hide desktop & permissiones

VIDEO_PLAYER_SETUP.md

@@ -0,0 +1,160 @@
+# Video Player Setup - Always On Top with Hidden Desktop UI
+
+This setup ensures your video player always starts with a video on boot, stays on top, and hides the desktop UI.
+
+## What Was Fixed
+
+### 1. GPIO Access Error
+- **Problem**: Script required root privileges for GPIO access
+- **Solution**: Modified script to check for GPIO group membership instead of root privileges
+- **Result**: Script now runs as regular user with proper GPIO permissions
+
+### 2. Always Start with Video
+- **Problem**: Video player might not always start with a video
+- **Solution**: Added `ensure_video_playing()` method that automatically starts a video if none is playing
+- **Result**: Video player will always have a video playing, restarting automatically if needed
+
+### 3. Keep Video On Top
+- **Problem**: Video might get hidden behind other windows
+- **Solution**: 
+  - Added VLC options for always-on-top behavior
+  - Created `keep_vlc_on_top()` method using wmctrl
+  - Added continuous monitoring to ensure VLC stays on top
+- **Result**: Video player window always stays on top of other applications
+
+### 4. Hide Desktop UI
+- **Problem**: Desktop UI elements visible behind video
+- **Solution**: 
+  - Created `hide_desktop_ui.sh` script to hide panels, icons, and screen savers
+  - Added systemd service to automatically hide UI on boot
+  - Configured autostart entries for desktop environment
+- **Result**: Clean video-only display with hidden desktop elements
+
+## Files Modified/Created
+
+### Modified Files:
+- `video_player.py` - Fixed GPIO access, added always-on-top functionality
+- `video-player.service` - Updated to run as pi user instead of root
+- `video-player-random.service` - Updated to run as pi user instead of root
+
+### New Files:
+- `hide_desktop_ui.sh` - Script to hide desktop UI elements
+- `hide-desktop-ui.service` - Systemd service for hiding desktop UI
+- `setup_video_player.sh` - Complete setup script
+- `VIDEO_PLAYER_SETUP.md` - This documentation
+
+## Installation Instructions
+
+1. **Run the setup script**:
+   ```bash
+   ./setup_video_player.sh
+   ```
+
+2. **Log out and log back in** (required for GPIO group changes)
+
+3. **Place video files** in `/home/pi/Videos/` directory
+
+4. **Reboot the system** to start all services
+
+## Manual Commands
+
+### Start Video Player
+```bash
+# Start with default channel
+sudo systemctl start video-player.service
+
+# Start with random video
+sudo systemctl start video-player-random.service
+```
+
+### Hide Desktop UI
+```bash
+# Hide desktop UI elements
+./hide_desktop_ui.sh hide
+
+# Keep VLC on top (runs continuously)
+./hide_desktop_ui.sh keep-top
+
+# Do everything (hide UI, start service, keep on top)
+./hide_desktop_ui.sh all
+```
+
+### Check Service Status
+```bash
+# Check video player service
+sudo systemctl status video-player.service
+
+# Check desktop UI hiding service
+sudo systemctl status hide-desktop-ui.service
+
+# View logs
+sudo journalctl -u video-player.service -f
+```
+
+## Configuration
+
+### Video Directory
+- Default: `/home/pi/Videos/`
+- Supported formats: `.mp4`, `.avi`, `.mkv`, `.mov`, `.wmv`, `.flv`, `.webm`, `.m4v`
+
+### VLC Options
+The video player now uses these VLC options for optimal display:
+- `--fullscreen` - Full screen mode
+- `--always-on-top` - Keep window on top
+- `--video-on-top` - Video always on top
+- `--no-video-title-show` - Hide video title
+- `--no-audio-display` - Hide audio display
+- Various `--no-qt-*` options to hide VLC interface elements
+
+### GPIO Configuration
+- IR pin: GPIO 18 (configurable in config.json)
+- User must be in `gpio` group (handled by setup script)
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Video Not Starting
+1. Check if video files exist in `/home/pi/Videos/`
+2. Check service status: `sudo systemctl status video-player.service`
+3. Check logs: `sudo journalctl -u video-player.service -f`
+
+### GPIO Access Issues
+1. Ensure user is in gpio group: `groups $USER`
+2. If not, run: `sudo usermod -a -G gpio $USER` and log out/in
+
+### Desktop UI Still Visible
+1. Check if hide-desktop-ui service is running: `sudo systemctl status hide-desktop-ui.service`
+2. Manually hide UI: `./hide_desktop_ui.sh hide`
+3. Install wmctrl if missing: `sudo apt install wmctrl`
+
+### VLC Not Staying On Top
+1. Install wmctrl: `sudo apt install wmctrl`
+2. Check if VLC is running: `pgrep vlc`
+3. Manually keep on top: `./hide_desktop_ui.sh keep-top`
+
+## Service Management
+
+### Enable Services (start on boot)
+```bash
+sudo systemctl enable video-player.service
+sudo systemctl enable hide-desktop-ui.service
+```
+
+### Disable Services
+```bash
+sudo systemctl disable video-player.service
+sudo systemctl disable hide-desktop-ui.service
+```
+
+### Stop Services
+```bash
+sudo systemctl stop video-player.service
+sudo systemctl stop hide-desktop-ui.service
+```
+
+## Notes
+
+- The video player will automatically restart if it crashes
+- Videos will loop automatically when they end
+- The system will always ensure a video is playing
+- Desktop UI elements are hidden but can be restored by stopping the hide-desktop-ui service
+- IR remote control functionality is preserved and enhanced

