Running MP as a part-time HTPC

venger · 2005-06-08, 14:47

As the devteam as stated a few times in the forum MP is intended to be a fulltime HTPC. IMHO, this is reasonable and helps focus delivery.

However, there are some of us (myself included) who only have a single machine and cannot afford to run it as a fulltime HTPC only.

After scratching my head a bit and doing some searching, I have located external freeware tools to achieve the same effect.

An example is the 4t Tray Minimizer Freeware edition.
(at http://www.4t-niagara.com/default.html)

Basically, this tool will:
(1) hide MP in the taskbar and place it instead in system tray
(2) MP can be restored by remote or double-clicking on the MP tray icon
(3) MP can be automatically placed in system tray whenever the window loses focus

The cool thing is (1) - (3) are all configurable.

The result:
You now have a HTPC that can seamlessly slips into the system tray when you want to do normal PC stuff. And your recordings will continue to quietly happen.

PS: I do not work for 4t-niagara. I have found at least 3-4 similar tools so there are definitely alternatives.

2005-06-08, 16:16

hello Venger,

Does this "solve" the sluggish issue:
going from fullscreen to windowed, and then press the minimize icon and back?

I think this might not being too difficult to add something to MP like:
-add extra button <minimize>
-add extra feature "start minimized or not"

Greetings,

fpouels · 2005-06-08, 16:55

Thanks Venger for this tip ! As a new part-time MP user this was one of the things I was missing, now I can go from fullscreen to tray and back with one key press. So yes iafilius, this solves your issue.

venger · 2005-06-08, 17:07

*sigh*... i knew it was too good to be true.. just rebooted my machine and found that the 4t Tray Minimizer Freeware edition does not store options !! :evil:

oh well.. nothin for nothin i suppose :wink:
In any case, I will continue searching for a freeware alternative that will do the job.

But for those who never turn off their machines, this should not be a problem

2005-06-08, 14:47	#1 (permalink)
venger Portal Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Running MP as a part-time HTPC As the devteam as stated a few times in the forum MP is intended to be a fulltime HTPC. IMHO, this is reasonable and helps focus delivery. However, there are some of us (myself included) who only have a single machine and cannot afford to run it as a fulltime HTPC only. After scratching my head a bit and doing some searching, I have located external freeware tools to achieve the same effect. An example is the 4t Tray Minimizer Freeware edition. (at http://www.4t-niagara.com/default.html) Basically, this tool will: (1) hide MP in the taskbar and place it instead in system tray (2) MP can be restored by remote or double-clicking on the MP tray icon (3) MP can be automatically placed in system tray whenever the window loses focus The cool thing is (1) - (3) are all configurable. The result: You now have a HTPC that can seamlessly slips into the system tray when you want to do normal PC stuff. And your recordings will continue to quietly happen. PS: I do not work for 4t-niagara. I have found at least 3-4 similar tools so there are definitely alternatives.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
HTPC doesn't hibernate after recording	thedisciple	General Support	4	2006-11-29 10:38
Another MCE-Clone - Download available	Inker	Skins	114	2006-11-27 00:09
Unable to record 2 TV shows at the same time	natrlhy	General Support	4	2006-11-02 03:53
Want to finish my HTPC project - but how?	BugsBunny	MediaPortal 1 Talk	0	2006-06-02 00:12
Loosing control using Hauppage remote	slyhne	General Support	8	2006-02-10 18:23

2005-06-08, 16:16	#2 (permalink)
Anonymous Guest Posts: n/a	hello Venger, Does this "solve" the sluggish issue: going from fullscreen to windowed, and then press the minimize icon and back? I think this might not being too difficult to add something to MP like: -add extra button <minimize> -add extra feature "start minimized or not" Greetings,

2005-06-08, 16:55	#3 (permalink)
fpouels Portal Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bennekom Posts: 26 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	Thanks Venger for this tip ! As a new part-time MP user this was one of the things I was missing, now I can go from fullscreen to tray and back with one key press. So yes iafilius, this solves your issue.

2005-06-08, 17:07	#4 (permalink)
venger Portal Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	sigh... i knew it was too good to be true.. just rebooted my machine and found that the 4t Tray Minimizer Freeware edition does not store options !! :evil: oh well.. nothin for nothin i suppose :wink: In any case, I will continue searching for a freeware alternative that will do the job. But for those who never turn off their machines, this should not be a problem