Pocket AMC Reader for Android 2.3.2 available [29.9.2020]

[VERSEAU44]

Hi sts85 & elman !

Thank you very much for replying so quickly ...

My RemoveBadChars script was not the latest version : it works fine now !!!!

Others questions between the two versions of PAR (Pocket AMC Reader) 1.9.1 and 2.0a2 :
. I've not the french translation for 2.0a2 : how to install it ?
. where can I watch comments for 2.0a2 ?
. is it possible to watch image extras (actors, etc) for both 1.9.1 and 2.0a2 ? The XML file contains the links AND 2014-08-26 19:47:20, you answer "Image extras are already supported" but ... how ?
. the history section of the firt Internet page on AMC POST does not explain the differences between 1.9.1 and 2.0a2 ... I've read on your 2016-03-29 22:01:03 POST : are there anothers evolutions ? Could you put them on history section ?

Thanks for your answer ...
Kind Regards

[elman]

Hi, here are some answers.

I've not the french translation for 2.0a2 : how to install it ?

I was planning on doing translations differently, but eventually didn't get to do it yet. So only way to do it now is copy translation files from older version and build it by yourself.

Where can I watch comments for 2.0a2 ?

Version 2.0a2 is feature incomplete and a lot of features from older version is missing. So therefore no release notes are available at the moment. So far it is mostly rewrite of old code that would allow me to implement new features in the future (like custom fields). Biggest changes so far are:
- 2-pane tablet mode is supported,
- import is faster,
- tabs in details are removed and all info is on one page,
- you can swipe left/right between movies,
- posters are zoom-able by pinching.

is it possible to watch image extras (actors, etc) for both 1.9.1 and 2.0a2?

Yes. Image extras are available by clicking on poster and then swiping left/right. In 1.9.1 poster is available in separate tab, in 2.0 click on poster at the top of the page.

Are there anothers evolutions ?

Unfortunately no. At this moment I don't have time to work on this app. However version 2.0a2 was working quite all right for me, so I made it available. Also source code is available on Github, so if anyone is interested, he/she can continue my work.

Also another question was why this app is not available on Google Play. Well, Google removed the app because it was violating copyrights. Apparently I can't post screenshots with posters in it. Pretty stupid reason since this is movie cataloging app...

[VERSEAU44]

THANKS a lot for your answers very clear, elman

And THANKS for your V 2.0a2 : great piece of soft

For translation, when you say
"copy translation files from older version and build it by yourself"
1/ I can not find the Pocket AMC Reader directory on my phone where there should be the translation files ...
2/ How to build it by myself (if it does not require any recompiling) ?

Last question ...
With 2.0a2, I do not have the impression that a reimport is automatic if the XML file changes : how to force it ?
To succeed, I deleted the data and cache application !

[VERSEAU44]

Another question : viewtopic.php?t=6578

[elman]

For translation, when you say
"copy translation files from older version and build it by yourself"
1/ I can not find the Pocket AMC Reader directory on my phone where there should be the translation files ...
2/ How to build it by myself (if it does not require any recompiling) ?

It's not as simple as that. You would have to download source code from Github, add french translation file and then compile application and upload it to your phone. So basically requires programming skills.

With 2.0a2, I do not have the impression that a reimport is automatic if the XML file changes : how to force it ?
To succeed, I deleted the data and cache application !

This feature is tested on my phone and on my tablet and works for me To find out, whether the file was changed, I check file size. So if you make changes and size remains the same, app won't start import.

[esperteyu]

Hi, I know some other people have had the same problem, but it looks I´m the only one not being able to solve it. I can´t import the XML, I´ve exported the DB as it was, I´ve also run RemoveBadChars, I´ve tried updating the script, I´ve changed the Catalog encoding... I don´t know what is happening, but I still get the "Problem with Import" message. I have enough memory (51 Gb available), and I guess my Android version is enough as well (I´m running a MIUI 8.1.2 based on Android 6.0.1), I had an older version of the reader in an older mobile and it always worked, I can´t understand what is happening now. Could someone send me the link to download an older version of the app and try, or maybe send me a valid XML for a test, or if I could send my XML to someone able to check it?... Thanks in advance for your help.

Edit: I wasn´t able to fix it, but I managed to download a previous version of the app (1.9.1) and it works. I would like being able to use the latest version but unfortunately I can´t... and this can be an option for those having the same problem.

[Ant316]

Hi Elman

Currently I am playing around with the code in the app and trying a few things out as well as learning a few things in android studio.





Is there anyway that we can make the section that I have circled RED in the attached image (Filter/Movie count display section) part of the main title bar so that it stays static when we scroll down the list of movies. I have asked a few friends for opinions and they agree that it might be best is it was static and doesn't scroll with the user as if you want to refer back to the information on it the user has to scroll all way up to the top of the list again which is a little annoying.

Any input is welcomed.

