" on it. That being said, I intend to create titled icons for the majority of currently-supported files, but will also include these six generic ones for future file support. Also, it should be noted that the more of these 512 x 512 icons included, the larger the VLC download will become as they are much larger than the current 128 x 128. These icons range from 96 KB to 276 KB when exported as apple .icns files. The full resolution versions can be seen [http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/ here]. 
''Please email me all comments at [mailto:dudiak@gmail.com dudiak@gmail.com]. Thanks!''

==New Interface==

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-06-27T20:09:19Z

Dudiak:

{{SoCProject|year=2008|student=[[User:dudiak|Eric Dudiak]]|mentor=[[User:Fkuehne|Felix Paul Kühne]]}}

=Mac OS X (Leopard) Integration=

==Abstract==

Unlike Windows and Linux, Mac OS X does not offer much in terms of alternatives to its built-in QuickTime media player. VLC media player represents the only Mac media player with significant support for various media formats and a tight integration with the OS, including a "Mac-like" user interface. As it is the only full, viable alternative to QuickTime on the Mac OS X platform, it is important that it stay current with various Mac technologies to offer users a comprehensive option for media playback.

Aspects of tighter Mac OS X integration:
*Quick Look Generator for Leopard (to generate thumbnails and full media previews from the Finder)
*Making most common preferences accessible in a Mac-style preference window organized with icon tabs across the top such as in Safari and Mail.
*Moving the Readme document and other help resources into a HelpViewer HTML document to allow better help searching in Leopard.
*Improvements in steaming server wizard to be more in-line with other Mac wizards and easier to use for personal streaming between Macs.
*Add better support for package files that contain media VLC can play, such as iMovie Projects and EyeTV recordings.
*Update the VLC file icons to the 512 by 512 size for Leopard.

==Detailed Description==

This project will use the libraries provided by Apple for creating a Quick Look Generator. Due to various restrictions placed on these by Apple, the method for generating the live preview may use the mozilla plugin if no better alternative can be found. Creating these enhancements will require a combination of C and Objective-C. The Quick Look function should generate a thumbnail when simply browsing the Finder or viewing with CoverFlow and should provide full playback when the spacebar is pressed (which actually opens the Quick View). For those not familiar with the details of Mac OS X, Apple provides very specific models for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) defined in documents on their [http://developer.apple.com developer site]. In addition to providing the Quick Look functionality, I will be attempting to bring VLC more in line with these usability guidelines. This will include updating the preferences window to have a more Mac OS X feel and organization to it for at least the most fundamental set of preferences (with the rest to be accessible in the traditional way). I will also be moving some of the documentation into HelpViewer format to allow easy searching of it directly from the menu bar in Leopard. Also, I will be designing a new Streaming/Transcoding Wizard that better matches the Mac OS X wizard look and feel, such as the in the Bluetooth Setup Assistant or Network Setup Assistant. The new icons should look more like other modern Mac OS X file icons since the current ones more closely resemble icons found in the Mac OS X Public Beta. These new icons should be included for several of the formats that are newer to VLC (and were not supported when the old icons were made) and should differentiate between types (audio vs. video) in the icon style.

==Development Plan==

*Research both Apple and community documentation on Quick Look Generators.
*Attempt to create a simple, dynamic Quick Look Generator to test the ability to create such generators.
*Failing that, create a simple Quick Look Generator that uses a custom WebKit plugin.
*Move to developing a Quick Look Generator for VLC that uses whichever method was more successful.
*Create Quick Look Generator that plays at least one VLC media format (no controls yet, just basic playback).
*Add support for additional formats.
*Add thumbnail generation for supported formats.
*Add basic playback controls (play/pause, possibly mute and scrubber)
*If ahead of schedule, add support for displaying relevant metadata, such as ID3 tags for MP3 files.
*Create new Mac OS X icon files.
*Evaluate icons/Quick View with community and sample end users.
*<s>Create prototype for preference window.</s>
*Work on new Mac OS X interface
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.
*Create HelpViewer readme file and possibly other documentation.
*Create prototype for streaming wizard.
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.
*Find package files that contain VLC-compatible media.
*Develop parsing in VLC for these formats.

==Weekly Schedule==
This schedule only includes coding plans for about a month going forward because I will have to asses what has been completed of my plan for each week before planning additional weeks. It does, however, include all known conflicts for the entire period. 
'''Week 1 (May 26 – May 30)''' 
*Review Apple documentation for Quick Look development
*Review potential of VLCkit
*Review potential of VLC WebKit plugin
*Start building Quick Look Generator
''Completed:''
*Review Apple documentation
*Decided to start development with the VLC WebKit/Mozilla plugin
*Started coding on the generator
'''Week 2 (June 2 – June 6)''' 
*Finish alpha Quick Look Generator for previews
''Completed:''
*Alpha not yet ready. Will continue work into week 3.
'''Week 3 (June 9 – June 13)''' 
*Add thumbnail support
*Finish preview work from week 2.
''Completed:''
*Created new icon files at 512x512 resolution
'''Week 4 (June 16 – June 20)''' 
*Refine controls/appearance for Quick Look.
*Create new icons
*Evaluate Quick Look and icons
''Completed:''
*Made a quicklook preview by converting VLC files into QuickTime files
'''Week 5 (June 23 – June 27)''' 
*Start new interface design
'''Week 6 (June 30 – July 4)''' 
*Continue new interface prototype
*Away Tuesday onward (still online, just unlikely able to work)
'''Week 7 (July 7 – July 11)''' 
*Arrive back on Tuesday (still online, just unlikely able to work)
*Integrate new interface into existing VLC code
*Midterm evalutation
'''Week 8 (July 14 – July 18)''' 
'''Week 9 (July 21 – July 25)''' 
'''Week 10 (July 28 – August 1)''' 
'''Week 11 (August 4 – August 8)''' 
'''Week 12 (August 11 – August 15)''' 
*Wrap up coding
'''After August 15''' 
*August 16: Leave for California (Apple Cocoa Camp)
*August 24: Leave for Sweden (Study Abroad Semester)
*Final evaluation
Note: I will still be within contact after leaving for Sweden. Also, since this is past the end of coding date (August 11 week), I should not have any problems not having a work visa. I will still be able to complete the final evaluation before September 1.

==New Icon Prototypes==
'''Current Icon:''' 
http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/generic.png 
'''New Icons at (reduced) 128 x 128 resolution:''' 
http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/Sample.png 
These new icons are designed to better highlight the contents of files and better meet the Apple Interface Guidelines for document icons. These icons are also rendered at 512 x 512 to support Mac OS X Leopard's higher resolution icon standard and can be scaled larger if needed (all graphics are vectors). Furthermore, the use of six generic icons instead of one allows future formats to be easily added without the need for more icons. As current users of VLC for Mac OS X know, the "blank" icon is often used for more newly supported formats in VLC such as MKV, FLV, FLAC, and others. When adding a format, an icon that matches the type of file could be used to be more specific without needing to make an icon that says "FLAC" on it. That being said, I intend to create titled icons for the majority of currently-supported files, but will also include these six generic ones for future file support. Also, it should be noted that the more of these 512 x 512 icons included, the larger the VLC download will become as they are much larger than the current 128 x 128. These icons range from 96 KB to 276 KB when exported as apple .icns files. The full resolution versions can be seen [http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/ here]. 
''Please email me all comments at [mailto:dudiak@gmail.com dudiak@gmail.com]. Thanks!''

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-06-11T19:33:58Z

Dudiak: /* New Icon Prototypes */

{{SoCProject|year=2008|student=[[User:dudiak|Eric Dudiak]]|mentor=[[User:Fkuehne|Felix Paul Kühne]]}}

=Mac OS X (Leopard) Integration=

==Abstract==

Unlike Windows and Linux, Mac OS X does not offer much in terms of alternatives to its built-in QuickTime media player. VLC media player represents the only Mac media player with significant support for various media formats and a tight integration with the OS, including a "Mac-like" user interface. As it is the only full, viable alternative to QuickTime on the Mac OS X platform, it is important that it stay current with various Mac technologies to offer users a comprehensive option for media playback.

