================================
README for kissdx Version 0.11-3
================================

Current release based on kissd version 0.11, wizd v23 and armlink 1.1


kissdx is a PC-Link clone for KiSS media players, based for the most part
on kissd, with enhancements from / inspired by wizd and armlink.

References:

kissd:    http://www.popies.net/kissd/index.html
armlink:  http://home20.inet.tele.dk/horneckernet/html/fritidogferie/armlink.htm
kissdx:   http://www.vidartysse.net/kissdx/

Please refer to kissd / PC-link documentation for basic functionality, like
how to set up the very important kissd.conf file.

kissdx is an enhanced kissd.  The enhancements are:

1.	Support for playing the VOB/IFO/BUP files in a VIDEO_TS folder as if it was a DVD
	This functionality is based on code from wizd, which again depends on libdvdread.

2.	Support for playing DVD ISO images
	This functionality is based on code from wizd, which again depends on libdvdread.

3.	Support for playing audio playlists
	This functionality is based on code from armlink.

So kissdx is meant to be the coming together of some good ideas
already implemented in existing but separate packages.


----------------------------
Notes on the current release
----------------------------

I am releasing kissdx in the hope that it may be useful to owners of
KiSS media players and (mainly) linux media servers.

kissdx was created for my own need to play ISO images and audio playlists
served from my Cisco/Linksys NSLU2 NAS device running Unslung 5.5 beta.

The current release has been tested only on a NSLU2 runnig Unslung 5.5
beta, and only serving to a KiSS DP-600 player.  Further testing by the
community is much needed and welcomed.


----------------------------------
Notes on DVD image/folder playback
----------------------------------

The current implementation is very crude:
 - There is no real DVD player functionality
 - No DVD menus
 - No subtitles
 - No language support
 - No chapter navigation
 - No angles, etc.
 - In-stream instructions are not processed - the entire stream is served
   to the player, start to end.

Basically, what it does is this:

 - A DVD (an ISO file or a folder with a VIDEO_TS subfolder) is presented
   on the player as a folder, with a special prefix to identify it:
   {kissdx-ISO} for ISO images
   {kissdx-DIR} for folders with a VIDEO_TS subfolder

 - Select the folder on the player, and all titles of the DVD are listed.

 - A title can be selected for playback, which will start playing back the
   entire VOB file set that the title belongs to, from start to end.
   Selecting title 1 will play the entire main movie on most DVDs tested.


------------------------------------
Notes on playback of audio playlists
------------------------------------

The m3u and pls formats are supported.

A playlist is presented on the player as a folder, with a special prefix to
identify it:
{kissdx-M3U} for m3u playlists
{kissdx-PLS} for pls playlists

Select the folder on the player to display the contents of the playlist.
NOTE: The file references in the playlist must be relative to the location
of the playlist itself in the filesystem, unless they are absolute (i.e.
they start with a "/").  This is common practice, AFAIK.


------------
Known issues
------------

DVD playback is very crude, as noted above.  Some DVDs can be played
with good results, others without sound, etc.  YMMV.


-------------------------
Installation instructions
-------------------------

1. Make sure that you have libdvdread installed.  On my Unslung NSLU2
   this was simply a case of installing wizd:
   ipkg install wizd
   If you won't be using wizd, you may disable it by commenting out the
   last line in /opt/etc/init.d/S84wizd, like this:
   # --(wizd disabled)-- /opt/sbin/wizd -d

2. Download the source code and compile it on your target system, or 
   cross-compile it if you have the environment for that.
   OR
   If you have a NSLU2 running Unslung (or another big-endian linux),
   grab the NSLU2 executable from subdirectory bin-NSLU2-Unslung in the
   downloaded archive, and install it where you please, e.g. in
   /opt/etc/kissdx.

3. Follow the same procedure you would for installing kissd.

4. Revise the file types (extensions) configured in kissd.conf to make
   sure they match your needs.

5. Enjoy

6. REPORT any success / failure to kissdx@vidartysse.net

7. REPORT and check up on any problems / bugs at
   http://www.vidartysse.net/BUGS/

Best of luck!

__Vidar__