Random start time for long videos

[JuliaE-Git]

Hey.

I downloaded a 8h forest walk from YouTube and would love to have a random starting point. Otherwise I will only ever see the first few minutes every time my screensaver starts.

Thanks a lot, the app is awesome!!!

[theothernt]

That should be possible in the latest version, v1.7.2.

Look in Settings > Playlist > (scroll down) Advanced > set a video limit (eg. 10 mins)

Then select the "Longer videos' option and you'll see a "Play random segments of long videos' option.

This will play random 10 minutes pieces of a long video.

Sorry it's not more obvious - I'll have to make some of the settings more visible!

[JuliaE-Git]

Thanks, I'll try that!

[JuliaE-Git]

Sorry, I just looked. The maximum setting is indeed 10 minutes... I was thinking of more like 60 minutes at least. I basically use that as meditation. So still the "Start random with open end" (the chances that it starts somewhere just before the end are slim) would be the perfect solution for me. Increasing the possible video length would be the second-best option for me.

The very perfect approach for me would be a "Start randomly from X to Y %" so for example I want my "walk" to be minimum 1h long, I'd just enter 0-87%

Would appreciate it very much

[theothernt]

For the moment, I can add 60 minutes to the max. video length option - that can be included in the next release due in the next day or two.

[theothernt]

v1.7.3 has just been released on GitHub with that small change, it should appear on the Play Store in a few days assuming no issues.

Let me know if that works ok for you as I am open to improving the feature.

[JuliaE-Git]

Thank you. I'll try it when it's out.

I'd say if it works like expected, that's an okay solution for me.

Not perfect but good enough. Of course I would appreciate "perfect" as described above, but I don't know how much work that is and I'm by far not the only user. So it would just be a "nice to have".

I appreciate the 60 minute timer and am excited to see if my percentage idea or something similar gets implemented one day.

Thank you

[theothernt]

About your idea, I'm just trying to understand it a bit more - plus I'm trying to think about how to integrate it with the existing options such as looping short videos, limiting video length, etc.

Would an option like "Only play a random percentage of a video" make sense, you could specify between 5%-95% ?

Also, would it make sense to add an additional option like "Only apply to video over a certain length"? which may not apply in your example but might be useful to other who want all the Apple video to play normally, but show random parts of other, longer videos.

[JuliaE-Git]

The only apply for certain videos options definitely makes sense! Maybe it would also make sense to only apply the settings to all videos from a specific source (like a specific local/SMB folder, or maybe in future a YouTube playlist)

I don't see the use of "play a certain percentage" as it's basically just another way to express a desired video length, which you already got. What was in my mind was "Choose a random starting point from 0-87% and from there play till the end. By choosing to limit the upper percentage, I specify I have at least about an hour (12.5% of an 8h video) left. But if it decides to start at 50%, I'd have 4h continues walking (while still having the random effect). So it doesn't limit me to that 1h. 1h would be the least but with a high probability it's a lot longer while still keeping the random effect.

I hope I explained better this time. If you have any more questions, let me know.

By the way, I also have a Philips TV that doesn't support the Dolby HDR. That doesn't bother me to much, but I'm here for testing if you need me (didn't read the whole tread, just saw that it still seems to be in development)

Best regards

[theothernt]

Just thinking about the menu structure, I might go with this...

• Limit length Limit video length (off or 10sec to 60 mins) Loop short videos (on/off) Long videos (obey limit, ignore limit, random segment)

• Random start position Starting range (5% - 90%)

[JuliaE-Git]

Limit video length (off or 10sec to 60 mins)

Loop short videos (on/off)

Random start point (yes/no) (no= start from beginning, yes= check if start point range is set and start randomly within given range)

Set start point range X% - Y% (only active if random start point is set to yes) 2 user definable values (X/Y), one for start, one for end (default 0-99 (99 to prevent instant start/end if random chooses 100%))

---

If limit video length and random start point are set, it equals your current "random segment"

If limit video length and NO random start point are set, it equals your current "Obey limit"

NO video length and NO random start point is your current "ignore limit" (which I don't get since it's the same as not ticking any box)

NO video length + random start point (+ optionally set start point range) is my new feature request.

Thanks a lot.

Unfortunately I was not yet able to test the current 60 minute limit as my setup crashed when I tried to load the 8h video. I'm not 100% certain it was because of the screensaver, but pretty sure. But right now I don't have much time to test and troubleshoot.

[theothernt]

• Limit length Limit video length (off or 10sec to 60 mins) Loop short videos (on/off) Long videos (obey limit, ignore limit, random segment)
• Random start position Starting range (5% - 90%)

I should have added a bit more context, basically the "random start position" will only be available if "limit video length" is off.

The other settings (loop short videos, etc) require a limit to be set, though.

By the way, I also have a Philips TV that doesn't support the Dolby HDR. That doesn't bother me to much, but I'm here for testing if you need me (didn't read the whole tread, just saw that it still seems to be in development)

That specific issue relates to Dolby Vision playback on an older model - so it only affects a couple of people.

As for testing, I hope to have this feature working this week - so I'll update you on a beta version if you want to test it.

[theothernt]

A beta version is ready if you'd like to test it?

[JuliaE-Git]

How would I get the beta on my TV? Honestly I'm quite drowning right now and probably will be until new year. If it's easy I can do it. I have the regular play store on my TV. If you don't need the feedback right now, I'll just wait till it's available in the stable version as I personally don't care to much. Only if you need the feedback.

[theothernt]

How would I get the beta on my TV? Honestly I'm quite drowning right now and probably will be until new year. If it's easy I can do it. I have the regular play store on my TV. If you don't need the feedback right now, I'll just wait till it's available in the stable version as I personally don't care to much. Only if you need the feedback.

No problem at all, it's not urgent or necessary, I typically ask anyway - I'll let you know when it's available in the Play Store - it might be 2 or 3 weeks.

[JuliaE-Git]

Thank you so much. Actually today I managed setting up the server with the 8h 4k video again. It worked. My LAN speed is to slow (server in the basement) so it stutters, but 1080p seems to run just fine. No crashes. Probably there where 2 unrelated things coming together last time 👍🏻

[theothernt]

It looks like the update might take another few weeks. I also have a public beta in the Play Store, but I think there's an issue with random, segmented playback etc so I'll update you when I think it's fixed.

[JuliaE-Git]

Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 have a lovely day.

[theothernt]

Ok, the latest open beta on the Play Store should work now.

Given the time of year, no hurry on testing, feedback, etc.

[theothernt]

v1.7.4 has been released on GitHub (APK), the Play Store version should be available in a week or two.