Mini Display Plugin (2 Viewers)

[Bagal]

Hello all. I've been having this weird problem with my vfd. It's the one that comes with origen ae, VF210, I think. The display worked perfectly with MP 1.0 and 1.0.1 but for some reason in 1.0.2 the display updates itself only once in 8 seconds. I've tried all sorts of versions of IRtrans but with no luck. I have also tried fiddling with the minidisplay plugin settings with no effect. Does anyone have any idea what causes this?

I included mediaportal logs. Tell me if you need something else.

I finally found out that ForTheRecord plugin is causing this. What I don't understand is why? 4TR completely replaces the tv plugin in mediaportal client but the problem isn't limited to watching TV. The whole minidisplay plugin is broken (by updating only once in 8 seconds) for all functions of mediaportal if 4TR is installed on my client machine. Disabling 4TR in config does not cure the problem, only a complete uninstall of 4TR.

Does this explain things to someone who has knowledge of the inner workings of the minidisplay plugin? Maybe point me to a direction which would help in finding a solution to have a working display AND 4TR?

Thanks,
Slarti

I've also got the same problem with my display only updating every 6 seconds with 4TR installed, I've checked the log files and had a little delve into the MiniDisplay code and it appears the delay occurs when it checks to see if the TvServer is either currently recording or streaming live TV.

Haven't had a chance to look any further yet, however I have got a temporary workaround, if you clear the hostname setting in the MediaPortal.xml config file the MiniDisplay plugin thinks that you're not using the TvServer as you haven't configured it properly, so it won't check to see if the TvServer is recording or streaming live TV, which then means no delays in updating the VFD display.

After removing the hostname setting ForTheRecord will continue to work fine as it has its own setting in the MediaPortal.xml config file for the server hostname.

Now I have a nice and responsive VFD display and I can see the lovely equalizer when listening to music, yeh!

 

[slarti]

I've also got the same problem with my display only updating every 6 seconds with 4TR installed, I've checked the log files and had a little delve into the MiniDisplay code and it appears the delay occurs when it checks to see if the TvServer is either currently recording or streaming live TV.

Haven't had a chance to look any further yet, however I have got a temporary workaround, if you clear the hostname setting in the MediaPortal.xml config file the MiniDisplay plugin thinks that you're not using the TvServer as you haven't configured it properly, so it won't check to see if the TvServer is recording or streaming live TV, which then means no delays in updating the VFD display.

After removing the hostname setting ForTheRecord will continue to work fine as it has its own setting in the MediaPortal.xml config file for the server hostname.

Now I have a nice and responsive VFD display and I can see the lovely equalizer when listening to music, yeh!

Finally! Thank you so much!

 

[bigboss97]

Re: AW: Mini Display Plugin

What does yours show when MP is not running? Mine shows "MP not active".
I love the information provide by iMon, e.g. city weather etc. I wish MP only takes control of the VFD when it's needed and returns the control back to iMon when it's off.
So I can have other information when MP is not using it.
Any idea I can do that?

Phuoc

runs ok - but something is strange -

when i shut down the PC (my first one with VFD)
it still shows time and date... (althought the PC is off)

when i shut down my new PC here ...
display showa what i wann be showen ...
but NOT time and date anymore (and thats sad)

i liked that old VCR-style with the clock showing me time and date :-(
now the VFD always show: MediaPortal not active ... (sucks a bit)

 

[pilotedge]

With 1.1 final I got a driver not signed error and MediaPortal cannot take control of the VFD at all. Has anyone else got this problem?

 

[polarie]

AW: Re: AW: Mini Display Plugin

my Antec-Veris VFD (the first i bought and use) shows me the time and the date in off-modus -
& when i have MP on ... all the MePo information that i want.

the Coolermaster just go "blank/off" ...
only when MP is running - it shows all MP relavant things...

What does yours show when MP is not running? Mine shows "MP not active".
I love the information provide by iMon, e.g. city weather etc. I wish MP only takes control of the VFD when it's needed and returns the control back to iMon when it's off.
So I can have other information when MP is not using it.
Any idea I can do that?

Phuoc

runs ok - but something is strange -

when i shut down the PC (my first one with VFD)
it still shows time and date... (althought the PC is off)

when i shut down my new PC here ...
display showa what i wann be showen ...
but NOT time and date anymore (and thats sad)

i liked that old VCR-style with the clock showing me time and date :-(
now the VFD always show: MediaPortal not active ... (sucks a bit)

 

[sl1200]

Doesn't Soundgraph give you any support with the issues? I think it should be in their interest to get their dispalys work with one of the main htpc-softwares without remaining on "old" iMon versions.

