New Features in TV browser 2.0

New features of the GUI

A New Look

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We completely redesigned the GUI paying most attention to improved usability. During the make-over we even removed a layout which was one of the delays in releasing this version.

Broadcaster Logos

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Probably one of the most requested features is broadcaster logos. They are now included and make navigation in TV-Browser a lot easier. If you are not happy with the logos supplied they can be deactivated or even replaced with your own custom logos!

Right Toolbar

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We have implemented a new navigation bar so that you can really appreciate the new broadcaster logos. The old system of drop-down menus has been replaced. The buttons for selecting programs in the "Morning" etc have been replaced by time buttons. These are fully customisable allowing you to create a button for every hour of the day if you so wish!

Plugin Manager

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This is one of my favorite improvements: the tree on the left. The tree shows which plugins have marked which program neatly sorted by date. Every plugin can manage the tree sructure as it wishes. For example the CapturePlugin creates a branch for every CaptureDevice whereas the Favourite Programs Plugin does the same for every one of your favourite programs. If you want a quick overview of the reminders set up for tomorrow, this is the place to look! Want to print out a list of your favourite programs? The Plugin Manager tree is the place to do that too. Right click on any folder to export the shows in that folder to another plugin - for example the Print Plugin : Print next weeks reminders or the schedule for one of your favorite programs from the Plugin Manager using the Print Plugin. You can always hide the plugin manager with the "Show plugin view" button in the toolbar or even faster by pressing F2.

Toolbar

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With the removal of the old drop-down menus, we decided to get to work on overhauling the toolbar. You can now insert gaps and position the buttons according to your liking or even remove them. Additionaly we implemented a filter button. The button changes colour if there is an active filter.

Context Menu

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In version 1.0 there were 2 plugins for the web search: one for Google and one for IMDb because every plugin could only generate one context menu entry. We changed that and we combined both plugins to create a single web plugin. You may now add your own pages, remove pages and so on.

Filter Improvements

The filter automatically saves the most recently used filter. It will then be automatically loaded when you launch the TV-Browser.

Furthermore the order of the filters is saved with filter components being put in alphabetical order as well.

Also, two new filter components have been added :

• PluginIcon: shows all programs for which a plugin creates an icon (for example a rating)
• BeanShell filter: enables you to write your own filters.

The time filter can now accept minutes and works correctly across the change between days.

For the German speakers it is now possible to use "und" and "oder" as well as the English equivalents "and" and "or".

Under the Bonnet

MacOS X

Integration with MaxOS X has been greatly improved. There is now a functioning menu, changes are now correctly saved when TV-Browser is closed and the right mouse button has been correctly bound to the correct button.

For the purposes of installation there is a Package. Installing TV-Browser is therefore exactly the same as for most other Mac software.

Additionally, there is a Mac specific plugin called Growl.

Linux

At long last there is a tray-icon for Linux too making it possible to minimise TV-Browser to the system tray just like you can in Windows. Thanks to Stefan Walkner for this feature which requires Java 1.5 or above.

We have adapted the startup script of Azureus removing the need for the user to create his own.

BeanShell

It is now possible to write your own plugins with the help of the scripting language BeanShell which should simplify plugin development. Small, simple plugins can be created within minutes.

It's also possible to use BeanShell to create custom Filter Components. Even creating complex filters should be easy!

Parameter System

We have also introduced a new Paramter System which allows plugins to generate text that other plugins can understand.

For example, the Clipboard Plugin can copy the description of a program into the system clipboard for use in other places. This text should be as adaptable as possible. The user has a template in which he specifies how the copied text should be formatted. For example, the following template :

{channel_name} - {title}
{leadingZero(start_day,"2")}.{leadingZero(start_month,"2")}.{start_year}   
{leadingZero(start_hour,"2")}:{leadingZero(start_minute,"2")}-{leadingZero(end_hour,"2")}:{leadingZero(end_minute,"2")}

{splitAt(short_info,"78")}

produces this clipboard output :

Sky One - Stargate SG-1
22.12.2006 01:00-01:50

Sci-fi drama series. A freak act of nature leaves Jack O'Neill trapped on a
planet with, seemingly, ...

A very detailed document describing this system will be made available shortly.

Plugin Interface

The Plugin Interface has been changed slightly as well. It is now possible, among other things, for plugins to create submenus within context menus. Further details can be found in the description of the new Plugin System in TV-Browser.