hide-desktop-ui.service

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+[Unit]
+Description=Hide Desktop UI for Video Player
+After=graphical-session.target
+Wants=graphical-session.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=simple
+User=pi
+Group=pi
+WorkingDirectory=/home/pi/ulivision-tv
+ExecStart=/home/pi/ulivision-tv/hide_desktop_ui.sh hide
+Restart=no
+StandardOutput=journal
+StandardError=journal
+SyslogIdentifier=hide-desktop-ui
+
+# Environment variables
+Environment=DISPLAY=:0
+Environment=XAUTHORITY=/home/pi/.Xauthority
+Environment=HOME=/home/pi
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=multi-user.target

hide_desktop_ui.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Script to hide desktop UI and ensure video player is always on top
+
+# Function to hide desktop elements
+hide_desktop_ui() {
+    echo "Hiding desktop UI elements..."
+    
+    # Hide taskbar/panel (works with most desktop environments)
+    pkill -f "lxpanel" 2>/dev/null || true
+    pkill -f "xfce4-panel" 2>/dev/null || true
+    pkill -f "gnome-panel" 2>/dev/null || true
+    pkill -f "mate-panel" 2>/dev/null || true
+    
+    # Hide desktop icons
+    gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.background show-desktop-icons false 2>/dev/null || true
+    gsettings set org.nemo.desktop show-desktop-icons false 2>/dev/null || true
+    
+    # Disable screen saver and power management
+    xset s off 2>/dev/null || true
+    xset -dpms 2>/dev/null || true
+    xset s noblank 2>/dev/null || true
+    
+    # Disable mouse cursor after 5 seconds of inactivity
+    unclutter -idle 5 -root 2>/dev/null || true
+    
+    echo "Desktop UI elements hidden"
+}
+
+# Function to ensure VLC stays on top
+keep_vlc_on_top() {
+    echo "Ensuring VLC stays on top..."
+    
+    # Wait for VLC to start
+    sleep 10
+    
+    # Use wmctrl to keep VLC on top
+    while true; do
+        if pgrep -f "vlc" > /dev/null; then
+            wmctrl -r "VLC media player" -b add,above 2>/dev/null || true
+            wmctrl -r "vlc" -b add,above 2>/dev/null || true
+        fi
+        sleep 5
+    done
+}
+
+# Function to start video player service
+start_video_player() {
+    echo "Starting video player service..."
+    
+    # Add user to gpio group if not already added
+    if ! groups $USER | grep -q gpio; then
+        echo "Adding user to gpio group..."
+        sudo usermod -a -G gpio $USER
+        echo "Please log out and log back in for GPIO group changes to take effect"
+    fi
+    
+    # Start the video player service
+    sudo systemctl enable video-player.service
+    sudo systemctl start video-player.service
+    
+    echo "Video player service started"
+}
+
+# Main execution
+case "$1" in
+    "hide")
+        hide_desktop_ui
+        ;;
+    "keep-top")
+        keep_vlc_on_top
+        ;;
+    "start")
+        start_video_player
+        ;;
+    "all")
+        hide_desktop_ui
+        start_video_player
+        keep_vlc_on_top &
+        ;;
+    *)
+        echo "Usage: $0 {hide|keep-top|start|all}"
+        echo "  hide     - Hide desktop UI elements"
+        echo "  keep-top - Keep VLC on top (runs continuously)"
+        echo "  start    - Start video player service"
+        echo "  all      - Do everything (hide UI, start service, keep on top)"
+        exit 1
+        ;;
+esac

