Home-assistant component for Zidoo media players

This is a functioning solution for controlling Zidoo media player on Home-Assistant. Based on the Zidoo REST API, it is developed using a Z9S, but should work on all Zidoo devices (feedback/PRs welcome)

Features

• Control Zidoo devices as media players through HA
• Album art and movie backdrops
• Browse movies, music, file system, and share mounts through HA Media Browser

NOTE: From release 2.0.0, Rapid Update is updated in the integration. If you previously added an automation based on the documentation example, this can now be removed, but please re-enable automatic update if necessary

Streaming content currently uses a hack with the players uPNP functions. There are limitations with content, including issues with the Media Player 6.0 (audio files are streamed to the Video Player for now). Playlists can be handled using Kodi or ZDMC (this includes support for camera stream, although it is a little buggy).

A Custom Lovelace card zidoo-search-card can be used to filter media browser results.[^7] Use the Media Search text editor to add a keyword, then select the desired Media Type button. The results will be displayed in the standard Media Browser panel.

Use the Media Search text editor to add a keyword, then select the desired Media Type button. The results will be displayed in the standard Media Browser panel.

Installation

HACS Install

1. Search for Zidoo under Integrations in the HACS Store tab.
2. You will need to restart after installation for the component to start working.
3. Configure the integation (see Configuration section)

Manual Install

1. Copy zidoo folder from zidoo-player/custom_components to \config\custom_components (create folder if this is your first custom integration)
2. Restart HA

Configuration

1. Add Zidoo Integration from the 'Configuraion-Integration' menu
2. Enter the IP address of player
3. Enter the Password if you have authentication enabled
4. Add standard Media Control card for newly added media_player device

Options

Access the Options menu by pressing the CONFIGURE button on the Integration card

The Media browser allows access to the Movie Libary, plus file access to local devices and saved SMB shares. By default, the RECENT, MOVIE and TVSHOW Library searches are displayed. Additional search shortcuts can be added.[^3].

Use Power Off control to enable Standby instead of a full power down.[^4]

Services

Set Subtitle - switch through video player subtitle list[^5]

Set Audio - switch through video audio tracks[^5]

Remote Send Command = send remote control button key (see Key Commands)[^8]

Custom Search Card

After adding the integration, 'Edit' the dashboard and add the new card using the '+Add Card' button. Select the custom:zidoo-search-card, then edit the yaml to include a single entity value with your zidoo media_player id. NOTE: The card requires the card-tools helper. You can install it from HACS or add manually

type: custom:zidoo-search-card
entity: media_player.zidoo

# Optional fields to control which Media buttons are available
# from "video","movie","tvshow","music","album","artist"
buttons:
  - movie
  - tvshow 

FAQs

Q: Power-on does not work

A. See Power-On Info.

Q: I'm having issues with the installation

A. If you installed versions prior to 1.2.5 using HACS and the integration is not availble in ADD INTEGRATIONS

1. See Add / Remove HACS Integration
2. Clear your Browser Cache

A. If you have issues connecting with the device, it may be an authorization issue.

1. Try opening the 'Control Center' app on the media player and retry.
2. Try turning off validation using the button in the app.

A. To switch from Wifi to LAN, the integration must be deleted and re added to update the new IP Address

Q. Is there anything else I might need to know?

A. Here are some Application Notes based on feedback from other users

ToDo

• Testing on other devices
• Add Discovery (dev branch tested with z9s, need testing and/or DNLA header information for other device support)
• ZidooRC API will eventually needs to be released as a python library per HA requirements.

Major Changes

[^1]: Release 1.1 - can be used on older HA versions, requires manual integration and is limited to basic player control. [^2]: Release 1.2 - adds config flow [^3]: Release 1.2.9 - Extended search shortcuts. Requires HA 2022.2 or above [^4]: Release 1.2.10 - Standby option. Not recommended on Z9S or UHD3000 [^5]: Release 1.2.11 - Subtitle and Audio services [^6]: Release 1.3.0 - Bump zidoorc . Add Send Key service [^7]: Release 1.4.0 - Add music functionality and search card [^8]: Release 2.0.1 - Convert to zidoaio. Add Remote entity