MCE Replacement Plugin V1.0.0
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by and-81
Please note, this post has been heavily edited to bring it up to date with all the developments that have occured over the last few weeks...
Note: The plugin can now be downloaded from the main site, not this thread.
https://www.team-mediaportal.com/files/Download/Plugins/Input/MCEReplacementPlugin/
This plugin serves as a replacement for MediaPortal's built in support for the MCE remote. The reason for developing this plugin was to support a replacement driver for the MCE remote and to add complex IR blasting capabilities to MediaPortal. From those humble beginings the plugin has grown to do a lot more than that.
So what exactly can this plugin do?
* Set complex IR blasting commands to any button on the MCE remote, and the mapping can be context sensitive, this means you can control your surround sound while watching a DVD with the same remote buttons that control your TV set when watching TV.
* You can re-map buttons that until now have had a fixed function, like the arrows, the PC Power and others. (requires replacement driver)
* Control your set top box to tune external channels. And if your set top box is on the list you can set it up automatically without teaching the plugin any of your set top box's IR codes.
* Minimize MediaPortal and still control it, handy for listening to music.
* "Different Remote" lets you configure a different (compatible) remote to function as an MCE remote. This means you can configure a programmable universal remote (or even just some spare buttons on another compatible remote) to act as if it was the MCE remote.
* Map a button on your remote to launch an external program.
* Use external programs to change channels on your set top box. Like the MPExTuneCmd plugin, but with more flexibility.
* "Message Mode" lets you use HIP or Girder to send commands to MediaPortal, the plugin will make MediaPortal think it was receiving the actual remote button presses itself. This means you can get the same level of control over MediaPortal as you would if you were using the native MCE remote support while still being able to use HIP or Girder for all your other remote control needs.
* "Multi-Mapping" lets you cycle through multiple sets of button mappings, effectively giving you an unlimitted number of buttons.
* "Event Mapper" can assign an IR code or macro to a MediaPortal event. For example, you could have have it turn on your tv when it starts or resumes from standby and turn it off again when it shuts down or goes into standby.
There are two versions of the plugin included, one is for 0.2.1.0 the other is for SVNs. I've tested with SVN 10-24-2006.
Please read the included documentation for more details.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank the MediaPortal Developers for all the hard work they have put in. It really shows when someone like me can jump in and turn out a plugin so easily. I've seen the code, I've asked for changes and the response of the dev's (mPod in this case) has been great. Keep up the good work guys. I know you hear it a lot, but seriously, you're doing good work.
Cheers,
--------------------------------------------------
by and-81
Please note, this post has been heavily edited to bring it up to date with all the developments that have occured over the last few weeks...
Note: The plugin can now be downloaded from the main site, not this thread.
https://www.team-mediaportal.com/files/Download/Plugins/Input/MCEReplacementPlugin/
This plugin serves as a replacement for MediaPortal's built in support for the MCE remote. The reason for developing this plugin was to support a replacement driver for the MCE remote and to add complex IR blasting capabilities to MediaPortal. From those humble beginings the plugin has grown to do a lot more than that.
So what exactly can this plugin do?
* Set complex IR blasting commands to any button on the MCE remote, and the mapping can be context sensitive, this means you can control your surround sound while watching a DVD with the same remote buttons that control your TV set when watching TV.
* You can re-map buttons that until now have had a fixed function, like the arrows, the PC Power and others. (requires replacement driver)
* Control your set top box to tune external channels. And if your set top box is on the list you can set it up automatically without teaching the plugin any of your set top box's IR codes.
* Minimize MediaPortal and still control it, handy for listening to music.
* "Different Remote" lets you configure a different (compatible) remote to function as an MCE remote. This means you can configure a programmable universal remote (or even just some spare buttons on another compatible remote) to act as if it was the MCE remote.
* Map a button on your remote to launch an external program.
* Use external programs to change channels on your set top box. Like the MPExTuneCmd plugin, but with more flexibility.
* "Message Mode" lets you use HIP or Girder to send commands to MediaPortal, the plugin will make MediaPortal think it was receiving the actual remote button presses itself. This means you can get the same level of control over MediaPortal as you would if you were using the native MCE remote support while still being able to use HIP or Girder for all your other remote control needs.
* "Multi-Mapping" lets you cycle through multiple sets of button mappings, effectively giving you an unlimitted number of buttons.
* "Event Mapper" can assign an IR code or macro to a MediaPortal event. For example, you could have have it turn on your tv when it starts or resumes from standby and turn it off again when it shuts down or goes into standby.
There are two versions of the plugin included, one is for 0.2.1.0 the other is for SVNs. I've tested with SVN 10-24-2006.
Please read the included documentation for more details.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank the MediaPortal Developers for all the hard work they have put in. It really shows when someone like me can jump in and turn out a plugin so easily. I've seen the code, I've asked for changes and the response of the dev's (mPod in this case) has been great. Keep up the good work guys. I know you hear it a lot, but seriously, you're doing good work.
Cheers,