Difference between revisions of "VLC HowTo/Use with Dreambox"

From VideoLAN Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m (Copy-edit for format)
m (More formatting)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{howto|Set up Video on Demand on a Dreambox}}
 
{{howto|Set up Video on Demand on a Dreambox}}
 
{{Example code}}
 
{{Example code}}
I have spent some time now to figure out how to get Video on Demand to work on my dreambox. I have a DreamBox DM500S running the Gemini Image (Gemini Project), and this howto is based on that, however I believe the procedure will be similar on other DB's running the Gemini image as well...
+
I have spent some time now to figure out how to get Video on Demand to work on my dreambox. I have a DreamBox DM500S running the Gemini Image (Gemini Project), and this howto is based on that, however I believe the procedure will be similar on other DB's running the Gemini image as well…
  
 
Sources I have used:
 
Sources I have used:
Line 7: Line 7:
 
  http://forum.videolan.org
 
  http://forum.videolan.org
  
 
+
First we need to get a plugin called VLC FrontEnd installed on the dreambox, it might already be there; check under blue panel plugins. If it is not there, install it using the instructions in the [[#Install|next section]].
First we need to get a plugin called VLC FrontEnd installed on the dreambox, it might already be there; check under blue panel - plugins. If it is not there, install it by doing the following.<br>
 
  
 
== Install ==
 
== Install ==
 
To install VLCf (VLC Frontend):
 
To install VLCf (VLC Frontend):
- Press Blue button<br>
+
* Press Blue button
- Choose Addons(2)<br>
+
* Choose Addons(2)
- Confirm option Gemini-server<br>
+
* Confirm option Gemini-server
- Search for Plugins<br>
+
* Search for Plugins
- Install VLCF (currently is VLC-Final RC15 23.09.2k7)<br>
+
* Install VLCF (currently is VLC-Final RC15 23.09.2k7)
 
 
  
 
Now, the front end is installed and almost ready to use. We still have nothing that can feed the frontend, so first we must create an xml file for the frontend to use:
 
Now, the front end is installed and almost ready to use. We still have nothing that can feed the frontend, so first we must create an xml file for the frontend to use:
  
<syntaxhighlight lang="xml">
+
<syntaxhighlight lang="xml" line>
 
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>
 
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>
 
<?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="/XSLMPSettings.xsl"?>
 
<?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="/XSLMPSettings.xsl"?>
 
<vlc>
 
<vlc>
<server ip="192.168.1.10" webif-port="8080" stream-port="9090" user="admin" pass="admin" />
+
  <server ip="192.168.1.10" webif-port="8080" stream-port="9090" user="admin" pass="admin" />
<config startdir="c:/movies" cddrive="d:" />
+
  <config startdir="c:/movies" cddrive="d:" />
<codec mpeg1="mpgv" mpeg2="mp2v" audio="mpga" />
+
  <codec mpeg1="mpgv" mpeg2="mp2v" audio="mpga" />
<setup name="SVCD" ext="NONE" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpeg2" Videosize="352x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" />
+
  <setup name="SVCD" ext="NONE" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpeg2" Videosize="352x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" />
<setup name="VCD" ext="NONE" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpeg1" Videosize="352x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" />
+
  <setup name="VCD" ext="NONE" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpeg1" Videosize="352x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" />
<setup name="DVD" ext="NONE" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" />
+
  <setup name="DVD" ext="NONE" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" />
<setup name="File" ext="MPG" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" />
+
  <setup name="File" ext="MPG" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" />
<setup name="File" ext="MPEG" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" />
+
  <setup name="File" ext="MPEG" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" />
<setup name="File" ext="M2P" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpgv" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" />
+
  <setup name="File" ext="M2P" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpgv" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" />
<setup name="File" ext="MPV" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpgv" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" />
+
  <setup name="File" ext="MPV" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpgv" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" />
<setup name="File" ext="DAT" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpgv" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" />
+
  <setup name="File" ext="DAT" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpgv" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" />
<setup name="File" ext="AVI" Videorate="2048" fps="25" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" />
+
  <setup name="File" ext="AVI" Videorate="2048" fps="25" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" />
<setup name="File" ext="ASF" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mpgv" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" />
+
  <setup name="File" ext="ASF" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mpgv" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" />
<setup name="File" ext="TS" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" />
+
  <setup name="File" ext="TS" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" />
 
