[News] Future of MP Extensions - Design Concept (3 Viewers)

[tommyc2k7]

What i really want is to not have to reboot MP every time i want to record something. I wish the 'stop record' button worked. I wish launching a video worked every time without requiring a restart. Basically i would like to not have to restart MP 2-3 times per day for only a couple of hours of actual use. I really really really wish the development focus would be be on stabilization of the current version instead of themes and extensions.

Do you have DVB-EPG enabled?
I had a similar problem where if I left the pc for any length of time, or even tried changing channel after the initial channel load, tv server would lock up until I killed the process. Since I disabled DVB-EPG this problem is completely gone.

Hope this helps you.

 

[costi]

Mediaportal is a HTPC software - So let it be configurable with a remote - Just like XBMC.

I agge, yet you can't put all options inside the MP GUI. You can't compare MP with XBMC in that regard because MP has MUCH more config options and doing everything with your remote is a cumbersome process.

And why not? Let's face it - how many people use all the options in the Configuration panel? XBMC also doesn't have everything in the GUI - some things are only configurable via advancedsettings.xml. The "much more options" you mention aren't that much more actually, only that the more obscure stuff is hidden from the average Joe. What is in the GUI is the stuff that people use the most - setting up language, timezone, video and audio output, subtitle fonts, power options, choosing and configuring a skin and managing plugins.

Also you have to take into account that doing all the tasks MPEM is meant to do in the MP GUI can be quite cumbersome. Creating a MP1E would be quite pointless to even try.
Nothing matches the speed and comfort of using your mouse to do these tasks.

My HTPC does not have a mouse or keyboard, only a remote - what now? IMHO this is a scenario you should be looking more into - operating MP with only a remote. From my observations, this is what many (if not most) less computer-savvy people expect, they expect the HTPC to operate like their cable STB and are very reluctant to use a mouse.
Of course, creation is another story - but sacrificing easy and intuitive operation and consumption for the sake of having one app to comsume and create is IMHO not the way to go - it's making things difficult for 95% of users just to cater to 5% (who probably wouldn't mind using a separate app anyway).

 

[DieBagger]

Mediaportal is a HTPC software - So let it be configurable with a remote - Just like XBMC.

I agge, yet you can't put all options inside the MP GUI. You can't compare MP with XBMC in that regard because MP has MUCH more config options and doing everything with your remote is a cumbersome process.

And why not? Let's face it - how many people use all the options in the Configuration panel? XBMC also doesn't have everything in the GUI - some things are only configurable via advancedsettings.xml. The "much more options" you mention aren't that much more actually, only that the more obscure stuff is hidden from the average Joe. What is in the GUI is the stuff that people use the most - setting up language, timezone, video and audio output, subtitle fonts, power options, choosing and configuring a skin and managing plugins.

Me for example... I like to user remote desktop to configure my htpc, not everyone has the same needs/preferences as oneself.

 

[emphatic]

Me for example... I like to user remote desktop to configure my htpc, not everyone has the same needs/preferences as oneself.

Me too. If I could, I'd love to use a WebUI to configure MediaPortal that I can access (password protected) from a networked computer. It would show a "MediaPortal is still running, close it manually" popup if needed. I use RealVNC now when I need to configure stuff as I don't have mouse/keyboard at all for my HTPC, but having a bare-bones web interface with no need to install such software would be really nice. Or just add client/server functionality to this new Extensions Manager so I can run a client on my laptop and manage updates and installation remotely?

Emph

 

[sa_ddam213]

If your keen to go in the WPF direction I dont mind building this Extension Manager.

Seems like a new fun project to consume my time

 

[sa_ddam213]

Me for example... I like to user remote desktop to configure my htpc, not everyone has the same needs/preferences as oneself.

Me too. If I could, I'd love to use a WebUI to configure MediaPortal that I can access (password protected) from a networked computer. It would show a "MediaPortal is still running, close it manually" popup if needed. I use RealVNC now when I need to configure stuff as I don't have mouse/keyboard at all for my HTPC, but having a bare-bones web interface with no need to install such software would be really nice. Or just add client/server functionality to this new Extensions Manager so I can run a client on my laptop and manage updates and installation remotely?

Emph

MPDisplay++ can connect in your local network, and across the web, you can control all aspects of MP including shutdow/restart.

we could add the extra features you are after in one of the next releases (we are taking feture requests now )

 

[infinite.loop]

If your keen to go in the WPF direction I dont mind building this Extension Manager.

Seems like a new fun project to consume my time

Thanks!

I am currently caught up in finishing some projects at work that must get done before the holidays and then there is also 1.3.0 Beta....
Will get back to this once I can catch a breath.

 

[sa_ddam213]

If your keen to go in the WPF direction I dont mind building this Extension Manager.

Seems like a new fun project to consume my time

Thanks!

I am currently caught up in finishing some projects at work that must get done before the holidays and then there is also 1.3.0 Beta....
Will get back to this once I can catch a breath.

I will get started with the mock-up based on your screenshot now

 

[sa_ddam213]

Spent a few hours on the mock-up last night and it seems to be coming along ok.

I am trying to keep as close to the concept as the WPF framework will let me and it seems like it will be all good.
I have attatched what I have so far and I will start on the more complex custom controls (like search bar) and start theming the buttons,scrollbars etc.

 

[Holzi]

Thank you very much for starting on this!