Roku Direct Publisher

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newchannel
Roku Guru

JSON Feed and Converting Channels

I have several channels that I need to convert using the direct publisher. I know nothing about JSON.feeds.

Is there a sample feed so i can learn what I need to put in it? What does the feed look like and what does the actual format look like that has to be entered at direct publisher?

Are there any screenshots of direct publisher of steps to "convert" channels over?

I saw the button to convert beside my channels in my account but I want to know what I have to do, provide, etc before I start clicking any buttons and mess up my existing channels and subscribers. Thank you.
http://www.victoryNOWfilmsandtv.com
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34 REPLIES 34
matrixebiz
Roku Guru

Re: JSON Feed and Converting Channels

I would like to know this as well because I use an XML file that lists/stores all my feeds which is not compatible with DP so I need to know if the Conversion process will automatically convert my XML Feed file to the JASON feed compatible. 
Here is some documentation of how to create the JSAON feed file;
https://github.com/rokudev/feed-specifi ... ication.md

Here is a sample feed file : https://api.myjson.com/bins/3sa1g  but this is for MP4,MOV feeds but I need one for HLS m3u8 feeds

Then you can test to see if there are any errors in your feed file here : http://www.jsonschemavalidator.net
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newchannel
Roku Guru

Re: JSON Feed and Converting Channels

Thanks for the links.

I have a few different channels. One uses a link from my server for our radio station. I have others that use  xml with categories that are on-demand. I have a couple of channels that have lists of videos that play in a row when the play like live tv then the play button is clicked.

I sure am wondering how difficult this is going to be to get all of the channels switched over. 
http://www.victoryNOWfilmsandtv.com
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newchannel
Roku Guru

Re: JSON Feed and Converting Channels

BTW is there a sample json feed to show what needs to be added to direct publisher?

I see links that show specific variables that need to be added to a json feed but not a complete example of one written out that can be used as a guide. Would be really nice for all of us that have to change over to have a specific sample copy of one that can be used and then we plug in our own information to the variables? Maybe it's one of the things that will be "top secret" while the rest of us begin this new learning curve lol Or, if it is posted someplace, then I must have over looked it.

I found a way to convert my xml to json but what do you when you have multiple xml files that provide the on demand content that is currently in "categories"? 

And, how do you test the converted channel to make sure it works?
http://www.victoryNOWfilmsandtv.com
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matrixebiz
Roku Guru

Re: JSON Feed and Converting Channels

If you go through the steps to create a Direct Publisher channel online (Just create a test private channel) you will see that you can create your own Categories (it's part of the channel creation walkthrough) you can select different feed files for each one so I think that is all you will need to do. Was it easy for you to convert your XMl to JSON? can you show me how? Thank you
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newchannel
Roku Guru

Re: JSON Feed and Converting Channels

I found this link. (pasted below)  Can you let me know if it makes an accurate working JSON File?

Thank you for the info you provided. I appreciate it. I didn't click the "convert" because I wasn't sure what would come next, if it would break my channel etc. 

http://www.utilities-online.info/xmltojson/#.WJSibY7Qd1s
http://www.victoryNOWfilmsandtv.com
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matrixebiz
Roku Guru

Re: JSON Feed and Converting Channels

Thanks for the link and I've converted my XMl file and is json compatible now but what file extension do it use? 
I uploaded the json txt file to my server called File.JSON but when I check feed status in Direct Publisher after adding this file link, it says;
Unable to download from feedUrl

My converted xml doesn't seem to follow this example that works : https://api.myjson.com/bins/3sa1g
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newchannel
Roku Guru

Re: JSON Feed and Converting Channels

If I knew how to do it, I would certainly provide information for you. You are further along on this than I am. I have 10 channels to convert...ugh
http://www.victoryNOWfilmsandtv.com
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RokuTomC
Community Moderator
Community Moderator

Re: JSON Feed and Converting Channels

You can find an example of a working JSON Direct Publisher feed here: https://api.myjson.com/bins/3sa1g

Once you've configured your feed properly, the channel conversion process will actually be quite quick and easy (assuming your branding assets are all prepared). When you click the "Convert to Direct Publisher" button, you will be brought to the same workflow as anyone who creates a Direct Publisher channel. You can find an overview of what this process looks like here: https://developer.roku.com/publish/channel-tutorial/channel-tutorial-index

Also note that you will not break your channel at any point, as you will be able to preview the channel before you submit it. Until you submit the channel, nothing in production (i.e. available to the public) will be affected.
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newchannel
Roku Guru

Re: JSON Feed and Converting Channels

RokuTomC

Thank you for the help and for sharing what a JSON feed looks like. 

On the Direct Publisher, will I need to provide a "link" to my JSON feed that has to be from my server somehow? Or, as I saw at the link you provided, I would prepare a feed like it and then paste the feed into the appropriate place on Direct Publisher?  I'm thinking I have to now learn how to use my server at aws to somehow host the JSON??

Obviously, I am new to JSON feeds and will do some research online to get more familiar.

Thanks for helping.

EDIT: After research, if I am correct, what I learned is I have to host my JSON somewhere and then plug the url into Direct Publisher, right? Where to host it because it will be too confusing to add to my aws server. I keep my content on my aws and use those links in the feed. But, where do I put the feed and get a URL??
http://www.victoryNOWfilmsandtv.com
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