Kore Feature Request: Seek Support For Local Files

Hey Kodi and Kore users! Let's dive into a feature suggestion that could seriously enhance your media-watching experience with Kore. This article will discuss the current limitations of playing local files in Kore, why adding seek support is crucial, how it could be implemented, and why it’s a game-changer for many of us.

The Core Issue: No Seeking in Local Files

Currently, one significant limitation in Kore is the inability to seek (fast-forward or rewind) within local video files. This means when you're watching a video stored locally, you can't skip intros, rewatch your favorite scenes, or quickly navigate to different parts of the video. It’s like being stuck in the Stone Age of media playback! For those who frequently play local media, this can be incredibly frustrating. Imagine having to restart a whole movie just to rewatch a five-minute scene – not fun, right? This lack of functionality puts Kore at a disadvantage compared to other media control apps that offer full playback control, making it less user-friendly for a significant portion of its user base. A seamless media experience is about having control, and currently, Kore falls short in this aspect when it comes to local files. The ability to seek within videos is not just a convenience; it’s a fundamental feature that users expect in modern media players. By addressing this, Kore can significantly improve user satisfaction and become a more versatile tool for media consumption. So, let's explore why this feature is so important and how we can bring it to life.

Why Seek Support Matters: Context and User Benefits

Adding seek functionality to local video playback in Kore is more than just a minor improvement; it's a major leap in user experience. Think about the times you've wanted to skip a long intro, rewatch an exciting scene, or quickly find a specific part in a tutorial video. Without seek support, you're stuck watching linearly, which can be incredibly time-consuming and frustrating. The ability to fast-forward and rewind is essential for efficient media consumption. It allows users to tailor their viewing experience to their needs, making Kore a much more versatile and user-friendly app. For instance, consider educational content. Students might need to repeatedly review certain sections of a lecture or training video. Without seeking, this becomes a cumbersome task. Or, imagine watching a movie with friends and wanting to replay a funny moment – seek support makes this simple and seamless. Moreover, for users with limited time, the ability to quickly navigate through content is invaluable. They can skip the fluff and get straight to the parts that matter most. This feature also aligns Kore with industry standards. Most media players and control apps offer robust seek functionality, and by adding this, Kore will be on par with its competitors. In short, seek support isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a must-have for anyone who wants to enjoy a modern and efficient media playback experience.

Possible Implementation: HTTP Range Headers to the Rescue

So, how can we bring seek support to local file playback in Kore? One promising approach involves implementing support for HTTP range headers. Let's break this down. HTTP range headers allow a client (in this case, Kore) to request specific portions of a file from a server (Kodi). This means instead of loading the entire video file to fast-forward or rewind, Kore can request only the necessary segments. This is a game-changer for several reasons. First, it significantly reduces bandwidth usage, especially for large video files. Instead of streaming the entire file every time you want to skip ahead, only the relevant chunks are transmitted. Second, it improves performance and responsiveness. Seeking becomes much faster and smoother because the app doesn't have to process the entire file. Think of it like reading a book – you don't need to reread the whole book to find a specific chapter; you just jump to the relevant pages. In the same way, HTTP range headers allow Kore to jump to specific parts of a video file. To implement this, the UI could provide a slider or forward/back buttons. When a user interacts with these controls, Kore would send appropriate range requests to Kodi, effectively allowing precise seeking in local video playback. This approach is not only efficient but also aligns with modern web standards, making it a robust and scalable solution. By leveraging HTTP range headers, Kore can provide a seamless seeking experience without compromising performance or bandwidth.

UI and User Interaction: A Smooth Seeking Experience

When we talk about implementing seek support, the user interface (UI) and user interaction (UX) are just as crucial as the technical aspects. The goal is to make seeking intuitive and seamless, so users can effortlessly navigate through their local video files. Imagine a sleek slider that allows you to quickly scrub through the video timeline. Or perhaps dedicated forward and back buttons that enable precise jumps of a few seconds or minutes. The key is to provide multiple options so users can choose the method that best suits their needs. A well-designed UI should also provide visual feedback. For instance, thumbnail previews could appear as the user scrubs through the timeline, giving them a clear idea of where they are in the video. This is particularly useful for longer videos where precise seeking is essential. Responsiveness is another critical factor. The UI should react instantly to user input, ensuring that there's no lag or delay when seeking. A smooth, responsive interface enhances the overall viewing experience and makes seeking a pleasure, not a chore. Furthermore, consider accessibility. The seek controls should be easily accessible and usable for everyone, including those with disabilities. This might involve providing keyboard shortcuts or ensuring that the controls are compatible with screen readers. By focusing on UI and UX, we can ensure that seek support is not only functional but also a joy to use. A well-designed interface can transform a basic feature into a standout element that significantly enhances the user experience.

Additional Context and Resources: Diving Deeper into HTTP Range Headers

For those who want to dive deeper into the technical aspects of HTTP range headers, there are some excellent resources available. Understanding the underlying technology can help appreciate the elegance and efficiency of this approach. The Mozilla Developer Network (MDN) provides a comprehensive guide to HTTP range headers, explaining how they work and how they can be used in web applications (https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Reference/Headers/Range). This is a great starting point for anyone looking to understand the technical details. Additionally, the RFC 9110 specification (https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc9110.html#section-14.1.2) provides the official definition and usage guidelines for HTTP range headers. While this document is more technical, it offers a definitive explanation of how range requests should be implemented. Exploring these resources can give you a deeper understanding of how HTTP range headers can enable efficient seeking in video playback. By leveraging this technology, Kore can provide a smooth and responsive seeking experience without the need to load entire video files. This not only improves performance but also reduces bandwidth consumption, making it a win-win for both users and developers. So, if you're curious about the technical underpinnings, these resources are a great place to start.

Conclusion: Let's Make Kore Even Better!

In conclusion, adding seek support for local file playback in Kore is a feature that would significantly enhance the user experience. It addresses a current limitation and brings Kore in line with modern media control apps. By implementing HTTP range headers, we can achieve efficient and responsive seeking without compromising performance. A well-designed UI, with intuitive controls and visual feedback, will ensure that seeking is a seamless and enjoyable experience. This isn't just about adding a feature; it's about making Kore the best media control app it can be. Your support and feedback are crucial in making this happen. Let's work together to bring seek support to Kore and elevate the media-watching experience for everyone! By voicing your support and sharing your ideas, you can help prioritize this feature and make a real difference in the future of Kore. So, let’s keep the conversation going and strive to make Kore even better.

Note: Team Kodi will consider this item however we will not make any promises if it will be included.