[solved] MiniDisplayPlugin: Support for latest iMON VFD/LCD drivers (2 Viewers)

[elliottmc]

Sure it will be really nice DEV Team.
About master, we are in code freeze (only showstopper or bug fix should go) and for this branch we need report on testing side
@elliottmc

Does this fix bugs? If so, can be included in 1.7.0. If not, 1.8.0 Pre Release.

 

[Sebastiii]

Yes i think it's related to BUGFIX for minidisplay.

 

[HTPCSourcer]

Dont want to pour water into the wine, but what errors are fixed?

+ This new version allows the usage of newer Soundgraph driver version (post 7.77)
- 2nd configuration screen ("advanced") not working
- equalizer functionality not working
- LCD function icons (i.e. Recording) inactive
- elapsed time display not updating often enough

It will certainly help people who try to use the display with yhe most recent soundgraph driver versions, however, several functions that used to work, are no longer operational. At this point this is very much beta.

 

[Lyfesaver74]

@Lyfesaver74 : can you test this version of the plugin ?
Thanks

Which link am I to download to test? Finally got new server up

 

[Stéphane Lenclud]

@HTPC_Sourcer

Dont want to pour water into the wine, but what errors are fixed?

I'll have no water in my wine thank you

- 2nd configuration screen ("advanced") not working

Admittedly I still have to look into that. Which functionality is this suppose to bring?

- equalizer functionality not working

Yes I'm very well aware of that and the missing EQ is one of the main reason I actually started working on these project.
I'll be trying to get this fix at some point.

- LCD function icons (i.e. Recording) inactive

I have had crashes trying to get the Recording icon working so this is not going to be part of that first release.

- elapsed time display not updating often enough

This is the most worrying issue here but I believe this is still no show stopper.
AFAICT it happens really seldom. Like twice in 2 years for me. I suspect it's not related to iMON drivers.
If you have steps on how to reproduce this issue it could help me fix it.

It will certainly help people who try to use the display with the most recent soundgraph driver versions, however, several functions that used to work, are no longer operational. At this point this is very much beta.

I'm not trying to match the feature set of the legacy plug-in in this first release. My focus is on stability and deployment.
So I consolidated the code and added support for deployment to make sure that users of iMON displays will be able to use them out-of-the box after installing 1.7 rather than having to copy DLLs around.
Hopefully features and bug fixes will come in later releases providing that I or whoever else has enough time and dedication to implement them.[DOUBLEPOST=1393152181][/DOUBLEPOST]@Lyfesaver74 I'm not sure how those installer links are working. Do we have a build server producing them?

 

[HTPCSourcer]

Which functionality is this suppose to bring?

Among other it allows adjusting the messages that are displayed. Also you can define some starting and ending settings, e.g. switching off the display when leaving MePo or defining what is displayed if MediaPortal is inactive.

and the missing EQ is one of the main reason I actually started working on these project..

I beg your pardon? Everything worked perfectly before, including the equalizer.

I am kind of confused. The only issue with the currently deployed version is that it requires Imon Software Version 7.77 and below. Indeed any user installing more recent Soundgraph driver versions will encounter problems. Notwithstanding, as I said above in combination with older versions the plugin did work without any issues - at least for me. Hence I don't understand your point about improved stability. Actually your version in combination with latest Soundgraph driver feels more unstable, yet I have not tracked how frequently I need to reboot now because MePo is not reacting anymore to the remote.

I am perfectly OK with developing updated versions, especially if they bring more stabilty. However, my sole point was and is that they should have reached a certain development level before replacing other versions and being automatically deployed. I would not be here if I were not interested in further development of this plugin.

 

[Stéphane Lenclud]

@HTPC_Sourcer be reassured you can and should be able to use the MiniDisplay driver for your older iMON drivers.
This change is just about adding support for the newest drivers, it is not withdrawing support for the older drivers.

I beg your pardon? Everything worked perfectly before, including the equalizer.

AFAICT it never worked in the newest driver though it did in the older drivers.

I'm sorry you are having issues with the newest iMON drivers, could it be some kind of incompatibility with the SoundGraph drivers themselves on your configuration? I've had no such remote control issues on my system. I recommend you open a thread on the support forum about that.

However, my sole point was and is that they should have reached a certain development level before replacing other versions and being automatically deployed.

The newest MiniDisplay iMON drivers do not replace the older ones. You can keep on using the older drivers.

 

[HTPCSourcer]

@Stéphane Lenclud ,

I have the Impression that we don't talk about the same thing here. Let's try to resolve the misunderstanding by summarizing the common understanding:

• The officially deployed version works with Soundgraph drivers prior 7.77 (or something in this range).
  • This plugin represents a certain development Status and is fully functional (including EQ).
  • Experienced users are aware of this and will not allow their Soundgraph driver to update to newer versions
  • New users will most likely install current Soundgraph Drivers and therefore have their Imon display not function under MePo
• Your updated version is now compatible with all Soundgraph drivers
  • At this time it provides basic functionality only
  • Several (previously working) features are not implemented

That's all what I wanted to say. I don't complain and I am not asking for support either. All that I want be clear about is that we should not introduce any plugin into the deployment package that while resolving one issue introduces new ones.

This is a perfect Area 51 devlopment topic where your work would be showing as "work in progress". Eventually it would then be added to the deployment package.

 

[Stéphane Lenclud]

That's all what I wanted to say. I don't complain and I am not asking for support either. All that I want be clear about is that we should not introduce any plugin into the deployment package that while resolving one issue introduces new ones.

The new plug-in does not introduce new issues it just brings compatibility with the latest SoundGraph drivers with its own set of features.
You can still use your older drivers.

 

[Lyfesaver74]

.... and I still have no idea what and where I am testing.