</vlc>
 
</vlc>
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
</syntaxhighlight>
  
Use a unix compatible editor, like UltraEdit, edit lines 4 and 5. The server ip to fit the IP-address of the backend PC. Startdir and cddrive to fit correspondingly the movie folder and the cddrive on the backend pc.
+
Use a unix compatible editor, like UltraEdit, edit lines 4 and 5. The server ip to fit the IP-address of the backend PC. Startdir and cddrive to fit correspondingly the movie folder and the cddrive on the backend pc.<br>
Save it to a file called movieplayer_My_Server.xml to your dreambox's /var/etc folder. (save the file locally and FTP it to your dreambox, log in to your dreambox with default username root and password dreambox, or set up UltraEdit to save directly using FTP; your choice).
+
Save it to a file called '''''movieplayer_My_Server.xml''''' to your dreambox's '''''/var/etc''''' folder. (save the file locally and FTP it to your dreambox, log in to your dreambox with default username root and password dreambox, or set up UltraEdit to save directly using FTP; your choice).
  
 
== Update ==
 
== Update ==
Update VLCf for the latest version of VLC Frontend: VLCF-Final. This new VLC Frontend works slightly different. It is downloaded and installed in the same way as the earlier versions, but configuring it is a bit more easy.<br>
+
Update VLCf for the latest version of VLC Frontend: VLCF-Final. This new VLC Frontend works slightly different. It is downloaded and installed in the same way as the earlier versions, but configuring it is a bit more easy:
There is now a file called '''''vlcf_original.xml''''' in '''''/var/tuxbox/config/'''''. It opens the possibility to configure more than one streaming server (up to 4) using only this one config file as opposed to changing config-files on earlier versions of VLCF. <br>
+
* There is now a file called '''''vlcf_original.xml''''' in '''''/var/tuxbox/config/'''''. It opens the possibility to configure more than one streaming server (up to 4) using only this one config file as opposed to changing config-files on earlier versions of VLCF
Now, open the file through a Unix compatible editor like UltraEdit or similar editor(Notepad is no good). I modified the following lines:<br><br>
+
* Now, open the file through a Unix compatible editor like UltraEdit or similar editor (Notepad is no good)
'''Line 4:''' Inserting the correct IP of my streaming server.<br>
+
 
'''Line 8:''' Setting the correct Startdir and cddrive. <br>
+
I modified the following lines:
<br>
+
* '''Line 4:''' Inserting the correct IP of my streaming server
Once editing has been done, save the file to your dreambox' /var/tuxbox/config as vlcf.xml.
+
* '''Line 8:''' Setting the correct Startdir and cddrive
<br>
+
 
<br>
+
Once editing has been done, save the file to your dreambox' '''''/var/tuxbox/config''''' as '''''vlcf.xml'''''.
 +
 
 +
 
 
As you can see, the config file is put together by 4 config sets. set1, set2, set3 and set4. These will be reflected in the VLCF application on the dreambox as you can configure the frontend to use either of these 4 sets.
 
As you can see, the config file is put together by 4 config sets. set1, set2, set3 and set4. These will be reflected in the VLCF application on the dreambox as you can configure the frontend to use either of these 4 sets.
  
<syntaxhighlight lang="xml">
+
<syntaxhighlight lang="xml" line>
 
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1" ?>
 
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1" ?>
 
<?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="/XSLMPSettings.xsl"?>
 
<?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="/XSLMPSettings.xsl"?>
Line 102: Line 102:
 
== Use ==
 
== Use ==
 
=== VLC for Windows ===
 
=== VLC for Windows ===
Start VLC on the PC.<br>
+
Start VLC on the PC. Then:
Select File - Open Network Stream (Ctrl-N)<br>
+
* Select File Open Network Stream (<kbd>Ctrl+N</kbd>)
Click Advanced Options<br>
+
* Click Advanced Options
- check Stream/Save and click Settings<br>
+
* check Stream/Save and click Settings
- check HTTP<br>
+
* check HTTP
- check Video codec and select mp2v from the dropdown list.<br>
+
* check Video codec and select mp2v from the dropdown list
- check Audio codec and select mpga from the dropdown list.<br>
+
* check Audio codec and select mpga from the dropdown list
- click Ok<br>
+
* click Ok
- click Ok<br>
+
* click Ok
<br>
 
Now, activate the WebInterface (WEBIF) by selecting Settings - Add Interface - Web Interface from the VLC menu.
 
