Movies and TV Need advice on cutting cable cost. - Page 9

ThatRaceCardGuy · 11:19 AM

My last bill from Att was $215...sick of paying that much to watch only a few shows. I dont want to cut the cord from cable entirely. I would like to keep basic cable and internet, but still be able to watch the shows I like on HBO and showtime. I`m already a netflix subscriber, any other suggestions ? Can you buy season passes for most of the shows on HBO and Showtime?

Thanks!

Fish · 12-12-2013, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewChief

Nope. I can't get into the Android files. I boot into the Android Recovery screen, and it has four options:

From there I can do a factor reset/restore (which I'm assuming will wipe XBMC from the system), reboot, or restore from SD card or network drive (I think).

Have you tried the toothpick reset by pressing the little hidden button on the AV port?

Have you tried this: http://matricom.net/forums/#/discuss...tricom-screen-

NewChief · 12-12-2013, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish

Have you tried the toothpick reset by pressing the little hidden button on the AV port?

Have you tried this: http://matricom.net/forums/#/discuss...tricom-screen-

Yeah, that's how i get the Android boot screen up (the toothpick trick). My next step is to do the firmware reinstall from SD card.

**the Talking Can** · 12-12-2013, 11:48 AM

I use playon to stream, paid a one time $50 fee..w/ a roku

I can get most cable channels live through various plugins, plus the whole archive of movies and tv via channel1 and some others.

Best part is they just released a browser plugin the lets you stream any video you are watching to your tv w/ the click of a button. It's how I watch all sports now.

plus netflix and aero for $8 each a month

never ever going back to cable, saving $100 a month

ragedogg69 · 12-16-2013, 04:31 PM

quick question regarding the advancedsettings.xml file. I have been copying and pasting code from pastebins and code sections from forums, but I notice they are not tabbing out the spacing. Does that matter?

advancedsettings
network>
cachemembuffersize>104857600/cachemembuffersize>
/network>
/advancedsettings>

or should it all be tabbed like an outline? Does it matter?

(forum will not let me start the < command)

Fish · 12-16-2013, 04:34 PM

Spaces don't matter with the code. It ignores spaces, as well as some other characters.

If in doubt, take a look at your xbmc.log file. If your advancedsettings.xml file is working/interpreted correctly, it should be visible in your log file. If there's a problem with it, it will tell you in the log file.

NewChief · 12-16-2013, 09:16 PM

I'm trying to put the new firmware on an SD card, and I can't get it to extract.

It either says the .zip file is empty or that I need the last volume in a multivolume.

Edit:
Finally found a firmware update that seems to be valid and work. Currently have the icon that indicates that firmware is upgrading, so I'm hopeful. The other files listed in the youtube videos and message boards didn't seem to actually have anything in them (they downloaded super fast vs. this one which was about 4gigs).

NewChief · 12-16-2013, 10:43 PM

Yes! Thank god. I'm up and running again. I wouldn't say that was an exactly fun way to spend an evening, but I learned a few things hacking around with the box... and I now have xbmc up and running with 1channel currently downloading.

NewChief · 12-17-2013, 10:26 AM

Question (sort of dumb and lazy, but whatever...):

Is there a universal movie app of some kind that will save movies that I'm wanting to watch into a list? What I'd like to do is, when I'm at my PC at work or talking to someone with my mobile device handy and run across a movie I'd like to watch... I'd like to be able to add it to a list that will automatically show up in my 1channel app.

My problem is that I'm always sitting in front of the TV and end up browsing around because I can't remember a movie that I've been meaning to watch (pathetic, I know).

Alternately: something along the lines of Goodreads, but for movies, would be great. An online community where I can browse movies, flag movies as "watched/to-watch" and read reviews (I know IMDB has some of this functionality), preferably they'd also have a mobile app.

Fish · 12-17-2013, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewChief

Question (sort of dumb and lazy, but whatever...):

Is there a universal movie app of some kind that will save movies that I'm wanting to watch into a list? What I'd like to do is, when I'm at my PC at work or talking to someone with my mobile device handy and run across a movie I'd like to watch... I'd like to be able to add it to a list that will automatically show up in my 1channel app.

