Re: [Mvpmc-devel] MVPMC release announced on freshmeat.net...

[Tom M. <tme...@gm...>]

stuart wrote:
> I propose we change it to:
> ---
> The MediaMVP Media Center (MVPMC) is a media player currently running on 
> the Hauppauge MediaMVP platform. It is a total replacement for the 
> Hauppauge software.  MVPMC can access media from MythTV, ReplayTV and 
> SqueezeCenter (aka SlimServer) servers.  It can also access media via 
> HTTP, NFS and CIFS.   It understands MPEG1 and MPEG2 video as well as 
> MP3, OGG, WAV, AC3 and FLAC audio. It can display JPG, BMP & PNG images. 
>   It will display local weather via Yahoo! weather as well as directly 
> access and play internet radio stations.
> ---

That sounds perfectly good, but seeing as you asked for suggestions, 
I'll offer up this:

I'd try and define (briefly) what a "MediaMVP" is. Has the industry 
settled on a name? Media player seems too vague, as that can be software 
or hardware. Set top box seems to only get used in the cable TV industry.

I'd list what it can do from a high-level perspective.

I'd list the servers it can work with (as you did), and then the 
specific formats (as you did).

I'm not sure the "total replacement" line is necessary, and although 
accurate, could lead to confusion, as mvpmc works with the Hauppauge 
server software (that's what emulation mode is all about - right?).

So something like:

The MediaMVP Media Center (mvpmc) is a media player client software for 
the Hauppauge MediaMVP media player hardware. It can play video 
(including live TV), audio (including live radio), show pictures, and 
the weather. mvpmc can access media from MythTV, ReplayTV, Hauppauge*, 
and SqueezeCenter (aka SlimServer) servers.  It can also access media 
via HTTP, NFS and CIFS. It understands MPEG1 and MPEG2 video as well as 
MP3, OGG, WAV, AC3 and FLAC audio. It can display JPG, BMP & PNG images.


* what's the name of the Hauppauge server software?

I guess that ended up only slightly tweaked from what you had.

Should MVPMC be written as mvpmc? Whether intentional or not, the latter 
seems to have become the "trademark".


> Some of the intents in the above revision are to hint that the assembled 
> MVPMC software can be run on other platforms (to pick up new developers 
> familiar with different hardware)...

I see your point, but I'm not sure inserting "currently" is enough to 
catch the eye of new developers.


> What is not listed (that I know about) are items that may not be ready 
> for prime time.  Such items include VNC and the web server interface. 

Like UPnP? Some people will be surprised to see that not listed for a 
media player.

What about VLC? I haven't used it, but it seems like a lot of people do. 
You could ad that to the server list, and conclude the format list with 
"...and other formats via VLC."

  -Tom