IR Server Suite - Version 1.0.4.1

[and-81]

Hello,

This is the thread for Version 1.0.4.1 of IR Server Suite.

There is a Preview of Version 1.4.2 available for download here too. If all is well I will release 1.4.2 final shortly. So please let me know if you have any trouble. Thanks.

Please note that the version numbering scheme is changing between 1.0.4.1 and 1.4.2. The final number in the version will be used for SVN debug test releases.

Version 1.4.2 (Preview)
* MP Control plugin: Fixed Macro command for Multi-Mapping.
* MCE Transceiver: Fixed XP and Replacement driver blasting bug that has existed since October.
* AdsTech 335 Receiver: Attempted to fix a bug that caused Input Service to crash roughly every 5 minutes.
* Installer: New IR Server Suite installer. It looks more professional and you can now change the MediaPortal plugin install paths.
* General: Fixed the "pause" macro command.
* MCE Transceiver: Fixed another XP and Vista suspend/resume bug. When will it all end?
* Input plugins: Modified some method signatures.
* TV3 Blaster Plugin: Fixed a fatal error.
* General: Anywhere that previously took user input for a command and could include escape codes can now also include Environment Variables (including clipboard contents, date, time, and others). See documentation for more info.
* IR Blast: Now defaults to "localhost" if no host is specified on the command line (this will make it simpler to use on most setups).
* IR Blast: Now has a default delay between blasts of 50 milliseconds, this can be customized by the command line parameter "-delay x", where x is a delay in milliseconds (0 for no delay).
* MP Control plugin: Multi-Mapping command can now jump to a specific mapping set (or "Toggle").
* MediaPortal plugins: New macro commands (Send MP Action and Send MP Message).
* Translator: Can create a shortcut on the users desktop to launch a macro.
* Documentation: New documentation areas (Troubleshooting FAQ) and improvements.
* MCE Remote Receiver: Can now set remote and keyboard repeat rates to mimic system keyboard repeat rate settings.
* New Input Plugin: Added support for HCW (Hauppauge) Receiver - Experimental.
* Translator: Added a "remap" button for changing the button associated with a command.
* IR Server Plugin: Added support for RC102 and compatible receivers - Experimental.
* TCP Comms: Automatically maps "localhost" to loopback address, avoiding the lookup process. This might solve a host name lookup problem for some users.
* USB-UIRT: Fixed a bug that caused the receive callback to get garbage collected, crashing the Input Service.
* FusionREMOTE: Can now tell the difference between different DViCo remotes (You will need to re-teach the button keycodes).
* General: Receiving device name is now sent along with remote button codes, this is in preparation for a major overhaul of the remote mapping system to facilitate automatic configuration for controlling your whole PC! This feature will not be completed until 1.0.4.3 or 1.0.5.0 but it will be very big if it comes together as planned.
* New Prorgam: Added Keyboard Input Relay, to enable mapping special (App Command) keyboard buttons (like Forward, Back, Play, Stop, Volume, etc...) as well as basic key combinations as if they are remote button presses.

New in Preview 4:

* New Input Plugin: Direct Input. This allows the user to map game controllers (gamepads, joysticks, etc...) as remotes. First version is basic, next version will allow button combos and controlling the mouse with analog sticks.
* General: Implemented first draft of Abstract Remote Model. This will be expanded on in Version 1.0.4.3 to provide a superior automatic configuration method for all Applications and Plugins.
* MCE Transceiver: No longer sends those remote buttons that are being automatically handled, if automatic handling is disabled it will send the full set. This will prevent double presses from occurring. Note that this only effects the buttons that are automatically handled, the other buttons will continue to be sent regardless.
* New Input Plugin: Added Experimental Mac Mini receiver support. (Feedback please)
* New Input Plugin: Added Experimental Leadtek CoolCommand receiver support. (Feedback please)
* New Input Plugin: Added Technotrend Receiver support. Thanks to AlexPlas, KayDiefenthal, and kvaes.
* WM Message Plugin: Will always show up as being detected, so by default users can simulate button presses with Windows Messages.
* Dbox Tuner: Added a Command Line Dbox Tuner application to the installer. (Feedback please)
* Hcw Pvr Tuner: Added a Command Line HCW PVR Tuner application to the installer. (Feedback please)
* Girder Plugin: Fixed the girder plugin to work as an IR receiver. Still haven't completed the blaster/command functions yet. This means you can use girder plugins to add support for devices I haven't natively supported yet!