 
 
  
 +
Now, activate the WebInterface (WEBIF) by selecting Settings → Add Interface → Web Interface from the VLC menu.
  
 
=== VLC for Ubuntu ===
 
=== VLC for Ubuntu ===
Line 125: Line 123:
 
Now that all this has been installed, you need to launch VLC using the following command-line:
 
Now that all this has been installed, you need to launch VLC using the following command-line:
 
  {{%}} vlc -d -I http --sout="#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mpga,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=http,mux=ts,dst=/}}" --http-port=9090
 
  {{%}} vlc -d -I http --sout="#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mpga,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=http,mux=ts,dst=/}}" --http-port=9090
This specifies that the web interface is to be used, together with some transcoding stuff ;-)
+
This specifies that the web interface is to be used, together with some transcoding stuff <span title="wink">;-)</span>
  
At the time of writing this, I am still trying to tune the vlc backend a bit. It is currently using 50%+ cpu when streaming...
+
At the time of writing this, I am still trying to tune the vlc backend a bit. It is currently using 50%+ cpu when streaming…
  
 
Now it is time to start the VLC frontend on the dreambox and set it up to use the correct xml file.
 
Now it is time to start the VLC frontend on the dreambox and set it up to use the correct xml file.
Start VLC frontend plugin by starting blue panel (blue button on the remote) and selecting Plugins. VLC Frontend will show up as a plugin, select it and press Ok.
+
* Start VLC frontend plugin by starting blue panel (blue button on the remote) and selecting Plugins
 +
* VLC Frontend will show up as a plugin
 +
* select it and press Ok
  
VLC frontend is now started, select settings (blue button).<br>
+
VLC frontend is now started
In the dropdown list, select the xml file you created earlier, movieplayer_My_Server.xml.<br>
+
* select settings (blue button)
Then select Switch.<br>
+
* In the dropdown list, select the xml file you created earlier, '''''movieplayer_My_Server.xml'''''
You will now be told to restart VLC Frontend; do this by using the exit button until you are back at the plugins page.<br>
+
* Then select Switch
Now start VLC Frontend again.<br>
+
* You will now be told to restart VLC Frontend; do this by using the exit button until you are back at the plugins page
Use the red button (File).<br>
+
* Now start VLC Frontend again
You will now be able to see the movie files that is in the folder specified as startdir in the xml file.<br>
+
* Use the red button (File)
Select the file you'd like to watch and press Ok.<br>
+
* You will now be able to see the movie files that is in the folder specified as startdir in the xml file
Then wait for the buffering to complete, sit back and enjoy the movie...
+
* Select the file you'd like to watch and press Ok
 +
* Then wait for the buffering to complete, sit back and enjoy the movie…

Revision as of 04:16, 18 March 2019

This page describes how to set up Video on Demand on a Dreambox. Other "how to" pages
This page contains example code.

I have spent some time now to figure out how to get Video on Demand to work on my dreambox. I have a DreamBox DM500S running the Gemini Image (Gemini Project), and this howto is based on that, however I believe the procedure will be similar on other DB's running the Gemini image as well…

Sources I have used:

http://digsat.net/wbb2/thread.php?threadid=36965&hilight=vlc
http://forum.videolan.org

First we need to get a plugin called VLC FrontEnd installed on the dreambox, it might already be there; check under blue panel → plugins. If it is not there, install it using the instructions in the next section.

