Topic: Gizmote merges with Gizmo (Read 7598 times)

JimH · « **on:** October 14, 2010, 01:24:32 pm »

Edit by JimH -- Gizmote features were merged with Gizmo in MC15.0.158.

Please see this thread.

------------------------------

We've added Gizmote, another Android app in the Gizmo family. This one is a remote control for JRiver Media Center 15.

It connects via Wireless network to your PC across the room and lets you start and control Theater View using the four arrows and an Enter key. The Enter key can be held down to emulate the Green Button. For those not familiar with the Green Button, it originated with Microsoft's Media Center. It starts the program, toggles from the main menu to Display View to whatever view is current.

Download Gizmote from the Market on your Android phone.

Note that the art in the app is a place holder and will be changed when we're happy with the functionality.

More here:
http://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Gizmote

wasabah · « **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2010, 06:55:25 am »

I was really happy when I read that you are now finally offering a remote control app for Android.
But after trying it out, I must say that I am quite disappointed.

I had hoped for a solution closer to WebRemote: showing playing now and my playlists on my Android phone and the ability to play/pause, shuffle play, stop, next, previous. You know, standard remote control functions. I can't even change the volume!

I know that all this can be done in Theater view. The only problem is that I rarely use that view, because it is slow on my PC and not as functional as the standard view. Therefore, I would really appreciate a basic remote control app with the functions described above!

JimH · « **Reply #2 on:** October 15, 2010, 07:29:56 am »

Quote from: wasabah on October 15, 2010, 06:55:25 am

I was really happy when I read that you are now finally offering a remote control app for Android.
But after trying it out, I must say that I am quite disappointed.

I had hoped for a solution closer to WebRemote: showing playing now and my playlists on my Android phone and the ability to play/pause, shuffle play, stop, next, previous. You know, standard remote control functions. I can't even change the volume!

I know that all this can be done in Theater view. The only problem is that I rarely use that view, because it is slow on my PC and not as functional as the standard view. Therefore, I would really appreciate a basic remote control app with the functions described above!

It's not finished. We plan to add more, and the art will be replaced when we're done with features.

The hardware volume buttons should work. The enter button (center) will pause and resume.

If Theater View is slow, then try reducing the frame rate and drawing quality.

WinoOutWest · « **Reply #3 on:** October 23, 2010, 12:41:37 pm »

Exciting news!
Huge Android fan here as well and I agree this is pretty limited right now. FWIW I would love to have something to replace the functionality of NetRemote as most of the time we are listening to music the TV is either not on or we are in other rooms.

But I downloaded Gizmote and will follow its development with bated breath.

marko · « **Reply #4 on:** October 24, 2010, 04:10:34 am »

Posting this from my shiny new HTC Desire to say that I'll be following this development closely for a while. Interesting to see where it goes.

-Marko

EDIT:

Some haptics feedback might be handy...

JimH · « **Reply #5 on:** October 26, 2010, 10:36:37 am »

A new version was uploaded to the Android Market last night. It has better (but not final) art, hardware button volume feedback, green button art, and instructions.

Some features may require the latest build of MC.

Expect build of Gizmote one within a week.

marko · « **Reply #6 on:** October 27, 2010, 09:33:40 am »

When turning the phone between landscape and portrait orientation, the instructions get displayed again.

The new artwork is nice and relaxed, and I am amazed at how responsive it is..

marko · « **Reply #7 on:** October 27, 2010, 09:42:26 am »

Noticed that my screen was not switching off, just dimming down...

Found that Gizmote was still running in the background. I force closed it, and my screen behaviour returned to normal. Shouldn't Gizmote exit when the "Home" button is pressed?

Running on HTC Desire with Android 2.2

-marko.

JimH · « **Reply #8 on:** October 27, 2010, 02:24:46 pm »

Quote from: marko on October 27, 2010, 09:42:26 am

Noticed that my screen was not switching off, just dimming down...

Found that Gizmote was still running in the background. I force closed it, and my screen behaviour returned to normal. Shouldn't Gizmote exit when the "Home" button is pressed?

Running on HTC Desire with Android 2.2

-marko.

