Add an option to play live streams via inputstream.ffmpegdirect

resources/language/resource.language.en_gb/strings.po

@@ -1073,3 +1073,7 @@ msgstr ""
 msgctxt "#30332"
 msgid "Helix API"
 msgstr ""
+
+msgctxt "#30333"
+msgid "Use inputstream.ffmpegdirect for live streams"
+msgstr ""

resources/lib/twitch_addon/addon/utils.py

@@ -107,6 +107,24 @@ def inputstream_adpative_supports(feature):
     return False
 
 
+def use_ffmpegdirect_for_live():
+    """Whether live streams should be played through inputstream.ffmpegdirect.
+
+    Optional alternative live-playback backend (off by default): ffmpegdirect uses
+    ffmpeg's own demuxer and manages realtime buffering itself, instead of
+    inputstream.adaptive / Kodi's direct player. Some devices and setups play
+    Twitch live more reliably through it (e.g. it avoids the inputstream.adaptive
+    live-HLS demuxer issues seen on some Kodi 22 / CoreELEC builds, and the
+    occasional "cache full 100%" buffering stall). Returns False when the option
+    is off or the add-on isn't installed/enabled, leaving the default IA / direct
+    behaviour untouched. VODs and clips are never affected.
+    """
+    if kodi.get_setting('live_use_ffmpegdirect') != 'true':
+        return False
+    # addon_enabled() returns True/False when installed, None when missing.
+    return kodi.addon_enabled('inputstream.ffmpegdirect') is True
+
+
 def format_isa_headers(headers):
     # key=value&... (url-encoded) for InputStream Adaptive stream_headers / manifest_headers properties.
     return '&'.join(['%s=%s' % (key, quote_plus(headers[key])) for key in headers])

resources/lib/twitch_addon/routes/play.py

@@ -151,17 +151,28 @@ def _set_seek_time(value):
             if result:
                 quality_label = result['name']
 
+                # Optional alternative live-playback backend (off by default): when enabled
+                # and available, play live streams through inputstream.ffmpegdirect instead
+                # of inputstream.adaptive / the direct player. Live only -- VODs and clips
+                # keep the default behaviour.
+                use_ffmpegdirect = is_live and utils.use_ffmpegdirect_for_live()
+
                 request = None
                 play_url = None
-                if quality_label == 'Adaptive' and use_ia:
+                if quality_label == 'Adaptive' and (use_ia or use_ffmpegdirect):
                     if video_id:
                         request = api.video_request(video_id)
                     elif is_live:
                         request = api.live_request(name)
                     if request:
                         if kodi.get_kodi_version().major >= 18:
                             request['headers']['verifypeer'] = 'false'
-                        play_url = request['url']  # headers passed via ISA stream/manifest_headers below
+                        if use_ffmpegdirect:
+                            # ffmpegdirect (open_mode=ffmpeg) reads HTTP headers from the
+                            # URL's |Header=... suffix, not from ISA manifest_headers.
+                            play_url = request['url'] + utils.append_headers(request['headers'])
+                        else:
+                            play_url = request['url']  # headers passed via ISA stream/manifest_headers below
 
                 if not play_url:
                     play_url = result['url']
@@ -197,7 +208,17 @@ def _set_seek_time(value):
                         playback_item.setMimeType('video/mp4')
                     except AttributeError:
                         pass
-                if quality_label == 'Adaptive' and use_ia:
+                if use_ffmpegdirect:
+                    inputstream_property = 'inputstream'
+                    if kodi.get_kodi_version().major < 19:
+                        inputstream_property += 'addon'
+                    # ffmpeg's demuxer + its own realtime buffering. Covers both a specific
+                    # quality (variant URL) and Adaptive (master URL).
+                    playback_item.setProperty(inputstream_property, 'inputstream.ffmpegdirect')
+                    playback_item.setProperty('inputstream.ffmpegdirect.is_realtime_stream', 'true')
+                    playback_item.setProperty('inputstream.ffmpegdirect.manifest_type', 'hls')
+                    playback_item.setProperty('inputstream.ffmpegdirect.open_mode', 'ffmpeg')
+                elif quality_label == 'Adaptive' and use_ia:
                     inputstream_property = 'inputstream'
                     if kodi.get_kodi_version().major < 19:
                         inputstream_property += 'addon'

resources/settings.xml

@@ -39,6 +39,10 @@
         <setting id="video_quality_ia_configure" type="action" label="30224" enable="eq(-1,true)+eq(-2,true)" visible="eq(-1,true)+eq(-2,true)" option="close" action="RunPlugin(plugin://$ID/?mode=configure_ia)"/>
         <!-- Supported codecs (Twitch Enhanced Broadcasting: HEVC enables 1440p+ variants; requires hardware decode) -->
         <setting id="supported_codecs" type="enum" label="30307" lvalues="30308|30309" default="0"/>
+        <!-- Optional alternative live-playback backend: play live streams through
+             inputstream.ffmpegdirect instead of inputstream.adaptive / the direct player.
+             Off by default; only affects live (not VODs/clips). -->
+        <setting id="live_use_ffmpegdirect" type="bool" label="30333" default="false"/>
         <!-- Title Display -->
         <setting id="title_display" type="enum" label="30045" lvalues="30046|30047|30048|30049|30051|30067|30054" default="0"/>
         <!-- Truncate titles -->