Install

To install VLCf (VLC Frontend):

  • Press Blue button
  • Choose Addons(2)
  • Confirm option Gemini-server
  • Search for Plugins
  • Install VLCF (currently is VLC-Final RC15 23.09.2k7)

Now, the front end is installed and almost ready to use. We still have nothing that can feed the frontend, so first we must create an xml file for the frontend to use:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>
<?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="/XSLMPSettings.xsl"?>
<vlc>
   <server ip="192.168.1.10" webif-port="8080" stream-port="9090" user="admin" pass="admin" />
   <config startdir="c:/movies" cddrive="d:" />
   <codec mpeg1="mpgv" mpeg2="mp2v" audio="mpga" />
   <setup name="SVCD" ext="NONE" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpeg2" Videosize="352x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" />
   <setup name="VCD" ext="NONE" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpeg1" Videosize="352x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" />
   <setup name="DVD" ext="NONE" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" />
   <setup name="File" ext="MPG" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" />
   <setup name="File" ext="MPEG" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" />
   <setup name="File" ext="M2P" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpgv" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" />
   <setup name="File" ext="MPV" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpgv" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" />
   <setup name="File" ext="DAT" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpgv" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" />
   <setup name="File" ext="AVI" Videorate="2048" fps="25" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" />
   <setup name="File" ext="ASF" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mpgv" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" />
   <setup name="File" ext="TS" Videorate="1000" fps="25" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" />
</vlc>

Use a unix compatible editor, like UltraEdit, edit lines 4 and 5. The server ip to fit the IP-address of the backend PC. Startdir and cddrive to fit correspondingly the movie folder and the cddrive on the backend pc.
Save it to a file called movieplayer_My_Server.xml to your dreambox's /var/etc folder. (save the file locally and FTP it to your dreambox, log in to your dreambox with default username root and password dreambox, or set up UltraEdit to save directly using FTP; your choice).

Update

Update VLCf for the latest version of VLC Frontend: VLCF-Final. This new VLC Frontend works slightly different. It is downloaded and installed in the same way as the earlier versions, but configuring it is a bit more easy:

  • There is now a file called vlcf_original.xml in /var/tuxbox/config/. It opens the possibility to configure more than one streaming server (up to 4) using only this one config file as opposed to changing config-files on earlier versions of VLCF
  • Now, open the file through a Unix compatible editor like UltraEdit or similar editor (Notepad is no good)

I modified the following lines:

  • Line 4: Inserting the correct IP of my streaming server
  • Line 8: Setting the correct Startdir and cddrive

Once editing has been done, save the file to your dreambox' /var/tuxbox/config as vlcf.xml.


