[mythtv] MythFlix Perl script & user credentials storage

Chris Pinkham cpinkham at bc2va.org
Fri Dec 12 05:34:20 UTC 2008


* On Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 08:04:04PM -0800, Kevin K wrote:
> The Netflix API is a good idea, I had not considered that. Some information
> on the API authentication can be found here:
> http://developer.netflix.com/docs/Security and this is interesting:
> http://developer.netflix.com/docs/Common_Tasks

Myth's NetFlix plugin hasn't been enhanced in quite a while.  I think
the most recent big mods were the MythUI conversion and the code I
added a while back to add support for multiple queues.

If you are looking at patching the plugin to enhance functionality, it
should be modified to move the NetFlix code out into a separate class
from the display code.  That way it is easier to add other classes for
other online movie providers such as BlockBuster or possibly non-US
DVD rental sites if there (ever?) are any.

Since we'd prefer for this plugin to support sites other than NetFlix,
then taking 'flix' out of the name isn't a big issue in my opinion.

> I'd say this is certainly the direction the plugin should be taken since
> using the API is the approved way from Netflix. Should the API calls be
> written into the plugin in C++ or should it be part of a separate script
> such as an external Perl script? Regardless of that, I this is the front I
> will proceed on.

It may be easier to write parsing code in Perl, but integration with
the UI would be much harder, so I'd recommend putting the code to deal
with the API right in a C++ class.

For naming, MythFlix probably won't pass NetFlix's branding
requirements, but according to their site, MythFlicks could and would
also be more generic if we support multiple rental sites.  If the
design changes are done right, it could even be possible for the plugin
to eventually allow playback of DVDs, purchase, or whatever else the
site supported.

--
Chris


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