Monochrome (for those who like dark skins), updated... (2 Viewers)

[Psycho Reptile]

does the skin control the on screen keyboard, or is that somehting within MP itself that is just called by the skin?

The skin has two .bmp files that work with the keyboard and that's all. The OS keyboard has been my only gripe about MP, from a skinners P.O.V. that is...

I would like to have the option to display ALL the albums like in the MOVIE views, but I can't figure out how to do that.

If you have all your albums in one folder use the "Shares" view, that's what I use but I have my music organised like this: Genre/Artist - Album/Track - Song.ext. If you're lost click on Switch View->Shares.

 

[Mutly]

Hi,

Sorry for being ignorant, but i have an issue when running the installer GUI. At the point it prompts for a path, there is no default setting, only a prompt for me to add a new path. No matter what path I add, the skin installs, but does not become available to MP to use, and fails to run configure. What path should I be using to install the skin?

Edit: Ok, I find that no matter what path I put into the installer, it always extracts the skin to c:\skin\monochrome.

 

[Bram]

This skin is absolutely amazing. It has my vote to replace blue two as a default.
Before the 1.0 release would be great . B2 doesn't reflect the capabilities of MP anymore.

 

[ThaClown]

I agree with Bram

 

[richy759]

Thanks for adding support for "For the Record".
Agreed, this skin should be default.
Keep up the good work
Rich

 

[2BitSculptor]

I think this would be a great default skin... but a proper 4:3 version would also be necessary.. with larger text for analog TVs (small text becomes unreadable easily.. especially if it is over a composite - or god forbid - an RF cable for older TVs., eg., 9 or fewer rows in list-view, and 8 rows or less in Guide, and the current small "Next:" text in On-Now OSD becomes just a smear.

Just as in the old days of HTML.... appropriate for the least common denominator.



Chuck

 

[SpudR]

I think you need some point of cut off.
Microsoft have managed to show that full compatibility for older systems stymies progress!
I have an old 14" black and white set, with a big dial for tuning - should we support this to?

 

[2BitSculptor]

I think you need some point of cut off.
Microsoft have managed to show that full compatibility for older systems stymies progress!
I have an old 14" black and white set, with a big dial for tuning - should we support this to?

Actually... MP already does.... as long as you can get a signal to the antenna leads of the TV (there are PC to RF converters available) and you can tune to channel 3 or 4 (as I do with my TV). and there is already a plugin to control a circuit from the serial port to switch on and off an external power source - if I read it right. You won't even have to get up to turn off the TV. You don't have to do anything to get B/W from a color transmission on a B/W set.

If something ain't broke, and it still has a viable use... don't throw it out. 640X480 displays are still supported on nearly all video cards (external or integrated), although it's common use has dwindled.

I believe including support would offer a path toward the "ideal" setup, as ppl can afford it. I'm having to make "baby steps" toward my dream media experience, but it is not such a great priority for me that I should disregard what I have which is still operational and, with some finagling, still fits into my Media Portal experience. I'm already in the red on the WAF meter with the purchase of the HTPC setup... and I cannot justify to "her" the expense of replacing a perfectly good TV (we generally make large ticket purchases in agreement)... it is much easier to request that the device have continued support ... the whole digital broadcast conversion situation still baffles her.

So, yes.

Chuck

 

[ethanol]

Agree - this is a strong candidate for Default Skin!

 

[SpudR]

Hmm...
I am aware that MP supports almost everything if it's got some add ons - but I don't see the need to restrict forward progress for the few of us that have old(er) hardware. People just get high expectations for things that their technology just can't support (try playing a PS1 game on the PS2 - they tend to look rubbish due to the fact the older games don't know how to use the new hardware). This leads to instant disappointment and lots of "xxxx doesn't work" posts.
Also the code gets pointlessly huge, and slower for things that are just not used on most systems. There's no point loading drivers for card going back to the year dot.
Plugins are the way forward for that kinda thing! (IMHO). I guess the devs have a view and it's not my decesion to make
Anyhow, this is getting a bit off topic

Both Monochrome and Indigo would make great default skins - maybe there is a poll to be had to see who uses what, and what the community at large think...