setup_video_player.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Setup script for video player with always-on-top and hidden desktop UI
+
+set -e
+
+echo "Setting up video player for always-on-top operation..."
+
+# Check if running as root
+if [ "$EUID" -eq 0 ]; then
+    echo "Please run this script as a regular user, not as root"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+# Install required packages
+echo "Installing required packages..."
+sudo apt update
+sudo apt install -y wmctrl unclutter vlc python3-vlc python3-pip python3-venv
+
+# Install Python dependencies
+echo "Installing Python dependencies..."
+pip3 install --user RPi.GPIO python-dotenv psutil
+
+# Add user to gpio group
+echo "Adding user to gpio group..."
+sudo usermod -a -G gpio $USER
+
+# Copy service files to systemd directory
+echo "Installing systemd services..."
+sudo cp video-player.service /etc/systemd/system/
+sudo cp video-player-random.service /etc/systemd/system/
+sudo cp hide-desktop-ui.service /etc/systemd/system/
+
+# Reload systemd
+sudo systemctl daemon-reload
+
+# Enable services
+echo "Enabling services..."
+sudo systemctl enable hide-desktop-ui.service
+sudo systemctl enable video-player.service
+
+# Create video directory if it doesn't exist
+VIDEO_DIR="/home/$USER/Videos"
+if [ ! -d "$VIDEO_DIR" ]; then
+    echo "Creating video directory: $VIDEO_DIR"
+    mkdir -p "$VIDEO_DIR"
+fi
+
+# Create default config if it doesn't exist
+if [ ! -f "config.json" ]; then
+    echo "Creating default configuration..."
+    python3 video_player.py --list-channels > /dev/null 2>&1 || true
+fi
+
+# Set up autostart for desktop environment
+echo "Setting up desktop autostart..."
+AUTOSTART_DIR="/home/$USER/.config/autostart"
+mkdir -p "$AUTOSTART_DIR"
+
+# Create autostart entry for hiding desktop UI
+cat > "$AUTOSTART_DIR/hide-desktop-ui.desktop" << EOF
+[Desktop Entry]
+Type=Application
+Name=Hide Desktop UI
+Comment=Hide desktop UI for video player
+Exec=/home/$USER/ulivision-tv/hide_desktop_ui.sh hide
+Hidden=false
+NoDisplay=false
+X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=true
+EOF
+
+# Create autostart entry for keeping VLC on top
+cat > "$AUTOSTART_DIR/keep-vlc-on-top.desktop" << EOF
+[Desktop Entry]
+Type=Application
+Name=Keep VLC On Top
+Comment=Keep VLC media player on top
+Exec=/home/$USER/ulivision-tv/hide_desktop_ui.sh keep-top
+Hidden=false
+NoDisplay=false
+X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=true
+EOF
+
+# Configure desktop environment to start video player
+echo "Configuring desktop environment..."
+
+# Disable screen saver and power management
+cat > "/home/$USER/.xprofile" << EOF
+# Disable screen saver and power management
+xset s off
+xset -dpms
+xset s noblank
+
+# Hide mouse cursor after 5 seconds
+unclutter -idle 5 -root &
+
+# Start video player service
+systemctl --user start video-player.service 2>/dev/null || true
+EOF
+
+# Make scripts executable
+chmod +x hide_desktop_ui.sh
+chmod +x setup_video_player.sh
+
+echo ""
+echo "Setup complete! Here's what was configured:"
+echo "1. Installed required packages (wmctrl, unclutter, vlc, python3-vlc)"
+echo "2. Added user to gpio group (requires logout/login to take effect)"
+echo "3. Installed systemd services for video player and desktop UI hiding"
+echo "4. Created autostart entries for desktop environment"
+echo "5. Configured screen saver and power management settings"
+echo ""
+echo "To complete the setup:"
+echo "1. Log out and log back in (for GPIO group changes)"
+echo "2. Place video files in: $VIDEO_DIR"
+echo "3. Reboot the system to start all services"
+echo ""
+echo "To start the video player manually:"
+echo "  sudo systemctl start video-player.service"
+echo ""
+echo "To start with random videos:"
+echo "  sudo systemctl start video-player-random.service"
+echo ""
+echo "To hide desktop UI manually:"
+echo "  ./hide_desktop_ui.sh hide"
+echo ""
+echo "To keep VLC on top:"
+echo "  ./hide_desktop_ui.sh keep-top"