Aspects of tighter Mac OS X integration:
*Quick Look Generator for Leopard (to generate thumbnails and full media previews from the Finder)
*Making most common preferences accessible in a Mac-style preference window organized with icon tabs across the top such as in Safari and Mail.
*Moving the Readme document and other help resources into a HelpViewer HTML document to allow better help searching in Leopard.
*Improvements in steaming server wizard to be more in-line with other Mac wizards and easier to use for personal streaming between Macs.
*Add better support for package files that contain media VLC can play, such as iMovie Projects and EyeTV recordings.
*Update the VLC file icons to the 512 by 512 size for Leopard.

==Detailed Description==

This project will use the libraries provided by Apple for creating a Quick Look Generator. Due to various restrictions placed on these by Apple, the method for generating the live preview may use the mozilla plugin if no better alternative can be found. Creating these enhancements will require a combination of C and Objective-C. The Quick Look function should generate a thumbnail when simply browsing the Finder or viewing with CoverFlow and should provide full playback when the spacebar is pressed (which actually opens the Quick View). For those not familiar with the details of Mac OS X, Apple provides very specific models for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) defined in documents on their [http://developer.apple.com developer site]. In addition to providing the Quick Look functionality, I will be attempting to bring VLC more in line with these usability guidelines. This will include updating the preferences window to have a more Mac OS X feel and organization to it for at least the most fundamental set of preferences (with the rest to be accessible in the traditional way). I will also be moving some of the documentation into HelpViewer format to allow easy searching of it directly from the menu bar in Leopard. Also, I will be designing a new Streaming/Transcoding Wizard that better matches the Mac OS X wizard look and feel, such as the in the Bluetooth Setup Assistant or Network Setup Assistant. The new icons should look more like other modern Mac OS X file icons since the current ones more closely resemble icons found in the Mac OS X Public Beta. These new icons should be included for several of the formats that are newer to VLC (and were not supported when the old icons were made) and should differentiate between types (audio vs. video) in the icon style.

==Development Plan==

*Research both Apple and community documentation on Quick Look Generators.
*Attempt to create a simple, dynamic Quick Look Generator to test the ability to create such generators.
*Failing that, create a simple Quick Look Generator that uses a custom WebKit plugin.
*Move to developing a Quick Look Generator for VLC that uses whichever method was more successful.
*Create Quick Look Generator that plays at least one VLC media format (no controls yet, just basic playback).
*Add support for additional formats.
*Add thumbnail generation for supported formats.
*Add basic playback controls (play/pause, possibly mute and scrubber)
*If ahead of schedule, add support for displaying relevant metadata, such as ID3 tags for MP3 files.
*Create new Mac OS X icon files.
*Evaluate icons/Quick View with community and sample end users.
*Create prototype for preference window.
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.
*Create HelpViewer readme file and possibly other documentation.
*Create prototype for streaming wizard.
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.
*Find package files that contain VLC-compatible media.
*Develop parsing in VLC for these formats.

==Weekly Schedule==
This schedule only includes coding plans for about a month going forward because I will have to asses what has been completed of my plan for each week before planning additional weeks. It does, however, include all known conflicts for the entire period. 
'''Week 1 (May 26 – May 30)''' 
*Review Apple documentation for Quick Look development
*Review potential of VLCkit
*Review potential of VLC WebKit plugin
*Start building Quick Look Generator
''Completed:''
*Review Apple documentation
*Decided to start development with the VLC WebKit/Mozilla plugin
*Started coding on the generator
'''Week 2 (June 2 – June 6)''' 
*Finish alpha Quick Look Generator for previews
''Completed:''
*Alpha not yet ready. Will continue work into week 3.
'''Week 3 (June 9 – June 13)''' 
*Add thumbnail support
*Finish preview work from week 2.
'''Week 4 (June 16 – June 20)''' 
*Refine controls/appearance for Quick Look.
*Create new icons
*Evaluate Quick Look and icons
'''Week 5 (June 23 – June 27)''' 
'''Week 6 (June 30 – July 4)''' 
*Away late in week (still online, just unlikely able to work)
'''Week 7 (July 7 – July 11)''' 
*Away early in week (still online, just unlikely able to work)
*Midterm evalutation
'''Week 8 (July 14 – July 18)''' 
'''Week 9 (July 21 – July 25)''' 
'''Week 10 (July 28 – August 1)''' 
'''Week 11 (August 4 – August 8)''' 
'''Week 12 (August 11 – August 15)''' 
*Wrap up coding
'''After August 15''' 
*August 16: Leave for California (Apple Cocoa Camp)
*August 24: Leave for Sweden (Study Abroad Semester)
*Final evaluation
Note: I will still be within contact after leaving for Sweden. Also, since this is past the end of coding date (August 11 week), I should not have any problems not having a work visa. I will still be able to complete the final evaluation before September 1.

==New Icon Prototypes==
'''Current Icon:''' 
http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/generic.png 
'''New Icons at (reduced) 128 x 128 resolution:''' 
http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/Sample.png 
These new icons are designed to better highlight the contents of files and better meet the Apple Interface Guidelines for document icons. These icons are also rendered at 512 x 512 to support Mac OS X Leopard's higher resolution icon standard and can be scaled larger if needed (all graphics are vectors). Furthermore, the use of six generic icons instead of one allows future formats to be easily added without the need for more icons. As current users of VLC for Mac OS X know, the "blank" icon is often used for more newly supported formats in VLC such as MKV, FLV, FLAC, and others. When adding a format, an icon that matches the type of file could be used to be more specific without needing to make an icon that says "FLAC" on it. That being said, I intend to create titled icons for the majority of currently-supported files, but will also include these six generic ones for future file support. Also, it should be noted that the more of these 512 x 512 icons included, the larger the VLC download will become as they are much larger than the current 128 x 128. These icons range from 96 KB to 276 KB when exported as apple .icns files. The full resolution versions can be seen [http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/ here]. 
''Please email me all comments at [mailto:dudiak@gmail.com dudiak@gmail.com]. Thanks!''

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-06-11T19:30:07Z

Dudiak:

{{SoCProject|year=2008|student=[[User:dudiak|Eric Dudiak]]|mentor=[[User:Fkuehne|Felix Paul Kühne]]}}

=Mac OS X (Leopard) Integration=

==Abstract==

Unlike Windows and Linux, Mac OS X does not offer much in terms of alternatives to its built-in QuickTime media player. VLC media player represents the only Mac media player with significant support for various media formats and a tight integration with the OS, including a "Mac-like" user interface. As it is the only full, viable alternative to QuickTime on the Mac OS X platform, it is important that it stay current with various Mac technologies to offer users a comprehensive option for media playback.

Aspects of tighter Mac OS X integration:
*Quick Look Generator for Leopard (to generate thumbnails and full media previews from the Finder)
*Making most common preferences accessible in a Mac-style preference window organized with icon tabs across the top such as in Safari and Mail.
*Moving the Readme document and other help resources into a HelpViewer HTML document to allow better help searching in Leopard.
*Improvements in steaming server wizard to be more in-line with other Mac wizards and easier to use for personal streaming between Macs.
*Add better support for package files that contain media VLC can play, such as iMovie Projects and EyeTV recordings.
*Update the VLC file icons to the 512 by 512 size for Leopard.

