New Plugin: Pocket PC Remote for MP

[Kaoh]

I must say this protocol design sounds a bit risci.
You need to make sure its doing a hell of a lot validating on the commands its recieved else this is a wide open door into your computer.
Make sure that whatever code some one is sendgin you never ever get exceptions on those, else it can be abbused.

Other than this, it is a good idea to have a program like this.

Some managemnt in allowing wich client to do this might not be a bad idea also, I can imagine that many people have a home network with multiple pc's for their kids etc, you dont want them to run a client like this ;-)

[CodeShack]

Originally Posted by SirLoinOfBee

It would be nice if we could enter a computer name rather than an IP, as names are static, whereas IPs can be more dynamic.

No problems, will implement this in the next release.

Has anyone got any feedback on the button groupings, size, etc?

I don't use a TV Tuner, and I don't listen to music with MP (I use Slim Server for that), so there's plenty of functionality I can't or just won't be testing, so I really do need feedback on what functionality the remote needs.

[CodeShack]

Originally Posted by Kaoh

I must say this protocol design sounds a bit risci.
You need to make sure its doing a hell of a lot validating on the commands its recieved else this is a wide open door into your computer.
Make sure that whatever code some one is sendgin you never ever get exceptions on those, else it can be abbused.

Other than this, it is a good idea to have a program like this.

Some managemnt in allowing wich client to do this might not be a bad idea also, I can imagine that many people have a home network with multiple pc's for their kids etc, you dont want them to run a client like this ;-)

It's not risky at all - if the command sent to the socket doesn't map to a predefined key in IrTransMediaCenter.xml, it's simply ignored. Furthermore, the receive buffer is limited to 256 chars, so buffer overflows can't happen.

Take a look at the source code to verify.

[CodeShack]

More on this..

You're thinking about old languages/platforms

The potential "risk" you're describing is something that can happen with non-managed code, i.e. where received data is held in a memory pointer and a malicious user attempts to overflow the buffer and gain access to memory that the code isn't managing.

Things don't work like this in .Net Framework languages - unless you specifically write and declare you want to use unsafe code (which is something you'd only do for legacy reasons).

The socket server for this remote obviously doesn't do this

[Kaoh]

As long as it is checked and thought about ;-)

[opy01]

I dont suppose your planning on any type of bluetooth connection are you? I am not sure but I think the WiFi drains the battery faster.

and since I havent seen any responses about the GUI it is kinda big and blocky. I really like Cheetah05's GUI



I know there is no way to get data from MP to the PPC but maybe it could be similar to tha main menu and when you select DVD it would change to new DVD menu on the PPC or when you select images it would change to look like the menu on the left side of the images screen.

[CodeShack]

You can already use Bluetooth - you just have to setup a bluetooth network connection between your PC and your Pocket PC.. The range is of course quite limited though, so I never actually end up using it because of that.

I have tested connections using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and USB - all work fine. I haven't tested irDA, but that's kinda pointless anyway

Cheetah05's GUI is nice, but it's not enough of course. Anyone want to have a go at creating a complete GUI for this remote?

[ZetaVu]

Ok, I've been using the MPBlue MP remote control, and it seems like development for that has stalled. The biggest value there is you can view your music library and playlists locally on your pda and select what you want MP to play (unlike slingbox, which streams the music to your pda, this plays the music on your MP computer, in my case output to my stereo system). This way, I can play music from anywhere in the house, and navigate through the playlist or choose new songs without having to see a tv set. That in my opinion is essential for a good working remote. This could also work with tv shows etc, or setting up a picture slideshow, using the pda to work in the background without having to show what's going on on the tv screen.

MPBlue seems to be doing that but suffers from pda standby issues. It would be great if the two projects could be merged, you might want to talk with Mr. Sensitive. I'll play around when I get a chance and let you know.

[CodeShack]

I've looked at MP Blue, and agree it could be useful for organizing playlists while you're away from your entertainment center, but what it does doesn't translate well to visual formats like video and pictures, as you have to be viewing the MP output to get any value from those anyway. I'm guessing that's why the developers of MPBlue stopped with music?

[CodeShack]

Originally Posted by SirLoinOfBee

It would be nice if we could enter a computer name rather than an IP, as names are static, whereas IPs can be more dynamic.

Done. This is now possible in version 0.2.2.0 - download here