New in Preview 5:

* Installer: Fixed a registry setting so that Input Service should autoconfigure correctly from now on.
* Direct Input Plugin: Fixed a detection and configuration bug.
* Translator: Fixed a critical bug.

New in Preview 6:

* Translator: Added process priority adjustment (under the new Advanced configuration menu item).
* WinLirc Plugin: Changed suspend/resume behaviour to fix a bug with repeated buttons after resume from standby.
* MCE Remote Receiver: Fixed an SMK brand receiver issue that was preventing some from receiving remote buttons.
* Translator: Fixed broken misc command types on the button mapping form.
* Translator: Added option to hide the tray icon in Advanced configuration. To reveal the icon just run the Translator application again.
* Input Service Configuration: Added Start and Stop buttons to the toolbar.
* Girder Plugin: Fixed a few bugs.
* Installer: More installer improvements thanks to Chef_Koch.

New in Preview 7:

* Installer: Added a required file for Technotrend remote.
* Abstract Remote Model: Corrected a bug in the Abstract Remote Map for MP Control Plugin.
* Run Command: Fixed a Force Focus bug.
* Misc: Updated SourceGrid component to version 4.11
* New Input Plugin: Added experimental Imon support (thanks to Cybrmage for helping).
* Version Numbering: Changed version numbering scheme to use last digit as SVN version number. With zero for release builds. Now Version 1.0.4.2 becomes 1.4.2

New in 1.4.2 RC1:

* Input Service: Fixed some small plugin loading issues.
* Imon input plugin: Improved Imon plugin, now supports MCE and Imon PAD remote hardware.
* Tray Launcher: Now uses the Common program launching code (includes new focus forcing code).
* Translator: Fixed a bug with the tray icon not re-appearing correctly after being hidden.
* Installer: Fixed an x64 bug.
* Translator: Fixed an x64 bug.
* Input Service: Now enables "Interact with desktop" setting for service, this should get MCE Replacement Driver users the ability to use the Remote Keyboard properly.


Version 1.0.4.1

* Minor bug fixes.
* Made MCE Remote XP/Replacement driver support more forgiving of malformed/unusual data from device.
* Raised thread priorities from Below Normal to Normal (Hopefully to improve responsiveness, if there are any ill side effects I'll revert this change) and made all threads "Background" (to prevent them from living on after the thread spawner has closed).
* Made error logging more uniform (makes code comparisons between similar libraries easier too, this should make it less likely that a change in, for example, TV2 Blaster plugin would not get made in TV3 Blaster plugin).
* Moved Input Server Plugins from "\IR Server Suite\IR Server" to "\IR Server Suite\Input Service" to bring them in-line with the move from IR Server to Input Service. Existing users will need to move their configuration files (*.xml) across or reconfigure their transceiver.
* Changed timestamps in log files to same format as MediaPortal's in preperation for new log file analysing tool I'm writing.
* Added support for the Ads Tech PTV-335's IR Receiver. You must copy the ADS_335_RCPLIB.dll from (usually) "\Program Files\Ulead Systems\Ulead InstaMedia 2.1" to the IR Server Plugins folder in your IR Server Suite install location.
* Fixed Vista MCE Suspend/Resume handling.

IR Server Suite Documentation is available for download separately. Documentation is no longer included in the releases made on the forum, this is to keep the download size under the forum attachment limit. Releases made to the site download area will include documentation.

If you'd like to comment on this version or if you find a bug in this version then please reply in this thread. Please provide as much information as you can about any bugs you find including log files (you don't know how much a log file can help me).

If you have a more general comment then feel free to start a new thread, or if you have a feature request then please add it on the Feature Requests list.

Cheers,

[petsa]

Hi Aaron,

I figured I finally should migrate from MRP and the replacement driver to eHome and IR Server Suite. Following your directions I installed eHome, changed the registry and then installed IR Server Suite, this version. All keys works fine, with one exception, I can not have it learn a single IR macro.

I use macros to blast to the TV and audio amplifier. It seems to recognize the IR from the foreign remotes but when I blast nothing happens. The LED lblinks but the command is not recognized by the TV or amp. I tried the Debug utility and it reports some different IR sequencies, which seems to be OK. Having said that, I can not have it learn and blast any commands either...

I've attached all logfiles I could think of. The last thing I did before zipping them was to try and learn another IR but without success. Can you take a look at the last part to see if I have done something wrong?

Thanks

/Peter

[and-81]

Well, I'm sorry to hear that the move was unsuccessful...

From looking at the log everything looks 100% ok... can you blast to other IR equipment and control it? Maybe your tv is very sensitive and some small change I've made has knocked it slightly out of range of what it will accept.