My problem is that I'm always sitting in front of the TV and end up browsing around because I can't remember a movie that I've been meaning to watch (pathetic, I know).

Alternately: something along the lines of Goodreads, but for movies, would be great. An online community where I can browse movies, flag movies as "watched/to-watch" and read reviews (I know IMDB has some of this functionality), preferably they'd also have a mobile app.

I'm not aware of a solution like that which would work with 1Channel. But I'll take a look.

Probably a good opportunity to pimp my very favorite XBMC plugin again, which does exactly what you're requesting.

What the Furk

What the Furk is a plugin used in conjunction with a subscription to the Furk.net website($7-8/mth). Furk is a torrent aggregator. Meaning it will search all available torrent sites for the media you're looking for, and download it from the torrent site to its own servers. Then you can direct download the media safely without ever having to go through the torrent process, including being tagged for copyright violations and such. WTF can stream 1080p content with no problem as well. You can set your desired video quality so it will only display results that match it, etc.

The WTF plugin can also incorporate IMDB watchlists. So you go to the IMDB site and create different watchlists. You can create them to suite your family needs such as Kids Movies, Kids TV, Wife Movies, My Movies, My TV, etc. Then add the titles to each. In the plugin, it will show up as a list. It works very well, and it's been my go to solution for quite a while. IMDB has a smartphone app as well.

Once you start using WTF, you'll likely only use 1Channel for stuff you might not be able to find on WTF. The only downfall of WTF is that new TV episodes usually take a few days to get added. So generally I only use 1Channel these days when I'm too impatient to wait another day or so to watch on WTF.

It's a little confusing setting it up, but once it's setup it's bad ass.

NewChief · 12-17-2013, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish

I'm not aware of a solution like that which would work with 1Channel. But I'll take a look.

Probably a good opportunity to pimp my very favorite XBMC plugin again, which does exactly what you're requesting.

What the Furk

What the Furk is a plugin used in conjunction with a subscription to the Furk.net website($7-8/mth). Furk is a torrent aggregator. Meaning it will search all available torrent sites for the media you're looking for, and download it from the torrent site to its own servers. Then you can direct download the media safely without ever having to go through the torrent process, including being tagged for copyright violations and such. WTF can stream 1080p content with no problem as well. You can set your desired video quality so it will only display results that match it, etc.

The WTF plugin can also incorporate IMDB watchlists. So you go to the IMDB site and create different watchlists. You can create them to suite your family needs such as Kids Movies, Kids TV, Wife Movies, My Movies, My TV, etc. Then add the titles to each. In the plugin, it will show up as a list. It works very well, and it's been my go to solution for quite a while. IMDB has a smartphone app as well.

Once you start using WTF, you'll likely only use 1Channel for stuff you might not be able to find on WTF. The only downfall of WTF is that new TV episodes usually take a few days to get added. So generally I only use 1Channel these days when I'm too impatient to wait another day or so to watch on WTF.

It's a little confusing setting it up, but once it's setup it's bad ass.

That looks pretty awesome, and I may pull the trigger on it before long.

Hey, do you use a wireless keyboard/mouse with your box? Considering buying one and stopping using my iPad/iPhone with the remote app.

NewChief · 12-23-2013, 04:35 PM

Okay, Fish. I'm having some crashing issues while playing video as well as some streaming issues in general. I think it may be a result of my wireless network (or maybe it's on the server side). Here are the warnnings:

Quote:

12:16:07 T:1753925048 DEBUG: - dropping packet type:1 dts:3722948000.000000 to get to start point at 3723182000.000000
12:16:07 T:1753925048 DEBUG: - dropping packet type:2 dts:3722969000.000000 to get to start point at 3723182000.000000
12:16:07 T:1753925048 DEBUG: - dropping packet type:1 dts:3722971000.000000 to get to start point at 3723182000.000000
12:16:07 T:1753925048 DEBUG: - dropping packet type:1 dts:3722995000.000000 to get to start point at 3723182000.000000
12:16:07 T:1753925048 DEBUG: - dropping packet type:2 dts:3723011000.000000 to get to start point at 3723182000.000000
12:16:07 T:1753925048 DEBUG: - dropping packet type:1 dts:3723018000.000000 to get to start point at 3723182000.000000
12:16:07 T:1753925048 DEBUG: - dropping packet type:1 dts:3723041000.000000 to get to start point at 3723182000.000000
12:16:07 T:1751347160 WARNING: CDVDMessageQueue(audio)::Get - asked for new data packet, with nothing available
12:16:07 T:1753925048 DEBUG: - dropping packet type:2 dts:3723053000.000000 to get to start point at 3723182000.000000
12:16:07 T:1753925048 DEBUG: - dropping packet type:1 dts:3723064000.000000 to get to start point at 3723182000.000000
12:16:07 T:1753925048 DEBUG: - dropping packet type:1 dts:3723088000.000000 to get to start point at 3723182000.000000
12:16:07 T:1753925048 DEBUG: - dropping packet type:2 dts:3723094000.000000 to get to start point at 3723182000.000000
12:16:07 T:1753925048 DEBUG: - dropping packet type:1 dts:3723111000.000000 to get to start point at 3723182000.000000
12:16:07 T:1753925048 DEBUG: - dropping packet type:1 dts:3723134000.000000 to get to start point at 3723182000.000000
12:16:07 T:1753925048 DEBUG: - dropping packet type:2 dts:3723136000.000000 to get to start point at 3723182000.000000
12:16:07 T:1753925048 DEBUG: - dropping packet type:1 dts:3723157000.000000 to get to start point at 3723182000.000000
12:16:07 T:1753925048 DEBUG: - dropping packet type:2 dts:3723178000.000000 to get to start point at 3723182000.000000
12:16:07 T:1753925048 DEBUG: - dropping packet type:1 dts:3723180000.000000 to get to start point at 3723182000.000000
12:16:07 T:1751347160 WARNING: CDVDMessageQueue(audio)::Get - asked for new data packet, with nothing available
12:16:07 T:1751347160 DEBUG: CDVDPlayerAudio - CDVDMsg::GENERAL_RESYNC(3723204000.000000, 1)
12:16:07 T:1753925048 DEBUG: CDVDPlayer::HandleMessages - player started 1
12:16:08 T:1759415824 DEBUG: : trying mouse action leftclick
12:16:08 T:1759415824 DEBUG: : Translating PlayerControl(Play)
12:16:08 T:1759415824 DEBUG: : To PlayerControl(Play)
12:16:08 T:1759415824 DEBUG: CDVDPlayer::SetCaching - caching state 0
12:16:08 T:1707700744 DEBUG: CSoftAE::Run - Sink restart flagged
12:16:08 T:1707700744 INFO: CSoftAE::InternalOpenSink - keeping old sink with : AE_FMT_FLOAT, FL,FR, 44100hz
12:16:08 T:1751347160 DEBUG: CDVDPlayerAudio:: Discontinuity1 - was:3723084941.594104, should be:3723204000.000000, error:119058.405896
12:16:08 T:1707700744 DEBUG: CSoftAE::InternalOpenSink - Using speaker layout: 2.0
12:16:08 T:1707700744 DEBUG: CSoftAE::InternalOpenSink - Internal Buffer Size: 60208
12:16:08 T:1753966240 DEBUG: CAMLCodec::SetSpeed, speed(1000)
12:16:08 T:1753966240 DEBUG: CDVDPlayerVideo - CDVDMsg::GENERAL_RESYNC(3723220000.000000, 0)
12:16:08 T:1759415824 DEBUG: Unfocus WindowID: 12901, ControlID: 202
12:16:08 T:1751347160 WARNING: CDVDMessageQueue(audio)::Get - asked for new data packet, with nothing available
12:16:09 T:1753966240 WARNING: Previous line repeats 2 times.
12:16:09 T:1753966240 WARNING: CDVDMessageQueue(video)::Get - asked for new data packet, with nothing available
12:16:09 T:1751347160 WARNING: CDVDMessageQueue(audio)::Get - asked for new data packet, with nothing available
12:16:09 T:1753966240 WARNING: Previous line repeats 1 times.
12:16:09 T:1753966240 WARNING: CDVDMessageQueue(video)::Get - asked for new data packet, with nothing available
12:16:09 T:1751347160 WARNING: CDVDMessageQueue(audio)::Get - asked for new data packet, with nothing available
12:16:09 T:1751347160 DEBUG: CDVDPlayerAudio:: Discontinuity1 - was:3724320197.000000, should be:3724016219.954648, error:-303977.045352
12:16:09 T:1751347160 WARNING: CDVDMessageQueue(audio)::Get - asked for new data packet, with nothing available
12:16:10 T:1707700744 WARNING: Previous line repeats 4 times.
12:16:10 T:1707700744 DEBUG: CSoftAEStream::GetFrame - Underrun
12:16:10 T:1751347160 WARNING: CDVDMessageQueue(audio)::Get - asked for new data packet, with nothing available
12:16:11 T:1753966240 WARNING: Previous line repeats 1 times.

