134 lines
5.1 KiB
Markdown
134 lines
5.1 KiB
Markdown
# External Video Player Auto-Launch Feature Implementation
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## Overview
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Successfully implemented a seamless auto-launch system for external video players, allowing users to configure preferences once and automatically launch videos without manual selection each time.
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## Features Implemented
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### 1. Player Preferences Management (`/src/lib/player-preferences.ts`)
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- **localStorage-based storage** for user preferences
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- **Cross-component state management** with custom events
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- **Default configurations** with safe fallbacks
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- **Platform-specific player detection**
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Key preferences:
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- `preferredPlayer`: User's chosen video player (null = manual selection)
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- `autoLaunch`: Enable/disable automatic launching
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- `confirmBeforeLaunch`: Show confirmation dialog before auto-launch
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- `rememberChoice`: Offer to remember manual selections
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### 2. Enhanced LocalPlayerLauncher (`/src/components/local-player-launcher.tsx`)
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- **Auto-launch detection** on component mount
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- **Confirmation dialogs** for auto-launch (when enabled)
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- **Smart preference learning** from manual selections
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- **Fallback to manual selection** when no preferences set
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New workflow:
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1. Component loads → Check user preferences
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2. If auto-launch enabled → Show confirmation or launch directly
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3. If manual selection → Show traditional player selection
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4. After manual selection → Offer to remember choice
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### 3. Settings Page Integration (`/src/app/settings/page.tsx`)
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- **Dedicated Video Player section** with modern toggle switches
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- **Real-time preference updates** with immediate feedback
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- **Platform-aware player list** showing only compatible players
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- **Current configuration display** for transparency
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- **Reset to defaults** functionality
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Settings UI includes:
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- Auto Launch toggle
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- Preferred Player selection (with manual option)
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- Confirmation toggle
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- Remember Choice toggle
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- Current status display
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## User Experience Flow
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### First Time Use
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1. User clicks on .ts (or other external format) video
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2. LocalPlayerLauncher shows traditional selection dialog
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3. User selects preferred player (e.g., VLC)
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4. System asks: "Remember VLC as preferred player?"
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5. If yes, asks: "Auto-launch videos with VLC in future?"
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6. Preferences saved for subsequent videos
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### Subsequent Uses (Auto-Launch Enabled)
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1. User clicks on external format video
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2. System shows: "Launch VLC?" confirmation dialog
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3. User clicks "Launch VLC" → Video opens immediately
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4. OR clicks "Choose Manually" → Shows full selection dialog
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### Subsequent Uses (Auto-Launch Disabled)
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1. User clicks on external format video
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2. System immediately launches preferred player
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3. No confirmation needed
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## Technical Implementation
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### Storage Architecture
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```typescript
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interface PlayerPreferences {
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preferredPlayer: string | null; // Player ID or null for manual
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autoLaunch: boolean; // Enable auto-launch
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confirmBeforeLaunch: boolean; // Show confirmation dialog
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rememberChoice: boolean; // Offer to remember selections
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}
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```
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### Auto-Launch Logic
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```typescript
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const autoLaunchCheck = shouldAutoLaunch();
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if (autoLaunchCheck.autoLaunch && autoLaunchCheck.playerId) {
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if (autoLaunchCheck.needsConfirmation) {
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setShowingAutoLaunchConfirm(true);
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} else {
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handlePlayerLaunch(autoLaunchCheck.playerId, true);
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}
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}
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```
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### Settings Integration
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- Real-time preference updates using localStorage
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- Custom event system for cross-component synchronization
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- Platform detection for showing relevant players only
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- Visual feedback with toggle switches and status display
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## Benefits
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### User Experience
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- ✅ **One-time setup** → Seamless future use
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- ✅ **Configurable experience** → Users choose their level of automation
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- ✅ **Smart defaults** → Safe, non-intrusive initial behavior
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- ✅ **Clear settings** → Easy to modify preferences later
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### Technical
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- ✅ **Lightweight implementation** → localStorage-based, no server calls
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- ✅ **Cross-platform compatibility** → Detects available players per OS
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- ✅ **Backwards compatible** → Manual selection still available
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- ✅ **Event-driven updates** → Real-time preference synchronization
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## Configuration Options
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Users can now configure:
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1. **Auto Launch**: Toggle automatic video launching
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2. **Preferred Player**: Choose default player or manual selection
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3. **Confirmation**: Require confirmation before auto-launch
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4. **Learning**: Allow system to learn from manual choices
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## Files Modified
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1. **Created**: `/src/lib/player-preferences.ts` - Preference management system
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2. **Enhanced**: `/src/components/local-player-launcher.tsx` - Auto-launch support
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3. **Enhanced**: `/src/app/settings/page.tsx` - Settings UI integration
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## Future Enhancements
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Potential improvements:
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- **Player installation detection** - Verify players are actually installed
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- **Custom player paths** - Allow users to specify player locations
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- **Per-format preferences** - Different players for different video formats
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- **Keyboard shortcuts** - Quick launch hotkeys
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The implementation provides a perfect balance between automation and user control, making the external video player experience as seamless as possible while maintaining flexibility for different user preferences. |