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Feb 16

Flash Lite TV Guide: 8 Hours and 9k

Flash, RIA, Flash Lite Add comments

I set myself a little challenge yesterday, I wanted to see just how quick it was to develop in Flash Lite, that being a major selling point. My chosen project was a (greatly simplified) version of Jermain Andersons TV Guide application. I'm not sure exactly how he put his together, but I can talk about how I went about it. I've also provided all source code and a demo at the end.

First a demo

View in new window!

Now some info

The first step was to set up the XML files that contain the "playlists", I've created one for each of the major TV services in the U.K. and one for BBC radio channels, but you could easily create one for "Entertainment", one for "Movies" etc. Here's a sample for your bog standard soon to be phased out terrestrial channels:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<channels>
	<channel title="BBC1" url="bbc1.xml" />
	<channel title="BBC2" url="bbc2.xml" />
	<channel title="ITV1" url="itv1.xml" />
	<channel title="Channel4" url="ch4.xml" />
	<channel title="five" url="five.xml" />
</channels>

Now of course Flash Lite cannot handle XML directly, so the next phase was to write some PHP files to spit this data out in name value pairs, something like this: 

chTotal=6&ch0=BBC Radio 1&url0=bbc_radio1.xml&ch1=BBC Radio 2&url1=bbc_radio2.xml&ch2=BBC Radio 3&url2=bbc_radio3.xml&ch3=BBC Radio 4&url3=bbc_radio4.xml&ch4=BBC Radio 5Live&url4=bbc_radio5_live.xml&ch5=BBC Radio 5Live Sports&url5=bbc_radio5_live_sports_extra.xml

What is REALLY important to note here is that we are still operating on a 2.5G (GPRS) network or slower, 3G just isn't that popular yet (unless your in Japan), so every single byte really does count, for this reason I've shortened "channel" to "ch" in the response, but I would go even further and use simple "c" if I weren't distributing this app for others, it really does make a huge difference.

So with Flash now reading the data using emulated arrays (pdf link) we can start to show some channels, and the same process is used to display actual listings. Here's a couple of screenshots:

Screen 1
Screen 2

Future enhancements

If I were to continue to develop this app, I'd be adding in some graphics to show what is currenly playing, a now and next page, and perhaps shave some extra bytes off the download (removing the : from times and replacing it in Flash etc), but for now it'll do.

Download Source

Download all files here
Download just the SWF to put on your Flash Lite enabled phone here


46 comments

  1. § Scott Janousek said on : 16/02/05 @ 17:06
    sweet.
  2. § lolo said on : 18/02/05 @ 16:01
    Great sample. Good job. Is very important for all flash lite developers show our job to the others. Thanks for your files.
  3. § nematoth said on : 03/03/05 @ 09:07
    yes.. very good man. I'll be sure to post a link to my stuff here once I can get it all working.. Thanks sharing mate!
  4. § James Jordan said on : 11/04/05 @ 06:02
    Thanks for the example but can you give me any more advice on reading xml files in flashlite. My skill arn't that grand but have it all working in mx 2004 but have no idea how to get my project working in flashlite.
  5. § Mahmoud Elsayess said on : 27/10/05 @ 21:02
    Hi Richard,


    Your ability to describe a complex subject in a simple matter is noticeable in your generous TV Flash lite movie.

    Thank you.
  6. § Felipe Andrade said on : 28/10/05 @ 10:20
    Hi Richard,

    We are the responsible persons for everything that happens in this world. With by force of our will, we can change our destiny, and a lot of people's destiny.

    Thank you again for sharing these information for everybody!

  7. § Christina said on : 28/10/05 @ 16:06
    looks great
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  9. § Rosaleen said on : 31/10/05 @ 14:25
    This website is one of my favorites!
  10. § Xemka said on : 01/11/05 @ 13:35
    Does anyone tried this on a W800i ??
  11. § Quincy said on : 01/11/05 @ 16:11
    I love your website.
  12. § Seamour said on : 05/11/05 @ 13:48
    Wow, very interesting site, nice work, congrats!
  13. § Dane said on : 08/11/05 @ 14:07
    I LOVE your site! Your graphics are awesome! Your backgrounds are simply gorgeous! Keep up the good work!
  14. § Richard Leggett® Email said on : 08/11/05 @ 14:08
    My background is one solid colour spammer! :D
  15. § Clarette said on : 10/11/05 @ 19:21
    Great site, keep up the good work!
  16. § Bettie said on : 11/11/05 @ 15:13
    I just wanted to tell you that you have a wonderful site there. Keep up the good work.
  17. § Tylor said on : 14/11/05 @ 18:27
    I think you created a beautiful site, which is really interesting as well. I enjoy visiting it every week. Thank you!
  18. § Tom said on : 14/11/05 @ 19:42
    Hi Richard,

    Just thought i'd post to prove there is more on the internet than spam bots these days.

    I'm working on my uni dissertation project and your research into creating such a TV guide has really inspired me to add such functionality to the flash i'm creating. Your site is referenced in my research, but thanks for this great resource!
  19. § Richard Leggett® Email said on : 14/11/05 @ 19:49
    Hi Tom,

    Certainly can, I'm flattered. I'll be away in Amsterdam for the Spark conference next few days, but let me know if you need any help.
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  22. § Queenie said on : 18/11/05 @ 18:01
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  23. § Johna said on : 21/11/05 @ 16:49
    Great work!
  24. § Talbot said on : 23/11/05 @ 20:58
    Good Job ...Well done
  25. § Ulysses said on : 24/11/05 @ 15:53
    Good web site! Thank you for your job!
  26. § Raschelle said on : 25/11/05 @ 17:56
    Excellent site, added to favorites!!
  27. § Aubree said on : 28/11/05 @ 15:38
    I liked your site, keep going!
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  29. § Jaida said on : 01/12/05 @ 19:39
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  31. § Percy said on : 09/12/05 @ 19:34
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  32. § Trueman said on : 10/12/05 @ 21:55
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    Very intertesting site! Good job!
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