The aim of TMA1 is to provide an architecture platform upon which a variety of alternate control interfaces can be built. At its most basic, TMA1 is a replacement web server for the TMS series. It will be able to serve any static web page or file stored within TMA1's web store.
In addition to serving static files, TMA1 can recognise specially formatted URLs containing data requests and return that data in JSON notation. This block of data can be converted directly into JavaScript objects for manipulation within a browser.
TMA1 is not an alternate method for delivering remote control commands and viewing the on screen GUI, there are existing systems that do that very well. TMA1 is an architecture platform that extends the concept of the TAP API (with FireBirdLib extensions) to facilitate a total replacement of the PVR command interface using external devices. As it is only a platform, the interface can be completely customised using HTML, CSS & JavaScript.
Although usable from any browser, it is envisioned that it would be most useful from a tablet device or smart phone.
As this is a proof of concept, if you choose to download and run it, please keep in mind that this TAP is designed to prove a concept and is not a stable, complete and functioning application. As such, its functionality is extremely limited and its appearance can only be described as basic.
The proof-of-concept can be downloaded from here.
At the moment, TMA1 can only list timers, list channels and select channels. This limited functionality serves to prove the basic concepts of extracting data from the PVR, presenting it in a browser window and then issuing a command to the PVR based on the data extracted. Future envisioned functionality would include:
- Listing recoded programmes
- Getting recorded programme information
- Commencing playback of recorded programmes
- Management of recorded programmes (deletion, renaming, move to folder)
- Getting logo images for channels.
- Starting manual recordings
- Creating/editing timers
- Extracting EPG data
- Changing volume
- Getting general PVR settings (language settings, date/time, time zone, etc)
- Storing/retrieving INI settings for the TAP & JavaScript components
The idea of TMA1 was inspired by commercial AV control systems that use touch screens such as AMX or Crestron, but using cheap domestic-grade touch screen devices like tablets and smart phones to control the PVR.
There is no system security. If implemented, security will be designed to discourage an opportunistic troublemaker, not repel a determined hacker.
Does anyone find this concept interesting and worth exploring further?
If you have HTML, CSS or JavaScript programming skills, and would be interested in collaborating with me on this project, please send me a private message.
Regards,
DMC.