Thanks
Ant316

[elman]

Hi, yes, I agree with your idea. I was planning to use quick return header. It means that header would scroll away, but when you try to scroll back, it would show immediately. No need to scroll all the way to the top of the list.

Thou I have no idea when I will be able to implement it.

[elman]

Sorry I somehow missed these questions.

1/ I can not find the Pocket AMC Reader directory on my phone where there should be the translation files ...

It doesn't work that way. You have to build application by yourself.

2/ How to build it by myself (if it does not require any recompiling) ?

It does require recompiling indeed... I will add french translation into next release. Just keep in mind that not all string will be translated.

With 2.0a2, I do not have the impression that a reimport is automatic if the XML file changes : how to force it ?

It works for me. I compare file size. So if file size doesn't change import doesn't start. If this is not the case, try to close the app from app list.

[elman]

I have pushed new alpha to GitHub, if anyone is interested.

https://github.com/elman22/pocket-amc-reader/releases

[sts85]

Hi Elman,

I have try the v2.0-alpha3:

- I can reach my my file.xlm on external SD card but you must found it between my 3000 pictures...(on old version we only can see the file.xlm not picture)

- When the files are transfered there is a progress bar not the files count.

- The only problem I found is that I can't choose what I want see on the 3 lines of the general catalog. I don't found these parameters...

Whith v2.0-alpha3, I can see 7 movies on screen and with the old version 8 movies with a smal line between 2 movies...And the smal picture is cut.

Thank you

[elman]

Hi, thanks for trying.

I can reach my my file.xlm on external SD card but you must found it between my 3000 pictures...(on old version we only can see the file.xlm not picture)

Yes, I know about this one. It will be fixed in next release.

When the files are transfered there is a progress bar not the files count.

This is design choice. Import without movie count is much faster, so I will leave it this way.

The only problem I found is that I can't choose what I want see on the 3 lines of the general catalog. I don't found these parameters...

This is already implemented and will be available in next release.

Whith v2.0-alpha3, I can see 7 movies on screen and with the old version 8 movies with a smal line between 2 movies...

New design uses new font and default font size, so it might look a bit different. Also color tagging is done differently and that is the reason there are no horizontal lines.

And the small picture is cut.

Not sure what you mean. Can you provide screenshot?

[sts85]

Old version: New version

[elman]

Ah, I see. I'm using different aspect ratio for small pictures. I wanted bigger pictures, but without increasing line height. The only way to do that was to make pictures wider, so I had to cut them from top and bottom.

Will think about changing aspect ratio back.

[Ant316]

Elman

I too have noticed the picture in the listings getting cut. I also think that making these pics a little larger would be more helpful. I am testing a few sizes out and will post some images when i get done to see what you think.

Is the file selector completely finished? Its seems to be working 100% both on mobile devices and tablets I have tested it on. A little improvement would be to just show the .xml file instead of having to find it among the jpg images as well but this is not a major issue as on all devices I have tested on the xml file is always first in the list.

good work.
Ant316

[elman]

A little improvement would be to just show the .xml file instead of having to find it among the jpg images as well but this is not a major issue as on all devices I have tested on the xml file is always first in the list.

File filtering (only xml files will be shown) will be available in next release. Other than that I plan to do some theming so that file picker looks more like the app.

[Ant316]

Thanks Elman.
I am looking forward to the file picker themes. Also is there anyway we can make the poster art auto size whatever size people have the movie art in their catalog? As I said before I use H200xW317 and for my artwork which looks fine on PC and keeps overall catalog size to minimum but they look kind of poor quality when viewed on the full screen poster section can I change anything in the code to fix this?
I'm using Android studio to make some changes and customise the app to my own needs which is a little Learning curve but I enjoy playing around with the settings ect.

Thanks again Elman and great work on the app it's very useful for movie collectors like myself to have our catalogue at hand.[/quote]

[elman]

Hi, alpha4 is available. It fixes most of the things you requested.

- Added preference to add and rearrange fields in list
- Added some material design tweaks
- Use IMDb app if installed
- File picker shows only .xml files
- Changed aspect ratio of image in list view
- Added Quick Return Header for list view
- Many fixes

This will be last alpha and from here I will gear towards public release to Google Play.

You can download from GitHub https://github.com/elman22/pocket-amc-reader/releases

[elman]

they look kind of poor quality when viewed on the full screen poster section can I change anything in the code to fix this?

You can fix it easily. Download latest version from Github, open fullscreen_image.xml and change android:scaleType="fitCenter" to android:scaleType="center"

[Ant316]

You can fix it easily. Download latest version from Github, open fullscreen_image.xml and change android:scaleType="fitCenter" to android:scaleType="center"

I will download the latest source code Elman and try that.

Currently I am testing the latest alpha 4 release and it fantastic, The quick return header is spot on and makes the app feel premium. Also the addition to the List View Picker preferences is brilliant. I am now working on trying out some color themes and personal customisation to make the app more personal but its a great job.

Ant