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VLC "automation"

Posted: 04 Dec 2012 15:38
by cbf
Hi all, new to this forum and have been searching the posts looking for an answer to my question. I operate a Low Power AM radio station and receive content from a variety of networks, via Internet stream url's, in real time. Since the various networks stream in different formats (ogg, aac, mp3 etc.) I need a player that can handle the different formats. VLC works great playing all the streams I use. I was wondering if there is a way to program VLC to "automate" switching between the various streams (url's) at specific times? (I have been looking for advanced info on the playlist feature thinking that might work?) Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Re: VLC "automation"

Posted: 04 Dec 2012 15:53
by Jean-Baptiste Kempf
You could script it.

Re: VLC "automation"

Posted: 04 Dec 2012 16:01
by cbf
Can you direct me to a source for creating this type of script?

Re: VLC "automation"

Posted: 07 Dec 2012 12:41
by mederi

Re: VLC "automation"

Posted: 13 Feb 2013 14:43
by cbf
Is anyone that is familiar with "scripts" willing to write one for me? I am not a tech guy. I have been trying to figure it out, as time allows, but really have no clue. Have not been able to find step by step instructions. I really need to find out if a script will work so I can move on to other projects. HELP!!

Re: VLC "automation"

Posted: 13 Feb 2013 19:16
by mederi
Try to use advanced options :stop-time=x or :run-time=x for your playlist items. Just edit saved playlist containing your favourite streams you would like to schedule. Here is an example of M3U playlist:

Code: Select all

#EXTM3U #EXTINF:-1,Radio 1 stream #EXTVLCOPT:stop-time=30 http://... #EXTINF:-1,Radio 2 stream #EXTVLCOPT:run-time=20 http://...
"Radio 1 stream" will play 30 seconds and then "Radio 2 stream" will play 20 seconds.

I think that it is not a bad idea to have some simple scheduler within VLC GUI. At least there could be an option to edit or add advanced options to particular playlist items directly in the playlist. Or is it possible to do the editor of options of playlist items as an extension script with own dialog box? A scheduler as an extension script is not possible within new VLC2.1 due to removed callbacks (playing media > callback > clock).
Please, developers, write here your opinion about this (good/bad idea).