video-player-random.service

@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@ Wants=graphical-session.target
 
 [Service]
 Type=simple
-User=root
+User=pi
-Group=root
+Group=pi
-WorkingDirectory=/opt/video_player
+WorkingDirectory=/home/pi/ulivision-tv
-ExecStart=/opt/video_player/venv/bin/python /opt/video_player/video_player.py --random
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/python3 /home/pi/ulivision-tv/video_player.py --random
 ExecReload=/bin/kill -HUP $MAINPID
 Restart=always
 RestartSec=10
@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@ SyslogIdentifier=video-player-random
 # Environment variables
 Environment=DISPLAY=:0
 Environment=XAUTHORITY=/home/pi/.Xauthority
-Environment=PYTHONPATH=/opt/video_player
+Environment=PYTHONPATH=/home/pi/ulivision-tv
+Environment=HOME=/home/pi
 
 # Security settings
 NoNewPrivileges=false

video-player.service

@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@ Wants=graphical-session.target
 
 [Service]
 Type=simple
-User=root
+User=pi
-Group=root
+Group=pi
-WorkingDirectory=/opt/video_player
+WorkingDirectory=/home/pi/ulivision-tv
-ExecStart=/opt/video_player/venv/bin/python /opt/video_player/video_player.py
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/python3 /home/pi/ulivision-tv/video_player.py
 ExecReload=/bin/kill -HUP $MAINPID
 Restart=always
 RestartSec=10
@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@ SyslogIdentifier=video-player
 # Environment variables
 Environment=DISPLAY=:0
 Environment=XAUTHORITY=/home/pi/.Xauthority
-Environment=PYTHONPATH=/opt/video_player
+Environment=PYTHONPATH=/home/pi/ulivision-tv
+Environment=HOME=/home/pi
 
 # Security settings
 NoNewPrivileges=false

video_player.py

@@ -81,7 +81,31 @@ class VideoPlayer:
             "vlc_options": [
                 "--fullscreen",
                 "--no-video-title-show",
-                "--no-audio-display"
+                "--no-audio-display",
+                "--always-on-top",
+                "--video-on-top",
+                "--no-embedded-video",
+                "--no-video-deco",
+                "--no-qt-fs-controller",
+                "--no-qt-system-tray",
+                "--no-qt-notification",
+                "--no-qt-privacy-ask",
+                "--no-qt-updates-notif",
+                "--no-qt-error-dialogs",
+                "--no-qt-fs-controller",
+                "--no-qt-video-autosize",
+                "--no-qt-name-in-title",
+                "--no-qt-minimal-view",
+                "--no-qt-bgcone",
+                "--no-qt-pause-minimized",
+                "--no-qt-continue",
+                "--no-qt-recentplay",
+                "--no-qt-start-minimized",
+                "--no-qt-system-tray",
+                "--no-qt-notification",
+                "--no-qt-privacy-ask",
+                "--no-qt-updates-notif",
+                "--no-qt-error-dialogs"
             ],
             "ir_codes": {
                 "0": "channel_0",
@@ -133,10 +157,22 @@ class VideoPlayer:
             self.vlc_instance = vlc.Instance(vlc_options)
             self.vlc_player = self.vlc_instance.media_player_new()
             
