Posts by s3n0

Yes. Thanks. This is a better separate thread than a discussion about resources and keeping picons up to date. Because that is a topic that is not directly related to the plugin.

It is especially important that someone constantly takes care of the picon resource and updates all this. Especially the conversion tables between the reference code and the special abbreviated channel name - and then matched them to the picture (to the picon). It is also necessary to update the images / logos themselves, when changes are made. And this is the problem. Still finding a person who would regularly take care of the given database in a certain width of different providers or countries... or someone different from each country.

It's great that there's this great picon resource on Github. I didn't even know it existed. It looks really good.

But someone has to take care of it regularly - and that's probably the most important thing for any resource with a picon database.

I don't know. I wrote to Chocholousek on January 19, 2025. He said that he doesn't have enough free time for picons anymore and that he would like to do it, but he simply doesn't have the free time to process picons yet. I don't know why. I haven't found out anything further. Another month and a half has passed since then. I'm not saying that he's really finished with the work. But it doesn't look good yet. I hope he'll get back to it.

Many people who use picons from Chocholousek use blank areas in some places of the channel logos, which are outdated. In order not to make the set-top box look like stolen, they started using other picon sources.

Picons are estimated to require updating at least once every 3-6 months. Otherwise, the number of outdated and also missing picons starts to increase.

I also wrote that it would be worth waiting another 3-6 months, for example. But... if the situation does not change after 3-6 months, then support and the existence of the plugin will also be terminated (if Chocholousek's work would cease). But I don't want to get ahead of myself.

It's been 4 months and the picons are starting to be very outdated or even missing. If nothing changes after another 3-6 months, for example, it could mean the end of Chocholousek's work.

Anyway, there's no need to twist and lie right away. I hope everything will return to normal. We'll see...

It should also be noted that the Chocholousek picons are not the only ones in the world. They are perfect, they are up-to-date and they are convenient to update in Enigma2 via a plugin. But... there are other picons... but less updated... with less support unfortunately.

The best logic for searching for station logos would probably be the following (table or database):

country -> provider name -> channel names | and also possibly reference codes (which can always be more)

However, it should not be like a database in the form of discussion threads. It should be like a table / database that someone will take care of (check and update) :).

It would be good to connect or contact some database website like KingOfSat, LyngSat, SatBeams, where someone would send these station logos... but in a high-quality format, like PNG transparent images (with a transparent wallpaper background). They could keep a database of available LOGO stations, because they also keep a database of currently available and active SAT stations. Also, LOGOs could be downloaded from them, for example using a plugin in Enigma2, each missing logo separately.

I don't know. I can't think of many things because... it's complicated. Everything that is free and complicated, people refuse to do.

That's why I thought of dividing the picons here on the discussion forum into threads, according to the chronology above. The first item would be the country. The second item would be the provider. The third item would be the channel logos separately or the entire finished and current picon packages.

Maybe some picon packages wouldn't be available at all for many countries, but... that's a matter of people living in the respective country or that no one wants to develop station logos for E2 needs in these countries.

Sorry. I personally don't feel like doing anything anymore. I'm just thinking and thinking and thinking... ROFL.

It really is not easy. It would be best if there were creators of picons who would upload images / channel logos to the database, marked only with the channel name and without a reference code yet. In this database, everyone could find their logo needed for the missing channel.

However, the images should have a prescribed format. It should be PNG with a transparent layer and with only the station logo visible, for example in the 400 x 240 pixels. Unfortunately, some displays and Enigmas still require the lesser-known resolution/aspect ratio (400 x 170 pixels). So it would already be a cleaned and prepared LOGO of a specific channel. Links for downloading the finished package could then be created from this database. The package would actually be just a set of links, if when downloading it, the user obtained all the necessary picons.

Chocholousek was a master in this regard, because he developed transparent logos (for his own use), which were:

- black (dark)

- white (light)

- colored (multicolor)

This is because for each picon background, the user needs a different type of logo.

There are various ways to add a background to the picons (transparent station logos). For example, on a PC using a batch job, in some graphic editor. Or you can make a simple Python script that will do it for the user. For example, the user creates a 400 x 240 PNG image as a background for the picons. Then the necessary 400 x 240 transparent picons are downloaded according to the links and combined together.

Chocholousek defended his transparent station logos - dark / light / colored. I'm not surprised, because it's really a pain in the ass. It's a lot of work to take care of a large database of channels. If it were purely stations within a single country, it would be easier. But Chocholousek took care of many countries and therefore 1000s of logos. That's what I proposed for the plugin. So that Chocholousek would only make transparent logos for the background to choose from. And the user would design their own wallpaper or use the default wallpaper. And the plugin algorithm would combine the wallpaper + station transparent images (logos).