==Detailed Description==

This project will use the libraries provided by Apple for creating a Quick Look Generator. Due to various restrictions placed on these by Apple, the method for generating the live preview may use the mozilla plugin if no better alternative can be found. Creating these enhancements will require a combination of C and Objective-C. The Quick Look function should generate a thumbnail when simply browsing the Finder or viewing with CoverFlow and should provide full playback when the spacebar is pressed (which actually opens the Quick View). For those not familiar with the details of Mac OS X, Apple provides very specific models for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) defined in documents on their [http://developer.apple.com developer site]. In addition to providing the Quick Look functionality, I will be attempting to bring VLC more in line with these usability guidelines. This will include updating the preferences window to have a more Mac OS X feel and organization to it for at least the most fundamental set of preferences (with the rest to be accessible in the traditional way). I will also be moving some of the documentation into HelpViewer format to allow easy searching of it directly from the menu bar in Leopard. Also, I will be designing a new Streaming/Transcoding Wizard that better matches the Mac OS X wizard look and feel, such as the in the Bluetooth Setup Assistant or Network Setup Assistant. The new icons should look more like other modern Mac OS X file icons since the current ones more closely resemble icons found in the Mac OS X Public Beta. These new icons should be included for several of the formats that are newer to VLC (and were not supported when the old icons were made) and should differentiate between types (audio vs. video) in the icon style.

==Development Plan==

*Research both Apple and community documentation on Quick Look Generators.
*Attempt to create a simple, dynamic Quick Look Generator to test the ability to create such generators.
*Failing that, create a simple Quick Look Generator that uses a custom WebKit plugin.
*Move to developing a Quick Look Generator for VLC that uses whichever method was more successful.
*Create Quick Look Generator that plays at least one VLC media format (no controls yet, just basic playback).
*Add support for additional formats.
*Add thumbnail generation for supported formats.
*Add basic playback controls (play/pause, possibly mute and scrubber)
*If ahead of schedule, add support for displaying relevant metadata, such as ID3 tags for MP3 files.
*Create new Mac OS X icon files.
*Evaluate icons/Quick View with community and sample end users.
*Create prototype for preference window.
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.
*Create HelpViewer readme file and possibly other documentation.
*Create prototype for streaming wizard.
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.
*Find package files that contain VLC-compatible media.
*Develop parsing in VLC for these formats.

==Weekly Schedule==
This schedule only includes coding plans for about a month going forward because I will have to asses what has been completed of my plan for each week before planning additional weeks. It does, however, include all known conflicts for the entire period. 
'''Week 1 (May 26 – May 30)''' 
*Review Apple documentation for Quick Look development
*Review potential of VLCkit
*Review potential of VLC WebKit plugin
*Start building Quick Look Generator
''Completed:''
*Review Apple documentation
*Decided to start development with the VLC WebKit/Mozilla plugin
*Started coding on the generator
'''Week 2 (June 2 – June 6)''' 
*Finish alpha Quick Look Generator for previews
''Completed:''
*Alpha not yet ready. Will continue work into week 3.
'''Week 3 (June 9 – June 13)''' 
*Add thumbnail support
*Finish preview work from week 2.
'''Week 4 (June 16 – June 20)''' 
*Refine controls/appearance for Quick Look.
*Create new icons
*Evaluate Quick Look and icons
'''Week 5 (June 23 – June 27)''' 
'''Week 6 (June 30 – July 4)''' 
*Away late in week (still online, just unlikely able to work)
'''Week 7 (July 7 – July 11)''' 
*Away early in week (still online, just unlikely able to work)
*Midterm evalutation
'''Week 8 (July 14 – July 18)''' 
'''Week 9 (July 21 – July 25)''' 
'''Week 10 (July 28 – August 1)''' 
'''Week 11 (August 4 – August 8)''' 
'''Week 12 (August 11 – August 15)''' 
*Wrap up coding
'''After August 15''' 
*August 16: Leave for California (Apple Cocoa Camp)
*August 24: Leave for Sweden (Study Abroad Semester)
*Final evaluation
Note: I will still be within contact after leaving for Sweden. Also, since this is past the end of coding date (August 11 week), I should not have any problems not having a work visa. I will still be able to complete the final evaluation before September 1.

==New Icon Prototypes==
'''Current Icon:''' 
http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/generic.png 
'''New Icons at (reduced) 128 x 128 resolution:''' 
http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/Sample.png 
These new icons are designed to better highlight the contents of files and better meet the Apple Interface Guidelines for document icons. These icons are also rendered at 512 x 512 to support Mac OS X Leopard's higher resolution icon standard and can be scaled larger if needed (all graphics are vectors). Furthermore, the use of six generic icons instead of one allows future formats to be easily added without the need for more icons. As current users of VLC for Mac OS X know, the "blank" icon is often used for more newly supported formats in VLC such as MKV, FLV, FLAC, and others. When adding a format, an icon that matches the type of file could be used to be more specific without needing to make an icon that says "FLAC" on it. That being said, I intend to create titled icons for the majority of currently-supported files, but will also include these six generic ones for future file support. Also, it should be noted that the more of these 512 x 512 icons included, the larger the VLC download will become as they are much larger than the current 128 x 128. These icons range from 96 KB to 276 KB when exported as apple .icns files. The full resolution versions can be seen [http://www.dudiak.com/VLC-Icons/ here]. 
''Please email me all comments at [mailto://dudiak@gmail.com dudiak@gmail.com]. Thanks!''

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-06-09T05:36:45Z

Dudiak: /* Weekly Schedule */

{{SoCProject|year=2008|student=[[User:dudiak|Eric Dudiak]]|mentor=[[User:Fkuehne|Felix Paul Kühne]]}}

=Mac OS X (Leopard) Integration=

==Abstract==

Unlike Windows and Linux, Mac OS X does not offer much in terms of alternatives to its built-in QuickTime media player. VLC media player represents the only Mac media player with significant support for various media formats and a tight integration with the OS, including a "Mac-like" user interface. As it is the only full, viable alternative to QuickTime on the Mac OS X platform, it is important that it stay current with various Mac technologies to offer users a comprehensive option for media playback.

Aspects of tighter Mac OS X integration:
*Quick Look Generator for Leopard (to generate thumbnails and full media previews from the Finder)
*Making most common preferences accessible in a Mac-style preference window organized with icon tabs across the top such as in Safari and Mail.
*Moving the Readme document and other help resources into a HelpViewer HTML document to allow better help searching in Leopard.
*Improvements in steaming server wizard to be more in-line with other Mac wizards and easier to use for personal streaming between Macs.
*Add better support for package files that contain media VLC can play, such as iMovie Projects and EyeTV recordings.
*Update the VLC file icons to the 512 by 512 size for Leopard.

==Detailed Description==

This project will use the libraries provided by Apple for creating a Quick Look Generator. Due to various restrictions placed on these by Apple, the method for generating the live preview may use the mozilla plugin if no better alternative can be found. Creating these enhancements will require a combination of C and Objective-C. The Quick Look function should generate a thumbnail when simply browsing the Finder or viewing with CoverFlow and should provide full playback when the spacebar is pressed (which actually opens the Quick View). For those not familiar with the details of Mac OS X, Apple provides very specific models for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) defined in documents on their [http://developer.apple.com developer site]. In addition to providing the Quick Look functionality, I will be attempting to bring VLC more in line with these usability guidelines. This will include updating the preferences window to have a more Mac OS X feel and organization to it for at least the most fundamental set of preferences (with the rest to be accessible in the traditional way). I will also be moving some of the documentation into HelpViewer format to allow easy searching of it directly from the menu bar in Leopard. Also, I will be designing a new Streaming/Transcoding Wizard that better matches the Mac OS X wizard look and feel, such as the in the Bluetooth Setup Assistant or Network Setup Assistant. The new icons should look more like other modern Mac OS X file icons since the current ones more closely resemble icons found in the Mac OS X Public Beta. These new icons should be included for several of the formats that are newer to VLC (and were not supported when the old icons were made) and should differentiate between types (audio vs. video) in the icon style.