Warning for MediaPortal users !!! - Soundgraph Forums

Simone

Simone, first of all, big thanks for all your efforts!

I am afraid that complaining at SG forums will not work for one simple reason: the best thing those developers can do, is do not work on their software, but to either release their APIs to 3rd party developers and/or concentrate more on their hardware. In both cases they are out of their jobs, so they won't do it. As long as they have issues to work on, they are employed, upon a condition that they have a stupid CEO who is not capable of realizing that the current strategy is not good for their business.

This is me typing, a happy user of MePo (for several yrs now), who is basically only frustrated with its HTPC when it comes to VFD-related issues (not only software, but also hardware). Why? Hereunder in short:

Hardware: my Chieftec case has an iMon VFD integrated in the front panel, alongside with integrated on/off-buttons, volume-buttons and card-reader. There is a very wierd issue reported by other owners as well: often, but very unexpectedly, windows freezes. It actually goes into a kind of inactive state where your mouse still works, but no window is clickable. Most of the users simply have to restart their HTPC, which would make the whole thing useless. I found a workaround: press CTRL+ALT+DEL, you get a task manager, close it (first click will not work, since also this window is inactive, but luckily it will close the next time). Now all windows work again, until the same problem occurs again for no aparent reason. The issue has another feature. SOmetimes it is not that the windows have become inactive, but the mouse left-click acts as a right-click. Simply clicking with a right-button will restore the function. Both issue-features often occur one after another. At least I don't have to restart my PC. This problem persists ALL THE TIME! That means, on a totally clean WIndows install (both XP, Vista and Win7), and after installing SG software/drivers, AND while doing nothing at all, so just simply sitting back and looking at your screen until suddenly you see your mouse pointer jump from the center to the another part of the screen. SOme of the people suggested that it might be the iMon IR-receiver sending out signals that do not exist and that covering the receiver-eye with a tape can solve the problem. Unfortunately, not in my case. In the end, since most of the owners of this CHieftec casing do not want to restart their PC or click frequently on CTRL+ALT+DEL, they have simply disconnected the front panel from their motherboards and now cannot use their VFD, remote, card-reader nor any little activity lights at front. Emailing Chieftec does not help, they simply ignore you. I already sent my case back for repair, but the new one has also got the problem. Ordering another one was not an option, since this casing looks exactly what I want, and has perfect size.

Software: just like you guys, there is always something wrong with these VFDs. Recently I upgraded to MePo 1.1.0 FINAL and thought to also upgrade to latest OS, drivers, and so on, including iMon drivers. Now, I only see time displayed on my VFD all the time. No EQ, no media info, just time. This is in combination with miniDisplay plugin and iMon v7.90, using all kind of combinations of settings within miniDisplay, including the ones from the previous version of MePo when I was using iMon driver v7.20. With iMon v7.20 most of the things actually worked, but with the new versions, everything is screwed. I think I will revert to 7.20 and try again. Even though I get my VFD showing things as before, I am still stuck with the hardware problem. What do you think I can do best? I think I will also disconnect the front panel, buy a MCE receiver, and start using my HTPC with my Logitech Harmony + diNovo Mini for once it was meant to be like. Pity that I will have to miss VFD + little activity lights + card reader then!!!

Bottom line: NEVER BUY iMON STUFF!

 

[polarie]

AW: Mini Display Plugin

+1 and agree - iMON stuff sucks ...

it looks like the soundgraph team is far far away from something like an "answer" ...
no more answer-posts in there own forum special in chemellis warning thread...


offtopic @ SL1200

nice turntable in ur avatar ...
i prefer the SL-Q33 (HiFi edition of the MK-II 1210)
... same direct-drive ... but better sound @ home
if an orthophon concorde silver is in use

 

[sl1200]

Re: AW: Mini Display Plugin

+1 and agree - iMON stuff sucks ...

offtopic @ SL1200

nice turntable in ur avatar ...
i prefer the SLQ-33 (HiFi edition of the MK-II 1210)
... same direct-drive ... but better sound @ home
if an orthophon concorde silver is in use

How nice to have hardware that actually makes you feel happy, ha?
Agree with you on the SQL-33! ;-)

 

[polarie]

AW: Mini Display Plugin

Hardware and compatibility - Technics realy did a better job than Soundgraph

 

[bigboss97]

I went back to my iMON manager and found the automatic setting. Now the VFD shows clock, weather, news etc. when MP is off and it shows all MP information when MP is running.

my Antec-Veris VFD (the first i bought and use) shows me the time and the date in off-modus -
& when i have MP on ... all the MePo information that i want.

the Coolermaster just go "blank/off" ...
only when MP is running - it shows all MP relavant things...