mce 1280x720 (updated for MP 0.2.3 RC3) (2 Viewers)

[Boilermaker]

I looked at the changes.txt and i was impressed. Going thru and changing the header text is something i've wanted to try. I might have actually done a few. The one thing you may want to try is switching language to something like German that has much longer words than english and see if it still works well. One of the biggest mistakes i've tried to correct is my lack of consideration for other languages. That's why i made some buttons wider, because Cancel in German is "Abbrechen". Well, you get the idea.

I'm going to hopefully get some time on Friday night to drop your changes into the skin on my htpc and take a good long look. Please keep the suggestions coming, having a second set of eyes taking a critical look at the xml will only improve the skin.

 

[Boilermaker]

I've uploaded two versions of the skin updated for .2.1.0. Both skins still need a little testing because the final version went back on some things that were included in the svn. Also many of the plugins are not working, so updated skin files will have to be done when the authors update their plugin.

Back to the two versions. The first, is basically the same same as before, with updated OSDs as pictured a couple pages back:
ftp://www.knwd.net/pub/mediaportal/skin/mce1280x720/mce1280x720.zip

The second version borrows the look of for the bottom part of the screen from Mofux's Nonafo skin. A couple of screenshots here:
ftp://www.knwd.net/pub/mediaportal/skin/mce1280x720/screenshot/mceafo1.jpg
ftp://www.knwd.net/pub/mediaportal/skin/mce1280x720/screenshot/mceafo2.jpg
ftp://www.knwd.net/pub/mediaportal/skin/mce1280x720/screenshot/mceafo3.jpg
ftp://www.knwd.net/pub/mediaportal/skin/mce1280x720/screenshot/mceafo4.jpg

And the download:
ftp://www.knwd.net/pub/mediaportal/skin/mce1280x720/mceafo.zip

I'm only going to continue with one of these two variations, so if you use this skin, please let me know which one you prefer. When one skin is chosen, and the files have been cleaned up to work with the new version of mp, i'll make an installer with many of the same options as before.
Thanks

 

[pannivas]

new mce16x9 is amazing. Great job Boilermaker. Very very nice OSDs. You fixed the videoInfo also the myTVSeries looks great now. I even replaced my own custom ones.

Love it. Keep up the good work Boilermaker.

I am simply amazed. A couple of requests maybe for next version if possible.
1) Change of Basic Home Screen. Make it more graphical if possible.
2) Maybe add an icon for myTVSeries plugin when it is included in home page.

mceafo is ok but i dont like that banner at the buttom. Actually the banner looks nice but it takes up to much space of my TV.

 

[Boilermaker]

thanks...i still have some work to do, i really haven't had much time over the last week (including the weekend) because of work. I really need to do entirely new graphics for all home screens, it was pointed out in another thread that the large images are not very good. And i agree.

I finally got mytvseries set up on my own htpc, which is why i was able to improve its skin file. I don't mind supporting plugins, it just takes me time to set them up to the point where its usable. I would like to make the banner more prevalent, but not have it dominate the screen; which would have been the case if i stretched it out across the width of the list.

i'm using mp on a 46" dlp tv (when i'm not skinning on my crt desktop monitor), so i appreciate the input from other with different tv sizes. I try to take as many situation into account as possible, that's why i like to see input from anybody who uses the skin. So keep making suggestions, or for those who have been using the skin and haven't posted before, please let me know how i can make things better. i can't remember the last suggestion i didn't give at least a try.

 

[pannivas]

the TVSeries banner is great there. actually on my custom xml i placed it above the navigation controls but it looks better and cleaner as it is now. I use MP on my 37" LCD and it looks just great. Indead placing it top and streching it would look horrible and consume to much vailable screen area.

Keep up the good work and take your time Boilermaker the skin looks great as it is.

 

[xemumanic]

Is there any chance the 4:3 MCE skin can get these updates to 2.1.0 as well?

 

[Boilermaker]

Is there any chance the 4:3 MCE skin can get these updates to 2.1.0 as well?

For the most part, the b2 xml can be used, but all the xml for OSD would have to be redone by hand. The big time consumer is the graphics, and with what i have left to do with this skin, i don't think i can take on resizing them for another skin. There are two alternatives...i've yet to do new icons for the home and basic home screen (read a few posts above). If somebody is interested in helping with those for both skins, it will free up some time for me update 4:3 skin. The other alternative is that this time around i've saved the .psd files for all new graphics for easier conversion, if somebody wants to do a 4:3 version on their own.

xemumanic, looking at your sig, i see you are using a 720p tv; are you still using a 4:3 skin on it?

 

[xemumanic]

No, I use the 16:9 skin for that. But I also use MP on a PC with a 4:3 (really 5:4) LCD. And now with the TV server finally here, more and more users are going to be in a position like mine where they have to have different aspect ratio skins depending on where the client is running.

Looks like my hopes of having MCE as a 4:3 skins are pretty slim. Simple MCE was another nice MCE based skin, more up to date, but it too desnt run in this new version, and hasnt for some time before that. I wish I knew about this type of thing, I would have done the work myself.

 

[Boilermaker]

And now with the TV server finally here, more and more users are going to be in a position like mine where they have to have different aspect ratio skins depending on where the client is running.

That's an interesting point i haven't considered. If there is interest i will put the time in...but that's the rub. I was leaning toward making this the last official release of the 720p skin due to lack of interest. There are 5 or 6 people that respond to the thread regularly and make suggestions. I thank them for their input; they've basically been the only reason i've done full updates the last couple months. There's probably also a few lurkers too that use the skin, but in total it may not be enough to justify the amount of time it takes to maintain a skin. I've read that sentence over a few times and realize how horrible that comes off, but i hope everybody understands what i mean.

Since i use the skin on my htpc, i would keep it updated with the things i use and share it with anybody who wanted it, but offer no support. But if there is interest in continuing with a 16:9 version and adding a 4:3 version, i would continue maintaining and supporting the skin(s). I would also be happy to turn over updating and maintaining to someone else if they were willing to put in the time.

 

[D4bFz3awSRYHKjr3]

me too would like to see your skin updated 16:9 version.

Although I'm not a big fan of the new OSD en popup windows