Mini OpenLP

cowjam

I've made a mini version of OpenLP.  It's web based, runs on a raspberry pi and is entirely controlled via a web interface. I say raspberry Pi, but it'll run on anything that'll run a PHP webserver and a web browser.

The idea is that someone with a low level of technical skill can sit in the congregation and display songs and Bible passages, and there's a low installation cost to the church.

It uses openlp's song and Bible databases, and all the editing/adding is done in openLP.  Mini OpenLP is just for displaying stuff.

I created it because I use my own laptop in church, and when I'm not there I needed something that didn't rely on my PC or someone with enough knowledge to use openLP or enough desire to sit at the back instead of in the congregation.

I finished it yesterday and I'm testing it today, but I thought I'd mention it now and then get some screenshots and set a site up for it later.

In short, it works by having an input box.  That looks to see if it's a Bible reference, or a song number, if neither then it's treated as a lyric search.  If there's more than one result then it asks you to pick one, otherwise it displays it.

When displaying a thing it gives you buttons for different screens/verses so you can click backwards and forwards.

There's also a small number of 'other' screens, so there's buttons for 'show welcome', 'show after-service screen', 'show communion screen' and 'show Lord's prayer'.

Jc

This sounds very interesting. How's it working?

tomzi

This Sounds really interesting! Are you planning to contribute this to openlp?

in a greater context it would make sense to use a web based the web based openlp as a server that actually receive commands from a openlp client (like the PC application). The server is connected to the screen and could run on anything, like the raspberri. This way you could easily have several servers running

tomasss

I tried to run OpenLP on raspberry and it was fine but I had problem with display on little LCD connected on GPIO and S-Video.
It was not so big problem because I could use web remote control.
I am interesting of your project. Is there some your source code for download?

cowjam

It's working ok. Needs improvement, the buttons aren't big enough when it's on a phone which ended up wiht me clicking 'clear screen and start again' instead of the final verse on Sunday.

When it's more finished I'll release the source.

GermanGospel

@cowjam - Please release you source code now on github. So I can review it an help you to improve it! :-) Dropbox or as an Email ist also welcome.

Great Idea!

GermanGospel

"the buttons aren't big enough when it's on a phone" => search for "responsive design"

GermanGospel

"It uses openlp's song and Bible databases, and all the editing/adding is done in openLP.  Mini OpenLP is just for displaying stuff."

If I could get it running on a HDMI Linux/Android stick I could attach it right to the projector - and control via any Mobil device.

tomasss

Is there any version for download?

pobalopalous

 @GermanGospel "If I could get it running on a HDMI Linux/Android stick I could attach it right to the projector - and control via any Mobil device."

With the Raspberry Pi connected to the TV / Projector and the Pi setup as a wifi access point I have done this.

Once the Pi boots it starts OpenLP automatically. Using a mobile device (I've tested this with ipad and android phone) one connects to the wifi access point (MyPi in this case) and just search for songs to add to the service.

Everything gets controlled from the mobile device. There are few configuration changes to make to prevent the screen from going blank automatically but in general it works fine.

The only physical things connected to the Pi are the HDMI cable, wifi dongle and power. The aim is for simplicity and portability. To add new songs one just plugs in a keyboard & mouse. So adding new songs on the fly is not really feasible. The problem we're trying to solve is with events in places that do not have dedicate A/V presentation equipment such as living rooms in peoples houses or some of our smaller meeting rooms.

java

Hmm ... , can try this, when it is ready to be shared. This might make using an RPi a feasible option.

Thanks

GermanGospel

"Mini OpenLP is just for displaying stuff. It uses openlp's song and Bible databases, and all the editing/adding is done in openLP."

There is a very nice Android App for displaying songs from your OpenLP database. If you have a MiraCast compatible HDMI dongle, you can present the lyrics right from your Android device to any HDMI input device (projector or flat TV).

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.worshipsongs

How to mirror your Android screen to the HDMI dongle (ChromeCast or others):
https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/2865484?hl=en

TRPrecht

Hows this going?

GermanGospel

Great news! Lyrics projection from your Miracast compatible Android device to your projector or TV screen is now possible!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bprnvf7jvl5zf5q/Miracast_Lyrics-projection-with-Android-App-Worship-Songs.mp4?dl=0

@cowjam

Mini OpenLP is just for displaying stuff. It uses openlp's song and Bible databases, and all the editing/adding is done in openLP.

@pobalopalous

The aim is for simplicity and portability. [...] The problem we're trying to solve is with events in places that do not have dedicate A/V presentation equipment such as living rooms in peoples houses or some of our smaller meeting rooms.

pobalopalous

Is OpenLP required at runtime or just to manage the songs DB?

simondgoodfellow

I'm not sure I understand why this is necessary.  I ran OpenLP on a Raspberry PI, I dumped Raspian pretty quickly and used the Ubuntu Raspberry PI port and all worked well except video. Video really didn't work despite Ubuntu having a VLC which supported the Raspberry PI graphics hardware. I used the Android/iOS/Web remotes and accessed OpenLP on the desktop using Windows Remote Desktop (there really is a port of this that works on Raspian and Ubuntu)

To solve the video problem I moved to a mini PC - NEXBOX T10 with a Z8300 processor, 2GB memory and 32GB SSD and Intel HD graphics which cost $70 including Windows. This works fine displaying in 720p, apart from the odd glitch in VLC displaying video for OpenLP (I tried hacking OpenLP to tell VLC to use the graphics hardware but it didn't make any difference, my hack was probably at fault. The VLC application works without glitches in 1080p.

We still use the Android/iOS/Web remotes during the service and now use TeamViewer to access OpenLP on the desktop as this allows us to programme the service from the internet. We install Unified Remote on the remote devices as well so there is an emergency keyboard/mouse available.

Typically we use a old phone as a remote, If it is someone new to it I use a tablet so they can see more of what is going on. I have had several people of all ages run parts of the service with 2 minutes training before we start. The biggest issue is if they haven't used a touch device before, they tend to touch to hard and their finger slides. 

There are sticks with the same spec as the mini PC we use running Windows 10.

It doesn't seem like another application it required.

GermanGospel

@pobalopalous - No running OpenLP instance needed! Only your Android device and your projector/tv!

Edit2: The app can import the OpenLP database from a local or remote URL:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.worshipsongs

Edit2: The Chromecast/Miracast (Display over WIFI) feature has been released in Google Play Store.

Edit: Slimport HDMI cable connection works, too!

It tried to connect my TV via Slimport HDMI cable and the app does send the lyrics to the screen in Full HD - and faster than via Miracast. A church service without a desktop software running seems to be near!

Picture of the Slimport setup: https://www.dropbox.com/s/w3l28kv6mmfxain/Slimport-HDMI-Cable-Projection-from-Android.jpg?dl=0

GermanGospel

@simondgoodfellow - I don't want to have such a long list of devices and software needed.

With this Android app approach it is only this app and a projector/tv connected via Miracast or HDMI cable (direct, Slimport or MHL).

simondgoodfellow

@GermanGospel - we are solving two different problems, so we end up with two different solutions.

GermanGospel

@simondgoodfellow - You are right!

We should do a list of use cases and possible ways of get them done! :-)

Chromecast/Miracast UseCase: "Present OpenLP lyrics from an Android device without a running OpenLP desktop app" https://forums.openlp.org/discussion/3459/usecase-present-openlp-lyrics-from-an-android-device-without-a-running-openlp-desktop-app#latest