However, Chocholousek did not want to do it like this in the plugin. It is really a lot of work and effort. He was probably worried about the misuse of transparent station logos by third parties - for their own profit purposes. But if he agreed to it, then users could change the background to their liking and use the merge with transparent PNG station logos - from Chocholousek's database.

There are many ideas and possibilities. But I don't know which one is the best. I don't even know if it can be solved this easily on a discussion forum... this kind of picon database.

You have to write a question to the admins of the discussion forum. For example: master G

Maybe it would be good if the thread with the picons was separated into several threads - according to the satellite position of a specific satellite or according to countries.

But it also has its disadvantages. Then there must be a moderator who will regularly sort out any disagreements. There are still many idiots who will put their contribution in any one where it does not belong. The moderator then has to move the contribution to the correct thread.

Another disadvantage is also inconsistency. For example, in Slovakia there are up to 3 or 4 SAT providers (I don't know, I don't follow it). Each of them uses similar and identical SAT stations - so identical picons. However, each provider broadcasts on a different position / satellite. For example, on the position 23.5E, 16.0E, and others. This would mean that everyone from Slovakia would have to search for the same picons (with different reference codes - PNG file names) on a different discussion thread.

So it's not easy.

Picons for E2 set-top boxes are seemingly a simple matter, but in reality there is a lot of work to do. Even the IPK packages in some enigma2 feed servers are usually not up to date and take a very long time to update.

Picons actually last a very long time. They change sometimes twice a month, but sometimes only twice a year.

I don't know what else to write about this. Chocholousek kept the pikon database and kept it up to date, so it was convenient to use a plugin that downloaded and loaded the necessary picon sets into the set-top box. But it is also possible to do this manually, although it is of course a tedious job for people who are not familiar with IT technology.

Even half a year old picon packages are still usable. Alternatively, you can edit / change 2-3 missing picons or just change the file names according to the new reference code.

Quote from sm1120

Quote from s3n0

. I already use other picons. If it doesn't change in a few months... the plugin will also be removed from the oATV feed and from Github.

what alternative picons do you suggest ? thanks

Hi. I can't advise you on this. Each country or each satellite contains completely different sets of sat-channels and therefore different picons (which require different and regular categorization and updating).

Hi. I don't know at all. That's Chochoulsek's concern. I'm just the creator of the plugin. Until now, Chocholoušek has been creating picons himself as a picon designer and their cataloger. But since it's been taking so long... maybe he's given up on it. I really don't know. I'm not even going to find out anymore. Write to him yourself if you want. I already use other picons. If it doesn't change in a few months... the plugin will also be removed from the oATV feed and from Github.

OpenPLi and / or OpenATV

OpenPLi is very fast, because it does not contain too many pre-installed plugins... and also has very good support in English in the discussion forum.

OpenATV is, in my opinion, more beautiful in design with their MetrixHD SKIN. There is a built-in MyMetrixLite plugin that extends the configurability of MetrixHD SKIN, and if you are a SKIN developer and you know XML, you can also modify the built-in SKIN by injecting code using the OpenATV function called "skin-parts". OpenATV has also good debugging options for plugin developers. OpenATV has weaker support in the EN language and unfortunately the majority of the experience is in the DE language.

The decision is up to you. Of course, OpenPLi and their SKIN can be customized nicely. But in my opinion MetrixHD is a more beautiful SKIN.

Hi paconassa2021 . If this package is not on the enigma2 feed server, it may be a problem. ZeroTier is very dependent on existing system libraries and also on the Linux kernel. Therefore, it is ideal if you use the ZeroTier that is on the enigma2 feed servers. If not, try to find out what Linux kernel you have and whether you have all the necessary dependencies installed on your Linux set-top box. Then, based on that, try to find an IPK package that might work. However, there are still many possible other problems, such as non-existent directories or changed directories... and so on.

OK... perfect 👍.

So the problem was just the fact that you used SNP picons and didn't notice the text "SNP" - under the preview picon.

There are of course more graphic designs to choose from. Unfortunately not all of them are supported for higher resolutions. But for the resolution of 220x132, almost all designs that Chocholousek creates should be supported.

OK, for Gemini Project 4.2 is default picon folder as I told before (above in my previous post). But some others should work too as for example: "/usr/share/enigma2/picon".

But your picon filename is wrong, I think.

In the ChocholousekPicons plugin menu you will find black picons without SNP text, with the same resolution. If you use these, everything will be fine.