==Development Plan==

*Research both Apple and community documentation on Quick Look Generators.
*Attempt to create a simple, dynamic Quick Look Generator to test the ability to create such generators.
*Failing that, create a simple Quick Look Generator that uses a custom WebKit plugin.
*Move to developing a Quick Look Generator for VLC that uses whichever method was more successful.
*Create Quick Look Generator that plays at least one VLC media format (no controls yet, just basic playback).
*Add support for additional formats.
*Add thumbnail generation for supported formats.
*Add basic playback controls (play/pause, possibly mute and scrubber)
*If ahead of schedule, add support for displaying relevant metadata, such as ID3 tags for MP3 files.
*Create new Mac OS X icon files.
*Evaluate icons/Quick View with community and sample end users.
*Create prototype for preference window.
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.
*Create HelpViewer readme file and possibly other documentation.
*Create prototype for streaming wizard.
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.
*Find package files that contain VLC-compatible media.
*Develop parsing in VLC for these formats.

==Weekly Schedule==
This schedule only includes coding plans for about a month going forward because I will have to asses what has been completed of my plan for each week before planning additional weeks. It does, however, include all known conflicts for the entire period. 
'''Week 1 (May 26 – May 30)''' 
*Review Apple documentation for Quick Look development
*Review potential of VLCkit
*Review potential of VLC WebKit plugin
*Start building Quick Look Generator
''Completed:''
*Review Apple documentation
*Decided to start development with the VLC WebKit/Mozilla plugin
*Started coding on the generator
'''Week 2 (June 2 – June 6)''' 
*Finish alpha Quick Look Generator for previews
''Completed:''
*Alpha not yet ready. Will continue work into week 3.
'''Week 3 (June 9 – June 13)''' 
*Add thumbnail support
*Finish preview work from week 2.
'''Week 4 (June 16 – June 20)''' 
*Refine controls/appearance for Quick Look.
*Create new icons
*Evaluate Quick Look and icons
'''Week 5 (June 23 – June 27)''' 
'''Week 6 (June 30 – July 4)''' 
*Away late in week (still online, just unlikely able to work)
'''Week 7 (July 7 – July 11)''' 
*Away early in week (still online, just unlikely able to work)
*Midterm evalutation
'''Week 8 (July 14 – July 18)''' 
'''Week 9 (July 21 – July 25)''' 
'''Week 10 (July 28 – August 1)''' 
'''Week 11 (August 4 – August 8)''' 
'''Week 12 (August 11 – August 15)''' 
*Wrap up coding
'''After August 15''' 
*August 16: Leave for California (Apple Cocoa Camp)
*August 24: Leave for Sweden (Study Abroad Semester)
*Final evaluation
Note: I will still be within contact after leaving for Sweden. Also, since this is past the end of coding date (August 11 week), I should not have any problems not having a work visa. I will still be able to complete the final evaluation before September 1.

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-06-09T05:36:11Z

Dudiak:

{{SoCProject|year=2008|student=[[User:dudiak|Eric Dudiak]]|mentor=[[User:Fkuehne|Felix Paul Kühne]]}}

=Mac OS X (Leopard) Integration=

==Abstract==

Unlike Windows and Linux, Mac OS X does not offer much in terms of alternatives to its built-in QuickTime media player. VLC media player represents the only Mac media player with significant support for various media formats and a tight integration with the OS, including a "Mac-like" user interface. As it is the only full, viable alternative to QuickTime on the Mac OS X platform, it is important that it stay current with various Mac technologies to offer users a comprehensive option for media playback.

Aspects of tighter Mac OS X integration:
*Quick Look Generator for Leopard (to generate thumbnails and full media previews from the Finder)
*Making most common preferences accessible in a Mac-style preference window organized with icon tabs across the top such as in Safari and Mail.
*Moving the Readme document and other help resources into a HelpViewer HTML document to allow better help searching in Leopard.
*Improvements in steaming server wizard to be more in-line with other Mac wizards and easier to use for personal streaming between Macs.
*Add better support for package files that contain media VLC can play, such as iMovie Projects and EyeTV recordings.
*Update the VLC file icons to the 512 by 512 size for Leopard.

==Detailed Description==

This project will use the libraries provided by Apple for creating a Quick Look Generator. Due to various restrictions placed on these by Apple, the method for generating the live preview may use the mozilla plugin if no better alternative can be found. Creating these enhancements will require a combination of C and Objective-C. The Quick Look function should generate a thumbnail when simply browsing the Finder or viewing with CoverFlow and should provide full playback when the spacebar is pressed (which actually opens the Quick View). For those not familiar with the details of Mac OS X, Apple provides very specific models for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) defined in documents on their [http://developer.apple.com developer site]. In addition to providing the Quick Look functionality, I will be attempting to bring VLC more in line with these usability guidelines. This will include updating the preferences window to have a more Mac OS X feel and organization to it for at least the most fundamental set of preferences (with the rest to be accessible in the traditional way). I will also be moving some of the documentation into HelpViewer format to allow easy searching of it directly from the menu bar in Leopard. Also, I will be designing a new Streaming/Transcoding Wizard that better matches the Mac OS X wizard look and feel, such as the in the Bluetooth Setup Assistant or Network Setup Assistant. The new icons should look more like other modern Mac OS X file icons since the current ones more closely resemble icons found in the Mac OS X Public Beta. These new icons should be included for several of the formats that are newer to VLC (and were not supported when the old icons were made) and should differentiate between types (audio vs. video) in the icon style.

==Development Plan==

*Research both Apple and community documentation on Quick Look Generators.
*Attempt to create a simple, dynamic Quick Look Generator to test the ability to create such generators.
*Failing that, create a simple Quick Look Generator that uses a custom WebKit plugin.
*Move to developing a Quick Look Generator for VLC that uses whichever method was more successful.
*Create Quick Look Generator that plays at least one VLC media format (no controls yet, just basic playback).
*Add support for additional formats.
*Add thumbnail generation for supported formats.
*Add basic playback controls (play/pause, possibly mute and scrubber)
*If ahead of schedule, add support for displaying relevant metadata, such as ID3 tags for MP3 files.
*Create new Mac OS X icon files.
*Evaluate icons/Quick View with community and sample end users.
*Create prototype for preference window.
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.
*Create HelpViewer readme file and possibly other documentation.
*Create prototype for streaming wizard.
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.
*Find package files that contain VLC-compatible media.
*Develop parsing in VLC for these formats.

==Weekly Schedule==
This schedule only includes coding plans for about a month going forward because I will have to asses what has been completed of my plan for each week before planning additional weeks. It does, however, include all known conflicts for the entire period. 
'''Week 1 (May 26 – May 30)''' 
*Review Apple documentation for Quick Look development
*Review potential of VLCkit
*Review potential of VLC WebKit plugin
*Start building Quick Look Generator
''Completed:''
*Review Apple documentation
*Decided to start development with the VLC WebKit/Mozilla plugin
*Started coding on the generator
'''Week 2 (June 2 – June 6)''' 
*Finish alpha Quick Look Generator for previews
"Completed:"
*Alpha not yet ready. Will continue work into week 3.
'''Week 3 (June 9 – June 13)''' 
*Add thumbnail support
*Finish preview work from week 2.
'''Week 4 (June 16 – June 20)''' 
*Refine controls/appearance for Quick Look.
*Create new icons
*Evaluate Quick Look and icons
'''Week 5 (June 23 – June 27)''' 
'''Week 6 (June 30 – July 4)''' 
*Away late in week (still online, just unlikely able to work)
'''Week 7 (July 7 – July 11)''' 
*Away early in week (still online, just unlikely able to work)
*Midterm evalutation
'''Week 8 (July 14 – July 18)''' 
'''Week 9 (July 21 – July 25)''' 
'''Week 10 (July 28 – August 1)''' 
'''Week 11 (August 4 – August 8)''' 
'''Week 12 (August 11 – August 15)''' 
*Wrap up coding
'''After August 15''' 
*August 16: Leave for California (Apple Cocoa Camp)
*August 24: Leave for Sweden (Study Abroad Semester)
*Final evaluation
Note: I will still be within contact after leaving for Sweden. Also, since this is past the end of coding date (August 11 week), I should not have any problems not having a work visa. I will still be able to complete the final evaluation before September 1.

