Roku Direct Publisher

[37mediagroup]

Alot of people seem to be having trouble with the json file when they're self hosting it. Without seeing it, or the url path, filename extension etc. it's difficult to troubleshoot. I always suggest trying myjson.com and pasting your feed in there. If that works, then you'll know its related to the way the json file is hosted or the url path etc

[UMRTV]

how do I get an ID for the TV Show? Does each episode need a different ID?

[belltown]

"Pasnow" wrote:
I always suggest trying myjson.com and pasting your feed in there. If that works, then you'll know its related to the way the json file is hosted or the url path etc

Not necessarily. When you use myjson.com you're not uploading a file, but copying text from the clipboard into a web form, which myjson.com uses to create its own file with its own encoding/line endings, etc.

When you upload an actual file from your computer to a web host, then that's the file that will be hosted. If that file is not compatible with what Direct Publisher requires, the file may not work when hosted on your web server, but may appear to work when using myjson.com. DP seems to require UTF-8 encoding without a Byte Order Mark (BOM). If you try to upload a file that uses a different encoding, such as UTF-16, or a file that contains a UTF-8 BOM, then DP will reject it. Even though mysjon.com may accept the file, the real problem is with the file itself and the way it's encoded, and not with the web host.

For an example where this happened, see this thread: https://forums.roku.com/viewtopic.php?f=100&t=100756

[37mediagroup]

"UMRTV" wrote:
how do I get an ID for the TV Show? Does each episode need a different ID?

That's just for your records. Just start with "000001" or something unique to go by.  If you have Series/Episodes probably something like "ShowSeinfeldS1E3" (For the show, season, and episode #)

[Baradanikto]

I'm writing some software to manage json feeds.  As part of my development, I tried to load the sample feed mentioned at the beginning of this post.  I got an exception in my code, because I defined the 'bitrate' to be an integer (like it says in the json feed specifications).  However, the value given in the sample is a float.  Either the spec is wrong, or, the sample is wrong.  Can someone  from Roku comment on this?

[mediadisconnect]

The bitrate value is an integer not a float.  As you know, floats include decimal points which a bitrate value when presented in kbps would not. 

[Baradanikto]

Mediadisconnect,

Thanks for the reply.  However, I'm still a bit confused since the spec says that the field is an 'integer', but, the sample show it as '1328.0'.

[mediadisconnect]

When I view the bitrate element on the sample feed it shows 1328.  Maybe something on your end is changing the value but it is definitely an integer.  Good luck with your app.

[syedimam]

I have a Question: I have HLS Link that 24/7 playing my channels, Which I needs to make it available in Roku. when I am using this HLS link It do not accept. Wondeing if anyone know any example (much appreaciated) where we set instead of single movie file link can we use HLS link in URL Feed (JASON file) ... Please advice

Much Appreciated

[37mediagroup]

Just troubleshooting, how does it 'not accept'. Is it when you upload the json or does the video just never play. Is it just a generic error on the json feed upload?