However, if you would like to use channel short names for the picon files (i.e. SNP file names), then you probably need to activate it somewhere in the SKIN or GeminiProject settings.

Hi Schpountz

Picon types by file name:

1. service reference picon (SRP)
2. service name picon (SNP)

Are you using (2.) picon-files with super short / compressed / reformatted satellite channel names ? Are you not using service reference codes (1.) in file names ?
SNP picons settings - Chocholousek Picons plugin.jpg

If you want to use SNP picons, then... you will probably have to switch or set this somewhere... in your Enigma2... in SKIN... and so on. I don't know your Enigma, so I'm just guessing where the problem is likely to be. :-/

You should seek support from the creator of the Enigma you are using or from the creator of the SKIN you are using. There is definitely no error in the plugin, since it works OK for everyone (even in the case of Dreambox firmware).

Schpountz

As pinokio0 wrote. Try to open the appropriate file "/etc/enigma2/userbouquet.*.tv" via FTP connection. Find the SRC code of some channel in it (any one). Then try to find the name of this service reference code, in the directory, where the picons should be placed. Is this *.png file there or not ? With the name that you found in the userbouquet file ?

Quote from Schpountz

Well

I tested all possibilties:

/picon..

/data/picon

/usr/share/enigma2 /picon

No result... Picons dont found on infobar...

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Hi. Have you tried changing the pixel resolution ? Some algorithms in Enigma2 or SKINs, even if it seems funny to you, unfortunately cannot automatically transform the PNG pixel size to the required resolution. :)

Then the only problem will be the resolution... because Warder uses 150x90 resolution.

Some Enigma2 or SKINs simply need a special icon size - with a specific resolution. Especially for the Infobar, for the channel list and for the front LCD panel on the set-top box. However, I don't know the folders where these icons belong.

Each Enigma2 or SKIN has different requirements. Unfortunately, there are a lot of them in the world... and it would probably be useless to make an automatic path table for icons for this purpose. Mostly users redirect icons to where they need or want them themselves.

If 150x90 picons still doesn't work, try placing the picons in a different folder. I found on the internet, for NewNigma2 firmware, the following directory paths ( https://www.enigma2.net/tuto-h…ns-on-newnigma2-dreambox/ ), so, please also try these directories:

/picons/picon/ <- subdirectory for SD picons
/picons/piconHD/ <- subdirectory for HD picons (infobar)
/picons/piconlcd/ <- subdirectory for LCD picons (DM7020HD, DM7080HD, DM820HD, DM9x0UHD)
/picons/piconlcdSE/ <- subdirectory for colored LCD picons (DM800se only)
/picons/piconSList/ <- subdirectory for service list (channel lists) Picons

For example, Gemini Project uses the folders:

/data/picon
/data/picon_50x30

I still can't find out exactly what Enigma you're using. I don't know the version. I don't even know the exact name of the SKIN.

Hi Schpountz

Which Enigma2 firmware are you using and which SKIN ?

Some Enigma2s and their SKINs depend on a specific picon resolution and also on a specific location of the picon directory.

The folder "/usr/share/enigma2/picon" works well for example in OpenATV and a few others. The root folder "/picon" is probably much more popular. You can also try this folder. Alternatively, try looking on the web which folder and what resolution the SKIN you are using requires.

Hi. None of the above works ? Go through the discussion. Maybe something will work. But... I don't know your Enigma2... but try some of this.

Hm, what kind of E2-image (E2 distribution) do you have ? How come there's no PLUGIN MENU and no plugins ? Strange.

The firmware / enigma2 will probably be damaged soon. You should probably do a complete flash. However, you have to choose the right image. These DM800SE devices existed, if I'm not mistaken, also as fake versions (so-called CLONE versions). And then you need firmware designed for the FAKE version and not for the original DM800SE. Or am I wrong and there are no FAKE versions of the DM800SE? I don't know much about Dreambox devices.

Here https://openpli.org/download/dreambox/DM800+SE+HD is for example, the Enigma2 OpenPLi from 2019-dec, for DM 800 SE.

However, there is a warning that this Enigma2 is only intended for:

1) only for original hardware (original DM 800 SE device from Drambox) and not for fake (clone) devices

2) and also this E2 image cannot be used for DM 800 SE V2

Please show a screenshot (photo from TV) in the MENU of your installed plugins.

I don't believe there is anything there to view files / directories on disk.

In some Enigma2 it was possible to install IPK directly in the MENU of plugins. But each Enigma2 is a little different and the procedures are also different. For example, look here... read the posts: https://forums.openpli.org/topic/18618-manual-install-ipk/