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-06-02T16:21:43Z

Dudiak: /* Weekly Schedule */

{{SoCProject|year=2008|student=[[User:dudiak|Eric Dudiak]]|mentor=[[User:Fkuehne|Felix Paul Kühne]]}}

=Mac OS X (Leopard) Integration=

==Abstract==

Unlike Windows and Linux, Mac OS X does not offer much in terms of alternatives to its built-in QuickTime media player. VLC media player represents the only Mac media player with significant support for various media formats and a tight integration with the OS, including a "Mac-like" user interface. As it is the only full, viable alternative to QuickTime on the Mac OS X platform, it is important that it stay current with various Mac technologies to offer users a comprehensive option for media playback.

Aspects of tighter Mac OS X integration:
*Quick Look Generator for Leopard (to generate thumbnails and full media previews from the Finder)
*Making most common preferences accessible in a Mac-style preference window organized with icon tabs across the top such as in Safari and Mail.
*Moving the Readme document and other help resources into a HelpViewer HTML document to allow better help searching in Leopard.
*Improvements in steaming server wizard to be more in-line with other Mac wizards and easier to use for personal streaming between Macs.
*Add better support for package files that contain media VLC can play, such as iMovie Projects and EyeTV recordings.
*Update the VLC file icons to the 512 by 512 size for Leopard.

==Detailed Description==

This project will use the libraries provided by Apple for creating a Quick Look Generator. Due to various restrictions placed on these by Apple, the method for generating the live preview may use the mozilla plugin if no better alternative can be found. Creating these enhancements will require a combination of C and Objective-C. The Quick Look function should generate a thumbnail when simply browsing the Finder or viewing with CoverFlow and should provide full playback when the spacebar is pressed (which actually opens the Quick View). For those not familiar with the details of Mac OS X, Apple provides very specific models for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) defined in documents on their [http://developer.apple.com developer site]. In addition to providing the Quick Look functionality, I will be attempting to bring VLC more in line with these usability guidelines. This will include updating the preferences window to have a more Mac OS X feel and organization to it for at least the most fundamental set of preferences (with the rest to be accessible in the traditional way). I will also be moving some of the documentation into HelpViewer format to allow easy searching of it directly from the menu bar in Leopard. Also, I will be designing a new Streaming/Transcoding Wizard that better matches the Mac OS X wizard look and feel, such as the in the Bluetooth Setup Assistant or Network Setup Assistant. The new icons should look more like other modern Mac OS X file icons since the current ones more closely resemble icons found in the Mac OS X Public Beta. These new icons should be included for several of the formats that are newer to VLC (and were not supported when the old icons were made) and should differentiate between types (audio vs. video) in the icon style.

==Development Plan==

*Research both Apple and community documentation on Quick Look Generators.
*Attempt to create a simple, dynamic Quick Look Generator to test the ability to create such generators.
*Failing that, create a simple Quick Look Generator that uses a custom WebKit plugin.
*Move to developing a Quick Look Generator for VLC that uses whichever method was more successful.
*Create Quick Look Generator that plays at least one VLC media format (no controls yet, just basic playback).
*Add support for additional formats.
*Add thumbnail generation for supported formats.
*Add basic playback controls (play/pause, possibly mute and scrubber)
*If ahead of schedule, add support for displaying relevant metadata, such as ID3 tags for MP3 files.
*Create new Mac OS X icon files.
*Evaluate icons/Quick View with community and sample end users.
*Create prototype for preference window.
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.
*Create HelpViewer readme file and possibly other documentation.
*Create prototype for streaming wizard.
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.
*Find package files that contain VLC-compatible media.
*Develop parsing in VLC for these formats.

==Weekly Schedule==
This schedule only includes coding plans for about a month going forward because I will have to asses what has been completed of my plan for each week before planning additional weeks. It does, however, include all known conflicts for the entire period. 
'''Week 1 (May 26 – May 30)''' 
*Review Apple documentation for Quick Look development
*Review potential of VLCkit
*Review potential of VLC WebKit plugin
*Start building Quick Look Generator
''Completed:''
*Review Apple documentation
*Decided to start development with the VLC WebKit/Mozilla plugin
*Started coding on the generator
'''Week 2 (June 2 – June 6)''' 
*Finish alpha Quick Look Generator for previews
'''Week 3 (June 9 – June 13)''' 
*Add thumbnail support
*Refine controls/appearance
'''Week 4 (June 16 – June 20)''' 
*Create new icons
*Evaluate Quick Look and icons
'''Week 5 (June 23 – June 27)''' 
'''Week 6 (June 30 – July 4)''' 
*Away late in week (still online, just unlikely able to work)
'''Week 7 (July 7 – July 11)''' 
*Away early in week (still online, just unlikely able to work)
*Midterm evalutation
'''Week 8 (July 14 – July 18)''' 
'''Week 9 (July 21 – July 25)''' 
'''Week 10 (July 28 – August 1)''' 
'''Week 11 (August 4 – August 8)''' 
'''Week 12 (August 11 – August 15)''' 
*Wrap up coding
'''After August 15''' 
*August 16: Leave for California (Apple Cocoa Camp)
*August 24: Leave for Sweden (Study Abroad Semester)
*Final evaluation
Note: I will still be within contact after leaving for Sweden. Also, since this is past the end of coding date (August 11 week), I should not have any problems not having a work visa. I will still be able to complete the final evaluation before September 1.

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-06-02T16:21:21Z

Dudiak: /* Weekly Schedule */

{{SoCProject|year=2008|student=[[User:dudiak|Eric Dudiak]]|mentor=[[User:Fkuehne|Felix Paul Kühne]]}}

=Mac OS X (Leopard) Integration=

==Abstract==

Unlike Windows and Linux, Mac OS X does not offer much in terms of alternatives to its built-in QuickTime media player. VLC media player represents the only Mac media player with significant support for various media formats and a tight integration with the OS, including a "Mac-like" user interface. As it is the only full, viable alternative to QuickTime on the Mac OS X platform, it is important that it stay current with various Mac technologies to offer users a comprehensive option for media playback.

Aspects of tighter Mac OS X integration:
*Quick Look Generator for Leopard (to generate thumbnails and full media previews from the Finder)
*Making most common preferences accessible in a Mac-style preference window organized with icon tabs across the top such as in Safari and Mail.
*Moving the Readme document and other help resources into a HelpViewer HTML document to allow better help searching in Leopard.
*Improvements in steaming server wizard to be more in-line with other Mac wizards and easier to use for personal streaming between Macs.
*Add better support for package files that contain media VLC can play, such as iMovie Projects and EyeTV recordings.
*Update the VLC file icons to the 512 by 512 size for Leopard.

==Detailed Description==

This project will use the libraries provided by Apple for creating a Quick Look Generator. Due to various restrictions placed on these by Apple, the method for generating the live preview may use the mozilla plugin if no better alternative can be found. Creating these enhancements will require a combination of C and Objective-C. The Quick Look function should generate a thumbnail when simply browsing the Finder or viewing with CoverFlow and should provide full playback when the spacebar is pressed (which actually opens the Quick View). For those not familiar with the details of Mac OS X, Apple provides very specific models for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) defined in documents on their [http://developer.apple.com developer site]. In addition to providing the Quick Look functionality, I will be attempting to bring VLC more in line with these usability guidelines. This will include updating the preferences window to have a more Mac OS X feel and organization to it for at least the most fundamental set of preferences (with the rest to be accessible in the traditional way). I will also be moving some of the documentation into HelpViewer format to allow easy searching of it directly from the menu bar in Leopard. Also, I will be designing a new Streaming/Transcoding Wizard that better matches the Mac OS X wizard look and feel, such as the in the Bluetooth Setup Assistant or Network Setup Assistant. The new icons should look more like other modern Mac OS X file icons since the current ones more closely resemble icons found in the Mac OS X Public Beta. These new icons should be included for several of the formats that are newer to VLC (and were not supported when the old icons were made) and should differentiate between types (audio vs. video) in the icon style.