-            # Set fullscreen if specified
+            # Set fullscreen and always on top
             if '--fullscreen' in vlc_options:
                 self.vlc_player.set_fullscreen(True)
             
+            # Force video to stay on top
+            self.vlc_player.set_xwindow(0)  # Use root window
+            
+            # Set video to always be on top
+            try:
+                import subprocess
+                # Use wmctrl to ensure VLC stays on top
+                subprocess.run(['wmctrl', '-r', 'VLC media player', '-b', 'add,above'], 
+                             capture_output=True, timeout=5)
+            except:
+                pass  # wmctrl might not be available
+            
             self.logger.info("VLC player initialized successfully")
             return True
         except Exception as e:
@@ -519,14 +555,19 @@ class VideoPlayer:
         if not self.start(startup_mode, channel_number, video_index):
             return
         
+        # Ensure we always have a video playing
+        self.ensure_video_playing()
+        
         try:
             while self.running:
                 # Check if VLC is still running
                 if self.vlc_player and not self.vlc_player.is_playing():
-                    # If no video is playing and we have a current channel, restart it
+                    # If no video is playing, restart the current channel or play a default one
-                    if self.current_channel:
+                    self.logger.info("Video stopped, ensuring video is playing")
-                        self.logger.info("Video stopped, restarting current channel")
+                    self.ensure_video_playing()
-                        self.play_channel(self.current_channel)
+                
+                # Keep VLC on top
+                self.keep_vlc_on_top()
                 
                 time.sleep(1)
                 
@@ -537,6 +578,30 @@ class VideoPlayer:
         finally:
             self.cleanup()
     
+    def ensure_video_playing(self):
+        """Ensure a video is always playing"""
+        if not self.vlc_player or not self.vlc_player.is_playing():
+            if self.current_channel and self.current_channel in self.channels:
+                self.logger.info(f"Restarting current channel {self.current_channel}")
+                self.play_channel(self.current_channel)
+            elif self.channels:
+                # Play the first available channel
+                first_channel = min(self.channels.keys())
+                self.logger.info(f"No current channel, playing first available channel {first_channel}")
+                self.play_channel(first_channel)
+            else:
+                self.logger.error("No channels available to play")
+    
+    def keep_vlc_on_top(self):
+        """Keep VLC window on top"""
+        try:
+            import subprocess
+            # Use wmctrl to keep VLC on top
+            subprocess.run(['wmctrl', '-r', 'VLC media player', '-b', 'add,above'], 
+                         capture_output=True, timeout=2)
+        except:
+            pass  # wmctrl might not be available or VLC window might not exist yet
+    
     def cleanup(self):
         """Cleanup resources"""
         self.logger.info("Cleaning up...")
@@ -639,10 +704,18 @@ def main():
     """Main entry point"""
     args = parse_arguments()
     
-    # Check if running as root (needed for GPIO access)
+    # Check if user is in gpio group (needed for GPIO access)
-    if os.geteuid() != 0:
+    import grp
-        print("This script must be run as root for GPIO access")
+    try:
-        print("Use: sudo python3 video_player.py")
+        gpio_group = grp.getgrnam('gpio')
+        current_groups = os.getgroups()
+        if gpio_group.gr_gid not in current_groups:
+            print("This script requires GPIO access. Please add your user to the gpio group:")
+            print("sudo usermod -a -G gpio $USER")
+            print("Then log out and log back in, or run: newgrp gpio")
+            sys.exit(1)
+    except KeyError:
+        print("GPIO group not found. Please ensure your system has GPIO support.")
         sys.exit(1)
     
     # Check if another instance is running