Both Matt and I have 2.2 and can't reproduce this.

Make sure you have the latest builds of both MC and Gizmote.Can you try again and let us know what you're playing? Thanks.

No. You're right. I was wrong. We'll fix it shortly.

marko · « **Reply #9 on:** October 28, 2010, 09:08:06 am »

My phone downloaded version 15.0.141 and installed it when I switched it on this afternoon. (should it be doing that all by itself?)

Anyhoo, I do not have authentication turned on atm, and this release of Gizmote keeps asking for a user/password and won't let me past that screen. If I leave both fields blank it still won't let me in.

On the plus side, my screen is now going to sleep correctly

-marko.

JimH · « **Reply #10 on:** October 28, 2010, 09:10:52 am »

Quote from: marko on October 28, 2010, 09:08:06 am

My phone downloaded version 15.0.141 and installed it when I switched it on this afternoon. (should it be doing that all by itself?)

It depends on how you have it set. Android can auto update installed apps.

Quote

Anyhoo, I do not have authentication turned on atm

Double check that. It sounds like you do. Or we have a bug.

Quote

, and this release of Gizmote keeps asking for a user/password and won't let me past that screen. If I leave both fields blank it still won't let me in.

On the plus side, my screen is now going to sleep correctly

Good.

marko · « **Reply #11 on:** October 28, 2010, 09:22:42 am »

Quote

Double check that. It sounds like you do. Or we have a bug.

I did double check before posting, and then again, before this post...

Use Authentication was unchecked, but there were entries in the user/password fields.
I deleted those entries and tried again. No Joy
I put the entries back and enabled authentication in case it was a requirement of the new version. No Joy
I cleared the user/pass fields and disabled authentication, then reset the server, which gave me a new access key. No Joy

Using this new access key, Gizmo is able to connect and play music without any problem.
Is that enough double checking, or is there anything else you want me to try?

-marko.

marko · « **Reply #12 on:** October 28, 2010, 09:38:52 am »

envyc appears to be having similar problems, but doesn't say which version of Gizmote is being used.

Quote from: envyc on October 27, 2010, 10:19:04 pm

As an aside, could this be related to why I can't get Gizmote to connect by any chance?

envyc · « **Reply #13 on:** October 28, 2010, 03:06:11 pm »

Quote from: marko on October 28, 2010, 09:38:52 am

envyc appears to be having similar problems, but doesn't say which version of Gizmote is being used.

Using latest available, however this was response in my thread...

Quote from: Matt on October 28, 2010, 01:59:53 pm

Gizmote requires a newer Media Center than is currently available.

Hopefully there will be a new build of Media Center available in the next few days.

marko · « **Reply #14 on:** October 29, 2010, 02:43:26 am »

I'm not ready to install developer SDK kits and USB drivers to grab screenshots from my phone...

You need to update the screenshot in the first post to show how it looks once logged in. It's neat.

See we have haptic feedback now, which is nice, but...

When first logging in, the center button is a "Green Button", and the first press on this green button to effect an "Enter" command provides haptic feedback, but does nothing except change itself to an MC logo. Subsequent presses on the MC logo do effect an "Enter" command, but the MC logo does not provide haptic feedback.

-marko

swinster · « **Reply #15 on:** November 09, 2010, 06:04:34 pm »

I'm guessing again that this is only available for 2.2 phones - the same as Gizmo?

I'm waiting on my HTC Desire (which I hope will come with 2.2), but my HTC Wildfire still only has 2.1 and can't find Gizmo or Gizmote on the market. Boo.

JimH · « **Reply #16 on:** November 09, 2010, 06:13:26 pm »

Quote from: swinster on November 09, 2010, 06:04:34 pm

I'm guessing again that this is only available for 2.2 phones - the same as Gizmo?

I'm waiting on my HTC Desire (which I hope will come with 2.2), but my HTC Wildfire still only has 2.1 and can't find Gizmo or Gizmote on the market. Boo.

It will work with 2.1. Are you searching in Market from the phone by clicking the Market icon?

swinster · « **Reply #17 on:** November 09, 2010, 07:31:58 pm »

Quote from: JimH on November 09, 2010, 06:13:26 pm

It will work with 2.1. Are you searching in Market from the phone by clicking the Market icon?

