Love StreamedMP but need 4:3 -Is there a similar 4:3 skin or what changes can I make? (1 Viewer)

[kenp2600]

I really love the StreamedMP skin and use it on my widescreen TV. However, on my 4:3 tv things don't line up exactly right (font overlap, etc). I mainly use Moving Pictures and MP-TV Series currently. I have 2 questions.

First, what 4:3 skin is most similar to StreamedMP?

Second, if I were to customize the skin to fit 4:3 (at least for the areas I use most) what modifications would I need to make? I'm a software developer so I'm not concerned about doing the customizing, but if it were too extensive it might not be worth it in the long run.

Thank you

 

[rkooten]

I'm busy modding streamedMP to 4:3. I've made quite some progress, but it will still take some time. I won't be releasing any half-finished versions but at least now you know there's a version coming. It's up to you whether you want to wait.

One downside: I don't watch television, so that won't be properly supported. That is, I'll try to add as much as I can but I won't be able to test it. Perhaps someone else can add TV support once it is released.

It's not a quick and dirty mod as I'm cutting bigtime in the code. A lot of the code in streamedMP seems to be deprecated code from other skins. I'm also streamlining the skin by downsizing the number of files that are used, trying to add more consistent use of graphics and dimensions, adding proper comments and documentation, resizing the graphics, updating it to MP 1.0 specs etc.

I can tell you that there is a lot of work involved to do a proper 4:3 mod! When I started I thought it was a simple matter of changing the dimensions and resizing the graphics... turned out there's a bit more involved than that...

Biggest setback is the complete lack of up to date information on MP skinning and the fact that most community skins are not really good examples of proper coding. Most look good on the outside but the code is often messy. No flame intended, all efforts are appreciated of course!

 

[ltfearme]

Thanks for your efforts rkooten. I will be happy to include your 4:3 version into the installer to give people a choice, or even come up with a separate installer if needed.

 

[Dadeo]

Hurray!

I won't be releasing any half-finished versions

One downside: I don't watch television, so that won't be properly supported. That is, I'll try to add as much as I can but I won't be able to test it. Perhaps someone else can add TV support once it is released.

Might be able to help with that if you like but I don't use TV Server only inbuilt engine

Adding proper comments and documentation, resizing the graphics, updating it to MP 1.0 specs etc..

OMG, am I in heaven? Are you an angel of mercy?

I can tell you that there is a lot of work involved to do a proper 4:3 mod! When I started I thought it was a simple matter of changing the dimensions and resizing the graphics... turned out there's a bit more involved than that... .

That's an understatement!

Biggest setback is the complete lack of up to date information on MP skinning and the fact that most community skins are not really good examples of proper coding. Most look good on the outside but the code is often messy. No flame intended, all efforts are appreciated of course!

+1 to that!

 

[kenp2600]

That sounds great. I'd love to give your skin a try when you get it done. If you need any help testing, drop me a message. I'd be happy to help.

 

[rkooten]

Well, don't celebrate just yet.

I'm making progress, but as I said... it takes a lot of effort. It may be a while before there's a finished product (as in months). Nonetheless, this is going to be my skin of choice as well and I want it to be stable and good looking...

 

[kenp2600]

Well, don't celebrate just yet.

I'm making progress, but as I said... it takes a lot of effort. It may be a while before there's a finished product (as in months). Nonetheless, this is going to be my skin of choice as well and I want it to be stable and good looking...

Still, let me know if I can help. I might even be able to help with the development if you had the time to get me started.

 

[joz]

rkooten for doing this!!!

Working on my own skinmod atm, started of with blue3.
I kinda got the hang of most of it now. If I can help in anyway please feel free to contact me.

 

[rkooten]

Thanks for the encouragement!

I prefer to work alone for now. I have my own way of doing this systematically, which will hopefully allow me to create much needed documentation about skinning afterward. I feel I won't be able to do this if I also have to coordinate other peoples' efforts. Thanks for the offer though!

I'm sure the TV-section will still need work once I'm done, so there's a good chance I'll ask one of you guys to help me out with that by then.

 

[joz]

I can understand that, it takes a lot of effort to collabarate over the internet.

However I was also suggesting you could contact me with specific skin problems or something. Just don't be spending hours on some problem, that's lost time.
I'm not saying I know everything but I made some leaps the last couple of weeks regarding skinengine knowledge, so might be able to help you out with specifics. But maybe you're further than me knowledge wise
Anything to get this skin out there asap, no pressure though. A proper job is more important