==Development Plan==

*Research both Apple and community documentation on Quick Look Generators.
*Attempt to create a simple, dynamic Quick Look Generator to test the ability to create such generators.
*Failing that, create a simple Quick Look Generator that uses a custom WebKit plugin.
*Move to developing a Quick Look Generator for VLC that uses whichever method was more successful.
*Create Quick Look Generator that plays at least one VLC media format (no controls yet, just basic playback).
*Add support for additional formats.
*Add thumbnail generation for supported formats.
*Add basic playback controls (play/pause, possibly mute and scrubber)
*If ahead of schedule, add support for displaying relevant metadata, such as ID3 tags for MP3 files.
*Create new Mac OS X icon files.
*Evaluate icons/Quick View with community and sample end users.
*Create prototype for preference window.
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.
*Create HelpViewer readme file and possibly other documentation.
*Create prototype for streaming wizard.
*Perform think aloud evaluation on prototype.
*Refine prototype.
*Build fully functional version in VLC.
*Find package files that contain VLC-compatible media.
*Develop parsing in VLC for these formats.

==Weekly Schedule==
This schedule only includes coding plans for about a month going forward because I will have to asses what has been completed of my plan for each week before planning additional weeks. It does, however, include all known conflicts for the entire period.
'''Week 1 (May 26 – May 30)''' 
*Review Apple documentation for Quick Look development
*Review potential of VLCkit
*Review potential of VLC WebKit plugin
*Start building Quick Look Generator
''Completed:''
*Review Apple documentation
*Decided to start development with the VLC WebKit/Mozilla plugin
*Started coding on the generator
'''Week 2 (June 2 – June 6)''' 
*Finish alpha Quick Look Generator for previews
'''Week 3 (June 9 – June 13)''' 
*Add thumbnail support
*Refine controls/appearance
'''Week 4 (June 16 – June 20)''' 
*Create new icons
*Evaluate Quick Look and icons
'''Week 5 (June 23 – June 27)''' 
'''Week 6 (June 30 – July 4)''' 
*Away late in week (still online, just unlikely able to work)
'''Week 7 (July 7 – July 11)''' 
*Away early in week (still online, just unlikely able to work)
*Midterm evalutation
'''Week 8 (July 14 – July 18)''' 
'''Week 9 (July 21 – July 25)''' 
'''Week 10 (July 28 – August 1)''' 
'''Week 11 (August 4 – August 8)''' 
'''Week 12 (August 11 – August 15)''' 
*Wrap up coding
'''After August 15''' 
*August 16: Leave for California (Apple Cocoa Camp)
*August 24: Leave for Sweden (Study Abroad Semester)
*Final evaluation
Note: I will still be within contact after leaving for Sweden. Also, since this is past the end of coding date (August 11 week), I should not have any problems not having a work visa. I will still be able to complete the final evaluation before September 1.

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-06-02T16:13:45Z

Dudiak: /* Weekly Schedule */

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-06-02T16:13:06Z

Dudiak: /* Weekly Schedule */

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-06-02T16:08:23Z

Dudiak:

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-04-28T06:03:38Z

Dudiak: /* Development Plan */

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-04-28T05:59:24Z

Dudiak: /* Mac OS X (Leopard) Integration */

SoC 2008 projects/OS X Integration

2008-04-28T05:34:23Z

Dudiak: Redirecting to SoC 2008/OS X Integration

#REDIRECT [[SoC 2008/OS X Integration]]

SoC 2008/OS X Integration

2008-04-28T05:32:30Z

Dudiak: New page: {{SoCProject|year=2008|student=Eric Dudiak|mentor=Felix Paul Kühne}} =Mac OS X (Leopard) Integration= ==Abstract== Unlike Windows and Linux, Mac OS X d...

User:Dudiak

2008-04-28T05:29:22Z

Dudiak: New page: My name is Eric Dudiak and I am currently a Computational Media student at the [http://www.gatech.edu Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)]. My own personal webpage is at [http:/...

My name is Eric Dudiak and I am currently a Computational Media student at the [http://www.gatech.edu Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)]. My own personal webpage is at [http://www.dudiak.com http://www.dudiak.com]. My username on IRC, AIM, and several other services is just dudiak.

[[SoC 2008 projects/OS X Integration]]

SoC 2008 projects

2008-04-28T05:24:27Z

Dudiak: /* Mac OS X (Leopard) Integration */

Here is a list of the accepted projects for Google Summer of Code 2OO8.

= List of current projects =

== Panorama Viewing ==

* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/PanoramaViewing]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:Plouj|Michael Ploujnikov]]
* '''Mentor''': Yuval Levy, [[User:J-b|Jean-Baptiste Kempf]], [[User:Dionoea|Antoine Cellerier]]
* '''Abstract''':

: The goal of this project is to make VLC a one-stop solution for viewing panoramas of various formats. Currently, FreePV is the best/only cross-platform, non-proprietary solution for viewing QuickTimeVR and plain image panoramas. However it suffers from a few drawbacks, which include difficult installation, browser plug-in conflicts and low popularity. The intent is to integrate the FreePV rendering code with VLC. This should not only automatically alleviate installation difficulty and plug-in conflicts, but also bring panorama viewing to a much larger audience. This project will initially focus on basic support for QTVR files and equirectangular images.

== Qt improvements ==

* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/Qt improvements]]'''
* '''Student''': Lukas Durfina
* '''Mentor''': [[User:J-b|Jean-Baptiste Kempf]]
* '''Abstract''':

: In my project I should do fullscreen controller, backend for Phonon and playlist improvements. FS controller have to be clickable, dragable with all VLC functionality. Phonon backend will help spread VLC and support its using by other developers. And finally I will upgrade playlist, fix and update DragAndDrop and other bugs.

== Enhance PVR capabilities of VLC ==
* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/Enhance PVR capabilities of VLC]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:Dylan|Dylan Yudaken]]
* '''Mentor''': [[User:Pdherbemont|Pierre d'Herbemont]]
* '''Abstract''':

: VLC has fast become one of the most common video players available for 'non-technical' users. The ability to watch streams easily and efficiently is a huge advantage for VLC. The ability to timeshift streams has been added to the latest unstable builds, however it is vastly underfeatured and not nearly ready for release. The features would enhance VLC to a new level which would allow a new set of users to use it.

: I propose to extend & improve the PVR capabilities of VLC. The current version is severely lacking in functionality and performance. There is a very basic timeshift capability already. To this I will add the ability to randomly seek through the buffer (fast forward, rewind, etc ). The ability to save buffers and continue recording to the new file will be added. These recordings will be in any chosen format. These features will help anyone who uses VLC to watch TV shows to easily turn their client into a MythTV/Media Centre style client.
: I will tie the module in with the user interface properly so that the state of the buffer and the current position can be easily seen.
: I then plan to begin work on a framework that combines all of these features into a simple interface easily accessible with a remote control. The interface will combine VLM and the media library into a single easily accesible place. The interface will have the ability to 'talk' to the server sending commands such as changing tv channel or switching input source.

: With this and the completion of VLM and the playlist managing system VLC will have the capabilities to become a fully featured PVR system with the massive advantage of it being run off a streaming server if need be.

== WinCE Port ==
* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/WinCE Port]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:Geal|Geoffroy Couprie]]
* '''Mentor''': Jérôme Decoodt
* '''Abstract''':
:The VLC media player has been port to many different platforms, but it lacks Windows CE support since some versions. This project aims at making VLC work on a Windows CE platform, with a few features:
:*RTSP
:*H264
:*Snapshots
:*Playlist
:*Rebuild of interface to adapt it to small screens

== Create a new VLC interface for Maemo (internet tablet) ==
* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/New VLC interface for Maemo]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:Phytos|Antoine Lejeune]]
* '''Mentor''': [[User:funman|Rafaël Carré]]
* '''Abstract''':
: The goal is to create a new interface for VLC with Maemo, a Debian-based development platform for handheld devices used by Nokia N800 and N810 devices and to package VLC for this platform.
: The main constraint are the small size of the screen which means the GUI must be thought specifically for this platform and the fact that the devices is not very powerful.

