Freddo
2005-03-02, 02:21
i think it would be ideal if xbmc could set up shares itself, instead of needing a pc to edit xboxmediacenter.xml , i realise python scripts exist which can edit text files including xboxmediacenter.xml and it would be possible to write further python to further automate the process, however python added features rarely become standard and thusly dont tend to be updated to match new xbmc builds and skins rarely accomodate them (with some noticable exception by pm1+2).
so i think the feature would be best intergrated into the xbmc program.
i think the ideal would a series of tabs across an options screen (i think shares would be a good name) somewhere under settings, for each of the kinds of media, and listed underneath the shares currently set up for that media type.
an add new share button could bring up a dialogue where u can select share type and details (including locking+codes for that). when a share is first added the xbox should check it is contactable and offer to reconfigure in the event a share fails (but not force it, as people may want to set up shares while they are not connected or active for any reason). the url field should remember what you entered when you last created a share, as people are likely to add multiple shares with the same url in a single session (one for music/video/pics etc). an "autodetect" button could serve to discover the types of shares which xbmc can automaticly find, in the event of finding multiple auto-configurable servers the user should be prompted to chose. port numbers should also be editable where applicable.
status could be displayed of shares (i.e dvd in drive, network shares connected)
pressing "a" on a share should bring up a similar dialogue to add new, with the ability to edit url information, as well as a test button to test the share, and a delete button to remove the share. some shares should be present by default like the dvd drive and hard drive partitions, but user removable if they wish for whatever reason.
i think if this were ever implemented that farming out the shares information to "shares.xml" or similar may be sensible, infact, thats a good idea either way it saves people having to start their xboxmediacenter.xml over from scratch if they want to replace it for a new build.
in the absence of previous xbmc savegames on the xbox the add new shares dialogue could be run by default on bootup, perhaps rolled into some kind of wizard to allow users to select their video resolution, audio preferences, and other simple effects, all in a guided and friendly sort of fashion. (this of course should be skipable and disable-able for more savvy users)
so, in absence of myself having any actual programming skills, i thought i'd start a bit of a chat on about how people would like to see some kind of share-auto-config behave, throw all your idea's in here and i guess if any dev likes the sound of it he/she will have a half decent idea of whats wanted.
erm, so in summary (man this post looks a mess)
all(or most) the functionality of editing xboxmediacenter.xml shares with a pc, but with a nice gui driven way of adding/removing/managing/testing from the xbox.
also shares.xml is a really good idea even if nothing else gets changed i reckon
so i think the feature would be best intergrated into the xbmc program.
i think the ideal would a series of tabs across an options screen (i think shares would be a good name) somewhere under settings, for each of the kinds of media, and listed underneath the shares currently set up for that media type.
an add new share button could bring up a dialogue where u can select share type and details (including locking+codes for that). when a share is first added the xbox should check it is contactable and offer to reconfigure in the event a share fails (but not force it, as people may want to set up shares while they are not connected or active for any reason). the url field should remember what you entered when you last created a share, as people are likely to add multiple shares with the same url in a single session (one for music/video/pics etc). an "autodetect" button could serve to discover the types of shares which xbmc can automaticly find, in the event of finding multiple auto-configurable servers the user should be prompted to chose. port numbers should also be editable where applicable.
status could be displayed of shares (i.e dvd in drive, network shares connected)
pressing "a" on a share should bring up a similar dialogue to add new, with the ability to edit url information, as well as a test button to test the share, and a delete button to remove the share. some shares should be present by default like the dvd drive and hard drive partitions, but user removable if they wish for whatever reason.
i think if this were ever implemented that farming out the shares information to "shares.xml" or similar may be sensible, infact, thats a good idea either way it saves people having to start their xboxmediacenter.xml over from scratch if they want to replace it for a new build.
in the absence of previous xbmc savegames on the xbox the add new shares dialogue could be run by default on bootup, perhaps rolled into some kind of wizard to allow users to select their video resolution, audio preferences, and other simple effects, all in a guided and friendly sort of fashion. (this of course should be skipable and disable-able for more savvy users)
so, in absence of myself having any actual programming skills, i thought i'd start a bit of a chat on about how people would like to see some kind of share-auto-config behave, throw all your idea's in here and i guess if any dev likes the sound of it he/she will have a half decent idea of whats wanted.
erm, so in summary (man this post looks a mess)
all(or most) the functionality of editing xboxmediacenter.xml shares with a pc, but with a nice gui driven way of adding/removing/managing/testing from the xbox.
also shares.xml is a really good idea even if nothing else gets changed i reckon