Yep, and have been for months waiting for it to work.....

Not sure what is going on. Seems that access to most other Market apps is OK

swinster · « **Reply #18 on:** November 10, 2010, 02:07:57 pm »

If anyone has an HTC Wildfire on 2.1, I would be grateful if they could test this. I have no idea whether it's a JRiver, HTC, Android or Orange (UK Carrier) issue.

marko · « **Reply #19 on:** November 11, 2010, 01:19:18 am »

Swinster, I'm not sure how to help you. I type gizmote into the search field at the top of the Market and this JRiver app is the only result returned.

Incidentally, my phone found, downloaded and installed a version 151 update for Gizmote this morning...

Anything new to shout about?

swinster · « **Reply #20 on:** November 14, 2010, 10:06:25 am »

Not sure if this make any sense to you guys a JRiver with regard to why the Gizmo/Gizmote apps are not showing up on my device:

http://developer.android.com/guide/appendix/market-filters.html

Have asked a question on an Android board but so far no answer.

JimH · « **Reply #21 on:** November 14, 2010, 10:47:59 am »

Please confirm that you are clicking on the Market icon on your phone and then searching for "Gizmo". It's available in all countries.

swinster · « **Reply #22 on:** November 14, 2010, 10:55:56 am »

YES!! Said this back on the 10/11/2010, just up a couple of posts.

JimH · « **Reply #23 on:** November 14, 2010, 11:17:55 am »

To be even more clear, if you use your browser on your phone and visit the Google market, you won't find it. No idea why. You must click on the Market icon.

swinster · « **Reply #24 on:** November 14, 2010, 11:46:42 am »

I have never viewed the market on the phone via the browser - always via the pre installed app in the apps section of the phone.

On another note i have googled this and come up with some "talk" but no definitive answer. Some say that is the resolution of the screen of this device (320 x 240), some say that the 'fingerprint' of the ROM from HTC hasn't been added to the app database by Google. Some say try installing via another service such as appbrian.

JimH · « **Reply #25 on:** November 14, 2010, 12:22:29 pm »

Quote from: swinster on November 14, 2010, 11:46:42 am

I have never viewed the market on the phone via the browser - always via the pre installed app in the apps section of the phone.

On another note i have googled this and come up with some "talk" but no definitive answer. Some say that is the resolution of the screen of this device (320 x 240), some say that the 'fingerprint' of the ROM from HTC hasn't been added to the app database by Google. Some say try installing via another service such as appbrian.

It may be the resolution.

I'll try e-mailing you the .apk file and you can see if it installs.

swinster · « **Reply #26 on:** November 14, 2010, 02:09:50 pm »

Cheers Jim. It WORKS!! (at least it installs - will try an connect it to MC15 later although I take on board what you said in you email regarding the latest version).

After a bit more digging it appears that lots of people are having issue with the HTC Wildfire and many apps, so it looks as it might be this fingerprint thing. Apparently new phones take a while for Google to add them to their database, however, the wildfire has been out for months now.

Could you email me Gizmo as well?

swinster · « **Reply #27 on:** November 14, 2010, 07:15:41 pm »

Cheers - installed with no issue and works fine. Gizmo is showing version 8 and Gizmote at version 7.

I doubt I will be able to update these as they still don't show up in the market for me.

JustinChase · « **Reply #28 on:** November 18, 2010, 03:19:10 pm »

Excellent! I just found this post yesterday, and installed the app from the marketplace last night; on an EVO running Android 2.2.

It asked for the 6 digit "key" and also my authorization name and password, I entered them and it all worked great.

However, as previously mentioned, it's a work in progress.

There is still a bit of functionality that needs to be added to make it a true remote replacement.

The first thing I missed is a BACK button. I clicked on the wrong video, and it took me about 10 minutes to figure out how to navigate to a location that would let me get back to the menu to pick the correct video.

Obviously, some direct function buttons would be good also, like rating, delete file, Media Type and some others.

if it looked a bit more like a "regular" remote control, and used more of that type of "standard" feature set, I think you've got a winner.