Entire debug log is here: http://xbmclogs.com/show.php?id=101157

Fish · 12-23-2013, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewChief

Okay, Fish. I'm having some crashing issues while playing video as well as some streaming issues in general. I think it may be a result of my wireless network (or maybe it's on the server side). Here are the warnnings:

Entire debug log is here: http://xbmclogs.com/show.php?id=101157

Those warnings there are irrelevant. You'll find the exact same on machines that are working fine. Your log file doesn't really indicate that anything is wrong with XBMC. I see a lack of response from moviedb.org, which is used for downloading metadata. Looks like their server didn't respond quick enough. Some warnings about audio discontinuity. But that is usually the video file itself not being encoded correctly. Nothing really jumps out from the log file.

Could you give more detail on what's happening?
How do you have Audio configured in XBMC system settings?
Have you done any changes recently that might correlate with the issue? Did you add a different advancedsettings.xml or anything? You're running the zero cache version, which is actually the same one I use too.

Only thing of note is that you're still running v12.0. 12.2 is the newest stable version. Are you still running the custom version of XBMC from the manufacturer of your box, or can you upgrade to 12.2? Some of the plugins can be picky about needing the newest version.

I would note that if at all possible, I'd use wired networking. Performance and reliability seem much better that way. Make sure to reboot your modem and router too. Make sure your router firmware is up to date.

NewChief · 12-23-2013, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish

Those warnings there are irrelevant. You'll find the exact same on machines that are working fine. Your log file doesn't really indicate that anything is wrong with XBMC. I see a lack of response from moviedb.org, which is used for downloading metadata. Looks like their server didn't respond quick enough. Some warnings about audio discontinuity. But that is usually the video file itself not being encoded correctly. Nothing really jumps out from the log file.

Could you give more detail on what's happening?
How do you have Audio configured in XBMC system settings?
Have you done any changes recently that might correlate with the issue? Did you add a different advancedsettings.xml or anything? You're running the zero cache version, which is actually the same one I use too.

Only thing of note is that you're still running v12.0. 12.2 is the newest stable version. Are you still running the custom version of XBMC from the manufacturer of your box, or can you upgrade to 12.2? Some of the plugins can be picky about needing the newest version.

I would note that if at all possible, I'd use wired networking. Performance and reliability seem much better that way. Make sure to reboot your modem and router too. Make sure your router firmware is up to date.

The problems all started when I did the idiot brick that I talked about earlier. I tried to redo the firmware per the video you linked, but the firmware packages they linked to appeared to be empty. I ended up using a cadnadian (I think) firmware pack that I found in a different thread. That worked, but it appeared much more "bloated" than the original one (lots of repos and addons seemed to already be installed). I'd like to find a wAy to return the box to the way I received it and start over. I'm sure there is a way, but I haven't looked into it too much yet. If you have suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

As for what's happening: it just crashes a lot. The YouTube app seems to be the biggest culprit. 1channel videos will often play for a while, them the machine crashes. Currently we are almost though Elf with the family without a crash, and I'm that kful because my wife and kids are ready to kill me for the current unreliable state of our video watching.