As you can see, the config file is put together by 4 config sets. set1, set2, set3 and set4. These will be reflected in the VLCF application on the dreambox as you can configure the frontend to use either of these 4 sets.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1" ?>
<?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="/XSLMPSettings.xsl"?>
<vlc>
   <server name="set1" ip="192.168.1.10" webif-port="8080" stream-port="9090" user="admin" pass="admin" /> <!-- I edited this line, you can use max 4 server and config sets -->
   <server name="set2" ip="192.168.178.93" webif-port="8080" stream-port="9090" user="admin" pass="admin" />
   <server name="set3" ip="192.168.178.94" webif-port="8080" stream-port="9090" user="admin" pass="admin" />
   <server name="set4" ip="192.168.178.25" webif-port="8080" stream-port="9090" user="admin" pass="admin" />
   <config name="set1" startdir="c:\movies" cddrive="g:" /> <!-- I edited here too -->
   <config name="set2" startdir="/home/mordillo/video" cddrive="/media/cdrom0" />
   <config name="set3" startdir="d:/" cddrive="g:" />
   <config name="set4" startdir="c:/" cddrive="g:" />
   <codec mpeg1="mpgv" mpeg2="mp2v" audio="mpga" />
   <setup name="SVCD" pic="mp4.png"  ext="NONE" Videorate="1000" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpeg2" Videosize="352x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="VCD" pic="mp4.png"  ext="NONE" Videorate="1000" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpeg1" Videosize="352x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="DVD" pic="default.png"  ext="NONE" Videorate="1000" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="File" pic="mpg.png" ext="MPG" Videorate="1000" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="File" pic="mpg.png" ext="MPEG" Videorate="1000" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="File" pic="mpg.png" ext="M2P" Videorate="1000" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpgv" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="File" pic="mpg.png" ext="MPV" Videorate="1000" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpgv" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="File" pic="mpg.png" ext="DAT" Videorate="1000" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mpgv" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="File" pic="divx.png" ext="AVI" Videorate="2048" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="File" pic="divx.png" ext="MOV" Videorate="2048" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="File" pic="wmv.png" ext="WMV" Videorate="2048" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mpgv" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="File" pic="h264.png" ext="H264" Videorate="2048" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mpgv" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="File" pic="mp4.png" ext="MP4" Videorate="2048" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mpgv" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="File" pic="divx.png" ext="DIVX" Videorate="2048" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="File" pic="default.png" ext="ASF" Videorate="1000" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="File" pic="default.png" ext="TS" Videorate="1000" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="File" pic="dvd.png" ext="VOB" Videorate="1000" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="File" pic="dvd.png" ext="ISO" Videorate="1000" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="File" pic="dvd.png" ext="BIN" Videorate="1000" Videotranscode="0" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="0" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" />
   <setup name="File" pic="mp3.png" ext="MP3" Videorate="2048" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" fps="25" soutadd="" />
   <setup name="File" pic="mp3.png" ext="WMA" Videorate="2048" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" fps="25" soutadd="" />
   <setup name="File" pic="mp3.png" ext="WAV" Videorate="2048" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" fps="25" soutadd="" />
   <setup name="File" pic="mp3.png" ext="OGG" Videorate="2048" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="704x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" fps="25" soutadd="" />
   <!--Feel free to add filextensions as you like. Every listet extension will be proceed now. Example below-->
   <!--setup name="File" ext="RATDVD" Videorate="2048" Videotranscode="1" Videocodec="mp2v" Videosize="720x576" Audiorate="192" Audiotranscode="1" fps="25" soutadd="soverlay,senc" /-->
</vlc>

Now that the xml file has been made and transferred to the dreambox it is time to set up the backend VLC to feed the frontend.

Use

VLC for Windows

Start VLC on the PC. Then:

  • Select File → Open Network Stream (Ctrl+N)
  • Click Advanced Options
  • check Stream/Save and click Settings
  • check HTTP
  • check Video codec and select mp2v from the dropdown list
  • check Audio codec and select mpga from the dropdown list
  • click Ok
  • click Ok

Now, activate the WebInterface (WEBIF) by selecting Settings → Add Interface → Web Interface from the VLC menu.

VLC for Ubuntu

For Ubuntu Linux users first install vlc by running this command:

% apt-get install vlc

This will in general install a ****load of stuff, codecs and other things needed. As I learnt, it is also required to install something called the avahi-daemon. This is done by running this command:

% apt-get install avahi-daemon

If you are having trouble finding these packages, you might want to run:

% apt-get update

Now that all this has been installed, you need to launch VLC using the following command-line:

% vlc -d -I http --sout="#transcode{vcodec=mp2v,vb=1024,scale=1,acodec=mpga,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=http,mux=ts,dst=/}}" --http-port=9090

This specifies that the web interface is to be used, together with some transcoding stuff ;-)

At the time of writing this, I am still trying to tune the vlc backend a bit. It is currently using 50%+ cpu when streaming…

Now it is time to start the VLC frontend on the dreambox and set it up to use the correct xml file.

  • Start VLC frontend plugin by starting blue panel (blue button on the remote) and selecting Plugins
  • VLC Frontend will show up as a plugin
  • select it and press Ok

VLC frontend is now started

  • select settings (blue button)
  • In the dropdown list, select the xml file you created earlier, movieplayer_My_Server.xml
  • Then select Switch
  • You will now be told to restart VLC Frontend; do this by using the exit button until you are back at the plugins page
  • Now start VLC Frontend again
  • Use the red button (File)
  • You will now be able to see the movie files that is in the folder specified as startdir in the xml file
  • Select the file you'd like to watch and press Ok
  • Then wait for the buffering to complete, sit back and enjoy the movie…