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.
   • Episodes are not played continuously; each episode must be scheduled manually in its own time slot.
   • The playlist owner is assigned as the show host.

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 based on their scheduled slots.
   • 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: Each video (episode) in the playlist must be scheduled individually.
  • For example, to play 10 episodes, you must schedule 10 separate time slots, specifying when each episode will play.
• Once an episode finishes in its scheduled time slot, the next episode will not play automatically unless it is also scheduled in a subsequent slot.
• If a playlist is scheduled to span multiple days, it will start with the first video in the sequence during each session.

Why Manual Scheduling?

This approach gives administrators and users complete control over:

• When and how often each episode is broadcasted.
• The ability to pause between episodes or adjust the schedule based on the audience's preferences.

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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.

3. Save:

   • Click Save to confirm the show and time slots.

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Managing and Editing Shows

1. Multiple Scheduling:

   • Select multiple time slots to schedule the same playlist at different times or days.

2. Editing Shows:

   • Drag and drop shows within the calendar to adjust timing.
   • Resize shows to change their duration.

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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 sequentially in each session.

• Recurring Playlist Scheduling:

  • Playlists set for different days and times start with the first video in the sequence during each session.

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Dependencies

Ensure the following plugins are installed for full functionality:

1. Rebroadcaster Plugin:

   • Manages stream rebroadcasts.
   • [Rebroadcaster Plugin Wiki](https://github.com/WWBN/AVideo/wiki/Rebroadcaster-Plugin)

2. Scheduler Plugin:

   • Provides core scheduling features.
   • [Scheduler Plugin Wiki](https://github.com/WWBN/AVideo/wiki/Scheduler-Plugin)

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 is designed to schedule and broadcast playlists one episode at a time. It ensures flexibility by allowing precise scheduling for each video, empowering users and administrators with full control over content delivery. For more information, refer to the [plugin documentation](https://github.com/WWBN/AVideo/wiki/VideoPlaylistScheduler-plugin).