And I'm looking at running an Ethernet wire to it. I think the shittu AT&T wireless router may be to blame for some of the connectivity and speed issues.

Chest Rockwell · 12-24-2013, 06:17 AM

I'm moving my convo into here since obviously I am teh failz at forum surch.

Couldn't get the remote app to work because I have to get to the settings to set mac and IP and whatnot. Which I can't do without a remote. I'm not even bothering to send the one that came with back as I'm too used to my Logitech touchscreen and I've hated similar remotes that I've used with other people's Roku's and whatnot.

Anyway, I'll probably run and get a keyboard/touchpad today, just looking for any recs. I know I like my Logitech HT remote and it sounds like that's what you're using NC. Fish, any other things you'd recommend looking at?

Gotta get this sheet today so I can futz around on the new toy all day tomorrow.

Chest Rockwell · 12-24-2013, 05:22 PM

Welp, left work early and been fuggin' with this thing for a few hours now and I gotta take a break. At this point, not terribly impressed.

Netflix is laggy and only showing in SD no matter what display settings I change. Running perfect as always on XBox w/same ethernet connection. One thing I noticed was there weren't any HD/Audio feed indicators on the Android app. Is that app just not HD? This some booshit if so.

Are there any updates to the Fusion stuff on XBMC or other recommended addons you guys are using (haven't looked at the tvonline or WTF stuff yet)? I followed the link you ref'ed, Fish and installed a bunch of stuff from zip. Most of the ones you recommended weren't there anymore, and the other Icefilms/Sportsdevil's stuff all seems to be showing as broken when I try to install the video stuff in the addons.

So, yeah, frustrated enough to quit messing with it for tonight even though I didn't have to pay for it. I don't care as much about the Netflix since I also have that in HD on my XBox (and my bluray and my tv and my ipad and my...seriously, WTF?) but I'm pretty interested in actually getting the XBMC to work...

04-07-2013, 09:30 AM
ThatRaceCardGuy I BRAUGHT THE BOOZE Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: KU VILLE Casino cash: $10007253	Need advice on cutting cable cost. My last bill from Att was $215...sick of paying that much to watch only a few shows. I dont want to cut the cord from cable entirely. I would like to keep basic cable and internet, but still be able to watch the shows I like on HBO and showtime. I`m already a netflix subscriber, any other suggestions ? Can you buy season passes for most of the shows on HBO and Showtime? Thanks! Last edited by Gonzo; 02-24-2015 at 11:19 AM.. Reason: Advise me on advice. :D
Posts: 2,895

12-12-2013, 11:48 AM	#123
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $10022208	I use playon to stream, paid a one time $50 fee..w/ a roku I can get most cable channels live through various plugins, plus the whole archive of movies and tv via channel1 and some others. Best part is they just released a browser plugin the lets you stream any video you are watching to your tv w/ the click of a button. It's how I watch all sports now. plus netflix and aero for $8 each a month never ever going back to cable, saving $100 a month __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

12-16-2013, 04:31 PM	#124
ragedogg69 Oh yeah..... you like that Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Casino cash: $10014832	quick question regarding the advancedsettings.xml file. I have been copying and pasting code from pastebins and code sections from forums, but I notice they are not tabbing out the spacing. Does that matter? advancedsettings network> cachemembuffersize>104857600/cachemembuffersize> /network> /advancedsettings> or should it all be tabbed like an outline? Does it matter? (forum will not let me start the < command) __________________ “You think Denver has the greatest fans? Well, they aren’t.” -- Jake Plummer Don't believe me? http://deadspin.com/sports/nfl/plummer-asks-the-world-who-wants-some-131609.php
Posts: 1,811

12-16-2013, 04:34 PM	#125
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2328919	Spaces don't matter with the code. It ignores spaces, as well as some other characters. If in doubt, take a look at your xbmc.log file. If your advancedsettings.xml file is working/interpreted correctly, it should be visible in your log file. If there's a problem with it, it will tell you in the log file. __________________
Posts: 47,462