I'll hook up my Pronto again and make sure that blaster output is correct for the code provided...

I'll post back if I find anything, but can you also do a little test for me:

Open Debug Client and learn a command from a remote control, then blast it back while pointing an IR blaster bug at the receiver (up close) ... the receiver should register the code and you should see the button code come up in debug client... let me know if that works.

Cheers,

[rekenaar]

My wife gave the order last night that I must re-activate the control of the STB from within MP. We have not used this for the last couple of months.

I installed this version, but could not get the STB to change channel.
Uninstalled and install version of 2007-10-02 - worked first time.
Uninstalled and install version of 2007-12-18 - same problem as with current version.

Explanation:
TV Server Config
tv3 blaster plugin
stb setup
using STB: Panasat IRD624DSTV
test channel 202
The blasting lights flicker, but the STB does nothing.

The logs represent the last try (version of 2007-12-18) although the same problem exist with this current version.

[petsa]

Hi Aaron,

Here are the logs from some new tests I did per your suggestion.

1. I used my Logitech Z-5500 remote to receive a command once, then learn the same command (4184), then blast it a couple of times. No reaction on Logitech nor Debug Client, and finally received the command again.

2. I used my Video7 TV remote to recieve a command (1119866927), then learn the same command, then blast it a couple of times. No reaction on the Video7 but the Debug Client received another command (17104), and then finnaly reveiced the command again.

3. I used my MCE remote RC6 to receive a command once (31713), then learn the same command, then blast it once. Now the Debug client receive the same command as when I use the remote directly.

I've never had any issues with either remote with MRP.

Cheers

/Peter

EDIT: Just a thought... Since the Power on/off (remote event "4104" and "1119866927") are the only two commands I would like it to learn, can I add them manually (instead of learning)?

[hirscho]

Hi Aaron

Thanks for the new release. For me it works reliable with my MCE Remote. There are just two smaller issues.

1) The MP-Plugins are always installed to the MP default directory. If you use a different path for MP you have to copy them manually.
2) I mapped the TV_Power button of my MCE remote to the command"standby", but the system always goes into hibernate mode. Logs are included.

hirscho

[shark147]

Hi at all,
I have one problem con "IR Server Suite" when i select GIRDER PlugIn, i recive this message:

"************** Testo dell'eccezione **************
System.ApplicationException: Failed to load girder plugin (C:\Program Files\IR Server Suite\IR Server Plugins\Girder Plugin.dll)
in GirderPlugin.GirderPluginWrapper..ctor(String fileName) in C:\MediaPortal Development\Plugins\IR Server Suite\IR Server Plugins\Girder Plugin\GirderPluginWrapper.cs:riga 448
in GirderPlugin.Config.buttonFind_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e) in C:\MediaPortal Development\Plugins\IR Server Suite\IR Server Plugins\Girder Plugin\Config.cs:riga 67
in System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)
in System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e)
in System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventAr gs mevent)
in System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
in System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
in System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m)
in System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)
in System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.O nMessage(Message& m)
in System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.W ndProc(Message& m)
in System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)"

My Notebook is HP Pavilion DV2555ea with OS Vista Home Premium

How can I solve this problem?


Thks...

[petsa]

Hi Aaron,

Still no success with IR Server. I went back to latest version of MRP but have the same problems there, i.e. can not learn any IR commands. Have not tested all previous versions but the one I had working was from June 16th or so.

Can I learn a command in that old MRP version and then "import" to IR Server? Then I could workaround the learning issue as a short-term solution.

/Peter

[and-81]

petsa, rekenaar, and others:

I've now reproduced the blasting problem you're having and will hopefully have a fix within 24-hours.

Thanks for the quick and detailed feedback. It helped a lot.

Originally Posted by hirscho

1) The MP-Plugins are always installed to the MP default directory. If you use a different path for MP you have to copy them manually.
2) I mapped the TV_Power button of my MCE remote to the command"standby", but the system always goes into hibernate mode. Logs are included.

1. I need to make a change to the installer there, I'll need to find an example nsis script to do that, hopefully the next version will have this in place.

2. Sounds like the default driver is acting on that button press. There are certain buttons that are automatically handled, that's one of them. To get around this you need to modify your registry as described in the documentation and at the last link in my signature.

shark147:

I'll take a look and see what I can do. Did you locate a girder plugin dll before pressing ok?

Cheers,

[petsa]

Thanks Aaron!

I'd be happy to test it as soon as you have something for us.

/Peter