I've never bothered to program my remote to work with MC, and instead just use a mouse, and (occasionally) a keyboard to navigate to do what I want.

Having this be a true replacement for a "standard" remote control would be a HUGE step forward in my eyes.

I hope to see this project progress toward these goals soon

swinster · « **Reply #29 on:** November 19, 2010, 12:49:49 pm »

Hey Jim, or anyone developing both the Gizmote and Gizmo tool, I just had this post back from the Android discuss forum:

Quote

It doesn't support small screens, just normal ones, so won't be shown
to small screen devices. Here is the badging for their apk:
$ aapt dump badging jriver.mediacenter.android-1.apk
package: name='jriver.mediacenter.android' versionCode='8'
versionName='15.0.142'
application: label='Gizmo' icon='res/drawable/icon.png'
launchable activity
name='jriver.mediacenter.android.PlayerActivity'label='Gizmo' icon=''
sdkVersion:'3'
uses-permission:'android.permission.INTERNET'
uses-permission:'android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE'
uses-permission:'android.permission.WAKE_LOCK'
uses-permission:'android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE'
uses-feature:'android.hardware.touchscreen'
main
other-activities
other-services
supports-screens: 'normal'
locales: '--_--'
densities: '160'

This is the page that explains how to fix it, although the developers
would have to do it:
http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/screens_support.html

Remember, I have managed to install this on the HTC Wildfire, if there is anything I need to know or you want me to test WRT screen size then let me know.

Matt · « **Reply #30 on:** November 19, 2010, 03:58:45 pm »

Quote from: swinster on November 19, 2010, 12:49:49 pm

Hey Jim, or anyone developing both the Gizmote and Gizmo tool, I just had this post back from the Android discuss forum:

Remember, I have managed to install this on the HTC Wildfire, if there is anything I need to know or you want me to test WRT screen size then let me know.

Thanks for the details. We'll update a coming build to explicitly support small screens.

We are requiring as low of an API version as possible (currently 3), and this has the side effect that the framework assumes you won't support small screens (which isn't right in our case).

Thanks again.

mknox999 · « **Reply #31 on:** November 20, 2010, 11:45:49 am »

Updated Gizmote to latest version on Market now its looking for server version 15.0.157, the latest I see here is .150, secret hiding spot for .157?

Matt · « **Reply #32 on:** November 20, 2010, 11:49:06 am »

Quote from: mknox999 on November 20, 2010, 11:45:49 am

Updated Gizmote to latest version on Market now its looking for server version 15.0.157, the latest I see here is .150, secret hiding spot for .157?

Welcome to Interact.

Check the bottom of this thread for the newer build:
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=60573.0

mknox999 · « **Reply #33 on:** November 20, 2010, 11:51:11 am »

Quote from: Matt on November 20, 2010, 11:49:06 am

Welcome to Interact.

Check the bottom of this thread for the newer build:
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=60573.0

Thanks just found it... A little more searching before posting

JustinChase · « **Reply #34 on:** November 21, 2010, 10:51:23 am »

When selecting "Play to (wherever)", and clicking on Video, I don't get a list of my view schemes, I'm not sure where the list I do see is generated or changed, but would prefer to have a different selection that what is currently provided.

However, whatever I pick, doesn't actually show any videos, it just hangs for a long time, and several tries ended up causing the server to display the error message that it crashed, and I had to restart the library server.

It also seems to be still unable to show a large list on the phone. if I select an audio playlist with LOTS of files, it just hangs. I know that on the webplay (and webremote?) systems, this was by design, so as to not tax the system too much, but was mentioned as possibly up for change.

However, I'm connecting via wireless whenever possible, which is the same way I connect with my laptop, so there should not be any reason to handicap my phone when connected via wireless. I don't know that MC can tell how I'm connected, but maybe a quick speedtest to determine the thruput, or I can just click wireless (or fast?) as my connection, allowing a more robust session.

Again, just some (hopefully helpful) feedback to make this great new option even better.

Thanks for allowing me to freak out my wife by starting videos from outside the house

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