12-16-2013, 09:16 PM	#126
NewChief In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Fayetteville, AR Casino cash: $9730204	I'm trying to put the new firmware on an SD card, and I can't get it to extract. It either says the .zip file is empty or that I need the last volume in a multivolume. Edit: Finally found a firmware update that seems to be valid and work. Currently have the icon that indicates that firmware is upgrading, so I'm hopeful. The other files listed in the youtube videos and message boards didn't seem to actually have anything in them (they downloaded super fast vs. this one which was about 4gigs). __________________ In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican. - H. L. Mencken Last edited by NewChief; 12-16-2013 at 10:20 PM..
Posts: 21,758

12-16-2013, 10:43 PM	#127
NewChief In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Fayetteville, AR Casino cash: $9730204	Yes! Thank god. I'm up and running again. I wouldn't say that was an exactly fun way to spend an evening, but I learned a few things hacking around with the box... and I now have xbmc up and running with 1channel currently downloading. __________________ In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican. - H. L. Mencken
Posts: 21,758

12-17-2013, 10:26 AM	#128
NewChief In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Fayetteville, AR Casino cash: $9730204	Question (sort of dumb and lazy, but whatever...): Is there a universal movie app of some kind that will save movies that I'm wanting to watch into a list? What I'd like to do is, when I'm at my PC at work or talking to someone with my mobile device handy and run across a movie I'd like to watch... I'd like to be able to add it to a list that will automatically show up in my 1channel app. My problem is that I'm always sitting in front of the TV and end up browsing around because I can't remember a movie that I've been meaning to watch (pathetic, I know). Alternately: something along the lines of Goodreads, but for movies, would be great. An online community where I can browse movies, flag movies as "watched/to-watch" and read reviews (I know IMDB has some of this functionality), preferably they'd also have a mobile app. __________________ In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican. - H. L. Mencken
Posts: 21,758

12-24-2013, 06:17 AM	#134
Chest Rockwell Y'all are brutalizin' me! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Jim Bob Cooter 4 Heisman Casino cash: $10000985	I'm moving my convo into here since obviously I am teh failz at forum surch. Couldn't get the remote app to work because I have to get to the settings to set mac and IP and whatnot. Which I can't do without a remote. I'm not even bothering to send the one that came with back as I'm too used to my Logitech touchscreen and I've hated similar remotes that I've used with other people's Roku's and whatnot. Anyway, I'll probably run and get a keyboard/touchpad today, just looking for any recs. I know I like my Logitech HT remote and it sounds like that's what you're using NC. Fish, any other things you'd recommend looking at? Gotta get this sheet today so I can futz around on the new toy all day tomorrow. __________________ MASTER CYLINDER!
Posts: 1,096

12-24-2013, 05:22 PM	#135
Chest Rockwell Y'all are brutalizin' me! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Jim Bob Cooter 4 Heisman Casino cash: $10000985	Welp, left work early and been fuggin' with this thing for a few hours now and I gotta take a break. At this point, not terribly impressed. Netflix is laggy and only showing in SD no matter what display settings I change. Running perfect as always on XBox w/same ethernet connection. One thing I noticed was there weren't any HD/Audio feed indicators on the Android app. Is that app just not HD? This some booshit if so. Are there any updates to the Fusion stuff on XBMC or other recommended addons you guys are using (haven't looked at the tvonline or WTF stuff yet)? I followed the link you ref'ed, Fish and installed a bunch of stuff from zip. Most of the ones you recommended weren't there anymore, and the other Icefilms/Sportsdevil's stuff all seems to be showing as broken when I try to install the video stuff in the addons. So, yeah, frustrated enough to quit messing with it for tonight even though I didn't have to pay for it. I don't care as much about the Netflix since I also have that in HD on my XBox (and my bluray and my tv and my ipad and my...seriously, WTF?) but I'm pretty interested in actually getting the XBMC to work... __________________ MASTER CYLINDER!
Posts: 1,096