IR Server Suite - Public Test Version (4 Viewers)

[and-81]

Hey,

Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it.

- as somebody else already reported, creating a new macro doesn't work (unhandled exception).

That should be fixed in the next test version coming very soon. If it isn't fixed in the next version make sure you remind me

- it seems as if the "port" setting is not saved when creating or editing an IR command. You can set it to anything you want, it just returns to "both" as soon as you re-open the entry. Not sure if it's a saving or a display problem, but as you can specify the port in the event and button mappings anyway, this shouldn't be a big problem.

That's right. I decided not to store the port with the IR Command. So when you try to use the command you need to specify the port. The IR Command file is just a Pronto IR code, adding port data to it would make it non-standard, so I decided against it.

- is there a reason why the "Name" formfield is disabled when editing an IR command? I found it to be a little disturbing not to be able to change the name of an existing command.

I'll look at making this more flexible, and I'll definitely add a Rename button or context menu item.

- create a macro and have the IR command repeated several times (couldn't test that because of the unhandled exception when creating macros)

This would be a good way to go in the meantime. It seems Sony IR commands cause problems with the current learning method.

- edit the .IR file and duplicate the contents several times (didn't work for me)

This could be done by manually editing the Pronto IR Code data ... I've been meaning to make a tool for manipulating the IR commands for more advanced users... But that's still a little way off.

- set the button repeat delay in IR Server to 0 ms (didn't work for me either)

Button repeat delay only relates to remote button receiving.

- make learning mode return to "silly" behaviour (record everything it sees), so it will record anything the original remote is sending out, even repeated commands. Maybe you could add an option to let the user choose between "smart" (default) or "silly" mode?

Not a bad idea. I'll look at adding an option in the MCE Transceiver IR Server plugin setup.

one more tiny glitch I just ran across: when creating a new IR command, the "name" is apparently being saved as soon as the new code is learned and can't be altered afterwards.

That's right. I'll see what I can do for you.


Thanks again for the feedback,

Cheers,

 

[guytpetj]

Aaron,
Can I make the following work with the IR Server.

Computer A, IR Server installed, IR sensor attached
Computer B, IR server installed
Making use of MCE remote and MCE keyboard

MCE Keyboard normal keys going to Computer A only
MCE Keyboard Media/remote keys going to computer B
MCE remote commands going to computer B

 

[and-81]

guytpetj:

Yep!

There's actually a couple of different ways to do this ... But here's the simplest.

Install IR Server on Computer A and configure it for use with the MCE device.

Install Translator on Computer B and configure it to connect to Computer A as it's host.

Define actions for the buttons on the keyboard and remote in Translator on Computer B.

If you're using the Replacement Driver or you've disabled the HidIr service to make the eHome driver behave like the replacement driver then you need to tell the IR Server MCE Transceiver plugin on Computer A to handle the keyboard locally.

The media keys on the remote keyboard work just like they are buttons on the remote. The other keys on the keyboard work differently. The keyboard actually uses two IR protocols, one for the media/remote keys and one for the regular keyboard keys and mouse. So the media/remote keys actually appear to the IR Server as if they where from the remote control itself.

Does that explain it?

If you want me to walk you through it I can help you at about 8:00 pm local time on MSN, send me a PM if you're interested, but please give it a go yourself first.

EDIT:
You can even forward the keyboard/mouse inputs from the MCE keyboard to the other computer if you wanted, Translator will automatically turn them into actions on the client computer... I'm pretty happy with this feature, but I think you're the first person to try and do anything with it.

Also, you can use the Virtual Remote application from any of those computers (A and B) or any other computer to control Computer B.

I've tried to make the suite as flexible as possible. So if you think of any other cool usage scenarios let me know and I'll tell you if it's already possible or try to make it possible. That goes for anyone else reading this too.

Cheers,

 

[enco]

That should be fixed in the next test version coming very soon. If it isn't fixed in the next version make sure you remind me

Will do
I just found out that if you don't already have any macro files to copy, as a workaround it suffices to create an empty file named "macroname.macro" in "%ApplicationData%\IR Server\MP Control Plugin\Macros" to be able to edit it in the plugin's configuration dialog.

I decided not to store the port with the IR Command. So when you try to use the command you need to specify the port. The IR Command file is just a Pronto IR code, adding port data to it would make it non-standard, so I decided against it.

Ah I see, the port dropdown list is only for testing the code... didn't get that at first.

I'll look at making this more flexible, and I'll definitely add a Rename button or context menu item.

Great, thanks

- edit the .IR file and duplicate the contents several times (didn't work for me)

This could be done by manually editing the Pronto IR Code data ...

Yeah, that's what I tried (using Notepad), but just copying and pasting the whole code several times apparently didn't do the trick. There's probably more to it than I thought of (start/end sequence or something?). Doesn't matter though, I got it working with macros (see below).

