VideoPlaylistScheduler plugin

Introduction

The VideoPlaylistScheduler plugin enables video broadcasting platforms to schedule and manage playlists as live shows. With a calendar-based interface, user group permissions, and time zone adaptation, it delivers a seamless and user-friendly experience for both administrators and regular users.

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Feature Overview

1. Calendar Interface:

   • Displays scheduled shows with a clear and intuitive layout.
   • Automatically adjusts to the viewer’s time zone.

2. Playlist Management:

   • Each "show" is linked to a playlist, with individual videos treated as episodes.
   • The sequence of episodes is determined by the playlist order. Episodes are played in the exact order they appear in the playlist.
   • Episodes must fit within standard calendar time slots (30 minutes, 1 hour, 1.5 hours, 2 hours, etc.) for efficient scheduling.
   • Playlists with episodes of consistent length are recommended to ensure seamless looping and prevent overlap when repeating schedules.
   • Playback Modes:
     • Play One Episode Per Timeslot: Only a single episode from the playlist will be broadcast during the selected timeslot.
     • Play Sequentially to Fill Timeslot: Episodes from the playlist will play in sequence and loop until the timeslot ends.

3. Administrative Control:

   • Administrators can schedule any playlist and manage all time slots.
   • Scheduling is done in 30-minute increments, and slots can be extended across multiple durations.

4. Regular User Permissions:

   • Users in specific user groups can also schedule their playlists.
   • Regular users can only schedule the playlists they created.

5. Customization Options:

   • HTML-enabled notes can be added to time slots for additional context.
   • Notes can include text styles, colors, or other customizations.

6. Sequential Playback and VOD:

   • Episodes in a playlist are broadcasted one at a time in the order defined by the playlist.
   • Episodes are available as Video on Demand (VOD) after the live stream ends.

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Important Notes About Playlist Scheduling

How Episodes Work:

• Playlists are not continuous streams unless configured: Each video (episode) in the playlist must be scheduled individually, unless the sequential playback mode is enabled.
  • For example, to play 10 episodes using the default mode, you must schedule 10 separate time slots, specifying when each episode will play.
  • With the Play Sequentially to Fill Timeslot mode, the playlist will play episodes in sequence and loop automatically until the timeslot ends.
• Episodes are played in the exact order they are arranged in the playlist.
• Playlists with consistent episode lengths (e.g., all 30 minutes or all 1 hour) work best:
  • This ensures that episodes align perfectly with the calendar's time slots.
  • When playlists loop, consistent durations prevent overlaps or gaps in scheduling.
• If a playlist spans multiple sessions (e.g., across different days), the next unscheduled episode will start in the following time slot.

Calendar Time Slots:

• Scheduling is based on fixed calendar increments:
  • Available durations include 30 minutes, 1 hour, 1.5 hours, 2 hours, etc.
  • Episodes should match one of these durations for smooth scheduling.
  • If using sequential playback, the episodes will loop to fill the entire selected time slot.

Behavior of Live Streams:

• Single Show Rule:
  • If a live stream from the same show starts while another instance is already running, the current live stream will be dropped, and the new one will begin.
• Parallel Live Streams:
  • To run multiple live streams simultaneously, they must belong to different shows.

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Allowing Regular Users to Schedule Playlists

To let regular users schedule their playlists, follow these steps:

1. Create a User Group:

   • Go to the user group settings and create a new group.

2. Enable Calendar Permissions:

   • When creating or editing a user group, check the box labeled "Can use Calendar."

3. Assign Users to the Group:

   • Add users to the group. Any user in this group can schedule playlists they created.

4. Access the Calendar:

   • Regular users can access the calendar on the Organize Programs page. If they have the necessary permissions, they will see a button labeled "Schedule to play live."

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Plugin Setup and Usage

Accessing the Plugin

1. Open Plugins Manager:
   • Navigate to the plugins manager page.
2. Open the Calendar:
   • Click the Calendar button in the VideoPlaylistScheduler plugin to access the scheduling interface.

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Managing Video Status Post-Playback

The plugin allows control over a video's status after playback. This can be customized based on your preferences.

Steps to Configure Video Status:

1. Open Plugin Parameters:

   • In the plugins manager, locate VideoPlaylistScheduler and click Edit Parameters.

2. Set Status Options:

   • In the dropdown labeled "After the video play in a show change its status," select one of the following:
     • Do Not Change: The video’s status remains the same after playback.
     • Active: The video stays visible and accessible.
     • Unlisted: The video is hidden from public listings but accessible via direct link.
     • Unlisted but Searchable: Hidden from listings but still searchable.
     • FansOnly: Access limited to fans only.
     • Inactive: The video becomes unavailable after playback.

3. Additional Options:

   • Play Calendar Live: Enable or disable live calendar playback.
   • Rebroadcast to Specific User ID: Enter a User ID to rebroadcast calendar events to a specific profile.

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Creating a Show

1. Select Time Slots:

   • In the calendar, choose one or more time slots for your show.

2. Configure Show Details:

   • In the Playlist Show tab (right panel), search for your playlist, add a title, and select a color to categorize your show.
   • Select the Playback Mode:
     • Play One Episode Per Timeslot: A single episode will be played during the scheduled time slot.
     • Play Sequentially to Fill Timeslot: Episodes will play in sequence and loop until the time slot ends.

3. Save:
   • Click Save to confirm the show and time slots.

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Advanced Scheduling Techniques

• Cross-Day Scheduling:

  • Schedule shows to span multiple days. For example, a playlist scheduled for Monday at 3 PM and Wednesday at 5 PM will resume with the next unscheduled video in the sequence during each session.

• Recurring Playlist Scheduling:

  • Playlists set for different days and times will always play videos in the order defined by the playlist.

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Dependencies

Ensure the following plugins are installed for full functionality:

1. Rebroadcaster Plugin:

   • Manages stream rebroadcasts.
   • Rebroadcaster Plugin Wiki

2. Scheduler Plugin:

   • Provides core scheduling features.
   • Scheduler Plugin Wiki

3. Playlist Plugin:

   • Manages playlists, essential for scheduling.

4. Live Plugin:

   • Manages live streaming and ensures smooth broadcasts.

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Conclusion

The VideoPlaylistScheduler plugin now supports advanced playback modes, allowing for more flexible scheduling:

• Use the Play One Episode Per Timeslot mode for precise control.
• Choose the Play Sequentially to Fill Timeslot mode to loop episodes and fill the scheduled time automatically.