== DLNA UPnP A/V integration ==
* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/UPnP]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:Mr_Mirsal|Mirsal Ennaime]]
* '''Mentor''': [[User:funman|Rafaël Carré]]
* '''Abstract''':
Even if it is controverted, UPnP A/V Is a widely used standard set of protocols for networked digital
audio and video equipment interoperability, thus making it almost a requirement digital media software
that aim to become real part of the average multimedia home network. This project aims to implement
at least the Media Server part in VLC media player, which will enable it to advertise and stream media
to DNLA UPnP A/V enabled devices, such as the PlayStation 3.

== MTP Devices Support ==

* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/MTP]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:Sephiroth87|Fabio Ritrovato]]
* '''Mentor''': [[User:Dionoea|Antoine Cellerier]]
* '''Abstract''':

:As MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) devices become more and more popular, and the protocol itself is about to become a standard, using them is still a problem for some people, since they cannot be mounted or opened as disks, but can be natively used only on Vista and Windows XP with WMP10, or using other programs.
:Adding the MTP support to VLC would not only give the opportunity to use these device on almost every platform, but also allow to have a free, open source and largely diffuse program to manage them.
:My work on the MTP support will enable VLC not only to play music from the device, but also to add new music, manage the content of the device, edit tags, playlists and anything else that would be needed by an Mp3 player user.

== Mac OS X (Leopard) Integration ==
* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/OS X Integration]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:dudiak|Eric Dudiak]]
* '''Mentor''': [[User:Fkuehne|Felix Paul Kühne]]
* '''Abstract''':

:Unlike Windows and Linux, Mac OS X does not offer much in terms of alternatives to its built-in QuickTime media player. VLC media player represents the only Mac media player with significant support for various media formats and a tight integration with the OS, including a "Mac-like" user interface. As it is the only full, viable alternative to QuickTime on the Mac OS X platform, it is important that it stay current with various Mac technologies to offer users a comprehensive option for media playback.

:Aspects of tighter Mac OS X integration:
:*Quick Look Generator for Leopard (to generate thumbnails and full media previews from the Finder)
:*Making most common preferences accessible in a Mac-style preference window organized with icon tabs across the top such as in Safari and Mail.
:*Moving the Readme document and other help resources into a HelpViewer HTML document to allow better help searching in Leopard.
:*Improvements in steaming server wizard to be more in-line with other Mac wizards and easier to use for personal streaming between Macs.
:*Add better support for package files that contain media VLC can play, such as iMovie Projects and EyeTV recordings.
:*Update the VLC file icons to the 512 by 512 size for Leopard.

SoC 2008 projects

2008-04-28T05:22:51Z

Dudiak:

Here is a list of the accepted projects for Google Summer of Code 2OO8.

= List of current projects =

== Panorama Viewing ==

* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/PanoramaViewing]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:Plouj|Michael Ploujnikov]]
* '''Mentor''': Yuval Levy, [[User:J-b|Jean-Baptiste Kempf]], [[User:Dionoea|Antoine Cellerier]]
* '''Abstract''':

: The goal of this project is to make VLC a one-stop solution for viewing panoramas of various formats. Currently, FreePV is the best/only cross-platform, non-proprietary solution for viewing QuickTimeVR and plain image panoramas. However it suffers from a few drawbacks, which include difficult installation, browser plug-in conflicts and low popularity. The intent is to integrate the FreePV rendering code with VLC. This should not only automatically alleviate installation difficulty and plug-in conflicts, but also bring panorama viewing to a much larger audience. This project will initially focus on basic support for QTVR files and equirectangular images.

== Qt improvements ==

* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/Qt improvements]]'''
* '''Student''': Lukas Durfina
* '''Mentor''': [[User:J-b|Jean-Baptiste Kempf]]
* '''Abstract''':

: In my project I should do fullscreen controller, backend for Phonon and playlist improvements. FS controller have to be clickable, dragable with all VLC functionality. Phonon backend will help spread VLC and support its using by other developers. And finally I will upgrade playlist, fix and update DragAndDrop and other bugs.

== Enhance PVR capabilities of VLC ==
* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/Enhance PVR capabilities of VLC]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:Dylan|Dylan Yudaken]]
* '''Mentor''': [[User:Pdherbemont|Pierre d'Herbemont]]
* '''Abstract''':

: VLC has fast become one of the most common video players available for 'non-technical' users. The ability to watch streams easily and efficiently is a huge advantage for VLC. The ability to timeshift streams has been added to the latest unstable builds, however it is vastly underfeatured and not nearly ready for release. The features would enhance VLC to a new level which would allow a new set of users to use it.

: I propose to extend & improve the PVR capabilities of VLC. The current version is severely lacking in functionality and performance. There is a very basic timeshift capability already. To this I will add the ability to randomly seek through the buffer (fast forward, rewind, etc ). The ability to save buffers and continue recording to the new file will be added. These recordings will be in any chosen format. These features will help anyone who uses VLC to watch TV shows to easily turn their client into a MythTV/Media Centre style client.
: I will tie the module in with the user interface properly so that the state of the buffer and the current position can be easily seen.
: I then plan to begin work on a framework that combines all of these features into a simple interface easily accessible with a remote control. The interface will combine VLM and the media library into a single easily accesible place. The interface will have the ability to 'talk' to the server sending commands such as changing tv channel or switching input source.

: With this and the completion of VLM and the playlist managing system VLC will have the capabilities to become a fully featured PVR system with the massive advantage of it being run off a streaming server if need be.

== WinCE Port ==
* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/WinCE Port]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:Geal|Geoffroy Couprie]]
* '''Mentor''': Jérôme Decoodt
* '''Abstract''':
:The VLC media player has been port to many different platforms, but it lacks Windows CE support since some versions. This project aims at making VLC work on a Windows CE platform, with a few features:
:*RTSP
:*H264
:*Snapshots
:*Playlist
:*Rebuild of interface to adapt it to small screens

== Create a new VLC interface for Maemo (internet tablet) ==
* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/New VLC interface for Maemo]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:Phytos|Antoine Lejeune]]
* '''Mentor''': [[User:funman|Rafaël Carré]]
* '''Abstract''':
: The goal is to create a new interface for VLC with Maemo, a Debian-based development platform for handheld devices used by Nokia N800 and N810 devices and to package VLC for this platform.
: The main constraint are the small size of the screen which means the GUI must be thought specifically for this platform and the fact that the devices is not very powerful.

== DLNA UPnP A/V integration ==
* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/UPnP]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:Mr_Mirsal|Mirsal Ennaime]]
* '''Mentor''': [[User:funman|Rafaël Carré]]
* '''Abstract''':
Even if it is controverted, UPnP A/V Is a widely used standard set of protocols for networked digital
audio and video equipment interoperability, thus making it almost a requirement digital media software
that aim to become real part of the average multimedia home network. This project aims to implement
at least the Media Server part in VLC media player, which will enable it to advertise and stream media
to DNLA UPnP A/V enabled devices, such as the PlayStation 3.

== MTP Devices Support ==

* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/MTP]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:Sephiroth87|Fabio Ritrovato]]
* '''Mentor''': [[User:Dionoea|Antoine Cellerier]]
* '''Abstract''':

:As MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) devices become more and more popular, and the protocol itself is about to become a standard, using them is still a problem for some people, since they cannot be mounted or opened as disks, but can be natively used only on Vista and Windows XP with WMP10, or using other programs.
:Adding the MTP support to VLC would not only give the opportunity to use these device on almost every platform, but also allow to have a free, open source and largely diffuse program to manage them.
:My work on the MTP support will enable VLC not only to play music from the device, but also to add new music, manage the content of the device, edit tags, playlists and anything else that would be needed by an Mp3 player user.