I'll see what I can do for you.

Thanks a bunch

As for the Sony codes:
I created a few macros using the aforementioned method and found that the Sony codes work best when repeated at least three times with a pause of 70msec between each blast. Maybe this is of help to other users.
However, there's a small gotcha with this:
When using the remote mapping (in my case e.g. "green button" -> "receiver on"), the MCE remote seems to puzzle my Sony receiver, preventing it from understanding the blasted command. I worked around this by adding an additional pause of 500 msec to the beginning of the macro, but one could alternatively increase the number of code repetitions as well. This is of course no problem with your software, just a heads-up to other users.

BTW could it be that the event mapper is broken? I added commands for MediaPortal_Start and PC_Resume, but none of them seem to work. And yes, I ticked the "enable" checkbox...
I also un-checked "Require focus", but that didn't help either. I tried both blasting IR commands and executing macros.
Viewing the log file, I can see that upon resuming from standby mode, IR Server tries to blast IR commands but fails ("Das Handle ist ungültig" translates to "Invalid handle"):

09.10.2007 14:14:08 - Debug: SendTo(RegisterClient, Response, Success)
09.10.2007 14:18:53 - Debug: Server message received: BlastIR, Request
09.10.2007 14:18:53 - Debug: Blast IR
09.10.2007 14:18:53 - Error: System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception: Das Handle ist ungültig
at MicrosoftMceTransceiver.DriverXP.WriteSync(Byte[] data)
at MicrosoftMceTransceiver.DriverXP.Send(IrCode code, UInt32 port)
at MicrosoftMceTransceiver.MicrosoftMceTransceiver.Transmit(String port, Byte[] data)
at IRServer.IRServer.BlastIR(Byte[] data)

Whereas there are no blasting-related entries upon MP startup at all, so apparently IR Server doesn't get notified in this case? I'm using MP 0.2.3 RC2.


p.s.: I just found out that the MediaPortal_Start event actually does fire when using the standard BlueTwo skin. I was using the "FooFaraw" skin which apparently doesn't fire the start event... looks like I'll have to contact the skin developer or dig through the skin development docs myself to make it work like it's supposed to.

p.p.s.: Oh well... the MediaPortal_Start event is still working after reverting from BlueTwo to the FooFaraw skin. Must be due to some weird behaviour within MP.
However, IR Server keeps throwing "Invalid handle" exceptions when blasting after resuming from standby or hibernation... Additionally, MP now freezes on my machine upon resuming if a PC_Resume event is defined for the IR Server plugin. In this case, the IR Server log file doesn't state anything worth noting except the usual "resume from standby".
I hope you can work with that info.

 

[guytpetj]

Thanks Aaron,
Amazing bit of software your IRServer.
I'll have a go at this. If for some reason I get stuck I'll try to contact you.

 

[and-81]

New Test Version availabile

Hello,

Please update to the latest test version, and re-report any bugs you find.

Let me know if you have any problems.

Thanks for your ongoing support.

Cheers,

 

[Fabolus]

Hi all,
I have some problem with ir blaster after intallation of MP 0.2.3.0.
1: The mce replacement plugin with MCE blaster work only in setup, the test is ok but in MP no.
2: The irserver with MCE blaster not working after resume standby, I have to restart irserver.
3: I tried to use USB-UIRT with default configuration in MP and not work when resume from standby, i have to restart MP.
4: I tried to use USB-UIRT with irserver but not work whren resume from standby, I have to restart irserver

I use TV2.

Thank You.

 

[and-81]

I notice you posted very soon after I updated both plugins (MCE Replacement Plugin & IR Server Suite).

Are you using the latest test versions?

When you use IR Server make sure you disable/uninstall MCE Replacement Plugin.

What part of the MCE Replacement Plugin were you using to test? STB Setup, Macros, Button mapping, etc ...

What operating system are you using? XP, Vista ?

You are experiencing resume from standby problems with MediaPortal's built in USB-UIRT support as well as mine which makes me think that there is a problem with your setup... There are some guides in these forums to standby/resume tweaking, maybe a search for one of those.

Cheers,

 

[Fabolus]

Hi Aaron,
I have used the last version, I have unistall MCE Replacement Plugin with Ir Server and viceversa.
I use only STB setup for control my SkyBox, (with Mp 0.2.2.0 work very well with your plugin).
I use XP and the standby work well with Mp, i can put it in stanby and resume from MCE Remote.
I have search in forum for my problem since i installed Mp 0.2.3.0 and i've not found any solution.

Thank you and sorry for my english.

 

[and-81]

ok,

I'll see if I can figure out what is going on and get back to you.

In the meantime, make sure your external channels are mapped correctly in mp configuration.

Cheers,