Roku Developer Program

[hartct]

Hello, I'm just getting started and wasn't able to find an answer to this question in the SDK documentation, so I'm hoping someone can help point me in the right direction. I'm wondering if it is possible to "link" to content in a different channel? i.e. If I have two separate channels (X and Y), and I wanted to link to content in channel Y by some action occurring in channel X, is that possible? Or does the sandboxed nature of the SDK prevent that?

Thanks,
Chris

[TheEndless]

You can do this using the External Control Protocol (ECP). See the ExternalControlGuide.pdf in the SDK. Note, however, that launching another channel will close the current, so when the user exits the linked content, they will be returned to the home screen and not the channel that launched it.

[gonzotek]

Note also that most channels don't provide any hooks for 'deep-linking' to content within the channel. If you'll be the developer of both the X and Y channels, you'll be able to facilitate the whole process from both ends, using the ECP reference TheEndless pointed you to. But if you're hoping to link from your channel into (for instance) a specific episode of a series on Netflix, you won't be able to. Some channels are deliberately programmed to allow content linking: Shoutcast and several other by TheEndless, and Mog immediately jump to mind.