== Mac OS X (Leopard) Integration ==
* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/OS X Integration]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:dudiak|Eric Dudiak]]
* '''Mentor''':
* '''Abstract''':

:Unlike Windows and Linux, Mac OS X does not offer much in terms of alternatives to its built-in QuickTime media player. VLC media player represents the only Mac media player with significant support for various media formats and a tight integration with the OS, including a "Mac-like" user interface. As it is the only full, viable alternative to QuickTime on the Mac OS X platform, it is important that it stay current with various Mac technologies to offer users a comprehensive option for media playback.

:Aspects of tighter Mac OS X integration:
:*Quick Look Generator for Leopard (to generate thumbnails and full media previews from the Finder)
:*Making most common preferences accessible in a Mac-style preference window organized with icon tabs across the top such as in Safari and Mail.
:*Moving the Readme document and other help resources into a HelpViewer HTML document to allow better help searching in Leopard.
:*Improvements in steaming server wizard to be more in-line with other Mac wizards and easier to use for personal streaming between Macs.
:*Add better support for package files that contain media VLC can play, such as iMovie Projects and EyeTV recordings.
:*Update the VLC file icons to the 512 by 512 size for Leopard.

SoC 2008 projects

2008-04-28T05:22:33Z

Dudiak:

Here is a list of the accepted projects for Google Summer of Code 2OO8.

= List of current projects =

== Panorama Viewing ==

* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/PanoramaViewing]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:Plouj|Michael Ploujnikov]]
* '''Mentor''': Yuval Levy, [[User:J-b|Jean-Baptiste Kempf]], [[User:Dionoea|Antoine Cellerier]]
* '''Abstract''':

: The goal of this project is to make VLC a one-stop solution for viewing panoramas of various formats. Currently, FreePV is the best/only cross-platform, non-proprietary solution for viewing QuickTimeVR and plain image panoramas. However it suffers from a few drawbacks, which include difficult installation, browser plug-in conflicts and low popularity. The intent is to integrate the FreePV rendering code with VLC. This should not only automatically alleviate installation difficulty and plug-in conflicts, but also bring panorama viewing to a much larger audience. This project will initially focus on basic support for QTVR files and equirectangular images.

== Qt improvements ==

* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/Qt improvements]]'''
* '''Student''': Lukas Durfina
* '''Mentor''': [[User:J-b|Jean-Baptiste Kempf]]
* '''Abstract''':

: In my project I should do fullscreen controller, backend for Phonon and playlist improvements. FS controller have to be clickable, dragable with all VLC functionality. Phonon backend will help spread VLC and support its using by other developers. And finally I will upgrade playlist, fix and update DragAndDrop and other bugs.

== Enhance PVR capabilities of VLC ==
* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/Enhance PVR capabilities of VLC]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:Dylan|Dylan Yudaken]]
* '''Mentor''': [[User:Pdherbemont|Pierre d'Herbemont]]
* '''Abstract''':

: VLC has fast become one of the most common video players available for 'non-technical' users. The ability to watch streams easily and efficiently is a huge advantage for VLC. The ability to timeshift streams has been added to the latest unstable builds, however it is vastly underfeatured and not nearly ready for release. The features would enhance VLC to a new level which would allow a new set of users to use it.

: I propose to extend & improve the PVR capabilities of VLC. The current version is severely lacking in functionality and performance. There is a very basic timeshift capability already. To this I will add the ability to randomly seek through the buffer (fast forward, rewind, etc ). The ability to save buffers and continue recording to the new file will be added. These recordings will be in any chosen format. These features will help anyone who uses VLC to watch TV shows to easily turn their client into a MythTV/Media Centre style client.
: I will tie the module in with the user interface properly so that the state of the buffer and the current position can be easily seen.
: I then plan to begin work on a framework that combines all of these features into a simple interface easily accessible with a remote control. The interface will combine VLM and the media library into a single easily accesible place. The interface will have the ability to 'talk' to the server sending commands such as changing tv channel or switching input source.

: With this and the completion of VLM and the playlist managing system VLC will have the capabilities to become a fully featured PVR system with the massive advantage of it being run off a streaming server if need be.

== WinCE Port ==
* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/WinCE Port]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:Geal|Geoffroy Couprie]]
* '''Mentor''': Jérôme Decoodt
* '''Abstract''':
:The VLC media player has been port to many different platforms, but it lacks Windows CE support since some versions. This project aims at making VLC work on a Windows CE platform, with a few features:
:*RTSP
:*H264
:*Snapshots
:*Playlist
:*Rebuild of interface to adapt it to small screens

== Create a new VLC interface for Maemo (internet tablet) ==
* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/New VLC interface for Maemo]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:Phytos|Antoine Lejeune]]
* '''Mentor''': [[User:funman|Rafaël Carré]]
* '''Abstract''':
: The goal is to create a new interface for VLC with Maemo, a Debian-based development platform for handheld devices used by Nokia N800 and N810 devices and to package VLC for this platform.
: The main constraint are the small size of the screen which means the GUI must be thought specifically for this platform and the fact that the devices is not very powerful.

== DLNA UPnP A/V integration ==
* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/UPnP]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:Mr_Mirsal|Mirsal Ennaime]]
* '''Mentor''': [[User:funman|Rafaël Carré]]
* '''Abstract''':
Even if it is controverted, UPnP A/V Is a widely used standard set of protocols for networked digital
audio and video equipment interoperability, thus making it almost a requirement digital media software
that aim to become real part of the average multimedia home network. This project aims to implement
at least the Media Server part in VLC media player, which will enable it to advertise and stream media
to DNLA UPnP A/V enabled devices, such as the PlayStation 3.

== MTP Devices Support ==

* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/MTP]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:Sephiroth87|Fabio Ritrovato]]
* '''Mentor''': [[User:Dionoea|Antoine Cellerier]]
* '''Abstract''':

:As MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) devices become more and more popular, and the protocol itself is about to become a standard, using them is still a problem for some people, since they cannot be mounted or opened as disks, but can be natively used only on Vista and Windows XP with WMP10, or using other programs.
:Adding the MTP support to VLC would not only give the opportunity to use these device on almost every platform, but also allow to have a free, open source and largely diffuse program to manage them.
:My work on the MTP support will enable VLC not only to play music from the device, but also to add new music, manage the content of the device, edit tags, playlists and anything else that would be needed by an Mp3 player user.

== Mac OS X (Leopard) Integration ==
* '''Project page: [[SoC 2008/OS X Integration]]'''
* '''Student''': [[User:dudiak|Eric Dudiak]]
* '''Mentor''': [[User:Dionoea|Antoine Cellerier]]
* '''Abstract''':

:Unlike Windows and Linux, Mac OS X does not offer much in terms of alternatives to its built-in QuickTime media player. VLC media player represents the only Mac media player with significant support for various media formats and a tight integration with the OS, including a "Mac-like" user interface. As it is the only full, viable alternative to QuickTime on the Mac OS X platform, it is important that it stay current with various Mac technologies to offer users a comprehensive option for media playback.

:Aspects of tighter Mac OS X integration:
:*Quick Look Generator for Leopard (to generate thumbnails and full media previews from the Finder)
:*Making most common preferences accessible in a Mac-style preference window organized with icon tabs across the top such as in Safari and Mail.
:*Moving the Readme document and other help resources into a HelpViewer HTML document to allow better help searching in Leopard.
:*Improvements in steaming server wizard to be more in-line with other Mac wizards and easier to use for personal streaming between Macs.
:*Add better support for package files that contain media VLC can play, such as iMovie Projects and EyeTV recordings.
:*Update the VLC file icons to the 512 by 512 size for Leopard.